Delicious dirt

I spent my first day of summer vacation with my beautiful friend Jenny, volunteering at the Hidden Villa CSA. From 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., our time was spent weeding beets, getting to know the farmers, listening to the chatter of other volunteers from a local high school, and soaking in the deep, rich fragrance of earth and life. 

The intricacies of life fascinate me. I remember, during lazy summer days as a kid, how I would sprawl on my stomach in the back yard and watch the millions of bugs going about their day in between the blades of grass. I wanted to imagine what life was like for them; I wanted to know where they were going, what they were doing, and which microscopic hole in the ground they called their own. I could sit there for hours watching the bugs. 

And then we (my sister and brother and I) would catch butterflies and create little habitats in mason jars. Construct fairy houses (fairies live in the garden, didn't you know?) with twigs and leaves. I once even dug them a pool, complete with a snipped piece of a ziploc bag so the water wouldn't drain from the bottom. I thought of all this whimsy while weeding the beets, as my arms became a jungle gym for ladybugs and spiders. 

Possibly the best part of our day, though, was the potluck lunch that followed. With vegetables straight from the garden, everyone pitched in with a dish of their own. We had pasta with chard, quinoa and kale salad, black bean tortillas, apple crisp, romaine with a green onion vinaigrette, and fresh strawberries. Quite literally, the fruits of our labor. Straight from the earth, where the fairies and bugs and worms and butterflies each perform their daily tasks to nourish the soil and the plant life beneath it. Delicious dirt, indeed.

Our souls and stomachs fed, we left feeling lighthearted and deeply satisfied. My only hope for summer is that it continues with this theme of spirit-nourishing, carefree and whimsical goodness. If you're in the area and happen to find yourself bored on a Wednesday, or just need something to do, I highly suggest you wander over to this gem of a place and lend a helping hand. 

Meals for two

I’ve prided myself on maintaining a slight veil of anonymity here on The Chocolate Fig. Few mentions of family and friends, only a picture here and there and sparse personal details, not wanting to compromise anyone’s privacy (including my own). I’m sure many of you fellow bloggers can relate, as certain risks come with writing in such a public forum. I’m a very discreet person by nature, and so I tend to over-worry about things like this.

All of that is changing though. Those of you who know me personally probably realize that my boyfriend and I are now roommates in a spacious studio apartment in San Francisco, making life much easier for me, giving us the autonomy we so desperately crave, and making social isolation obsolete. As such, most of the meals I’ll be making are meals for two; most of my cooking will be done for and with him. And since accounts of my cooking are what appear here, it’s only natural that I finally and formally introduce you to one another.

Readers, meet Elliott. My muse, my inspiration, my sounding board and reality-checker. Born and raised in the same town as I, on the same street as some of my best friends. We didn’t meet until ages 19 and 23, when I guess you could say we had settled into ourselves. Over the time we’ve known each other, he and his family have been the patron saints of recipe-tasting, never hesitating to offer suggestions and inspirations. Even when I preface a batch of cookies with, I tried something new, I didn’t follow a recipe, I have no idea how they’ll taste, please don’t hate me... Hands are reaching into the bag with enthusiasm. For this, I am endlessly grateful.

So, with this post, the veil I had drawn over my personal life has been lifted slightly and now you know a bit more about us. Along with this big life transition, the content of this blog will shift accordingly as I navigate a new kitchen and learn how to grocery shop and cook for a grown (and hungry!) man. Any tips you have on this will be welcomed with gratitude.

Instead of my own solo adventure on this blog, you can now expect to hear about these two youngin’s trying to weave our way through life’s complexities, one meal at a time. 

The Body Talks.

Has anyone else found themselves softly humming Christmas carols, craving pecan pie and pumpkin spice lattes and embracing the ever-more-crisp air?

I certainly have.

We are approaching my absolute favorite time of year. The holidays seem to surround food and family and laughter; my birthday falls two days before my mom's, in the heart of December; I get to take sweaters and scarves and boots out of hiding and use my umbrella again; and the sometimes dreadful weather makes for plenty of opportunities to curl up with a blanket, a book, and a cup of tea. Being lazy is perfectly excusable and perfectly satisfying.

All in my life has not been completely joyous as of late, however, and I'd like to share something more personal than normal for me and this blog. For the past eight months (maybe more, I've lost count), I have grappled with crazy emotions and grasped for control of my sense of self. I don't know what triggered this dramatic shift in balance, and for months and months I have been desperately trying to find out. Nonetheless, and with as few details as possible, rock bottom was creeping closer at an accelerating rate and I was afraid. The little voice of reason in my head (she is a faithful and loyal companion) was, at this point, shouting at me: You need to figure this out, and fast. So, advised by a longtime mentor and considering my aversion to conventional Western medicine, I made an appointment for something called BodyTalk.

This alternative method of healing, as I've come to understand, helps our bodies re-learn how to heal themselves. Sometimes, with everyday normal distractions getting in the way, our energy systems cannot properly communicate. The idea is that we are all born equipped to remedy our ailments, but if our energy becomes unbalanced or the pathways become blocked, we encounter problems.

To some of you, this may sound kooky, and to each his own. Think of it what you will, but it reminds me of Acupuncture, from which I've noticed real results. I have actually seen proof of one of my body's systems beginning to rebalance itself as a result of Acupuncture. For that I am grateful and highly intrigued.

With no idea what to expect, my first BodyTalk experience was different, to say the least. As I lay on a Tempurpedic-topped table with a velvety blanket in a softly-lit room, the practitioner held my hand and silently started to ask my body questions. I didn't feel a thing except the pressure of her hand on mine, and she would stop every so often to scribble notes on a pad or let me know what she was doing. She started to bring things up that I hadn't yet told her: I'm seeing that your sleep is effected. You're waking up between 1 and 3 a.m. Is this correct?

Yes, as a matter of fact, it is.

I hadn't really noticed or thought much of it- I drink a lot of water. Apparently, though, it could be fixed. She said, I'm addressing this now. Then, softly tapping on my head and then on my heart, I suppose she addressed it.

Then came something even more interesting. You've experienced a decline in sensuality, haven't you? Your sense of self-worth?

Well, yes, now that you mention it. I guess I have been wondering why I don't desire to be naked as much as I used to.

I hadn't even hinted at this sort of problem, but she found it, and I suppose she addressed this as well in the same manner. After a few more minutes, when all was said and done, I left feeling calm and open and optimistic and great. I didn't even care that it was 5:30 and the red blinking of taillights was all that I saw for the next 25 minutes. I thought to myself, that was interesting. I guess we'll see what next time brings. And then I forgot about it, really. I went about my business that evening and then went to bed.

As I type this today, I recall a quote from the healing center's mission statement, "Fostering the fertile and illuminating the overlooked." And in my very first BodyTalk session, some things I had overlooked were definitely illuminated. It's difficult to predict what my next session will bring, and on this new adventure I appreciate your company. Feel free to share your thoughts, whatever they may be.

One last thing I should mention is this: From the moment I went to bed that night until my alarm clock coaxed me out of a deep and luxurious slumber, I didn't wake once. I believe there's something to be said about that.

Our bodies talk to us. It is our job to listen carefully.