Food and Drink: Real Soul Food Nourishes Your Body and Elevates Your Mind

There's the “soul food” associated with the mostly US-Southern-style cooking eaten by African-Americans ~ everything from collard greens cooked with smoked ham hocks and chitterlings to mac-n-cheese loaded with butter and cheese to sweet potato pie. The same food that now everybody tells us is the reason so many black folks have hypertension and diabetes.  

Modern black Americans love the taste but let's face it ... it is not to die for!  Consequently, many of them are modifying "momma's recipes" and changing them to healthier versions to nourish the body and to comfort and uplift the body and the mind.

• Greens Glorious Greens!: More than 140 Ways to Prepare All Those Great-Tasting, Super-Healthy, Beautiful Leafy Greens

Then there is “soul food” as in chicken soup for the soul. That comforting bowl of soup that all wives and moms make no matter what the illness is, because if you just eat some chicken soup, you'll feel better.  It's the soup that inspired the book.  Experts say there is some truth of its positive impact on mind, body, and soul, albeit chicken soup is not a cure-all. 

• 5 Insanely Delicious Chicken Soup Recipes You'll Want To Make Again And Again

Then there's the soul food as described in this marvelous infographic. This is the best description of soul food ever!!  I especially like Steps 7, 11 and 16.  What about you?

https://www.tumblr.com/texaxwib/739342665639919616/via-visually-content-for-marketers

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Arts and Crafts: QUILLING

I am not very good with arts and crafts. I know how to sew and do a little crochet. But I have always admired people who could use their hands to create beautiful things. A friend introduced me to quilling, which she says is a popular art craft in India.

Image credit:  Amazon,com

The way she explained it, quilling requires a lot of patience and can be a very relaxing activity. It's a great way to spend your time when you're bored! LOL. Truthfully? I was only interested in the craft because I saw that she had made a beautiful butterfly and I heart butterflies. 

It looks like a fun art project you can do with kids. But I don't think I have the patience to do quilling. However, if you're interested, there are lots of tutorials on YouTube, like these:

Quilling Pink Butterfly Tutorial 

 

On this YouTube channel, the video publisher makes all kinds of beautiful things: flowers, butterflies, etc.

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FUN FACTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF QUILLING:

“The name quilling is thought to come from the origin of the art; birds’ feathers, or quills, were used to coil the strips of paper around. The art of quilling has been around for centuries, with a remarkably varied historical background spanning across continents.” (Source:  Janet-Panic.com)

“Paper filigree, or quilling, dates back to at least the 15th century and flourished in France and Italy during the 17th and 18th centuries. Very little early quillwork has survived, and it is not known who first rolled thin strips of paper into different shapes to mimic, in a less expensive way, decorative metal filigree work. What is known is that monks and nuns from less well-endowed religious houses rolled paper strips to decorate Bible covers, reliquaries, and other objects of religious significance.” (Source: The Greenwood Hub: Paper Quilling Art) 

Quilling sounds like a delightful hobby and a great craft to teach to both adults and children.  Don't you think so?

P.S.   My university roommate taught me about decoupage.  Indeed, I do get buy with a help from my friends.☺

Food and Drink: Herbs and Spices in the Bible

Studying the Bible, even if you are not seeking spiritual enlightenment, will always be educational and informative.  No matter which topic you are researching.  Helga Curtis wrote a book about fruits, herbs and spices in the Bible. Fifteen (15) plants were chosen because of their Biblical references. She is proficient in arts and crafts and teaches others her skills. In her book, she shares appliqué designs for fruits, herbs and spices such as chicory, cinnamon, cumin, mint,mandrakes, saffron, olives, figs, grapes, and more. Along with patterns, she also provides information about how the plants were used in Bible times.

Image credit:  Amazon.com

Along with this book, I also found an excellent article at one of my favorite GO TO websites for general health information: Dr. Axe. No worries. It has a Medical Disclaimer that says the content is for information only and that you should seek professional medical advice if you're sick.  He also provides scriptural references for the herbs and spices.

Top 14 Herbs of the Bible that Heal & Nourish 

1. Aloes

2. Anise

3. Balm or Balsam

4. Bitter herbs

5. Cassia

6. Cinnamon

7. Cumin

8. Frankincense

9. Garlic

10. Hyssop

11. Mint

12. Mustard

13. Myrrh

14. Saffron

The last spice, Saffron? No doubt you already know that saffron is the most expensive spice in the world.) But did you know that it was used to treat the Black Death (i.e. the Bubonic Plague)? Uh huh. Just goes to show you. When rich folks start dying and dropping like flies, if it comes to choosing between life and death, ain't nothing too expensive!!

NOTE: I am not a qualified historian. I'm just inserting my editorial comments, i.e. my opinions, observations, and a little bit of humor. Here is what an herbologist has to say about the use of saffron to treat the Bubonic Plague.

"For several centuries the cultivation of Crocus sativus was, for the most part, none-existent throughout Europe. This changed after the Moorish civilisation spread from North Africa around the 8th century and began reintroducing the spice. Saffron was rare, expensive and in high demand right up until the 14th century, when its use soared due to the medicinal applications of the plant in attempted treatments for the Black Death. However, many of the farmers that grew Crocus sativus had died from the disease and the demand far outstripped the supply. Thus large quantities of non-European saffron began to be heavily imported. The trade of saffron became of such significance that those found guilty of adulterating supplies were fined, imprisoned and even executed."  (Quote Source)