Food Sanctuary

The topic may be food but the underlying subject is groundedness i.e. that deep yearning for a balanced, centered, and connected life. We first discussed this raw impulse through the writings of 1845 transcendentalist Thoreau as he sought redemptive isolation in that "small cabin in the woods." He found sanctuary in nature as "the perennial source of life" (MM 4/1/19). Highland's perennial source of life flows through its kitchen.

Joining us as our lead participant to help us discuss the role of food as a way to ground and nourish the self is Maria Cooper, the club's beloved executive chef and, more recently, author and Nourishment Coach. In keeping with the spirit of the above-cited Thoreau discussion we will honor the subject by repeating a previous exercise so willingly embraced by most earlier participants i.e. we'll take the actual twenty-minute lunch in complete silence. Said silence shall afford each of us the opportunity to mindfully eat and reflect on one (or more) of the following mantras: I am fully present while I eat; I feel gratitude for this deep nourishment; food is love; food is medicine; we are what we eat. Those so inclined may enhance the eating-meals-deliberately experience through "mindful mastication" i.e. consciously tracking our chewing habit.

Maria shall then join us. We will focus on the importance of life balance whether it's food, technology, relationships, alcohol, or work. She will share her many thoughts when it comes to re-grounding through the magic of nature, quiet, and deep nourishment. You may want to first view a video of Maria's whole-life approach which she delivered at Aaron Perry's recent sustainability session. Regard her delivery as a form of prayer.

We will then drop into a Q&A discussion to concentrate on the more applied techniques she addressed in her recently self-published cookbook Heartful Kitchen, a Cookbook for Every Body. Maria offers simple solutions that are not only delicious but are free of inflammatory properties. Some of you may have a particular interest in special diets including gluten-free, dairy-free, Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), GAPS, and Low-Histamine.

This session has the potential to run the full food gamut, from philosophical to the more practical. Where we go is up to the each of us.