A Pleasurable Spelt Brioche



I have a confession to make: Pleasure in life is my top priority. More specifically, embracing the philosophy of Epicurus. Curiously, most associate this doctrine to be one of gluttony, extravagance, and senseless self-gratification. Upon further investigation, however, an epicurean way of life honors simplicity while seizing upon any opportunity to be fully present -- naturally leading to a sense of pleasure. Cultivating close friendships along with a deep connection to the natural world both have a treasured place in this life-affirming philosophy. All in all, it is an attitude of fully savoring the moment, slowing down, and really living. Traditionally, the French are known for their exquisite embodiment of epicurean living. To read more about this orientation, click here.

In quiet celebration of pleasure, a recipe for brioche. Here we are using classic ingredients with an eye for quality and simplicity. Pasture butter, free-range eggs, heirloom spelt flour. It is worth the extra effort of sourcing sprouted flour for maximum nutrition while minimizing bone harming phytic acid. On a sweet note, orange blossom honey is the perfect compliment to the unique flavor of lavender.


Spelt Brioche with Lavender

Ingredients...

1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon evaporated cane juice
1/4 cup lukewarm milk
1 cup white sprouted spelt flour
1 tablespoon agave nectar
1 free-range egg
1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried lavender flowers
3 oz pasture butter, room temperature
Orange blossom honey for serving

Method...

Whisk yeast, evaporated cane juice, and milk in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes until it begins to foam.

With a wooden spoon, stir the flour, honey, egg and lavender into the yeast mixture until combined. Add butter in fourths until a sticky and soft dough forms. Cover and allow to rest in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a six-cup capacity brioche mold or small bread pan. Lightly dust the dough with flour and shape into a round ball. Place in brioche mold, cover, and set aside for 20 minutes to rise once again. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from mold and serve warm with orange blossom honey. Savor fully with those who delight in wonderfully simple pleasures.

"Laetus in praesens" (Happiness now)
-Inscribed on the wall of villa Careggi, Florence, Italy  

Health Benefits of Organic Pasture Butter

Organic butter made from the milk of pasture-raised cows not only supports humane care for the animals but is a nutritionally superior product. Able to roam freely and eat their natural diet of grasses and plants, the milk produced by these cows is lower in calories and fat while supplying a richer source of vitamins. Additionally, the levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in the milk from pasture cows can be up to five times higher than the milk produced from their grain-fed counterparts. CLA is a beneficial fatty acid usually lacking in the modern diet. This fat is an important component of adrenal health and has also been shown to aid in weight loss, especially around the midsection.

An Auspicious Spring Roll



As we launch into this most promising year of the Water Dragon, I thought a festive spring roll recipe was in order. Bright and cheerful with plenty of health enhancing perks. Since we are not quite out of the woods yet with winter, the Chinese New Year is a perfect opportunity to bring more brightness into our days.

The spring rolls are filled with plenty of antioxidant rich vegetables, edible flowers, sprouted tofu, and accompanied by a zesty plum dipping sauce. Plums have an interesting history in Chinese lore. Lao-Tse, the famous Chinese philosopher, was believed to have been born under a plum tree. It is generally agreed upon in China that plums symbolize good fortune. Just what we need to bring in the new year.

Black sesame also shimmies onto the stage providing a nice bit of contrast. In ancient China, it was believed that sesame seeds were the symbol of immortality and a food of the gods. It is no wonder as sesame seeds have enormous health benefits. Black sesame seeds are rich in nutrients such as the E and B group vitamins, minerals like zinc, calcium, magnesium, and especially iron. These tiny seeds also provide lignan fiber, protein, and good fats.

The following recipe is a loose adaptation of "It's Spring! Rolls" which includes nutritional information about edible flowers. I usually tend to shy away from using tofu as I think soy is overused, hard to digest, and can lead to allergies. Having said that, Wildwood now has a line of sprouted tofu which is much more bioavailable and easier on the digestive system. If you would like to skip the baking step for the tofu, Wildwood also offers a line of naturally seasoned products.

Wishing all a colorful, prosperous, and magical New Year!

An Auspicious Spring Roll

Yield: Joyful light lunch for two

*As always, organic ingredients are best for flavor, nutrition, and health.

Marinated Tofu
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/2 cup sesame oil
3 tablespoons agave nectar
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 package Wildwood brand extra-firm sprouted tofu

Spring Rolls
1 cup shredded carrots
2 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves, stems removed
A handful of edible flowers in a variety of colors
8 large rice paper spring roll wrappers
2 tablespoons black sesame seeds

To prepare tofu:
Preheat oven to 350ºF. While oven is warming, whisk vinegar, sesame oil, agave, garlic, soy sauce, and cayenne in a small baking dish. Set aside. Slice tofu into 3 equal thin slabs. Transfer to baking dish and let marinate for a few minutes on each side. Bake with marinade, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven. Once tofu is cool enough to handle, slice into 1/4 x 2-inch pieces. Transfer to prep mat.

To wrap spring rolls:
Divide ingredients into eight equal portions on a large cutting board or mat. Rinse a single rice paper wrapper with warm water and lay flat on work area. Take one portion of flowers and arrange in the center on the wrapper, leaving 2-inches of space on each side. Follow with carrots, tofu, and spinach leaves. Fold both ends of the wrapper towards center until snug. Next, fold top side of the wrapper inward while tightly rolling into a uniform roll, ending with seam on the bottom, flowers on top. Sprinkle lightly with black sesame seeds. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Good Fortune Plum Dipping Sauce

1/2 cup dried plums, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon raw manuka honey
1/4 cup warm water
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
pinch of Celtic or Himalayan sea salt
1 teaspoon chipolte red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

Drain soaked plums and remove pits. In a blender or small food processor, pulse plums, vinegar, honey, water, garlic and salt until smooth. If mixture is too thick, add an additional tablespoon or two of warm water. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in red pepper flakes and sesame oil. Divide mixture between two dipping sauce bowls and serve with four spring rolls each. Enjoy throughly with a delightful friend.

"To win a man's heart, she must first learn how to cook a good pot of soup."
-Cantonese Proverb

Autumn and the Season of Sorrow: Heal Grief Naturally





Through the many different avenues of loss, everyone has experienced the effects of grief. The depression and sadness that accompany sorrow can weaken the immune system which creates an opportunity for illness. Chinese medicine considers autumn to be the season of grief and sorrow, making it especially important to nurture one's health and emotional wellness during this time of year.

Adequate vitamin C is essential. Camu Camu and Amla berries are the highest source of natural vitamin C. A good quality vitamin D supplement is very important for immune function as well. For adults, The Vitamin D Council advises at least 5,000 IU per day.

Homeopathic remedy Ignatia Amara is recommended to keep one grounded during intense emotional waves. Lycopodium can be used when one is in a grieving mood and tends to weep after a fit of anger. Gelsemium is indicated when there is sorrow over the loss of a child.

Body work is beneficial in keeping the energy channels open which eases stagnation and suppression of the emotions. Acupuncture, massage, reiki, chiropractic adjustments, and yoga are all supportive choices.

Melissa Pfannenstiel, Licensed Acupuncturist, states:

"Autumn is the season representing the lung and large intestine meridians. The element is metal and the emotion is grief.
Chinese medicine mimics the natural environment. As we move from the yang of summer into the yin of fall we, as humans, pull energy inward, similar to the action of trees gathering energy inward resulting in falling leaves.

The external perspective looks as though things are dying but the natural rhythm assures us spring will birth again. The transition period between seasons can present challenging times. It is not about how well we remain in balance, but with how much grace do we return to balance. With the external environment shedding layers it is likely excess grief will settle into the chest center, weakening the breath. The importance of breathing fully and deeply can ground one in the physical body."

Flower essences can be effective in gently balancing the body. Star of Bethlehem, Sweet Chestnut, and Rescue Remedy are recommended for grief.

A diet consisting of complex carbohydrates, whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruit, while minimizing sugar and caffeine, nurtures the body and soothes the emotions.

Drinking at least 8 cups of water per day is important during periods of sorrow. Water helps to keep the emotional channels open and fluid while flushing toxins out of the system, and it helps to support the body in maintaining balance while under stress.

As insomnia is common with grief, magnesium citrate before bedtime relaxes the body and calms the heart. Chamomile tea is a positive evening ritual to promote tranquility. Passion Flower is useful for calming the nerves and reducing high blood pressure. Valerian eases anxiety and stress while encouraging sleep. Skullcap has been shown to be effective for worry, restlessness, and emotional conflict.

Providing natural support for the process of grief, these recommendations can help to gently heal sorrow with presence and compassion.

Sources for this article:

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/treatment.shtml

http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com/

Food Chemistry
Volume 101, Issue 4, 2007, Pages 1526-1532

Journal of Cardiology
Volume 52, Issue 2, October 2008, Pages 127-132

Asmawi et al.  Anti-inflammatory activities of Emblica offcicinalis, Jorn. Pharm.
Paharmacol; vol. 45 (6); pg 581-584, June, 1993.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Vol 61, Issue 15, 1569-1576
Copyright 2004 by American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

Diseases of the Mind by Dr.Sayeed Ahmed
B.Jain Publishers, 1998

Evelyn's Raspberry-Apricot Tartlets

This recipe is inspired by Evelyn, our vivacious 16-month-old. She loves raspberries. I mean, this little girl can power-down an entire pint of berries if I let her. For Evelyn, raspberries are only second to avocados. And even then, it is a close match.


We are lucky enough to live in an area that grows seasonal, organic, real raspberries. Not those overly-perfect, yet totally tasteless kind. Ours are the real deal. If you can track down locally grown raspberries, it is well worth the effort.

The slight tanginess of the berries are paired with the sunny sweetness of apricots. And grounded with the richness of almonds. If you have not had a truly raw, unpasteurized almond lately, you are in for a treat. Tread carefully here. Many so-called 'raw' almonds have actually been flash pasteurized due to regulations in some states. Look specifically for unpasteurized on the label. There is no comparison in quality or taste. Think fresh marzipan with authentic almond character.

Chard Ribbons with Strawberry and Pine Nut






My toddler daughter Evelyn and I arrived in the Pacific Northwest last week after a seven month jaunt in Thailand. To be honest, it is a refreshing relief to be back in the cool green of Portland. One of our first outings involved the local, sprawling, lively organic farmers market. We found bouquets of swiss chard, collards and kale along with gorgeous Alice-in-Wonderland sized peonies. And the strawberries. Deep red, flavorful, and juicy. Need I say more? A delightful way to spend the afternoon.







For those who are raising an eyebrow at the combination of swiss chard and strawberries, let me reassure you: this is the perfect summertime salad. The chard is marinated in a zesty lemon-Dijon vinaigrette instead of cooked. Plump organic strawberries are a sweet compliment to the peppery tang of the chard. Tossed with a handful of golden brown pine nuts, the flavor is nicely balanced. In this version, the chard is given a slight wilt although it can certainly be served straight away for those who crave more crunch.

Make it completely raw by substituting the pine nuts with hemp seeds or even chopped macadamia.

This is a simple to prepare salad that is surprisingly complex in flavor and a good way to add leafy greens to the diet. Here's to health, well-being, and joy.

Yield: Four Side Servings

For Salad:

1 bunch rainbow swiss chard, chiffonade cut
2 cups quartered strawberries
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts

And Vinaigrette:

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoons fresh, coarse ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon Celtic or Himalayan sea salt

In a large bowl, whisk all ingredients for the vinaigrette. Add swiss chard and toss until ribbons are well coated. Let stand at room temperature until mildly wilted, about an hour. Next, gently fold in strawberries. Divide salad onto four serving plates and sprinkle with pine nuts and extra black pepper, if desired. 


"Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all."
-Harriet Van Horne