Kitchen Yoga

Arrange slices of tropical or soft fruit on beautiful platters, place jars of iced water, wedges of lime, mint leaves, and lavender next to them straight on the tablecloth. To create the atmosphere of a meditating spa, place small candles, scattered around on the table. Make easy picturesque still life with leaves-on stems or tiny flowers. If you make food for any occasion, make sure, it is simply prepared with fresh ingredients and taken little time to prepare. I suggest pure soups with root vegetables, vegetable salads wrapped in rice leaf, or sea food served in vegetable cups. Serve with Asian dressings and green tea.

I cook whole wheat noodles, let them chill overnight, infuse them with Asian dressing and toss them with chopped nuts and crispy vegetables. This, I can store in boxes and keep for lunch any time. Here, the possibilities of color and texture combinations are endless. The idea is to make food that is good for the body and the mind-kitchen yoga, I call it.

Norouz

When the first blossom appears on the first twig of the first tree, Naneh Sarma, the old wrinkled mother of winter and cold, sweeps away the last dried leaf, dust, spider web, and straw. This is an all important spring ritual, clearing the home away of all dirt. Next come the delightful children, seven in number, each carrying a symbolic item from Haft Seen Spread. Senjed, Somagh, Samanoo, Sonbol, Sir, Sekeh, Sabzeh, on silver plates tied with red ribbon. Uncle Norooz brings candy and gifts; Birds play tunes; they all place the spread down; the story teller tells them the story behind each item on the haft seen. Norouz means revival and rebirth; the seven heavenly items grace the table at the arrival of each new year.

This is a parade idea for school projects; music and dance can also be included in this ceremony.

As always, cleaning out hearts from old grudges and bringing in new spirit of hope and promise, are what spring is all about. Happy Norouz!