You may have
celebrated Mother Earth by helping to clean up your neighborhood (we did). This
is the time of the year to open up space to plant our seeds, to celebrate the
elation of plunging our fingers into the soil. The season invites us to garden,
hike, bike, and take longer walks with our furry friends. The sun on the skin
feels different; it revives something inside the heart-- a sense of communion
with all life-- inspiring us to appreciate the beauty around us.
Perhaps there is a picnic or a camping trip
in your future plans. Outdoor adventures call for delicious, healthful meals to nourish the body and mind. It was exciting to discover this
book at the local library: Dirty Gourmet Plant Power by Aimee Trudeau, Emily Nielson and Mai-Yan Kwan provides a broad spectrum of recipes to make this
possible. I love the adaptability of these recipes. It is easy to substitute
and add ingredients to create something that works for you and your family.
The
photographs included are equally inspiring. The authors also offer tips and
instructions on how to carry the food, and ideas to adapt the meals to every
outdoor situation. I appreciate how each recipe is accompanied by a
paragraph about the authors’ personal lives and experiences, and how it connects
to a memory or personal anecdote.
The book also contains a section of desserts, so those with a sweet tooth will get an added bonus. Another compelling feature of Plant Power is the purpose of the authors, which they reveal clearly in their introduction.
“One of our fundamental values is caring for
the natural world. It’s important for us to teach how to not only nourish
yourselves but also protect and support our public lands. We hope we are
leading our readers to be responsible stewards, helping to ensure that future
outdoorists can continue to enjoy public landscapes just as they do today.”
The intention of collaboration and connection relayed
by the authors entices the heart and fosters a spirit of community.
“This is a collaboration and an ongoing
conversation. Let’s continue to be resources for one another so we can keep
growing as a food-loving outdoor community.”
As we welcome the beauty of the new season,
feel free to read or revisit the following posts as well. I hope you find inspiration
and ideas to do your part in sustaining the gifts of Mother Earth for
generations to come:
