The Grieving Goulash

I firmly believe that love and loss are life's greatest teachers. As we fumble our way towards wholeness, I hope you find some comfort in this guest blog post by Courtney Anderson, Recipe Curator for Pine View Farms. [Blog post edited for length.]

~Melanie Boldt, Pine View Farms 

Last month, when many were celebrating Thanksgiving, we found ourselves in a hospital room. While we felt everything was being "taken from us", we were forced to think "what are we being given?".

 We found faith, and we began seeing each day as the gift itself. We came home to the comforting smell of Thanksgiving still on the table and family with arms wide open, ready to listen. From that day forward we began our gratitude practice.

 As Grief settled in our home, a chill ran deep down into our bones like a sickness that could not be cured with a prescription. We turned to the only medicine we knew --- to care for ourselves how our Ancestors would have with warmth, love, faith and food. 

 We found all of that in the kitchen.

 "Food is the primitive form of comfort" ~ Sheila Graham

 While we may not have had the same passion towards life, we took all that remained and put it into our food, into one another and ourselves. We hit pause on our “to-do” lists, trusting that all would be taken care of if we took care of ourselves first.

 We found comfort in the large soup pot on the stove top bubbling just the way Grandma would have made it.

 We found comfort in the community around us who welcomed us and delivered food boxes to our doorstep.

 We found faith in the simplicity of life, food and friendship which was our medicine and daily practice that went like this:

• Give at least one hug a day
• Say I love you often
• Be present for each other
• Share e warm meal at the table
• Make time to listen
• Slow down
• Dance like no one is watching
• Give thanks

 Grieving isn't easy, there isn't a one-size-fits all prescription or a set a timeline for recovery. Grief hits you when you least expect it, and our hope is that one spoonful at a time you can make your way through it.

 With the darker days of the year approaching, we feel a heaviness, a quietness and a stillness. It's ok to feel it.

 With that in mind, here is our recipe for restoration during the dark days:

 The Grieving Goulash

 Each family member may pick one or two ingredients with the intention of "comfort" in mind (example: broth, chips, chicken, spices).

1. Talk about why you chose each ingredient and why or what about it brings you comfort (example: a memory, the creaminess, the colour).
2. Once each person has chosen their ingredients:
   • Take time preparing your ingredients together. Chopping, talking, listening, sharing.
   • Gather a large pot and heat oil of choice in the pan.
   • Add diced garlic and onion (if using).
   • Add in meat and sear (if using).
   • Add in veggies and spices and sauté
   • Add in water or broth.
   • Add in any beans, grains, noodles etc. (if using).
   • Allow to simmer and season as desired.
   • Top with any herbs, nuts, seeds, chips etc.

Serve into bowls and enjoy with bread to mop up the sauce.

“Rainbows are a bridge from where you are now to you where you are going. Go find your Rainbow.” ~ Courtney & Parker Anderson @raised.on.rainbows