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Feeding the Soul. Spiritual Soul Food
Seems everyone is trying to feed themselves these days with things that are best for their bodies. But do you ever take the time to think of what you are feeding your soul ?
What nourishments are you providing for you soul ?
If you are selfish and know someone in need, are you feeding yourself well?
Are you living a life filled with goodness, honesty, positive intent, love and faith?
If not maybe it is what is missing, perhaps it is what is needed to put balance back into your every day life.
Lets look at the means of soul empowerment in a very “simple to apply” way.
It is proven that a life without the essential needs really is a life of existence, not of value.
How does one care for their soul?
It is a simple daily practice that we all need to be more aware of. Caring for your soul will give you the balance and release required often to heal most of the emotional issues you are dealing with.
If you have had an experience of soul care you will have known it. We all do, daily.
I was in a line at a store one afternoon and a lady in front of me asked me the time, I gave here the time and smiled as I did, telling her it was 2:32. She said thank you and turned back around facing the exit. Less than a minute later she turned back to me and said ”Your smile just warmed my soul.” I was so pleased, and I was so proud in that moment that I was able to warm someone’s soul. She continued to say that ” most people now a days do not smile and are annoyed if you asked them anything. They seem upset to have to move their eyes and arm an inch to help anyone, thank you for being kind” Again I was so touched, that she would give me this gift, that she would share her kindness with me.
Again my soul fluttered with joy
Often we encounter events that make us feel this joy, this kindness. I love giving of my kindness, it truly feeds my soul. Just recently my sister Colleen got married and I was so happy to be there and be part of her wedding. As the minister began to speak I felt a tear in my eye, a true expression of joy for my sister and her new husband.
I felt so alive and filled with raw emotion. I was so proud of her and how happy she was. I felt my mother’s presence in that moment and my soul felt peace and joy.
This was an abundance of soul nourishment. I was asked to do a small family acceptance speech for my sister and in the moment I felt so happy to do this for her.
A gift I was to share, yet another great nourishment for my soul.
There are countless events we experience daily that are good for our souls. How often do you take note of how great it is to give and feel joy from doing so. This is a simple practice that we can all include in our daily lives, something that takes no time at all. Just one kind act per day will give you more energy, more stamina and more power to deal with all the negatives that surround you. Go ahead test it out, see if it works for you. One genuine act of kindness, see if your toes don’t tingle with excitement of doing good for your soul.
Where do we find nourishment for our innermost being?
Throughout history it is believed that if we have belief in a religious faith we tend to look to the time-honored sanctuaries of the soul-church, synagogue, temple, mosque, perhaps the sacred grove. So many people seek out spirituality in search for soul understanding.
Other seekers ty to nourish the soul with meditation and ritual, by talking to angels, fairies, guides or spirits or walking with spirit animals. And yes, these certainly can nourish the soul, and nourish it well.
But I also feel that in our hunt for spiritual meaning, we can lose track of simpler ways of soul nourishment and self-care. There are so many ways to find this type of nourishment and it is all good if it is what you believe in. But if you have no faith, are you not then starving. If you are not feeding the soul, does it not feel weakened? I believe it does.
Sometimes we can touch the soul just as deeply with a carefully prepared meal as we can with an intense sweat lodge. We can feel soul joy in so many simple ways.
A genuine conversation with a friend or a stranger can be as nourishing as an hour of prayer or meditation. Or a phone call to a friend who you know is down and needs your support. I suppose I'm talking about soul nourishment as a daily practice.
It shouldn't be a chore, or one more thing to squeeze into an already overcrowded day; but a pleasure, a break, a moment aside.
It's about loving yourself--even the bits you don't like, and letting go of the self loathing thoughts and loving instead. It's about being kind to yourself. It's about accepting that life is not all angels and transcendent experiences, but also about disappointment and routine--but that our souls can find treasure here too. It's about looking out for our bodies; it's about being kind to all that the universe holds. It's a kind of rest and break for the soul. It is time we spend more time in love, happiness and joy, instead of in hatred, anger and chaos.
Your soul needs love and nourishment; nourish it well and you will find your future path easier to maneuver and easier to accept. Be kind for kindness sake, your soul will thank you.
Only you can provide what your body, mind and soul needs. Only you can serve or defeat it. Have faith in yourself and serve well.
Here are two of my favorite soul food recipes.
Delicious Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Sweet potatoes were another staple I
grew up with. They were fairly inexpensive
and were great baked or put in a pie. Baked
potato were just eaten with a little butter.
To make a potato pie, you need:
4 large potatoes
2 cups sugar
1 stick butter
1 pinch cinnamon
1 pinch nutmeg
1 store-bought pie crust
or your can just line a pan with vanilla wafers
instead
1/2 cup milk
Boil the potatoes until tender. When you stick a
fork in them it should go in easy but you don't
want them to fall apart.
Let the potatoes cool and then peel them.
Put the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and
mash them thoroughly with a potato masher.
Melt the butter and pour it and the other
ingredients in the bowl of potatoes. Stir
until well mixed.
Whether you used a ready made pie crust or
just cookies, pour the potatoes mixture
into the crust.
Put into an oven preheated to 375 degrees.
Cook for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick
inserted in the center comes out dry.
I like to eat the pie while still hot. It's
good cold too though.
If you want you can make a meringue topping by
blending confectionary sugar with egg whites.
After the pie is almost done, spread the
meringue thinly across the top. Continue baking
until the meringue turns light brown. If you
use the meringue, you can add the egg yokes
to the pie if you like. I prefer my pie
without eggs, so I just save the yokes for breakfast
Seriously!
Enjoy.
Apple Brown Betty
Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups 1/4-inch bread cubes
2 tablespoons melted butter
Grated rind of 1 lemon
2 pounds large apples
2 to 4 tablespoons cold water (optional)
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Combine the nutmeg and the sugar and set aside 2 tablespoons. Put the bread cubes in a bowl and toss with the rest of the sugar mixture, the melted butter, and the lemon rind.
Peel, core, and slice the apples into fairly thick wedges. Line the bottom of a heavy 1 1/2-quart casserole with 1 cup of the bread cubes. Layer half of the apples over the bread and top with 1/2 cup of the bread cubes. Layer the rest of the apples in the casserole and sprinkle with water. Cover with the rest of the bread cubes and evenly sprinkle the reserved 2 tablespoons of sugar over the top. Put the lid on the casserole or cover tightly with foil. Bake in the center of the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Take the lid off the Betty, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until apples are tender and the topping is brown.
Seems everyone is trying to feed themselves these days with things that are best for their bodies. But do you ever take the time to think of what you are feeding your soul ?
What nourishments are you providing for you soul ?
If you are selfish and know someone in need, are you feeding yourself well?
Are you living a life filled with goodness, honesty, positive intent, love and faith?
If not maybe it is what is missing, perhaps it is what is needed to put balance back into your every day life.
Lets look at the means of soul empowerment in a very “simple to apply” way.
It is proven that a life without the essential needs really is a life of existence, not of value.
How does one care for their soul?
It is a simple daily practice that we all need to be more aware of. Caring for your soul will give you the balance and release required often to heal most of the emotional issues you are dealing with.
If you have had an experience of soul care you will have known it. We all do, daily.
I was in a line at a store one afternoon and a lady in front of me asked me the time, I gave here the time and smiled as I did, telling her it was 2:32. She said thank you and turned back around facing the exit. Less than a minute later she turned back to me and said ”Your smile just warmed my soul.” I was so pleased, and I was so proud in that moment that I was able to warm someone’s soul. She continued to say that ” most people now a days do not smile and are annoyed if you asked them anything. They seem upset to have to move their eyes and arm an inch to help anyone, thank you for being kind” Again I was so touched, that she would give me this gift, that she would share her kindness with me.
Again my soul fluttered with joy
Often we encounter events that make us feel this joy, this kindness. I love giving of my kindness, it truly feeds my soul. Just recently my sister Colleen got married and I was so happy to be there and be part of her wedding. As the minister began to speak I felt a tear in my eye, a true expression of joy for my sister and her new husband.
I felt so alive and filled with raw emotion. I was so proud of her and how happy she was. I felt my mother’s presence in that moment and my soul felt peace and joy.
This was an abundance of soul nourishment. I was asked to do a small family acceptance speech for my sister and in the moment I felt so happy to do this for her.
A gift I was to share, yet another great nourishment for my soul.
There are countless events we experience daily that are good for our souls. How often do you take note of how great it is to give and feel joy from doing so. This is a simple practice that we can all include in our daily lives, something that takes no time at all. Just one kind act per day will give you more energy, more stamina and more power to deal with all the negatives that surround you. Go ahead test it out, see if it works for you. One genuine act of kindness, see if your toes don’t tingle with excitement of doing good for your soul.
Where do we find nourishment for our innermost being?
Throughout history it is believed that if we have belief in a religious faith we tend to look to the time-honored sanctuaries of the soul-church, synagogue, temple, mosque, perhaps the sacred grove. So many people seek out spirituality in search for soul understanding.
Other seekers ty to nourish the soul with meditation and ritual, by talking to angels, fairies, guides or spirits or walking with spirit animals. And yes, these certainly can nourish the soul, and nourish it well.
But I also feel that in our hunt for spiritual meaning, we can lose track of simpler ways of soul nourishment and self-care. There are so many ways to find this type of nourishment and it is all good if it is what you believe in. But if you have no faith, are you not then starving. If you are not feeding the soul, does it not feel weakened? I believe it does.
Sometimes we can touch the soul just as deeply with a carefully prepared meal as we can with an intense sweat lodge. We can feel soul joy in so many simple ways.
A genuine conversation with a friend or a stranger can be as nourishing as an hour of prayer or meditation. Or a phone call to a friend who you know is down and needs your support. I suppose I'm talking about soul nourishment as a daily practice.
It shouldn't be a chore, or one more thing to squeeze into an already overcrowded day; but a pleasure, a break, a moment aside.
It's about loving yourself--even the bits you don't like, and letting go of the self loathing thoughts and loving instead. It's about being kind to yourself. It's about accepting that life is not all angels and transcendent experiences, but also about disappointment and routine--but that our souls can find treasure here too. It's about looking out for our bodies; it's about being kind to all that the universe holds. It's a kind of rest and break for the soul. It is time we spend more time in love, happiness and joy, instead of in hatred, anger and chaos.
Your soul needs love and nourishment; nourish it well and you will find your future path easier to maneuver and easier to accept. Be kind for kindness sake, your soul will thank you.
Only you can provide what your body, mind and soul needs. Only you can serve or defeat it. Have faith in yourself and serve well.
Here are two of my favorite soul food recipes.
Delicious Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Sweet potatoes were another staple I
grew up with. They were fairly inexpensive
and were great baked or put in a pie. Baked
potato were just eaten with a little butter.
To make a potato pie, you need:
4 large potatoes
2 cups sugar
1 stick butter
1 pinch cinnamon
1 pinch nutmeg
1 store-bought pie crust
or your can just line a pan with vanilla wafers
instead
1/2 cup milk
Boil the potatoes until tender. When you stick a
fork in them it should go in easy but you don't
want them to fall apart.
Let the potatoes cool and then peel them.
Put the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and
mash them thoroughly with a potato masher.
Melt the butter and pour it and the other
ingredients in the bowl of potatoes. Stir
until well mixed.
Whether you used a ready made pie crust or
just cookies, pour the potatoes mixture
into the crust.
Put into an oven preheated to 375 degrees.
Cook for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick
inserted in the center comes out dry.
I like to eat the pie while still hot. It's
good cold too though.
If you want you can make a meringue topping by
blending confectionary sugar with egg whites.
After the pie is almost done, spread the
meringue thinly across the top. Continue baking
until the meringue turns light brown. If you
use the meringue, you can add the egg yokes
to the pie if you like. I prefer my pie
without eggs, so I just save the yokes for breakfast
Seriously!
Enjoy.
Apple Brown Betty
Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups 1/4-inch bread cubes
2 tablespoons melted butter
Grated rind of 1 lemon
2 pounds large apples
2 to 4 tablespoons cold water (optional)
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Combine the nutmeg and the sugar and set aside 2 tablespoons. Put the bread cubes in a bowl and toss with the rest of the sugar mixture, the melted butter, and the lemon rind.
Peel, core, and slice the apples into fairly thick wedges. Line the bottom of a heavy 1 1/2-quart casserole with 1 cup of the bread cubes. Layer half of the apples over the bread and top with 1/2 cup of the bread cubes. Layer the rest of the apples in the casserole and sprinkle with water. Cover with the rest of the bread cubes and evenly sprinkle the reserved 2 tablespoons of sugar over the top. Put the lid on the casserole or cover tightly with foil. Bake in the center of the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Take the lid off the Betty, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until apples are tender and the topping is brown.