Learning How to Take Care

Trying to understand what our new reality is, what our new normal will be, and how my life with food plays into all this is, well, a challenge.  Welcome to everyone's world!  Late this winter, I had sent out a naively optimistic note encouraging local holistic practitioners, hospitals and healthcare businesses in the area to reach out if I could be of any help with my newfound Nutritional Therapy in their particular practices. 

I was met with the sound of crickets chirping.

As the spring has dragged on, (yes, I said drag, I have never felt a slower spring!) I've found that it's brought the time and space to listen, watch, and learn about things I am often too busy to notice. 

The forsythia in the backyard, for instance. 

I've always begrudgingly stared at two overgrown bushes.  Wondering what the heck they are, why they are still around to mow beneath and hack back each early summer.  This spring they greeted me with the loveliest lemon-yellow-cheerfulness, and it finally hit me- "They're forsythia bushes!" 

Not so bad, after all.

Much of my work in Nutritional Therapy has been inside work.  I mean both literally indoors, and figuratively, as in learning.  Thinking.   Sorting.   I receive endless streams of podcasts and emails proclaiming--- "Badass BUSINESS CONSULTING!  Get the help you need to grow your six figure business now!"  or "Group Wellness Programs to Scale your Holistic Health Practice"... The tabs now litter my computer.  All ready to listen to when I have a free moment (I'll listen while preparing dinner, I tell myself, or cutting out quilt squares---a project that has suddenly taken over our living room at the time of year I most crave being outside!)  I marvel at the poise of the instructors of these "badass business programs" who seem to have the most beautiful pictures, thorough recipes, intense personalities, and perfect answers.

This past week I received a curt reply to a somewhat lofty email that I had sent hoping to help change the world with Nutritional Therapy from an exhausted woman closely involved with local food shelves.  She had responded to my initial call back in February when things were still "normal", encouraging me to apply for a grant to work with a local public institution in the Windsor Vermont area to create classes for people interested in budget cooking and seasonal eating.  My follow up to her was something along the lines of "Do you have any recommendations of institutions in the area that might be willing to team up with me to provide these classes?"

She responded saying that her program for healthy foods had been cut because the food shelves are struggling to keep their shelves stocked with ANY food.  (Her polite but firm undertone was: "This is no time for your attempts to make the world a better place with your ideas about good food, girl.”)

This morning I finally worked up the courage to think.

“Maybe this is not so bad after all.”

I told her that I work and have extended family involved in vegetable and dairy farming who I'd be willing to communicate with to share any excesses as the season progresses .  I also mentioned the seed of an idea that was planted a few months back: Edgewater Farm's video series for growing tips & tricks, kitchen vegetable prep hacks and more. 

Could this be helpful to share at food shelves, or with participants?

Time will tell.

In the meantime (amidst watching videos recommending ways to improve my reach on social media platforms) I'm signing off with a new challenge for our month ahead... yes, I'm employing a new concept from my video viewing--- ENGAGING with people!

How can we each take a few simple steps each week just to just take care of one another?

Outside of the blueberry pie with date-nut crust and lemon sorbet, the meal planning, the perfectionism mindset, and the obsession with the "best quality whole foods" available. 

Maybe it’s taking a moment to listen.

 A deep breath before you jump to a conclusion.

A walk outside.

A minute alone basking in the sun. 

Saying a blessing before you hit the mac and cheese for dinner the fourth night in a row.

A trip to your local food shelf with a few extra goodies from your most recent expedition to the grocery store.   Or, can they be delivered to? 

Here's what today taught me. 

These food shelves in my area are in need of food: Windsor, Hartland, Reading, West Windsor, and Woodstock, VT.  Check out this link for addresses, hours & contact information... or a food shelf you can contribute you near you.

Cheers taking care of someone this week! 

And remember,

It might not be so bad after all.