We have emerged from the worst of the two-year pandemic sadder, weaker, crankier and duller of brain.
Not too cheery a Thanksgiving message, huh? But it’s true. I’ve been thinking it, and queenly, brilliant High on the Hog author and culinary historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris said it during her Les Dames d’Escoffier conference keynote address last week. She said it a bit more diplomatically, but you get the gist.
Our other keynote speaker, Jeffrey Yoskowitz spoke of “the cultural need to eat well.” He was talking about impoverished and war-torn refugees coming to this country a century ago, but it’s applicable today, as sad, weak, cranky and dumbed-down as we’ve become. Blame Covid. Plus the trauma of war, democracy at risk, an erosion of human rights, and growing economic and political division.
So what does eating well under these conditions even mean? Start by acknowledging the hot mess we’re in. Then add compassion — it’s a core vegan principle. Thanksgiving offers the perfect opportunity, Eating well means cooking or tasting culturally appropriate food, the food that embodies for you home, care, and safety. That can be a traditional Thanksgiving feast with your family or a meal prepared by World Central Kitchen or at a Food for Soul refettorio, or the meals made possible through regional and local NGOs like Food Rescue US and The Cook’s Nook. That kind of eating well feeds not just body but soul. We may still be seeking home and asylum here, trying to salvage a life upended by hurricane, fire, or flood, or struggling to feed our families, but now, in this moment, we can be nourished, we can simply be.
Eating well means valuing the food we have and the people who grow it. It means resetting the table so there’s room and food for all, And it means doing it together. As Dr. Harris said, “When we eat together, we make the world a better place.” Be kind to yourself, be kind to those you love, and all us sad, scared, cranky humans. Happy Thanksgiving.
About that sad and weak business — public health predictions warn the coming flu season looks to be unkind. Eating well makes a difference. Nourish yourself, stay hydrated.
New Nourishing Reads
Not all of these books are vegan and not all of them are traditional cookbooks. That’s okay. There’s room for all of us at the table.
California Soul, by Tanya Holland
Slow Cooked, by Marion Nestle
Kosher Soul, by Michael Twitty
Cheese/Not Cheese, by Cheese Louise and Non-Dairy Fairy
and now out in paper, Taste Makers by Mayukh Sen.
Not so new but very nourishing — my book, Feeding the Hungry Ghost is going into a second printing. And that’s all because of you. Thank you. I’m so excited. And so grateful. Stay tuned for details.
November — It’s World Vegan Month
Got plantbased questions? We’ve got resources galore, darling
Ella Magers’ new initiative, 22 Reboot
November 1 - World Vegan Day
November 6 Daylight savings time ends — turn your clocks back and enjoy that extra hour of sleep
November 8 Election Day in Florida — feel the love, feel blue, be grateful for your right to vote. And if it is in any way challenged, if you’re harassed at the polls or turned back or denied the right to vote, speak out, contact the American Civil Liberties Union or other civic organization.
November 24 Thanksgiving — may you eat well.
Congratulations on the second printing! No surprise, as the wisdom and recipes in the book are first-rate!