Broccoli Rising and the Best Things in Life Are Free
What do you value?
The best thing my parents ever gave me didn’t cost them anything and it gave me everything.
I grew up in a household where I could read or eat anything I liked whenever I liked. Nothing was forbidden.
I was not a voracious eater. Okay, I’d sometimes eat cookies before dinner. Let me add in my defense that so did my dad. When I went vegan, my folks were mystified (vegetables? really?), but they supported my choice. They didn’t eat it, but they were okay with it.
Same for my book choices. I was a voracious reader. When I picked up I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings from my mother’s nightstand, she didn’t mind or object when I read it straight through without stopping, and, it felt, without breathing. I had no idea how anyone could survive such grief, let alone go on to become the lyrical voice of an age. I still don’t. I do know books offered the straight dope when grownups might try to sugar-coat the truth. Or bend it. Or bury it. That freedom made me eager, enthusiastic, curious, questioning. It taught me how to think.
I’m still vegan, still a voracious reader. And I guess some people are still trying to bend or bury the truth. At this time, the government is acting to:
Maybe you’re okay with this. But if you’re not, speak out. Or be like Pete Seeger and sing out. Freedom of thought and freedom of speech still don’t cost anything. But they’re everything we value.
Want cookies before dinner? Try these chewy coconut mignardises. They’re totally vegan, totally tropical and I even give you a Kosher for Passover option.
Keeping things coconutty, I’m also pleased to share this coconut candy recipe, a sweet taste of Nigeria from Ozoz Sokoh’s new cookbook Chop Chop. Paid subscribers will find the recipe below.
And speaking of cookbooks, I am overcome by how many of you have pre-ordered Miami Vegan: Plant-Based Recipes from the Tropics to Your Table. There’s still time to pre-order and take advantage of the promo discount — just enter MIAMIVEGANLOVE at checkout (valid through April 3). Broccoli Rising subscribers, I love you.
Next Monday’s Broccoli Rising will be a paid subscriber-only post. But all subscribers can taste a few Miami Vegan recipes thanks to Debra Eckerling’s lovely article about me in The Jewish Journal.
PS For those of you who saw my Miami Vegan Big Reveal on Instagram, thank you for the nice comments about my back, but the first image was supposed to be the gorgeous Miami Vegan cover, photographed and styled by Kathleen Ballard Photography, with fruits, leaves, and spices straight from both our gardens.