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Author: nmalekan@gmail.com

The Life of Love- Khalil Gibran

The Life of Love- Khalil Gibran

 Spring

  • Come, my beloved; let us walk amidst the knolls,
  • For the snow is water, and Life is alive from its
  • Slumber and is roaming the hills and valleys.
  • Let us follow the footprints of Spring into the
  • Distant fields, and mount the hilltops to draw
  • Inspiration high above the cool green plains.
  • Dawn of Spring has unfolded her winter-kept garment
  • And placed it on the peach and citrus trees; and
  • They appear as brides in the ceremonial custom of
  • the Night of Kedre.
  • The sprigs of grapevine embrace each other like
  • Sweethearts, and the brooks burst out in dance
  • Between the rocks, repeating the song of joy;
  • And the flowers bud suddenly from the heart of
  • Nature, like foam from the rich heart of the sea.
  • Come, my beloved; let us drink the last of Winter’s
  • Tears from the cupped lilies, and soothe our spirits
  • With the shower of notes from the birds, and wander
  • In exhilaration through the intoxicating breeze.
  • Let us sit by that rock, where violets hide; let us
  • Pursue their exchange of the sweetness of kisses.

    Summer

  • Let us go into the fields, my beloved, for the
  • Time of harvest approaches, and the sun’s eyes
  • Are ripening the grain.
  • Let us tend the fruit of the earth, as the
  • Spirit nourishes the grains of Joy from the
  • Seeds of Love, sowed deep in our hearts.
  • Let us fill our bins with the products of
  • Nature, as life fills so abundantly the
  • Domain of our hearts with her endless bounty.
  • Let us make the flowers our bed, and the
  • Sky our blanket, and rest our heads together
  • Upon pillows of soft hay.
  • Let us relax after the day’s toil, and listen
  • To the provoking murmur of the brook.

 

Autumn

  • Let us go and gather grapes in the vineyard
  • For the winepress, and keep the wine in old
  • Vases, as the spirit keeps Knowledge of the
  • Ages in eternal vessels.
  • Let us return to our dwelling, for the wind has
  • Caused the yellow leaves to fall and shroud the
  • Withering flowers that whisper elegy to Summer.
  • Come home, my eternal sweetheart, for the birds
  • Have made pilgrimage to warmth and lest the chilled
  • Prairies suffering pangs of solitude. The jasmine
  • And myrtle have no more tears.
  • Let us retreat, for the tired brook has
  • Ceased its song; and the bubblesome springs
  • Are drained of their copious weeping; and
  • Their cautious old hills have stored away
  • Their colorful garments.
  • Come, my beloved; Nature is justly weary
  • And is bidding her enthusiasm farewell
  • With quiet and contented melody.

 

Winter

  • Come close to me, oh companion of my full life;
  • Come close to me and let not Winter’s touch
  • Enter between us. Sit by me before the hearth,
  • For fire is the only fruit of Winter.
  • Speak to me of the glory of your heart, for
  • That is greater than the shrieking elements
  • Beyond our door.
  • Bind the door and seal the transoms, for the
  • Angry countenance of the heaven depresses my
  • Spirit, and the face of our snow-laden fields
  • Makes my soul cry.
  • Feed the lamp with oil and let it not dim, and
  • Place it by you, so I can read with tears what
  • Your life with me has written upon your face.
  • Bring Autumn’s wine. Let us drink and sing the
  • Song of remembrance to Spring’s carefree sowing,
  • And Summer’s watchful tending, and Autumn’s
  • Reward in harvest.
  • Come close to me, oh beloved of my soul; the
  • Fire is cooling and fleeing under the ashes.
  • Embrace me, for I fear loneliness; the lamp is
  • Dim, and the wine which we pressed is closing
  • Our eyes. Let us look upon each other before
  • They are shut.
  • Find me with your arms and embrace me; let
  • Slumber then embrace our souls as one.
  • Kiss me, my beloved, for Winter has stolen
  • All but our moving lips.
  • You are close by me, My Forever.
  • How deep and wide will be the ocean of Slumber,
  • And how recent was the dawn!

 

Spice Crusted Chickpeas with Mint Yogurt Sauce

Spice Crusted Chickpeas with Mint Yogurt Sauce

This is one of my favorite dishes to make. It is humble in its simplicity while simultaneously luxurious given the melange of spices. Mostly savory with a whisper of sweetness. The ginger, cumin and turmeric provide warmth and earthiness. The garlic and chilies add a nice heat. The walnuts provide just the right amount of textural contrast. The subtle sweetness of the cinnamon rounds all elements of earth, fire and nuttiness together… and for the finale- the coolness of the mint and yogurt balance our the entire dish. It’s a carnival for the taste buds!

Once upon a time, these spices were only available to royalty and the elite. They were a luxury for which wars were fought over and kingdoms were built or destroyed. Spices were used as currency in trade. These exotic flavors made their way from far away lands via the spice trade to the homes of nobility and were not nearly as accessible as they are to us today. These days all it takes is quick trip to the local supermarket to acquire the same riches.

That is why I entourage you to use spices. Many of us are afraid of using the ones we’re not familiar with. This recipe is a great way to dip your toe in the water! A can of chickpeas from your pantry and a combination of these spices makes a satisfying yet super healthy dish. The cool mint yogurt will balance the heat of the spices and your kitchen will smell divine!

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Scallion & Turmeric Mushroom Omelette

Scallion & Turmeric Mushroom Omelette

img_20160727_091312Eggs are a great healthy, tasty and filling way to start the day. There are many iterations with healthy veggies and herbs to give a basic omelette a daily face lift and maintain variety. Here is one with the super food Turmeric!