Craving Greens, Christmas Calm, and Taro Burger Dreams
These short winter days are wearing on me, I have to say. I
try to postpone getting completely disgusted with winter at least until after
the new year, but I think I’m caving fast. Last night, my husband and I were
snuggled on the couch, him eating a roast beef sandwich, and me eating a bowl
of granola with peanut butter, when I realized how drastically our diets have
changed since summer ended.
We’re so much lighter, healthier, and even clearer of mind
during the gardening season, when diets include so much fresh, homegrown
greens. Now in winter, we both head for the processed carbs that wreak havoc
with blood sugar and weight. And it’s not just the absence of fresh food, it’s
the long nights and cold temperatures that make us crave.
The good news is that winter feels like it’s flying by.
Today is December 14, Christmas is almost here, and then we plunge into the new
year. I may eat these words in February when time feels like it’s standing
still. But I’m pretty good with the fact that we’ve already clobbered October,
November, and most of December already. I don’t like wishing away time, since
we have only a finite amount of it. But it’s what I do every winter.
This weekend, we’re having my husband’s family over for a
Christmas gathering. We’ll turn down the lights, light the fireplace, put some
candles around the shrine, open a couple of bottles of wine, eat rich food, brew
espresso, talk, and enjoy some music. I have a vegan raspberry marzipan cake I
picked up at a local bakery. I love sharing great coffee and listening to people
tell their stories.
Next week, my husband and I will visit with my family, and
then a few days later, it’s Christmas. We’re going to spend the day home
relaxing, making a great meal, and counting our blessings.
That’s my favorite kind of Christmas day. The dynamics of
large, obligatory holiday family gatherings is something I never liked, and
something I decided years ago I wasn’t willing to do anymore. Give me peace,
love, quiet, familiarity, zero waste, cruelty-free, and the people and things
that mean most to me. Give me a midday nap. Let Christmas happen with gentle
undercurrents, and without commitment.
My husband has a surprise for me this year, he says. I
usually drop hints on him about the things I’d like to have, but this year, he
told me early on to not bother. He says I’m going to love it. I’m both nervous
and excited for this. Nonattachment – the most significant of the Buddha’s
teachings – comes into play now. I wonder what he’s up to, but I should avoid
anticipation. What I love most about it is the sweetness with which he tells me
that he has a surprise. Much more than the gift itself, I’m grateful for his
expression of love.
Watching my favorite You Tubers – most of whom are based in
Hawaii – keeps me sane through winter. Check out vegan activist Ellen Fisher
and vlogs from her home in Maui. It’s with a little envy that I watch her and
her family harvest avocados, mangos, and lilikoi off their backyard trees in
December, but it keeps the dream alive that one day, my husband and I will live
there too. Hawaii is my goal, and I’ve convinced my husband that it’s his too. 80
degrees and on a beach on Christmas day? Yes please.
Here’s what I’m thinking: a modest home with an open floor
plan and outdoor space to grow lots of garden food. Scooters as our main mode
of transportation. Opening a vegan fast food place where people can get
jackfruit nachos, chickpea wraps, taro burgers, plant-based poke bowls, banana/pineapple
frozen smoothies, shaved ice, Kona coffee, and fresh juices on-the-go, all in
biodegradable containers.
This sounds so good. I feel warmer already. Keep the dreams
alive, beautiful people.
Barbie xo
