Happy…kittens playing with bright colored yarn, reading an intriguing book hoping it will turn out the way you want and delighting when it does, drinking a cold drink at a warm summer picnic… day to you.
Remember these happy beats?
TWO POTS OF LOVE
Dear ‘LB’ friends,
HAPPY, BLESSED NEW YEAR!
Even though Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone and we can look forward to them again this year, I have a tradition that can be applied at any time of the year.
Turkey with all the trimmings is my husband’s favorite meal. He enjoys every bite, so every year I try to get a turkey that is organic or as close to it as possible ranging from twelve to eighteen pounds, even if it is just the two of us. There is a reason for this. It has to with ‘two pots of love’.
We all have our own way of presenting the turkey. The TV programs normally show a woman bringing out a large whole turkey cooked to a perfect shade of brown as everyone says “Awe” showing smiles of approval. Everyone sitting at the table has stylish clothes and the children are well behaved and immaculate. The camera continues to span showing the displayed table full of delicious sides.
The TV version was not lost on me. I tried to do as I saw it done because I wanted to see beaming, clean faces at the table as they patiently waited for me to present the longed for prize. But, it didn’t turn out quite the same. The turkey didn’t look quite as delicious. Some times it was too brown, falling off the bone while everybody was starved so there wasn’t time to appreciate it with “Awe’s.”
The children had normally been outside playing so their clothes and faces weren’t spotless or beaming. They were fidgety, (probably due to low blood sugar) and had to be told“Settle down!” ruining the TV version of happy, patient and appreciative. I was tired from all the fixing and as I looked around the table and kitchen, I realized with a sinking feeling, I have to clean up all of this!
I said to myself, “I’ve got to do it another way!” I came up with the plan to cook the turkey the day before I wanted to have the meal. After it was baked and cooled to touch, I cut the turkey off the bones and separated the white meat from the dark and put the amount I wanted for the meal on a large glass platter. I put the extra meat in a container for future meals, sandwiches etc. Covering all securely, I then put the cooked meat in the refrigerator to take out the following day but also saved all the bones for another day which I will tell you about later.
It was still tiring since I tried to make as many sides as I could the day before the big meal. But, the good part was I cleaned up all the mess. All the treasured bones (yes, treasured) were in a bowl in the refrigerator to be used later.
So, when meal day arrived, all I had to do was warm up the turkey, make gravy or warm broth and put it on a long counter in the kitchen. The sides were warmed and everything became buffet style. When the counter was full of sides, pies and rolls, we all went into the kitchen, held hands and gave thanks to God for His abundance to us. It’s interesting, the kids didn’t need to be told “Settle down!” They ate earlier, everybody was excited to be together and I wasn’t as tired.
Now to the reason for the title to this reflection, TWO POTS OF LOVE. Remember when I called the turkey bones a treasure? Let me tell you why. After I started studying natural health and read the value of bone broth for the body especially the joints, I began boiling turkey bones, chicken or any meat bones.
To make sure I have plenty of liquid for the turkey broth, I put a good amount of water in the baking pan when I cook the turkey and save the broth. I boil the bones in a large pot with water covering them almost to the top. Putting a small amount of Bragg Apple cider vinegar in the liquid to leach out the healthy nutrients, they boil at low heat for two to three hours. I then take the bones out of the pot and put them in a bowl to cool.
Next, I take remaining meat off the boiled bones and discard them. Be careful of any small bones left from the mixture. There can be a lot of turkey meat left on the bones. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll have left. Many times I’ve had a good size bowl full.
Saving the liquid from the boiled bones, I proceed to make delicious, healthy, very economical soup. Putting in all turkey from bones and some from the meal along with poultry seasoning plus noodles, rice or quinoa along with vegetables like onions, green beans, lima beans, corn, peas or anything else that sounds good, it is complete. There is usually enough for two large pots. I freeze one of the pots to be used for another meal or give away to someone and keep the remaining one to be eaten that day. If I need more liquid, I add organic chicken broth to the soup mixture.
This is where the love comes in. First, it takes valued time to do all the preparation. But, the soup has become a sought for meal from my family. In the busy world of cans and frozen foods, it is a hit. One pot can be eaten by my husband (who says he loves it) and myself and the other one becomes a treat for the family.
My grand daughter normally eats two to three bowls at a sitting. I got an idea as to it’s taste importance when one year, my ten year old grandson (at that time) spoke a phrase he learned from school that I didn’t exactly know how to reply. You’ll understand when I continue.
Throughly enjoying his soup with head bent over his bowl, he said to himself, (but we at the table heard his words), “Screw that other stuff, this is good! Grandmama, please make this soup again!” I didn’t want to take away his total enjoyment by saying “Uh, honey, another word might be more table friendly” so, I just said “Of course, I will.” To which he said,“Good” as he raised his head with a full grin on his young, handsome face.
So, what could I do? Did I tell you he has hazel eyes with long, dark eye lashes that melts your heart when he smiles at you? Because I love them all, I make two pots of turkey, vegetable soup…Two Pots of Love!
The scripture says …”as you do unto the least of these my brethren, you do unto Me.”* I feel Jesus would be pleased with everyones enjoyment of His abundance of nourishing food and love in the form of a warm, healthy cup of soup.
Lets enjoy our times with those we love… those ‘happy beats!
Until next time….
If you or someone you know, has had similar experiences and want to talk to someone, they can contact Dawne at 1-833-644-3600. She is a compassionate and effective professional with years of experience helping families, individuals and children. For more information click CONTACT option at top of page.
*Mathew 25:40
©TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY, NEW VENTURE ARTS
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