tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71542805272080463062024-03-05T08:04:57.042-08:005 senses by Panagiota Stappas5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-32092396827826371392012-12-19T03:40:00.000-08:002012-12-19T03:40:27.926-08:00My Christmas pledge!!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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out why the holidays are so stressful for so many people. For one
thing it’s the end of another year. Come on now, seriously, how happy can we be
that the years are rolling along faster than we ever imagined. Looking around
me though so many things have changed, so many dreams have come <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">crashing</i> to the ground. <br />
<br />
What's worse though is that regardless of what is happening around us, most
of us still <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have visions of Christmas
filled with family, laughing kids, grandparents that are so sweet, big
beautiful houses with fireplaces, snow, and of course joy, endless joy. All of
a sudden for one day of the year we all try to be like that, a perfect,
porcelain make-belief family, with no cracks or edges. All my life I couldn’t
understand why I was so depressed around Christmas...well maybe it was because
my family was nothing close to that dream. My parents argued, my brother
and I would pick at each other until someone ended up crying. The next day,
Boxing Day, everything was over except for the leftovers and the crazy,
shopping-madness during the after Christmas sales. That was it.<br />
<br />
Another year and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NO MAGIC</i>, at least
the kind of magic we see in film and the media!<br />
<br />
Then adulthood came with divorce and the joy of sharing your son on the
holidays. Christmas Eve with dad, and Christmas day with me. And the stress and
sadness continued. Except now I had the added stress of trying to create this
perfect environment for my son. I had sworn my Christmases would be different,
they would be special. I was so self-centered about that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one </i>day and my sadness. I could not see beyond myself and my small
world.<br />
<br />
After so many Christmases under my belt my experience tells me that the dream
is only that, a dream that will never be real because IT’S JUST A DREAM ,an
illusion. We cannot pretend to be something we are not. We are not dolls, we
are people with lives that are sometimes painful and hard and sometimes
wonderful. Our parents treat us like 10 year olds even if we're 50 but you
know what, we love them anyways and to this day I would trade anything in the world
to hear my dad's complaints at Christmas just one more time. And while I’m
thinking of how to cook a special Christmas meal there are many mothers
wondering how they will find milk for their children. So all it takes to bring
me Christmas cheer are blinking lights and presents? Have we become so shallow?
It <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">has</i> to be something more otherwise
it has no true meaning.<br />
<br />
Walking around Athens is enough to show us how we need to be human every moment
and every day of the year. We have to educate our heart to feel compassion,
solidarity and to simply feel and spread love to those around us. What a
wonderful gift to give our children; the gift of an open and giving heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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My effort to make Christmas special continues basically for my youngest son,
but what I pledge to never do again is to try to change all the things and
people around me for that one day. I pledge to make things special and
childlike<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> everyday</i> of the
year. I pledge to love and care for my family and friends every day, and I
pledge to teach my children goodness everyday and not only around Christmas…and
most importantly I pledge to remind myself and my children every day that we
are part of a bigger picture, and that we all need to work hard to stay human.
Finally the joy of solidarity and love are so much more fulfilling than just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">blinking lights</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-90952487174194185852012-02-09T00:33:00.000-08:002016-08-15T04:49:04.425-07:00A good man.......and what is your strongest trait she asked ? " I am a good man"..he answered.<br />
It was the only possible answer.......five simple, plain, beautiful words! <br />
These five words play in my mind ever since I heard them.<br />
<br />
What makes a good man or a good person for that matter, I ask myself?<br />
Sounds simple in words but is really complex in meaning.<br />
<br />
....and how does one become or rather remain a good man? It's not easy to answer, is it?<br />
I believe we all have goodness inside us. OF COURSE sometimes life is difficult and ugly and painful..and at times it seems impossible to keep an open mind or an open heart. If you look hard enough though with all the ugliness you will also see beautiful people and live magic moments. You see, the bad moments come and find us but the good ones we have to find for ourselves. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately most of us go through life with our eyes closed. Sad isn't it?<br />
<br />
Look around you with eyes and heart wide open. ...with no fear..or prejudice..or hate. These are all man-made ideas that create and maintain a cycle of more hate and more prejudice and more hate.<br />
<br />
I imagine that with time, you reach a certain place in your heart and your soul... a certain realization that being a good person is the only possible road to travel. It sounds too simplistic.....but the truth is that it's not so complicated. The more we give, the more our heart gives back to us. It's like walking around with a smile inside you all the time. It's an inner peace that can never be matched by possessions or wealth or fame. <br />
<br />
Personally, I prefer to walk around with a smile inside me, it's a lot lighter than the weight of hate on my back!!5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-23747418891551220812011-09-08T11:59:00.000-07:002011-09-26T01:01:45.069-07:00slow down..That day everything in my mom's village seemed in perfect balance. The sun was shining, the birds were singing in melody, and the sent of jasmine and basil filled the air. My grandmother nervously kept herself busy trying desperately not to leave any free time for thoughts or emotions, or for heart break. Her beloved daughter, my mother, was emigrating to Canada.. .on that day. Nature could not have made a more perfect day. It was as if everything around her was trying to make my mom stay. It was all so simple and beautiful. My grandmother then wrapped a piece of bread in her best kitchen teatowel and said "take it with you for the road" ....I always imagined that day something like that. <br />
<br />
So what do you take with you to lessen the weight of what you leave behind! <br />
<br />
My mother tells me the story of when the ship arrived in Halifax after almost a month at sea. Before boarding the train that was to take them to Montreal they stopped to buy some bread. They were all tired, nervous and confused and of course noone spoke any English. They wanted to buy bread but when they saw the sliced bread (toast) in the store.....some of them began to cry. The simple memory of the bread at home and everything it represented was too much for most to handle. My mom says she cried like a baby.<br />
<br />
After many years in Canada my mom still makes bread and the smell of fresh bread is something I grew up with and I still remember. Now I'm in Greece and she's in Canada strange how things turn out isn't it!!<br />
<br />
<br />
When we travel through life we carry with us our memories and the traditions we like to make our own. Opening our homes and sharing food with friends and loved ones exists in most cultures and is one of the traditions I choose to keep.Yet it has become extremely difficult in western societies to continue sharing a meal and a glass of wine. Our fast pace has left no room for simplicity. Everything is complicated, meals, family life, playing with our kids. Noone has time to make bread or wine for that matter. It is simply easier to buy things . We are buying a "fast and convenient lifestyle" and at the same time we are sadly losing touch with the simplicity and beauty that is the process of life.<br />
<br />
I have found that it's the little things that stay with us....like the smell of bread when you come home from school. Making bread takes a lot of effort but it represents a time when people made things with their hands and their hearts. <br />
<br />
All this to say...make bread people , wrap it in your best teatowel and share it. Slow down..savour and experience as much as you can. Fill your house, your life with food and aromas, with people and with love.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div><em><span style="color: white;">see post Back to Basics..Bread for my bread recipe posted 21Oct2010</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-73321924435818902882011-06-20T15:13:00.001-07:002012-04-17T02:36:05.665-07:00..crisis in GreeceUncertainty is at its peak and personally I wonder if there is a term in psychology that would explain the phenomenon we are experiencing in Greece at this point in time....mass depression!!<br />
<br />
The strangest thing is that everyone and I mean everyone is walking around confused, angry, and nervous...and yet the sun is so bright, the sea is so beautiful, it's almost like some power in the universe is trying to help us not lose our strength ..not lose our hope. The light is always shining here it's one of the things I fell in love with when I moved to this country. Being a Canadian of greek immigrant decent I came to Greece to live the dream my parents and many immigrants like them never got a chance to, the dream to come back home. My father passed away in Canada and never got his chance to come back. So I did!!<br />
<br />
The irony though is that Now I'm faced with the same dilemma, does one stay or does one go? But how can one leave the sun, the people, the music, the culture. For the moment I choose to stay. I choose to stay and witness a people... my people unite and fight to keep this country, this culture alive. I hope to witness a time when value will not only be measured with money and community support will flourish. <br />
<br />
You may wonder what does this have to do with food? Everything. Food supports life and is a very basic need and right that may not be such a given in the near future. Consumption merely for the sake of consumption has led our generation to lose sight of what is truly important and necesaary in our lives. It's time we rethink our values and ethics individually and as a society, and most importantly now is the time to open our minds and be creative, and be human. Now is the time to help each other.5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-37530603524115084032011-05-31T13:30:00.000-07:002011-05-31T13:30:28.568-07:00now is the time to support localMost of us live our lives focusing on convenience or rather what we call "one-stop" everything. Super-markets that offer everything under one roof. Malls that offer shopping, dinning and entertainment.Shops are trying to attract busy customers by supplying or better yet squeezing everything into "one-stop". We hire people to babysit our kids, read and play with our kids, all for the sake of "convenience"<br />
<br />
When I first moved to Greece I was unemployed and of course this meant I had lots of time on my hands. So I watched people, the housewives, the grandparents. and what I observed was that their day was different from what most of us are used to.<br />
<br />
By 8am they are already out the door.First stop the bakery for fresh bread, and no they don't buy bread to put in the freezer for a month, they buy fresh bread every morning. Next step the butcher who every day greets his customers with a huge smile and is more than willing to give cooking tips and advice to his customers.Next stop the local grocer, who always puts extra vegetables in your bag just because he likes you, and if the bags are heavy offers to have them delivered to your home.Last our favourite deli where my youngest son is always encouraged to help himself to kalamata olives or a slice of his favorite salami.<br />
<br />
In one morning they have exchanged conversation and human contact with so many people.They say simple words like <em>goodmorning....how are you today.....how are your kids</em>..Of course their is.no pressure at the check-out counter (like the supermarket) because there aren't 10 people behind you in a hurry to go <em>somewhere else</em>.....<br />
<br />
That is the key..<em>the somewhere else.</em> Let's go back to basics, let's talk to people, support your local shop even if you pay just a little extra. Don't forget the small shops can't buy the massive quantities a super market can, we have to support the local economy....and above all you can't put a price on human contact..<br />
<br />
Say goodmorning to someone today...get to know your neighbours..stand by each other...!!<br />
<br />
- originally posted Oct20105 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-24437780653864497422011-05-09T01:58:00.000-07:002011-05-09T04:24:35.111-07:00Greek Saffron...Most of us think of greek cuisine basically as souvlaki, tzatziki and moussaka. Don't get me wrong I think a souvlaki is one of the greatest, and cheapest fast food fixes you can get., but defining greek cuisine is a lot more complicated than that. Greek cuisine is a culmination of regional cuisines, amazing local products and many talented, and wonderful chefs and amateur cooks keeping our culinary traditions alive. Every chance I get I will introduce to you some of these exquisite products as well as to some unique recipes from different regions of Greece.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Today I want to mention the Greek producers of Saffron or Krokos Kozanis in Greek. Did you know the Saffron produced in Greece is considered one of the best in the world? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Saffron or "krokos" is produced in Kozani in northern Greece. The only place in Greece, and one of the few places in Europe where saffron is cultivated. The town was named Krokos, from the Saffron producing flower, the crocus sativus. The climate conditions , the cultivation method used, as well as centuries of experience explain the fine quality and characteristics of Krokos Kozani.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With respect to quality, seriously this saffron is one of the best, and still reasonably priced campared to other saffron from other parts of the world.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Saffron was also used in ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome for its medicinal benefits. It is said to protect your eyesight, as well as having super anti-oxidant properties.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<em><span style="color: #660000;">Saffron Tea Recipe:</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #660000;">3 cups of water</span></em></div><em><span style="color: #660000;">12 strings of Saffron or Krokos Kozanis</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #660000;">plus the tea of your choice</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #660000;">let simmer for about 5minutes..sieve and serve plain or with honey.</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<a href="http://www.dreamstime.com/register?jump_to=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dreamstime.com%2Fstock-photo-saffron-flowers-in-bloom-image7412620" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><em>..interesting note</em>: Did you know...In Greek mythology, the mortal Crocos fell in love with the nymph Smilax. Smilax rejected his amorous advances and turned him into a beautiful purple crocus flower....!!</div>5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-14182691490679145102011-04-11T23:51:00.000-07:002011-04-11T23:54:50.941-07:00Going back home...Going back home...<br />
<br />
Simple words that say everything and nothing at the same time. Can we ever really go back home or do we just try to hold on to memories and glimpses of our past. A little nostalgia and a lot of curiosity. It doesn't really matter though does it? Whatever the case may be, I desperately want to experience and remember even for just one moment, the combination of events or ingredients that made me who I am today. That secret, complicated recipe that most of us cannot ever remember because we never really had a recipe. We just added, removed and changed ingredients as we went along. Some times we even just threw everything out in anger .....right in the bin!! Then somehow we found the strength to start all over again....from scratch!<br />
<br />
Life is like cooking isn't it. To some it comes easy to others its just a bore and yet to others its a private path to creative expression..and to some lucky few its Passion. Passion for people, for cultures, for music, for tastes, for aromas, for friendship, for human contact....a passion for life. <br />
<br />
How do you add passion to your food or your life for that matter. Is passion an ingredient that can be added at will. Of course not, but what you do need is an open heart and an open mind. You need to look at fear in the eyes, respect the journey you've been on for so long together..and let go. Just smile and let go!5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-51540793230308470752011-03-04T00:59:00.000-08:002011-03-04T22:46:27.475-08:00Spices and peopleHave you ever tried cooking without salt. Sure its doable if the doctor orders it, but the food goes nowhere except necessary consumption. Well I have come to realize that people are like spices. There are some people that do nothing for us and there are others that can take us to places beyond our imagination. Some people are soothing to us like a warm cup of tea during a cold winter night, others can overwhelm us with their strong presence, ....and others just leave a bad taste in our mouths, our lives.<br />
<br />
So the question here is what do we want. Do we want balance in our food, in our lives? Does balance create harmony? Should we never experience the heat of a chilli pepper, or the excitement of a love that is clearly not "good for us". It will throw us off-balance but should we really care? <br />
Or is balance an acceptance of low key - don't stir the waters people, food, or lifestyle for that matter. Or does it all depend on the day, the month, or our mood. Some spices or people suit us at different times in our lives. It's strange the older I get the more enticed I am by interesting characters that have managed to keep their uniqueness amongst all the pressure of the melting pot of shallow values that surround us. <br />
<br />
Should we start cutting down on salt, sugar and spice because the years are rolling along and by doing this add the unnecessary stress that comes with controlling your diet. Or should we relax savour our food, our loves, our life our bodies and maybe this view of life will help our bodies and minds stay balanced. <br />
<br />
Cooks for years have known that the secret to good cooking is a dash of sugar in your food and a dash of salt in your desserts. That extra something that takes your food from just good to simply irresistable.<br />
<br />
suggestions: <br />
add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to your tomatoe sauce ( classic)<br />
<br />
try adding a dash of cayenne pepper to your hot chocolate ( old mexican recipee)<br />
<br />
have you ever cooked meat with fruit ( sweet and sour classic)<br />
<br />
add a dash of salt when baking a cake (noone can figure out why it's so special)<br />
<br />
Use your sense of smell when you cook, smell a spice and just try to imagine how it can turn your food into ecstacy.<br />
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Balance comes sometimes from unusual combinations, from opposites (they attract they say) and great things come when you are not afraid of making mistakes, when you are not afraid to experiment.<br />
<br />
.....and finally harmony comes from living life to the fullest.5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-59345910634970953542011-02-10T04:19:00.001-08:002011-02-10T04:19:35.478-08:005 senses cook: RAKOMELO<a href="http://5sensescook.blogspot.com/2011/02/rakomelo.html?spref=bl">5 senses cook: RAKOMELO</a>: "I want to share a well known, tiny, little secret with all my dear friends. Rakomelo. For my none greek friends rakomelo is derived fro..."5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-66333174013419173912011-02-10T04:19:00.000-08:002011-02-10T04:19:01.021-08:005 senses cook: "Fakes" or lentil soup....and High School!!<a href="http://5sensescook.blogspot.com/2010/10/fakesand-high-school.html?spref=bl">5 senses cook: "Fakes" or lentil soup....and High School!!</a>: "Let's go back to my high school days in Montreal. Those were the days. Noone could pronounce my name..Pa..na...giota..that sounds &nbsp..."5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-35623321680485278012011-02-01T13:44:00.000-08:002011-02-02T01:01:52.046-08:00RAKOMELOI want to share a well known, tiny, little secret with all my dear friends. Rakomelo. For my none greek friends rakomelo is derived from a heavenly partnership between Raki or Tsikoudia (Cretan spirit which could be anywhere from 30 - 90% alcohol also known as fire-water) with Cretan thyme honey (meli in Greek) . Add some cinnamon and cloves, as well as patience and anticipation and the end result will warm your heart and soul beyond anything you have imagined. <br />
<br />
Raki + Meli = Rakomelo<br />
<br />
Recipe for 4 shots <br />
<br />
4 shots raki or tsikoudia<br />
3 teaspoons honey <br />
2 whole cloves<br />
1 cinnamon stick<br />
<br />
Place all ingredients in a small pot or greek coffee pot (briki). Let the mixture simmer gently over low heat ( till honey melts 2-3 minutes). Cover for a a minute so the aromas can develop. The alcohol, honey and spice will mingle into a devine, heart-warming drink you will never forget.But please be very careful to not, repeat NOT place the mixture near an open flame....very flammable!!<br />
<br />
The sweet scent of cinnamon and cloves combined with warm raki will melt any cold, distant heart. <br />
<br />
Try it .It is an unbelievably soothing winter drink.5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-63056366193891558652011-01-26T23:23:00.000-08:002011-01-27T22:27:15.276-08:00The ArtistThe day seemed the same as every other day, the sun rised at the same time and people outside his window were scrambling to get on with their business. Nothing was the same for him though,everything was painfully different. Someone had pressed the mute button,...silence. All he could hear was his heart beating. The numbness took over his body. He had no more money, and no hope for any work in the near future. He was unemployed for a while now. His days and thoughts were filled with thoughts of how to get some money to make it through to the next day, but today he was too tired to look for work so he stayed home.<br />
<br />
He refuses to take money from his friends. He tries to hold onto any pride or dignity he has left. He hasn't had food for two days now, but he tries not to think about it. A few years ago things were better for him, there were always small projects available so he was always working. The economic crisis, along with an unexpected illness and everything came to a sudden stop. No more work ! Now it feels like everyone is moving forward but he's standing still......going nowhere. He tries never to complain though, he knows he lived his life fully, at times recklessly, and he lived his passions to his hearts content. He is an artist and has always been generous with his heart, his work and with his money.<br />
<br />
But being an artist is both a blessing and a curse. Is there room for artists during an economic crisis? Is art a"luxury" we can't afford right now? Imagine that, a world where art is of secondary importance. Think of our childrens wonderful, free imaginations gone to waste, not needed. Should we teach our kids to think practically rather than draw the sun purple with sunglasses?<br />
<br />
Produce, lower the deficit, spreads, even my 80 year old mother talks about spreads...what the hell is a SPREAD!!! All of a sudden the artist has to think practical, efficient, cost effective and finally ....sterile. The truth of the matter is the artist doesn't fit anymore. Someone once said to me, "<em>artists don't see life differently, they see life correctly</em>". She's a very talented painter, but cleans houses to feed her family.<br />
<br />
So this is how it is. I started writing this blog because I love to cook and I wanted to express this love. The problem I have though is that with every great love comes pain. The pain that comes from life and the reality around us. Have you ever thought that we are leaving a world to our children where hunger is constantly increasing. We wanted so much material wealth that we actually borrowed from our childrens future. Every real cook, and I mean a person who cooks from the heart has a deep need to feed and nurture people. How do you nurture peoples souls, or peoples dignity.?<br />
<br />
My dear friends, how many of you would beg or steal to feed your kids? Not easy to answer ......or is it?<br />
<br />
So today I humble myself and feel very grateful for all the everyday small pleasures my kids can enjoy.5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-36492391830209703522011-01-12T00:17:00.001-08:002012-04-13T09:46:42.347-07:00Once upon a time.....Once upon a time in a land far far away lived a boy with eyes full of wonder and adventure. He lived in a land which was cursed by silence. No one spoke, no one sang, and no one whispered. He was so saddened by this, that one day while his family was sleeping he packed his bag, kissed his family goodbye and left in the middle of the night.<br />
<br />
He travelled far and during his travels he came to a forest with very big trees and strange sounds coming from inside. He was so happy though to hear sounds, instead of silence, that he wandered inside without realizing he had gotten lost. The trees were so big they hid the light of the sun. Now there was total darkness! At first he was scared but he grew to like the darkness, it was the silence he hated. So he thought hard and decided to stay in the forest and help those who lost their way in the darkness by speaking the most beautiful words of kindness and love to them. His words were so beautiful, the land of darkness no longer seemed dark for the lost. The boy's words soothed the lost souls so much, they eventually found their way out of the darkness. <br />
<br />
One dark, rainy day a girl wandered into the forest. She was lost and scared and sat all alone crying. The boy heard the cries echo in the darkness, he hid behind a tree and saw a beautiful girl with long black hair and beautiful black, sad eyes. He was taken by her beauty but he was too afraid to show his face. From the distance he whispered words of beauty, words of wisdom and finally words of love. At first the girl was afraid and thought she was dreaming. One day though the words were so magical that her heart started beating faster and faster, her soul flew further than she had ever imagined. She was deeply and totally in love. So strange though, she had never, ever seen the boy..she was in love ....with his words.<br />
<br />
The boy though grew weary and scared of this love and one day as he heard other sad voices in the forest, he left the girl alone in the darkness. He never returned. The words suddenly stopped. The girl desperately tried to find the words but all she found was silence. Silence deeper than the night. The girl cried and cried and cried and cried. The tears flowed for days until one day there were no more tears. The tears had fed the earth with love and passion and pain ...so much pain. The earth wanting to repay the girl, caressed the girl and gave her bountiful and wonderful fruits of passion, berries the color of blood and wine to soothe her soul. The girl was so pleased to see the beauty that came from her tears that she found her way out of the darkness and went back home. She began to put this magic from her tears, from her soul in her cooking, in her life and since then has never stopped creating magic!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FsDBDtdJBWQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-89702039932688620542010-12-22T23:28:00.000-08:002010-12-25T12:08:45.524-08:00Melomakarona (honey christmas cookies) during an economic crisis!!Recipe to survive an economic crisis.<br />
<br />
One dose hard work<br />
one dose support from community, friends, family<br />
another dose of humour<br />
big dose of anti-consumerism<br />
a big dose of imagination<br />
an even bigger dose of humour<br />
<br />
and for the cooks or wanna be cooks reading this blog..don't buy..COOK!!<br />
<br />
Get the kids involved, your house will smell amazing and you will save lots of money, and to top it all off you will be left with a sense of pride, joy, and a sneaky sense of " If I'm going to go down.... I'm going to go down fighting"....So smile my dear friends and take things literally in your own hands. <br />
<br />
After doing some market research here in Maroussi I realized that "melomakarona" are sold for 14-15 euros a kilo..outrageous in my opinion, so I decided to look for the best recipe and start cooking. This is my favorite..and of couse its my recipe. Try it, your house will be filled with an incredible and unforgetable aroma of cinnamon and sugar and spice and everything nice.. Here goes...!!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;">Melomakarona (honey christmas cookies)</span><br />
<br />
<u>ingredients</u><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-yQ-ob1Yv-uK8nbVYkuQuep2ErDsNIyRFt4Mmuh3SRiA6TrUbgwmhuHgHe0ZJlyZj_1hsWinrE-LG4UfHa8Lax77KyEvR9yTVauDiSGRD7aneq7QY95e9yz0sPPrkrC2KXr0fIPMfIs/s1600/melomakarona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-yQ-ob1Yv-uK8nbVYkuQuep2ErDsNIyRFt4Mmuh3SRiA6TrUbgwmhuHgHe0ZJlyZj_1hsWinrE-LG4UfHa8Lax77KyEvR9yTVauDiSGRD7aneq7QY95e9yz0sPPrkrC2KXr0fIPMfIs/s1600/melomakarona.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2 cups corn oil</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1/2 cup sugar</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 cup fresh orange juice</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1/4 cup mixture of black rum and cognac </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">7 cups all purpose flour</div>1 heaping teaspoon baking powder<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1/2 teaspoon baking soda</div>1 teaspoon cinnamon plus 1 teaspoon ground cloves<br />
zest from two oranges<br />
1cup coarsely crushed walnuts<br />
<br />
<u>sirop</u><br />
2 cups water<br />
2 cups sugar<br />
1 cup honey<br />
1 cinnamon stick<br />
10 cloves<br />
1/2 orange with peel<br />
<br />
<u>steps:</u><br />
<br />
mix the oil and sugar until sugar is diluted well<br />
add the cinnamon and clove <br />
stir the soda in the orange juice and add to the mixture (be careful it erupts like a volcanoe..hahaha)<br />
sift flour, mix baking powder and soda in the flour mixture and add to the liquid mixture<br />
add zest<br />
knead just until all the ingredients are incorporated and the dough no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl<br />
<br />
form oval shaped cookies and make small holes on the tops with a fork <br />
place non-stick parchment paper on a cookie sheet and place cookies leaving some space between the cookies to allow for any expansion <br />
<br />
cook at 180c for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool.<br />
<br />
Make the sirup by placing 2 cups sugar, 2cups water, 1 cup honey in a pot. Add one cinnamon stick, 10 whole cloves, and 1/2 orange (with peel) with the cut side facing the bottom of the pot. Please use oranges that are from biological farms and of course still wash the orange very well before you place it in your sirup.<br />
<br />
Allow the mixture to boil for 5minutes . When the sirup is ready lower the heat to the lowest setting only to keep the sirup warm and place cookies about 4 at a time in the sirup. Count for about 10 seconds on each side remove and allow to cool. Sprinkle the walnuts over the cookies..and do not..repeat DO NOT think of your diet.<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas my dear friends and remember ...be good every day of the year!!5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-4203471434275864142010-12-13T23:12:00.000-08:002010-12-13T23:12:29.999-08:00my christmas pledge!!It's that time of year again, Christmas. This year I am trying to figure out why the holidays are so stressful for so many people. For one thing its the end of another year. Come on now, seriously, how happy can we be that the years are rolling along faster than we ever imagined. <br />
<br />
What's worst though is that we all have visions of Christmas filled with family, laughing kids, grandparents that are so sweet, big beautiful houses with fireplaces, snow, and of course joy, endless joy. All of a sudden for one day of the year we all try to be like that, a perfect, porcelain make-belief family, with no cracks or edges. All my life I coudn't understand why I was so depressed around Christmas...well maybe it was because my family was nothing close to that dream. My parents argued, my brother and I would pick at each other untill someone ended up crying. The next day, boxing day, everything was over except for the leftovers and the crazy, shopping-madness during the after Christmas sales. That was it. <br />
<br />
Another year and NO MAGIC!!.<br />
<br />
Then adulthood came with divorce and the joy of sharing your kid on the holidays. Christmas eve with dad....Christmas day with me..and the stress and sadness continued. Except now I had the added stress of trying to create this perfect environment for my son. I had sworn my Christmases would be different, they would be special. <br />
<br />
After 50 Christmases under my belt my experience tells me that the dream is only that, a dream that will never be real because its so stupid. We cannot pretend to be something we are not. We are not dolls, we are people with lives that are sometimes painful and hard and sometimes wonderful. Our parents treat us like 10 year olds even if we're 50 but you know what, we love them anyways and to this day I would trade anything in the world to hear my dad's complaints at Christmas just one more time. <br />
<br />
My effort to make Christmas special continues basically for my youngest son, but what I pledge to never do again is to try to change all the things and people around me for that one day. I pledge to make things special and childlike everyday of the year. I pledge to love and care about my family and friends every day, and I pledge to teach my children goodness everyday and not only around Christmas. <br />
<br />
Having said my peace, now I can cook for my family and friends!! <br />
<br />
What a relief!! <br />
<br />
My recipees coming soon......5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-21308543215548587002010-11-02T05:09:00.000-07:002010-11-04T00:36:32.161-07:00who am I??I was born and raised in Montreal. If you have ever been there it can easily be called the gourmet capital of Canada. Of course I'm biased but who cares its my blog..and I love Montreal..hahahah!!<br />
<br />
Growing up I remember every Friday my mom would take us shopping on the boulevard. We always stopped at Slovenia or Hoffner Deli for their famous sausage sandwiches. Of course we ate standing up at the counter with the sausages and spiced meats hanging over our heads. It was very cold outside and the<br />
steam and the smell of the sausages warmed us up. I can still remember the aromas.<br />
<br />
Chinatown, the bagel shops baking fresh bagels in wood ovens all day and night, the smoked meat. Montreal was great!<br />
<br />
My father was a chef. They called him "Pierre" of course his name was Petros, an immigrant from a small village in Lakonia Greece. He worked his way up from working as a dishwasher to top chef at several restaurants, and finally opened his own restaurant.<br />
<br />
My mom's name was"Beba" short for Haralambia. She was a working mother in the garment factories<br />
of the city. She had me prepare dinner every night from 8 years old.<br />
<br />
Food has been a big part of my life. Who am I Greek..Canadian..I think a little of both.<br />
<br />
My goal real food, spiced from the heart and soul. My journey with food has been a long one that carries with it many memories and emotions and a never ending love for people and cooking.<br />
<br />
Come join my journey, in my quest to convince people to cook, sit at the table with family and friends..and bring back what we have lost in the fast way of life we all lead..Stop and smell the roses..or cinnamon!!!5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-57240217702820275382010-10-31T14:15:00.000-07:002010-11-01T23:04:28.547-07:00..the unsung heroesAnywhere you look some celebrity chef is popping up from nowhere. Cooking is finally glamorous, but what is it that makes it suddenly glamorous? A few decades ago girls refused to learn how to cook so that they wouldn't turn into boring housewives. If you cooked you were looked at as someone with no Real interests in the world. You had to have a cook and never cook yourself !! <br />
<br />
So what happened? Is it all part of the fitness trend?<br />
<br />
Can it be that our "watch the world from our couch -reality show" mentality makes it fun to watch other people cook. How many of us are getting on the band wagon and actually changing the way we feed our kids. Figures are not that great about obesity in North America, Europe and yes even in Greece where the Mediterraneam diet supposedly reigns. .<br />
<br />
But there are cooks all over the world, that literally slave everyday to cook good food for their families, their clients in restaurants serving good, honest food. and of course the unsung heroes, the cooks working in the food shelters. Who ever thinks about the many cooks all over the world that cook as volunteers to feed the hungry and homeless everyday with no glamour and no bells. Today I.m thinking of them.<br />
<br />
Cooking is very hard work that goes with sore feet, cut fingers, smelly clothes and a bad back. Good things though are hard and take up more of our precious time, just like planting our own vegetables or cooking.<br />
<br />
Hopefully this popularity for cooking I mentioned above will give people some ideas and motivation to THINK about what and how we consume...<br />
<br />
So for today my heores are all the cooks that make a meal expecting nothing in return ....5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-47421089135902591652010-10-26T02:18:00.000-07:002011-02-10T04:08:08.550-08:00"Fakes" or lentil soup....and High School!!Let's go back to my high school days in Montreal. Those were the days. Noone could pronounce my name..<em>Pa..na...giota</em>..that sounds Greek to me right! I took the jokes with a grain of salt and actually I also made fun of myself , I loved making people laugh. Needless to say my friends called me Penny, a little more anglosaxon, but I didn't care I wanted to fit in.<br />
<br />
One thing though that was impossible to laugh at, was when people asked me about the food we ate at home. Most of the kids squirmed at the thought of......for example...<em><span style="color: black;">Fakes</span></em> (lentil soup)..they usually asked " <em>what the f...k are Fakes</em>". How about Octopus with rice, anyone for squid, or how about eating bitter greens (<em>radikia</em>)..you know the kind our moms used to go to the fields and collect in big garbage bags. Do you guys eat lamb, okra, green beans, fish brain....and all in one week!!!! Yes it sounds strange but that it is how we ate in Canada because our sweet, controlling, traditional Greek moms always insisted that THIS was the right way to eat. <br />
<br />
Then their was the olive oil. Everywhere olive oil!! My dad would pour olive oil on his toast, cook his eggs in olive oil and finally pick up the salad bowl and drink the last drop of oil on the plate so as not to waste any precious bit. I was taught that olive oil is a very special gift from nature and must be treated with respect and never..but absolutely never wasted!!<br />
<br />
Guess what, looking back..they were right!!! <br />
<br />
If only we had realized sooner that the Mediterranean diet would be so popular to western health fanatics, we could have walked the halls of Dunton High School with our heads held high...and maybe WE could have sold all this knowledge and made a fortune..it was all there..right in our kitchens...<br />
<br />
Recipe for Lentil Soup (Fakes)<br />
<br />
500 gr lentils <br />
1 large onion<br />
2 medium size carrots<br />
1 cup crushed tomatoes<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
3 cloves of garlic<br />
2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar <br />
1/4 cup olive oil<br />
1/4 teaspoon sugar<br />
1/4 teaspoon chilli pepper flakes<br />
coarse sea salt and peper to taste<br />
<br />
Place the lentils, garlic and bay leaves in a pot of water (about 2-3 inches over the lentils) and let boil on medium heat until the lentils are half cooked ( about 15minutes).<br />
In the meantime puree in a blender the onion, carrot and crushed tomatoe. Add this mixture to the boiling lentils, as well as the remaining ingredients and simmer until the water reduces and the lentils are cooked into a creamy soup. (Be careful not to evaporate all the liquid)<br />
<br />
* serve with kalamata olives, fresh bread, and marinated anchovies.5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-14221601191384156212010-10-21T23:25:00.000-07:002010-11-01T00:19:35.366-07:00Back to Basics....Bread!!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So what is it that most of us would not think of making???? It's too hard ??? Think of coming home and your house is filled with the aroma of <span style="color: #660000;"><strong>fresh bread</strong></span>. You cut a piece while it is still warm, spread some fresh butter ,Cretan thyme honey..or Greek olive oil....and well words are simply too little.. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's gloomy outside, windy and for some strange reason making the most basic food throughout our history is a very satisfying experience, even if you make it only once. It brings you memories of the past and back to a time when we made things with our hands, our hearts, our sweat. The bread will never be good if you skip on the love and patience. The warmth of your hands molds it and patience helps it rise. Relevant don't you think in our times. Then share this bread with your neighbours, your friends, they will be warmly surprised.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u>recipee</u></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 kilo all purpose flour</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 tbsp salt</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1/2 tsp sugar</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1/4 tsp ground aniseed</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2 small packs dry yeast</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1/4 cup olive oil</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">..about 2 glasses of warm water</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">*add flour and water as needed</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Put all the ingredients in a large bowl then knead very well until you get an elastic dough..<em>guys you need to use a little elbow grease here (strength) and patience it takes some time to get the right consistency</em>...</div>Cover up the mixture with a clean dishcloth and a wool blanket. Let the dough stand for about 3 hours..It should become about double its size .<br />
<br />
Divide dough and form into the shapes you like and place on a floured baking tray. Cover again..and let the dough rise again for about an hour...<br />
<br />
Take a sharp knife and slit the top surface of the bread with small slashes (about 4 per loaf)<br />
spray water on top..sprinkle sesame seeds..and cook at 200c* for about 1 hour.<br />
<br />
To check if the bread is ready, you turn the loaf over and tap the bottom with your finger. If it sounds hollow its ready..!<br />
Try it once..you will not regret it!!<br />
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* <span style="color: #274e13;"><u>always preheat oven before you place bread...</u></span>5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-27931868165555555812010-10-20T00:20:00.000-07:002010-11-04T00:44:39.508-07:00support localMost of us live our lives focusing on convenience or rather what we call "one-stop" everything. Super-markets that offer everything under one roof. Malls that offer shopping, dinning and entertainment.Shops are trying to attract busy customers by supplying or better yet squeezing everything into "one-stop". We hire people to babysit our kids, read and play with our kids, all for the sake of "convenience"<br />
<br />
When I first moved to Greece I was unemployed and of course this meant I had lots of time on my hands. So I watched people, the housewives, the grandparents. and what I observed was that their day was different from what most of us are used to.<br />
<br />
By 8am they are already out the door.First stop the bakery for fresh bread, and no they don't buy bread to put in the freezer for a month, they buy fresh bread every morning. Next step the butcher who every day greets his customers with a huge smile and is more than willing to give cooking tips and advice to his customers.Next stop the local grocer, who always puts extra vegetables in your bag just because he likes you, and if the bags are heavy offers to have them delivered to your home.Last our favourite deli where my youngest son is always encouraged to help himself to kalamata olives or a slice of his favorite salami.<br />
<br />
In one morning they have exchanged conversation and human contact with so many people.They say simple words like <em>goodmorning....how are you today.....how are your kids</em>..Of course their is.no pressure at the check-out counter (like the supermarket) because there aren't 10 people behind you in a hurry to go <em>somewhere else</em>.....<br />
<br />
That is the key..<em>the somewhere else.</em> Let's go back to basics, let's talk to people, support your local shop even if you pay just a little extra. Don't forget the small shops can't buy the massive quantities a super market can, we have to support the local economy....and above all you can't put a price on human contact..<br />
<br />
Say goodmorning to someone today..its so easy!!5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-43188994728992663262010-10-18T23:32:00.000-07:002010-11-04T00:46:29.560-07:00...the smell of cinnamon!!!<span style="color: #990000;"><em><strong>Cinnamon both bitter and sweet...like women</strong>..</em></span><span style="color: black;"> The grandfather reveals the secrets of spice and life to Fanis the main character in the film. </span>If any of you have not seen this film I think you are missing one of the best Greek Films. The music by Evanthia Reboutsika...mesmerizing. To this day when I watch this film.....I smell cinnamon!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #990000;"><strong><em>A Touch of Spice or"Politiki Kouzina" written/directed by Tassos Boulmetis</em></strong></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><object height="344" style="background-image: url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/LeqgMTz0QUg/hqdefault.jpg); clear: left; float: left;" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LeqgMTz0QUg?fs=1&hl=el_GR"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LeqgMTz0QUg?fs=1&hl=el_GR" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object> <br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Think of coming home to the aromas of cinnamon and sugar. Today I woke up with this thought .How can I fill my house with this wonderful, exotic and sweet smell. Close your eyes , breathe and let your imagination soar......Put some cinnamon in your life!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154280527208046306.post-18707756103444671092010-10-17T23:13:00.000-07:002010-10-17T23:13:13.262-07:00..the world we live in !!!There are a lot of people out there that believe in the concept of real food. Food that is carefully bought or grown, prepared with love and savoured with patience and respect. How many of us sit at the table durng the week as a family to eat supper. Most of us are running between second language classes for the kids, karate, music, gym, etc. etc. etc. The fact is real food is real work, and dinning all together is sometimes more than a challenge..but hey its sooooo worth it. <br />
<br />
How many memories do you have that are associated with the aromas and tastes of food. Think about it. Something your mom or dad used to make..your grandma always prepared just for you. Most of us that have these memories are very lucky. We have experienced from childhood the special effect food has on our lives.<br />
<br />
But we do take food for granted in Western societies. We have such an abundance of ready made "food" that our taste buds will soon forget what real food tastes like...and of course we waste so much food and yes we all have in the back of our minds that there are people hungry..but do you know someone personally that has no food to eat. Can you put a name to this hunger, unfortunately I now can, and its extremely difficult for me to grasp how someone can spend days with no food. I am struggling for days to understand how we have let this happen, and more so what we can do to alleviate this.<br />
<br />
Maybe if we all start respecting and appreciating the food we eat, we can teach our children to waste less.<br />
We can put our minds and hearts together and find new and creative ways to feed the world.5 senseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03162394195032386463noreply@blogger.com1