No More Excuses

It hit me the other day how many excuses I make for various things, and how silly that feels. I actually started laughing as I became more and more aware of how I’ve been justifying, procrastinating, and keeping myself stuck in storylines and situations that I don’t want to be in. It felt good to reach that level of awareness and honesty, and to not make excuses for making excuses. I don’t know about you but when I’m in a state of over explaining and coming up with a list of reasons for whatever, I feel drained, somewhat foolish, and unconvinced of my own extraneous reasoning. The more effort we unconsciously put into justifying something, the more we move away from what’s true. As the mind becomes louder and more clogged with faulty reasoning, the harder it is to hear the inner teacher that’s trying to guide us in a different direction. Making excuses is a form of dishonesty; I have been feeling that acutely since it clouds the truth of what I want. When I’m in alignment with what’s true than excuses aren’t needed, therefore I’m only relying on them when I’m not facing reality. Excuses can be really harmful. They are a mental trick that add tremendous delusion. They lead to very poor decisions ranging from kind of stupid to life threatening. Excuses pretend to be our friend and they are not. They suck up time, lifetimes even. They keep us in shitty relationships and lousy jobs. They prevent us from greatness by keeping us small and afraid, by convincing us we can’t do things, that we will fail and embarrass ourselves. They keep us in harmful cycles in how we treat our bodies, the environment, sleep schedules, workout routines, the list goes on. Excuses are not the enemy and viewing them as such won’t quiet them effectively. They are a mental delusion that is a very normal part of human thinking, and they are ultimately asking for our attention so that we might dig for what’s underneath them. Only by looking at the top layers of justification can we begin to uncover what it is we are avoiding. Being intimate with what we turn away from can be very daunting, scary, and overwhelming. The truth forces us to deal with changes we don’t want to make but that on some level we know we must. Reality is often too challenging and terrifying to face, and so it makes sense to grab onto any rope that will pull us out of it. Even something as seemingly harmless as justifying hitting the snooze button again keeps us from getting up and meeting what the day holds. This can lead to being late, to creating a pile up of morning tasks, or to stressful rushing. I have realized how often I’ll stay in bed to listen to a dharma talk as an acceptable means of justifying my not uncommon freeze response to getting up. Freeze is a form of the nervous system not being regulated, so it’s understandable why excuses may swoop in to save the day. Excuses can look like the friend who we’ve known forever, the one who really doesn’t want the best for us though they claim to. You know I love you, just do what I say. I know what’s best for you.
There have been a couple of situations that have kept me in states of anxiety, frustration, and anger for over two years. Different characters in different stories but with similar themes, which means I needed to pay real close attention to how I was participating in my own bullshit. Two plus years of excuses for why I changed neither scenario despite knowing full well what I needed to do. I finally pushed passed my own faulty reasoning and pulled the plugs. It’s no surprise how empowering and healthy it felt to finally choose better. Excuses have also kept me from fully moving into zen practice and to chaplaincy. I recently led a staff meditation at the nursing home where I intern, something I put off doing last year because I was intimidated. And who cares if I’m a scared? We can be afraid and overwhelmed, torn even, and still move in a direction of truth. I find that this is key; not pretending I’m not feeling things and committing to pushing past that discomfort. Life demands change. Challenge brings change, and change leads to growth of all kinds. Excuses fight with change. They are a hindrance towards healthier paths. We use them to stay stuck in the familiar even if the familiar sucks. One of my current goals is to notice without judgment when I am relying on excuses and to bring myself back to the intention to live honestly, wisely, and efficiently. We can excuse ourselves from the table of procrastination, get up, and take our seat in a fresh way that honors the life we deserve.

What have you been putting off and why? How can you work with this self inquiry to reflect and choose differently? What stuck habits and stories are asking to be released? Where can excuses be dropped so that you can invite in freshness and clarity? Let’s waste no more time delaying our own strength and greatness.

Craisin Bran Muffins

Shout out to my DJ mentor, Esquire, who chose Raisin Bran as his favorite cereal when we recently had this discussion. Gotta be soggy though, am I right? The questions I ask this man during our sessions range from weird to totally inappropriate. But I digress.
Raisin Bran serves as the inspiration for these delectable, seasonal muffins. Bran (fiber), dried cranberries, walnuts, and spices make these the perfect breakfast treat. They’re also a yummy accompaniment to your pumpkin spice latte. They can be made with GF or regular flour, your choice of milk, and vegan with an egg substitute. I reduced the sugar by half by swapping in unsweetened applesauce. I’m all about the one bowl muffin process, so these are quick to put together and just as easy to enjoy.

Ingredients for 8 large or 12 medium sized muffins:
1 cup milk of your choice (I used almond), more if you choose the flakes
1 cup bran cereal or 3 cups bran flakes (I used the latter)
1 1/4 cups your choice flour (I used oat and a GF blend). I’d avoid whole wheat.
1/4 cup white or packed brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp each dried ginger and cardamom
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Icing:
1/3 cup confectioners sugar
3 tsp water or milk



Preheat oven to 375. Grease your muffin tins, I used coconut oil spray. In a large bowl soak your choice of bran in the milk for 5 minutes. You’ll need more milk if you go with the flakes. I probably used 2 cups of milk for the 3 cups of bran flakes and add a couple extra minutes of soaking time. The cereal should mostly have absorbed the milk and be kinda soggy. Add the rest of the ingredients. Taste the batter and adjust spices if desired. Spoon into the muffin cups 3/4 of the way up. Bake 22 to 25 minutes until the muffins are golden brown and a tester comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes then gently transfer to a wire rack.

When the muffins are cool, mix the sugar and water to make a glaze. Drizzle over the muffins and let the glaze set for a few minutes. Enjoy!

listen to Martin Jensen & RANI - At Least I Had Fun

Copper Mood

I am in love with shades of brown, bronze, and copper this season. I updated my wardrobe with some good key pieces in this lush, warm color palette, mostly in silk. A couple of dresses and a pants outfit have been recent additions. This whole vibe just grabbed me recently. I feel like a walking ad for pumpkin spice whatever and I’m not mad about it. Bronze is such a stunning alternative to typical New York holiday black. This dress is both beautiful to host in (just stay out of the kitchen!) and wear as a guest to a special dinner. The neutral heels feel fresh and makes this a beautiful look for Spring too. I love the flattering ruched waist, inviting neckline, and flowy sleeves. The slit and movement of the fabric are delicious, as is pretty the back detail. This look is super feminine, edible even. It’s nice to keep things yummy and warm as the weather gets colder and harsher. The holidays are such a special time, and I find they’re that much more enjoyable when I’m wearing something I truly love.

Tops & Tails

A classic, tailored tuxedo is one of my favorite cocktail looks. With holiday season officially upon us, I’m dusting off some of my fave party style ideas. This suit is almost 15 years old. It holds up beautifully, as well made classics do. It is Theory from a collaboration they did with Olivier Theyskens. I absolutely love this suit. It’s sexy menswear at its best, especially when paired with a fierce yet feminine lace edged silk cami. Strong and delicate. Messy, rock n roll hair always looks cool contrasted with a tailored look, it lightens the mood and takes the seriousness down a notch. The neutral heels were actually a mistake. I initially planned on wearing black stilettos and I forgot to change my shoes in the middle of the shoot. I realized I liked this shoe as well, since it breaks up the black and chills out the matchy matchy vibe. Each part of this suit is highly versatile on its own, making it even more of an investment. Cheers to getting the most use out of our outfits!

Sex And The City

Several weeks ago I started rewatching this iconic series from the beginning. It’s become part of my post DJ wind down, a sacred time in which I need a couple hours to decompress after a gig. Giving creatively is a medicinal and necessary joy, and after I’ve just poured out my soul I require some major come down time. Chilling with Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha is always entertaining and comforting. However, this viewing experience is quite different from when I first watched the show decades ago. The fashion totally holds up, which is pretty remarkable. I’m still in love with most of Carrie’s looks and hairstyles. From a fashion perspective I related to her the most and that’s still true. Watching Carrie from my current seat has been interesting in that it’s so clear what a hot relational mess she is. Maybe she always was and I didn’t see it for various reasons. Maybe that was the point the whole time. But as I watched the woman who I previously thought was so cool, witty, and fabulous, the ultimate chic New Yorker, behave in ways I can only describe as self destructive, crazy, unhealthy, selfish, and pathetic (I reserve the right to judge a fictional character), I couldn’t help but wonder; am I so triggered by her behaviors because they remind me of some of my own?
When Carrie showed up to church to spy on Big and his mom, I was legit cringing. That falls under embarrassing stalker territory, and no, that did not remind me of myself. When she had the audacity to invite Big to Aidan’s country house after cheating on the former with the latter, and expected Aidan to be friendly towards Big, I was struck by how incredibly head up your ass selfish and cruel that was. What a greedy attention whore, all under the guise of being a good friend. Please. Taking phone calls from Big in front of Aidan, thinking she had the right to an audience with Natasha after sleeping with her husband, freaking out when Natasha’s friends glared at her (hello?? What did you expect?). There are countless examples where the hero now looked like an immature nightmare of an individual, someone who I’d never be friends with. There are so many points in the show where I find Carrie to be overwhelmingly annoying, not funny, self righteous, and super impressed with herself, albeit with amazing accessories.
Where I did have to wonder about myself and my reactivity was in regards to certain behaviors she demonstrates in romantic situations. Watching her onscreen and being able to immediately identify some of my own patterning made me sad, and more sympathetic to how universally challenging relational intelligence is. But I was also satisfied and peaceful; in being able to observe unhealthy things I used to do, this means I can recognize that I have grown tremendously over the past few years. Those past behaviors, namely my ewwwww responses to them, directly indicate that they are just that; in the past. If they were still part of my repertoire I likely wouldn’t even have noticed them. They stood out because of the newfound awareness I have about myself, an awareness I have fought hard for and cultivate constantly with therapy, Buddhist psychology, Buddhist practice, and courageously deep diving into all layers of my life thus far. What shaped me, what traumatized me, what hurt me, and what survival skills I have been unconsciously operating on to stay afloat. As the saying goes, we aren’t responsible for what happened to us but we are fully responsible for healing it. And here’s one of the things about unconscious survival skills (which we all use); they may tactically keep us from falling apart on the surface but they really hurt ourselves and others. They harm us and those we are in relationship to, whether it’s a romantic relationship or on line at Starbucks. Humans all operate from their individual trauma lens, and unless we dedicate ourselves to cleaning that lens than the harmful patterns continue. Everyone is kind of walking around projectile vomiting their stuff. I know I sure have, in deeply harmful ways that I just didn’t see. I still do because it’s a lifelong practice, but there have been great improvements and I want to keep learning. This is the best way to care for relationships with self and others. Even our seemingly positive actions are often trauma driven and can be manipulative.

When Carrie accepted breadcrumbs from Big FOR YEARS, I related. When she, a typically confident, intelligent, carefree gal said with frustration that she turns into a different person with Big, I related. When she did anything she could to get crack hits of attention and affection, I related. When she dated beneath her, I related. When she remained in situations I’d drag my friends and daughters out of by their hair, I related. When she made incredibly stupid and selfish decisions stemming from romantic insecurity and confusion, I related. As I watched parts of my own life play out on screen I felt icky but proud in how far I’ve come. I even have pride that I can write about this in a post because it’s an outdated storyline. It’s not my script anymore. Honesty is a huge sign of growth, as is self forgiveness. Trust me when I tell you that I have participated in certain scenarios that you would not believe. Working through the shame of that has been a process, and it’s all been necessary grist for the mill. Every undesirable situation, pattern, and role I have played have been important ingredients in personal alchemy. Manure is what’s used to fortify, strengthen, and beautify nature. The stinkiest shit literally births beauty. We can look at our shit and wonder how to work with it, and I believe we must. The other alternative is to drown in it and sink deeper. Shaming ourselves for the embarrassing and yucky stuff we’ve done only creates more harm. It’s part of life to fuck up endlessly, learn, and get back up. There are more scenes to act out, character development, plot twists, and new endings to write.
And maybe, just maybe, we can be fabulous and messy all at once.

listen to camp lo- coolie high

Crispy Parm Herbed Brussel Sprouts & Roasted Pepper Dipping Sauce

I promised this recipe is not nearly as complicated as the title. This has been my fave vegetable side to serve as of late. Brussel sprouts tossed with seasonings, fresh garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese, then roasted to crispness. Served alongside a fresh roasted pepper dipping sauce, this flavorful side uses basic fridge ingredients to create an elevated veggie dish. I was inspired to make the sauce since I had a few peppers that were on their way out. The sauce would also be delicious as a dip for bread, or alongside chicken or fish.

Brussel Sprouts:
4 cups of Brussel sprouts, bottoms trimmed off and halved lengthwise
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp each dried oregano and basil
3/4 to 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
6 cloves minced fresh garlic

Roasted Pepper Dipping Sauce:
4 to 6 peppers of your choice, sliced. I used a mix. The only color I wouldn’t use exclusively is green.
4 large whole garlic cloves
Cup roughly chopped parsley
1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Salt and coarse ground pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil

Oven to roast or bake on 400. In one pan, mix the Brussel sprouts and all other ingredients. Roast for 25 to 30 min until the cheese gets golden brown and crispy.
In another pan, mix the peppers, garlic, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for about 20 minutes until tender, fragrant, and garlic starts to brown. Remove and let cool for a few minutes to release steam.
In a food processor, put the peppers and garlic, the parsley, and the balsamic vinegar, tbsp of oil, and sprinkle in some more salt and pepper. Pulse to combine. Adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately.

listen to david guetta & bebe rexha - blue

Busy in Brooklyn Chummus

At the risk of sounding blasphemous, I am not a huge chummus fan. I like it sometimes but I can’t relate to the rabid need to eat globs of it at every meal. My ex husband cannot function without it. That scene in Zohan where Adam Sandler is brushing his Israeli teeth with chummus is dead on. Chummus is life, according to many. I do like to make it for important meals, and I did so for Rosh Hashanah. I love the cookbook Millennial Kosher by Busy in Brooklyn so I took a crack at hers. I could not believe how delicious it was. It was easy to make and my guests were wowed. I have never tasted chummus this good, and if it always tasted like this then I’d also use it as toothpaste. The recipe here also teaches how to make a version with spiced beef, as well as an idea for fancy, individual serving. I just made the no frills version to keep it uncomplicated and vegetarian, and I skipped the piping bag suggestion in favor of easy mini serving bowls dusted with paprika, Zatar, chopped parsley, and olive oil drizzled on top. I finally found a chummus recipe that is inspiring me to make this Middle Eastern essential more often. My family absolutely went crazy for it, and I was totes licking the spoon.

https://www.busyinbrooklyn.com/tag/the-best-hummus-recipe/

When Death Comes, by Mary Oliver

I love the poet Mary Oliver. I’ve shared some of her poems here before, and this one moves me deeply every time. It’s very much how I’m feeling now. I don’t want to have just been a visitor here. I don’t want to run the same thought and kvetch programs until I have no more time left. I don’t want to live the same routine for 90 years then call it a day (I don’t, something I fought hard for and cultivate constantly. But when I did live like that it was terrifying and I knew I had to change.) Platitudes like “life is so short” and “be present” and “#gratitude” are constantly thrown around and have been rendered almost meaningless. Without deep contemplation and deliberate action and choices, all words are empty. How to live in a way that fully embodies and honors the time we are given in these lives and bodies? The answer is different for each of us in certain ways, and likely very similar in others. When we are caught in an existential crisis in which the true meaning of life feels far away, this is a good thing. Scary but good, since we are being redirected to seek what the soul knows is already true. The heart and mind take more time to catch up, and the body does what it’s instructed to do. It’s the last thing to know but the first thing to go. Poems are meant to stir up something inside. I’d love to know what this one makes you feel and think. How do we take what moves us and integrate it into this one great life? Our responses and stirrings are the voices of our deepest inner wisdom. We are always being asked to listen, and it’s wonderful when a few words brilliantly arranged on a page can guide us towards remembering what our spirit already knows.

https://www.awakin.org/v2/read/view.php?tid=477

Dogs on Parade!

My girls went to the 32nd annual Halloween Dog Parade at Tompkins Square Park this weekend. There is literally nothing I could be wearing right now that’s more entertaining than this, so I had to share these fabulous pics that my daughter took for this week’s Style. I love everything about this for all the obvious reasons. The creativity, hilarity, tremendous dedication towards joy and, and the commitment to having wholesome fun when there’s so much heaviness in the atmosphere. I’m in awe of the time, creativity, and effort that went into creating these adorable costumes. How wonderful to use our pets as a reason to be playful, proud, and celebratory. It’s so terrific that this has been going on for 32 years in downtown NYC, and I love that my girls and their friends made plans to attend. This to me is classic New York; whimsical, fun, expressive, and being all in. I especially love when the pet parents also dress up so it’s all on theme (check out that Game of Thrones concept below!). I’m nuts about the 2 train conductors, like I can’t even. The specialty vehicles that were created were fabulous, and I looked on Instagram for more pics cuz I couldn’t get enough. What a wonderful use of energy and positivity. This is the stuff of life.

**this post is in memory of Max, Roxy, Pippa, and Chumley

Gatha of Atonement in English | Ryaku Fusatsu Full-Moon Ceremony Zen Buddhism

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is coming up this week. I never understood the word “atonement” until one of my Zen teachers, Sensei Chodo Campbell, explained that to atone is to be “at one” with our words and actions, essentially all our stuff that we consciously and unconsciously put into the world. To take clear responsibility and honest accountability of what we say, do, and think. To atone doesn’t mean to dive down a shame spiral, and that actually helps no one. There is a big difference between humility/healthy embarrassment vs shame/self loathing. We all make tons of human mistakes, as we are designed to, and we are also fully responsible, another facet of human design. While in Judaism our official day to atone, admit mistakes, express remorse, and vow to do better in the coming year comes annually, in Zen the Gatha of Atonement is chanted daily. It’s a goal of mine to incorporate this daily, and I love chanting this every morning while I’m on a Zen retreat. It’s a reminder of my human fallibility, and that every day is a chance to take responsibility and do better. Every thought, word, and deed sets karma into motion. I find that only when I truthfully examine and admit my mistakes am I actually atoning. It’s just empty words otherwise, and empty words trick us into thinking we are making progress when in reality we are just wasting time. Admitting my own shit has allowed me to better understand the complicated humanity of others. It can be very confusing; when do we give someone else a chance when they have hurt us, likely many times? I can’t answer that but I do know that genuine atonement must be part of the equation, whether or not we are doing or receiving the apologizing. This gatha/prayer/chant is said several times, and in this particular video it was said as part of a Fusatsu Full Moon ceremony. I love how the fullness, luminosity, and spherical shape of the moon symbolize phases and the promise to return to wholeness. Just as the moon will hide herself, so too will she re-emerge with her pregnant brilliance to remind us of our own bright and beautiful fullness. In Zen the three poisons which drive most of our harmful actions are greed, anger, and delusion. Almost everything we do stems from one or more of these 3 unhealthy poisons. The antidote to them are generosity, compassion, and wisdom. We can steer our karmic ripple effects in a new direction by taking a few moments to atone, reflect, and decide to do better going forward. It only works if we mean it. This chant video is just several minutes of the gatha being repeated a few times. It’s an essential part of Zen ritual. I find it hopeful, powerful, and comforting, a guide even. Wishing everyone a meaningful Yom Kippur in whatever way you take time to reflect on being at one with your stuff. We are never stuck. We can always tweak, adjust, grow, and improve while loving and appreciating ourselves right now. Own it, atone for it, and rise back up.

Colors I’ll Be Wearing This Season

How yummy and enticing are the new colors for this season? Deep, delicious jewel tones in marigold, emerald, teal, purple, and red are a few of my new faves. Worn in head to toe monochrome, as a statement piece, or paired with a neutral, pulling from this color palette is a sure way to add pop and relevance to your Fall/Winter wardrobe. Purses, tights, and shoes are also great ways to incorporate color, especially for my friends who go no further than navy, black, beige, or gray. Use this color chart to see what individual colors or pairings speak to you. Maybe there’s a bold color you’ve been too shy to try that you can invite into this season. Have fun exploring ways to expand sweater weather:).

Meatballs & Cabbage

I love stuffed cabbage but I don’t love making it. It’s very laborious and takes hours. I usually make it once a year before the 6 week block of Jewish holidays and freeze to last us throughout. I had extra meat mixture while making my cabbage rolls, so I came up with this alternate version. Same ingredients, same delicious taste and texture with a fraction of the time. I have always used the stuffed cabbage recipe from the original Kosher Palette cookbook, tweaking as I go along if necessary. Trust me, a bowl of meatballs & cabbage will satisfy the stuffed cabbage craving for adults and kids alike.
* No raisins were harmed in the making of this dish.

Ingredients:
2 large heads green cabbage, cored, quartered and chopped into large medium pieces
2 tbsp vegetable, canola, or avocado oil
2 lbs lean ground beef
1 medium white onion, finely chopped
1/4 uncooked white rice
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Salt, pepper
2 onions sliced into rounds (optional)

Sauce:
Large 28 oz can tomato sauce or 4 8 oz cans
3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
* double the sauce to have extra to freeze or serve with. I always like to have extra ready since I’m a saucy gal. Also, no one wants dry meatballs.

In a large pot on the stove, steam the cabbage pieces (covered) in a few inches of water until tender. Check after 20 minutes to gauge. When ready remove the cabbage and drain the water. Set cabbage aside to let the pot cool.

Combine the meat, eggs, chopped, onion, seasonings, and uncooked rice to form meatballs.

Coat the bottom of the pot with the oil and put the cabbage back in the pot, distributing in a fairly even layer. Add the sliced onions. Place the meatballs atop the cabbage and onions.

Make the sauce in a large bowl, mixing the tomato sauce, sugar, and lemon juice. Whisk to combine. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and cabbage, cover pot, bring to a boil on medium high, then lower to a steady but gentle simmer (I do this on low). Simmer for 45 minutes to an hour until the meatballs are cooked through and the cabbage and onions are soft and saucy. Serve over white rice if desired.

Listen to jack harlow- thru the night

5 RED FLAGS You Cannot Ignore

Jillian Turecki, a life/relationship coach who has trained with Tony Robbins (amongst others) has been a tremendous source of clarity. Her honest, clear, and kind relationship wisdom has hit home many times. Light bulb after light bulb. Her Instagram account is one of my favorites. It’s been a touchstone during my growing and healing process. One has to be truly willing to face and receive truth in order to grow, and Jillian’s explanations and encouragements have helped me confront my own habits and pattens in ways that remind me of how I can steer my ship in a new, healthy direction. As always, healing begins on the innermost level; our relationship with ourselves determines everything else.

https://www.facebook.com/jillianturecki/videos/5-red-flags-you-cannot-ignore/353324466237284/

Designing Small Flower Arrangements

I hope you enjoy this little flower arranging tutorial as much as I do. With the seasons changing, the Jewish holidays approaching, back to school gatherings, or whatever else you’ve got going on, it’s fun and satisfying to take a DIY crack at decorative florals. Using the ideas here as a jump off point, I’ll play around with colors, textures, and shapes to create arrangements that compliment my table design. I like this particular tutorial because I’ll often buy a larger centerpiece from my florist and then create smaller, coordinating arrangements to scatter along the rest of the table and buffets. I suggest watching this before buying your materials so you are familiar with the necessary sizing, amounts, etc, then rewatching it once you’ve gathered everything. It’s so much fun to enjoy the fruits and flowers of your homemade custom arrangements. Happy arranging!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3941FvEPa5Y

listen to The Faces - Ooh La La (1973)

Slow-Baked Beans With Kale

I love this New York Times recipe! As Rosh Hashanah and the Jewish holidays fast approach, it’s time to get out the Dutch ovens and revisit heartier, seasonal fare that evokes that warm feeling of culinary time and loving effort. I love nothing more than cooking for family and friends for the holidays. Having my children experience the smells, sights, sounds, and tastes of holidays is so important to me. I love seeing them recognize my joy in creating a warm and special atmosphere for them and our guests. The scent of slow cooking is like a giant hug, and this vegetarian dish is a great way to include everyone in said hug. Wishing everyone a Shana Tovah, which means a good, sweet new year. May it be full of joy, health, blessings, peace, and loving what is.

Ingredients

Yield: 6 servings

• 1bunch kale, stemmed and washed in two changes of water

• 3tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1medium onion, chopped

• 1carrot, chopped

• 1rib celery, chopped

• 4garlic cloves, minced

• 1⅔cups white beans (¾ pound) or dried lima beans, picked over and soaked for at least four hours and drained

• 16-ounce can tomato paste, dissolved in 1 cup water

• 3cups additional water

• A bouquet garni consisting of 4 parsley sprigs, 2 thyme sprigs and a bay leaf

• 1teaspoon herbes de Provence

• Salt

• a generous amount of freshly ground pepper

• ½cup bread crumbs

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 225 degrees. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and add the kale. Blanch for two minutes, then transfer to a bowl of ice water. Drain, squeeze out water and cut into ribbons. Set aside. (I blanch the kale to extract some of the bitterness, but you can skip this step if you wish).

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat in a large ovenproof casserole. Add the onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the dissolved tomato paste, and bring to a simmer.

Step 3

Add the drained beans, the remaining water, the bouquet garni, herbes de Provence and salt and pepper.. Stir in the kale, bring to a simmer, cover and place in the oven. Bake three hours until the beans are tender and creamy. Taste and adjust salt.

Step 4

Mix together the remaining olive oil and the bread crumbs. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the beans, and continue to bake another 30 minutes to an hour until the bread crumbs are lightly browned. Remove from the heat and serve; or allow to cool slightly and serve.