Move.
Let nothing upset you
Let nothing disturb you
Everything changes
God alone is unchanging
With God all things are possible
The one who has God lacks nothing
God alone is enough
~ Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Life has a way of surprising us, doesn’t it. It’s easy to make a plan or have an idea of what life will look like, but rarely does everything go as planned. Whether it’s unexpected joys, a big change, or the loss of someone or something, it’s helpful to support your body when experiencing something new or difficult.
My family recently lost our sweet dog; it was sudden and unexpected, leaving us overwhelmed with sadness. Dealing with this loss, I noticed some activities and foods that are helping ease some of the grief and helping me process a hard change. Maybe you too are coping with something difficult; see what you think of these ideas.
Movement in general is deeply good for helping your body deal with strong emotions or stress. Dance specifically has been shown to help us deal with trauma. Dancing is a way to express feelings when you don’t have the words, and such primal movement releases endorphins that improve brain function and mood. Not a fan of dancing? Try other forms of movement such as yoga, running, walking, or other forms of expressive art like painting, sketching, or arranging flowers. Even swaying back and forth and letting your arms swing side to side can be a profoundly simple yet transformative experience.
One of my favorite herbs in times of stress is Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which basically means it helps the body adapt to stress. This can include boosting your mood, reducing inflammation, and helping with sleep patterns. So this herb can be worth trying either in tea form or powder when you are going through a stressful or difficult time. A more commonly known herb for stress is Chamomile. Chamomile both reduces anxiety and soothes the digestive and nervous systems. It’s a great tea to have on hand, one I use frequently.
In times of change and stress, we also gravitate toward comfort food, so I thought I would share a recipe that I make fairly often when I’m looking for a culinary hug. And as an added bonus, it’s simple to make! I’m terrible at following recipes and often just wind up throwing things together without really measuring, but I’ll do my best to give you an idea of quantities.
This White Bean Rosemary Gratin is really yummy and a healthier option than most. If you want to make it gluten-free, substitute thinly sliced potatoes for bread on top; while I haven’t tried that variation, I bet it will be good. Here are the ingredients:
1 can of diced tomatoes
2 cans of white beans (like cannellini or great northern)
1 small onion
About 2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary
A clove or two of garlic
1 loaf of crusty bread
About 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese (or vegan cheese)
Olive oil for cooking
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat a tablespoon or two of olive oil in a dutch oven or tall-ish pan that can go in the oven, and preheat the oven to 375. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until golden. Then add the rosemary and cook for a minute. Next, add the can of diced tomatoes and one can of drained beans. Let this cook for a minute while you blend the other can of beans with about ¾ to a cup of vegetable broth. Add the blended bean mixture to the pot. Then you’ll want to chop up the loaf of bread into small chunks, toss it in some olive oil and parmesan and put on top of the rest of the ingredients. Place the pot in the oven for about 20 minutes and let the bread get lightly toasted. This serves four people, so feel free to double the recipe for more.
growing the soul
If you are experiencing a time of stress, grief, or change and want someone to help support you and your body during this time, feel free to reach out to me and schedule a free consultation. Talking with a trusted friend or professional is always a great way to support your body as well, and we have many great associates here at The Vining Center!
serving the world
Who do you know that is going through a time of deep change or grief? Take a meal…or take your presence.
takeaway
Eat. Talk. Move.