In the next few weeks I will be offering a giveaway of a large painting, in honor of the holidays and my 100th blog post. Stay tuned for details…
Loreena McKennitt Dante's Prayer
Dante’s Prayer by Loreena McKennitt
There are moments that you remember when you hear a piece of music and it just hits you. This is one of those songs for me. I hadn't heard of Canadian singer/songwriter Loreena McKennitt before and was introduced to her by a good friend, who by now knows what I like and often feeds me wonderful music. Maybe it was the setting I was in, not sure, but I remember the moment like I remember other big events in my life...And in some ways, I attribute Dante's Prayer to opening my heart just a little more when I didn't even realize it has been so closed...So here is the song...I hope its beauty and depth affects you too....It starts with a Gregorian chant...Click here for the song and the lyrics
Down to Earth: Netflix Series
Zero Waste home of Joost Bakker
Somehow the Netflix TV series Down to Earth, already on its second season, has not been on my radar, probably because instead of a television screen, I have just been gazing at a beautiful vast ocean for the last months. But a friend brought this series to my attention the other day and I wanted to share it with you. The show, hosted by the American actor Zac Efron, has searched the world for creative ways to live healthily and sustainably and as a result, discovered a group of extremely passionate, intelligent and dedicated people leading the way...This is very exciting tv, exciting news for the world, and I wonder why and only wish that the news media would focus on this type of news rather than doom and gloom and humans at their worst. This is truly human beings at their best--finding innovative ways of saving our planet, making responsible choices, and figuring our way out of this mess we have made of our planet.
I started with the second season, episode 1 of Down to Earth Down Under, which describes zero waste in many forms, from new ways to butcher fish with almost no part left over (did you know that with our precious and dwindling fish population on earth, we discard 50 percent of our catch!), to Joost Bakker and family's totally zero waste free new food system home, smack in the middle of Melbourne, Australia.
We are all capable of at least some of these practices so for some good ideas and inspiration, check this series out...
Vegan (Cheddary) Broccoli Soup
Isa Does It Cookbook by Isa Moskowitz
Broccoli (Cheddary) Soup
I am always looking for ways to eat healthier and this soup is a delicious option on a cold winter's night...It was served to me in Belfast, Maine by my friend Roberta, who shared this recipe from a cookbook she loves: Isa Does It: Amazingly Easy, Wildly Delicious Recipes by Isa Chandra Moskowitz.
VEGAN (CHEDDARY) BROCCOLI SOUP
Ingredients
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 small chopped yellow onion
1/2 tsp. salt
3 cloves garlic
4 cupes chopped broccoli
1/2 cup peeled and chopped carrots
1/2 tsp ground tumeric
3 cups vegetable broth
CASHEW CREAM
1 cup cashews, soaked for at least 2 hours
2 cups vegetable broth
3 tbsp mild white miso
2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
ground pepper to taste
In a 4 quart pot, sautee the onions in the oil, adding a pinch of salt, the garlic (cooked about 30 seconds until fragrant), then add the broccoli, carrots, tumeric and broth and remaining salt. Cover, bring to a boil and then simmer for approx 10 minutes until carrots are tender.
In the meantime, prepare the cashew cream. Drain the cashews and in a blender, place the broth, miso and nutritional yeast. Blend until totally smooth (may take 1-5 minutes), scraping sides to get everything blended.
When carrots are tender, add the cashew cream to the soup and puree with an immersion blender. Keep cooking the soup on low for another 10+ minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally. Once thick, add the lemon juice and pepper and serve.
Paintings of the Week
Unique Gifts for the Holidays
Charity of the Week:
Doctors Without Borders
Click image to donate.
New York, NY 2022
About The Author
New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.