I’VE BEEN ENJOYING the English summer this week, especially yesterdays Mediterranean blue sky. No longer just a dream in my mind, but actually out there on the other side of my window, deep, clear, dazzling and, blue. All things change and It is perfect. Next week I go and visit my sister in Spain for a week. It’s the first time I’ve been, and I’m looking forward to getting to know the sky there, the sun, and everything. I wonder if it will be a different type of blue, and if it will feel different there.
I have always wanted to travel, but for various reasons didn’t leave the U.K. until my 50th year. What a treat that was. Paris my first experience, and the Catalan Pyrenees my second. At the end of my stay at the project in the Pyrenees I walked the Camino de Santiago, from Logrono. It took me four weeks and was magnificent. One day I will do it again.
There is something so deeply peaceful about just putting one foot in front of the other with nothing to think about. Body flowing to a constant, gentle rhythm of limbs as they move back and fourth. At peace with themselves.
Initially I walked with the intention of getting somewhere, but by the end of the first week that fell away and there was no forcing anymore. Just a quiet, steady, ebb and flow. Arms and legs moving this way and that. Heart beating to a steady beat. Distant thoughts dropped away without ever really having taken hold, as early morning became afternoon and the heat of the sun shining down said, time to stop now. And I did.
The afternoons drifted into early evenings that wrapped me in the company of others on the trail. We drank wine and ate food to the gentle lapping sounds of people’s laughter, warm and mellow, as everyone basked in their days adventures. It’s hard to describe how deeply refreshing, peaceful and invigorating walking a pilgrimage route is. I have stories I will tell as the weeks ripple by across this years summer.
Little garden out back
I’ve just been watering the little shared garden out back. Full of wonderful foods growing. Leeks, radishes and lettuce to pick. Tomatoes, cucumbers, coriander, beetroot, sweet corn, beans, courgettes, winter squash, figs, peppers, potatoes (one is called purple rain and I’ve never grown it before), mints, and other herbs, all coming on nicely. And, my window boxes are full of parsley ready to pick, calendula growing well, red spring onions just appearing along with wild rocket and some little gem lettuce.
So much of the food in the little garden out back has been grown by my neighbour in the flat below, he has created a great approach to doing this over the years. I’m also going to get involved with a community food and forest garden at a farm in the city. I love this time of year.
I'd love to know if you grow food, whether you have tips, or would like some. Perhaps you will leave a comment.
Joy dots
Robin singing his way to bed
Deep blue skies
Gentle breeze
Turquoise throw
Supper
Raw cheese
More soft squidgy dates
Smell of water on earth
Pine cones
Kindness
Young pattering feet
Children giggling
Peonies
The smell of fresh mint
Generosity
Recipes
Here are the first two recipes from the picture at the top of this post, I’ll post the others over the next couple of weeks. All simple dishes you probably know, but it’s fun to share.
Beetroot & coconut soup
If you know your Ayurvedic constitution the combination of beetroot and coconut is just perfect for pitta types. But if you don’t or you are not a pitta type, don’t let that stop you from enjoying this soup. With Ayurveda it’s all about leaning towards the foods that balance you, unless you are not well or needing to correct an imbalance. In that case, eating foods that balance your constitution is important. It is a very simple recipe where I have blended the raw beetroot with water to cut down on the cooking time.
Ingredients (per person)
1 cup chopped raw beetroot
1 cup water
1/4 cup shredded coconut
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 inch grated fresh ginger
A couple of pinches of black pepper
Rock salt to season
1/4 fresh lime
Method
Blitz the beetroot with the water then simmer this with the other ingredients (not the lime) for about 20 minutes. Serve with the lime for people to add as they choose.
Porridge with figs and almonds
This porridge is one of my all time favourites, and absolutely perfect for Vata types. Fine for pitta types but I would make it with coconut milk. A little too sweet and heavy for kapha types. Here’s a link to a good Ayurvedic quiz to get an idea of your constitution. Vata types can still benefit from eating warm whole grain porridge in the summer, but pitta types do better with overnight oats during the warmer months.
Ingredients (per person)
1/3 cup oats groats (whole oat grain)
8 times milk to grain
1 apple
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 fresh fig
1/2 cup toasted flakes almonds
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Method
I make this in a slow cooker overnight, it’s a lovely way to wake up in the morning. You feel ahead of the day. You could also use your oven on low. If you would like a vegan option, swap the milk for water and just before eating add light tahini.
Put the first five ingredients in your slow cooker or oven dish to cook overnight. In the morning add the other ingredients. Real comfort food. Decorate with extra fresh fig if you have some.
And now, just because it’s beautiful…
Photo by Petra – pixaby
I’d love to hear what you find beautiful – telling people is a great way of exercising those positive neural networks! Perhaps you will post a comment.
Till Sunday, warmest wishes,
Lucy x
Hi Georgie, yes you will! The easiest and most eco way of beginning is to create some fixed in-dig beds. So so simple. Pick an area, if it is grass simply cut and put about 6 inches deep compost. I don’t use wooden edges because the collect slugs and slug eggs. Simple plant straight in. Plant what you like to eat. You can buy plug plants online and at nursery’s if later in the season. Tell me what you like to eat then I can help some more. If using pots, again you can grow lots. In the little garden out back we are growing most things in pots because there is so little ground space. To keep it cheap you can even use good sturdy cardboard boxes — must be thick and sturdy or they will collapse too quickly with watering.
That final photograph is absolutely magical, isn’t it? I meant to get a garden going this year, but regretfully it will be another year for that. We had several bad storms that damaged quite a few trees in our neighborhood. Not only did we have tree damage, the grandchildren’s playscape was demolished and much of our back fence. So, we’ve been busy:) Still, grateful for our homes and families being safe and well! Gardening will return in due time.
I’m a Vata type and that fig and almond porridge looks amazing! So delicious, comforting, and nourishing I bet. I appreciate your gentle comments about the use of meat. I’ve leaned towards vegetarianism for over forty years, but also struggled with low iron, getting enough protein, etc.