YEP! It’s almost that time of year again! What will be on your table this year? This food idea is quite a stretch from what I intended to blog about but I thought, “why not?” I know that this picture doesn’t fit into our usual American Thanksgiving menu! But change can be interesting.
As all our American Turkeys make their way down our U. S. A. runways, without their masks,
and richly dressed, which one will you select? The ‘word’ is out that this will be the costliest
Turkey Trot ever!! So, watch out ‘chicks’ you are in the running, too!
“A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men” – Roald Dahl
For some time now, I’ve been deeply interested in my soul! So, I found my books on the soul,
“PEACE of SOUL” by Fulton J. Sheen and “CARE OF THE SOUL”by Thomas Moore. As I
read through these books, my mind kept bumping into “Soul Food!” No way around it, I love
food and especially holiday foods! My question to me, “can I tie all this ‘soul’ stuff into something interesting?” Here goes!
Thomas Moore writes, “Soul” is not a thing, but a quality or dimension of experiencing life and ourselves. It has to do with depth, value, relatedness, heart, and personal substance.” Now the word ‘substance’ is my cue to add ‘soul food!’ No, I’m not suggesting to change your typical Thanksgiving dinner to a southern type dinner; but do try it sometime! You’ll go back for seconds! It just kind of fell into place when writing about food for our souls.
Within our US borders, we house many different food cultures; all wonderful! But isn’t it
great that we’ve one day, where we all share a turkey thanksgiving day?
I’m not using a moralistic pitch; but just what makes a soul feel good. For me, it’s everything
that is close to me! And if I treat myself well, I, in turn, will treat you and others in kind. Isn’t that a good way to look at life? Why do we make ‘living’ so hard on ourselves? Life is always
serving up something on our plates! Most of which we cannot control! You know, we’re living
through it!
Where does the Soul live? Is it in the imagination, as T. Moore suggests? Maybe! I know if a
friend calls and says, let’s do lunch! I get excited! In my younger years, it was a trip to anywhere or just spending the day and night in NYC! Or does the soul live in the heart? I think the soul is the basic ingredient in all of our lives! Feed it nourishing and rich ideas, it comes alive! Our everyday rituals are extremely important to our souls. When I’m doing what I like and extremely enjoy; I’m soaring! I’m not an artist but when performing something I love, such as preparing meatballs; to me that’s an art, my art! Or growing flowers; whatever!
When we practice our own personal art(s); we are happy! This nourishes our souls! Next time someone comes to visit and notices your picture hangings or special tablecloth and you say, you created it! And the compliments flow; do you sort of puff up with gladness? That’s your soul coming to life! Nice feeling! So, maybe the soul resides in the feelings! Now, that means a solid twenty-four hours of work for me! Keeping all the ‘bad’ out!
“Surround yourself with people who make you hungry for life, touch your heart, and nourish your soul.” Proverbs for Life
Soul Food can be traced as far back and before slavery in W. Africa. The term ‘soul food’
was coined and used in 1964, in the states. The meaning of soul food captures the humanity
and heroic efforts of African-Americans to overcome centuries of oppression. Soul food melds all the cooking techniques of W. Africa, Western Europe and the southern Americas. An ethnic cuisine! Soul food has been in our food registry since 1492!
When the newly arrived Immigrants/Americans met their new neighbors, the Indians; they
gathered and broke bread for our First Thanksgiving! The food items found on their table are used today. Of course, in different sections of our country, the menu may vary. On the news today, I heard that this will be the most expensive Turkey Dinner day in history!
I wish all of you, Daily Feels readers, a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Take particular notice of
the food being offered and presented on your Thanksgiving table; it’s full of history and love!
So much to be thankful for! Remembering all the cooks and may the food you eat nourish your soul and find a little wisdom, too!
May your Thanksgiving be “happy” and your “Souls” be enlightened and may you
receive all the “blessings” from above!
Nancy Fraioli is a retired Benefits Asst. from Town/Village of Harrison, NY. She’s alive and well, residing in Sarasota with her daughter and family and enjoying the Floridian lifestyle daily.
Her passions are writing, reading books of philosophy, children’s stories and poetry. Her deep love is living, learning and sharing how faith, meditation, and music guide her daily life. And she loves to lunch with the ladies!