General Tso's Tofu

What a dish!  With October and autumn bringing cooler nights and darker days, it is that time again when we look to the warmth of our sustenance to bring us comfort and nourishment.  While the colder days of winter necessitate hearty meals, the early fall cuisine should still be light and airy with the flow of summer not so distant while still incorporating a sense of warmth.  We are beings of cycles and as such, a gentle transition is the perfect way to prepare our bodies, minds, and souls for the changes to come.

Here I dished up that exact idea.  An early October dinner that hints at what is to come while maintaining what presently appropriate.  The dish is General Tso's Tofu (referred to as bean curd, as well).  And most interestingly, this dish is also a much needed healthy, cheaper comfort food (than ordering Chinese take-out) during these intense times of back to school, fall sports, pre-holiday work incline, and much more.

Aside from the complex flavors that are instantly satisfying, their is a warmth involved due to the spices that are blended in this recipe.  To complement our old friend summer, in the times of lighter days, lighter feelings, and lighter eating, this dish is strikingly light as compared to its counterpart the classic General Tso's Chicken we often see on Chinese menus.  Here we enjoy tofu lightly fried and a low-sugar, low-sodium sauce that brings it all together.  (Not pictured, rice to be served as a bed to this dish.)

As my family delighted over this meal with a slight surprise at its deliciousness and enjoy-ability,  I realized the colors of the holiday spirits to come were rising from my plate, as if to begin with a subtle greeting as our seasons and lives cycle.  Typically I would share the recipe but today I'll offer this:  if you are interested in the recipe, email me: healingwithpeace@gmail.com. If you are local to the Hunterdon/Bucks county area, email me if you are interested in purchasing this dinner directly from my kitchen.  Regardless, enjoy vicariously!

    Source: vitaaterra.com via Atiera on Pinterest

It’s just another one of those times of in our lives where we become more aware of changes and more adept to be overwhelmed with graciousness. The occasional blustery wind, the cool air, darker nights – autumn is definitely coming out to play.    Summer, however  free and wonderful and warm, is saying her goodbyes.  Today we welcome the Fall Equinox; with season summer now behind us, fall has arrived.  Today is a special day, as it is the day of balance; a day completely balanced with 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night.  And as such, it is yet another opportunity for us to live our lives work in conjunction with our nature, our Gaia earth, our universe, ourselves.  Because…everything is connected.

Becoming conscious to what balance really looks like and feels like and figuring out how to integrate in your life today, is a thought-provoking and peaceful idea.  Because I see the earth and her position in our solar system with our sun and I realized that changes these signs bring me.   I am reminded that always in life our positions are changed, times are balanced and at those times, we can be balanced.

What exactly then does balance mean?  Feeling at home in your place.  Having energy but also calmness.  I planted 26 garlic cloves.  Working with the earth connects me so automatically.  I layered my planting area with compost I scrounged from my young compost pile.  As I used my hands to manipulate the dirt, my thoughts stopped and my body and mind connected to my soul-connection this place and time. 

I also did a little art project and I used the concept of balance as related to art  in my planning.  I found it interesting that I was able to bring balance into such a simple task.

                                                     

When I was in a store today, I had a question that no one who worked there knew the answer to.  I needed to get an answer if I was to buy the garlic and plant as I wished.  I noticed my pause with each road block and my inevitable response so gentle yet direct.  I finally was directed to another worker back in the kitchen to assist me.  Even In this situation, although I was kind, simple, gentle, the woman I was speaking with had an edge and even said, in the middle of our discussion over the organic garlic cloves: “ma’am step back, you’re not allowed in here.”  Even in that split second, as I felt the unnecessary indifference to me as a fellow human, I was in such a balanced place that I saw her disconnection  to me and the universe as reasoning for her edge and found that breathing into myself and being neutral, if not a bit kind, to follow through on my quest  for information from her.  I got it what I needed.

Simple things make us balanced.  Maybe for you its deep knee squats.  Or maybe its laying on the couch for a day to relax and watch movies.  Whatever it is – be within yourself and be happy.  Feel the cool air, let the wind through your hair, and enjoy the color changes all while enjoying yourself.

For an ancient connection to this sacred day follow this link

http://www.dailyom.com/library/000/000/000000242.html