photograph by Jon-Erik Lido
Being enlightened means discovering the light within, acknowledging it and letting it shine. So often in our stressful day-to-day lives the light within us becomes obscured by doubt, guilt, blame, fear, and other negative feelings.
The good news is that our inner light is stronger than all of these things. When we discover our inner light and let it shine, doubt, guilt, blame, fear, and all negativity disappear. How then do we get in touch with our light within?
Experiencing joy, hope, love, connection, peacefulness, and other positive emotions will put us in touch with our true selves, and then we will be able to see and know the light within. Moreover, we must also acknowledge that it is there and let it shine, not only for ourselves but also for others. The moments where life feels full of bliss are the moments when we are "enlightened."
There are many ways to experience joy, hope, love, connection, and peacefulness: prayer, meditation, giving/receiving a hug, making/listening to music, yoga, playing on a jungle gym, and of course, preparing and consuming food.
Recipe for Enlightenment - Kale Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch curly green kale - remove stems, wash, and tear into bite size bits (about 8 cups tightly packed)
- 3 TB extra virgin olive oil, first cold press
- 2 TB Bragg's Liquid Aminos or nama shoyu or tamari
- 2 TB apple cider vinegar, unpasteurized (or half of a lemon juiced)
- 1 clove of garlic - pressed (or finely chopped)
- dash of cayenne pepper
- optional garnishing: alfalfa or similar sprouts, shredded carrots, sliced mushrooms, sliced red/yellow/orange bell pepper, sliced avocado
Process:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, Bragg's (or substitute), apple cider vinegar (or fresh lemon juice), garlic, and cayenne with a whisk. Then toss in the kale leaves, squeezing and massaging them so that they are well coated and turn a very vibrant green color. The leaves should wilt down to about half their original size. Garnish if desired. Makes about 4 one cup servings. It will keep well for a day or two in the fridge.
This recipe is about providing physical as well as spiritual nutrition. As you enjoy it, let it carry away toxins and negativity. As a source of green power, let it energize your soul and kindle the light within. Eat with gratitude; experience physical and spiritual nourishment.
This recipe is a quick and easy raw/live food dish. Many proponents of the raw vegan lifestyle suggest that eating raw/live foods helps us be "light beings"; our bodies and our souls are lighter and we can more easily radiate light.
Kale is an excellent way to get Vitamins A, C, and K into our diets. Vitamin K helps our bodies reduce inflammation. Kale is an excellent source of fiber. Also, kale nourishes our cardiovascular and digestive systems.
This recipe is about providing physical as well as spiritual nutrition. As you enjoy it, let it carry away toxins and negativity. As a source of green power, let it energize your soul and kindle the light within. Eat with gratitude; experience physical and spiritual nourishment.
This recipe is a quick and easy raw/live food dish. Many proponents of the raw vegan lifestyle suggest that eating raw/live foods helps us be "light beings"; our bodies and our souls are lighter and we can more easily radiate light.
Kale is an excellent way to get Vitamins A, C, and K into our diets. Vitamin K helps our bodies reduce inflammation. Kale is an excellent source of fiber. Also, kale nourishes our cardiovascular and digestive systems.
