I have had the great good fortune to harvest pounds and pounds of fresh, garden-grown lettuces for the Monastery kitchen. The process takes me to the experience of tender-loving care each time we harvest.
- Tenderness for the lettuce itself -- carefully taking the leaves most ready for harvest.
- Tenderness for the bed -- careful not to disturb the mulch in place for the other plants.
- Tenderness for the human -- mindful to use a kneeling pad for the knees, engage the core muscles for the back, wear a hat for the skin.
There is a St. Francis statue that stands at the garden gate entrance. He has two birds resting on his shoulder and arm, each looking lovingly at his face. I project that deep tenderness must have been emanating from St. Francis to have drawn animals to him in that way. The beautiful thing is that we can practice being tender anywhere and with everything! While it is a delightful place, we don't need a garden full of lettuce in which to meet our own tenderness.
Here is a spread we enjoy on a big bed of fresh lettuce!
Gassho,
Rebecca
Tofu-Ginger-Sesame Spread
2 pounds tofu, drained and mashed
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. grated ginger
1/3 cup toasted sesame seeds
1. Mix all ingredients together well and chill.
Serves 8.