Sacred is Prayer, is Play.

Anderson's Fairtales by Richardson Winston in 1926. 

Art of Submission, what we eat in any language is either delicious or more: a gift, or both!

Food Scientists.

Maat Petrova shopping for food. . . 2017.

Peace. Peaceful mindsets reign above the science of food. It is unusual to be aligned with the foods today. The practice of measuring has overtaken the sanctity of preparing food, removing the sacredness of eating has created disorders. Shifting into this paradigm has no beneficial relationship with power. Power is its own incentive to change, become, and be still within one's soul. Applied to food the better our dreams grow, the better we understand where we are as a People, as a family member.

It is summer time as things grow and the beginning of Harvest is the celebration ceremony. Without ceremony food is just there to eat. Ceremony and gratitude brings in the fullness of healthy minds, empowered spirits and right relations with our Mother, the Earth, each other and the animals who feed us, and the plants who know us, and what we need! ~ Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 12/12/17

Màat Petrova shopping for vegetables. July 2017.

Incredible girls make trap with Bamboo Hole - Fishing in my village - Ho...

Let Her Talk About FOOD.

The Refinement Group 

Màat Petrova shopping for vegetables. July 2017.

My diet is plant based. Vegetables.. Fruits... Whole Grains...
I eat wild caught fish once or twice a month. And even that is not fresh like getting it fresh out the ocean as when I visited Ghana.
____

I never get BV, I may get a yeast infection once a year if that. My pumpum stays happy. Because of my mouths diet, my emotional diet (letting go of hurt, pain, anger), my vaginal diet (my lovers health and chemistry with my body). - Maat Petrova (July 25, 2017) 

Màat Petrova and a child by Jah 772.

Children's partiality to vegetables begins with the parent. Lotus loves dark leafy greens raw (vitamins a, c, k, minerals antioxidant, fibre)
with some homemade dressing::
Olive oil
Braggs aminos
Acv...
Cilantro
Onions
Garlic
Parsley
Cayenne pepper
___
You'll figure out the portions.. but its yummy!

Food as Pain.

Jessa Hinton happy wearing a Christine Holly swimsuit. (2016)

For my female followers, this post is for you❤️ its long I know, but I hope it's worth it.

I came into the modeling industry late in the game (26 to be exact and after having Ky) and I'd like to say I was fortunate enough to have a good head on my shoulders. I have been called pretty much every sh*tty name. Old, fat, anorexic, someone who needs to eat a cheeseburger. Someone who needs to stop eat...ing cheeseburgers. Whatever it was, I didn't give a sh*t. Until I broke and let it affect me. I sunk into a hole and couldn't get myself out. I stopped eating and hated who I saw in the mirror. I was lying to people around me saying that I had just eaten, even tho I hadn't. I avoided dinners where I'd be tempted & then I'd sneak cereal in the middle of the night. Because I felt guilty. 

For the men and women who like to sit behind social media & troll/ make rude comments... You don't understand & I get that. I have very little to complain about and a lot to be thankful for. But you are not me, nor the other people who have struggled with body dismorphia.

At age 27 I became anorexic & self loathing. After almost a year of self sabotage, the support team around me pulled my ass out and I started saying F*ck this. I wasn't happy and wanted to start becoming happy again. Anorexia is a disease and all eating disorders should be taken seriously. If you have been following me for a while now you know I love my pizza. And my Carl's jr. And well.... Just about everything.

I had to cut back because I wasn't feeling healthy. I liked how I looked but I felt sluggish and not as productive. I made the choice to cut out dairy and cut back on wine/ most breads. I STILL enjoy but not as much. I feel better than ever. Most people would say their 20's are their prime. Bi%ch I'm loving how my 30's are going.

This is an Un-edited pic from @dreamstatelive wearing @christineholly 's new swimsuit line. These 2 people are very special to me and know how to make a woman feel beautiful. With self love, hard work and a good support team.... No matter if you've had a baby, what your age or weight is- Kid, you'll move mountains ❤️ I stand and support all you ladies out there doing your thing!

by Jessa Hinton

June 13, 2016

Jessa Hinton wearing a Christine Holly swimsuit late night on the beach somewhere.

Open Air for Markets

Jamaican life before the 1900's - the marketplace.

I miss the open markets. It stirs and maintains the life of the food this way of selling food. Grocery stores are not like that. The buildings, the setting without social exchange lessens the potency of food diminishing the essential quality food, and food preparation needs more than anything else. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 5.11.16

Jamaican life before the 1900's - the marketplace.

 

Telling old stories as new ...

Cooking pot over coals.

Afro Texan Meals of the enslaved.

Afro-Texans described in great detail how they prepared their food. Corn became hominy, corn dodgers (formed into pones by the fingers of the cook), fried corn, roasting ears, hoecakes and ashcakes—corn mush formed into thick patties and wrapped in a collard or corn shuck leaf, corn meal dumplings, hush puppies, crackling bread, and coosh-coosh—a corn mush dish of Senegambian origin eaten with milk or syrup—or kush—a cornbread scramble made with onions, salt, and red peppers. 

Corn cobs were added to green wood to smoke meat, and parched grains of corn or toasted corn meal were used to make ersatz coffee. Rice could accompany fish dishes, and stews. Wheat, a common plantation crop, rarely found its way into the homes of the enslaved as a staple. Many formerly enslaved Texans reported having a special biscuit a week—strictly on Sundays, and only rarely did they taste waffles (which required a special mold), pancakes, white bread and other delicacies usually reserved for the slave owner’s table. Some of this wheat flour became a special dessert dumpling, boiled in reduced mustang or muscadine grape juice in the manner of the Cherokees, Creeks and Choctaw. - anon

house of Iyonna Brown's grandfather born 1895 died 1985.

This is a piece of my history.

"...my grandparents home.. he raised 10 children here..no running water.. there is a outhouse in the back.. there use to be an old swing on the porch...no glass windows.. just wooden pull to. The kitchen was off the back porch....they drew water from the well out back...

My grandfather came to Quitman as a railroad man and met my grandmother at her sister's boarding house. my grandfather was born in 1895 and died on 1985. Before he died.. he was honored as the oldest in his church. With the most grandkids, great grandkids and great-great grandkids.....

my dad was the 7th child.. and there are 14 of us.. and all his other siblings had more than 5 children....." ~ Iyonna Brown 

Feel To Prepare Food

Story

I seldom eat out. My wife is a Sacred Woman and the way she cooks has qualities hard to find elsewhere. Preceding mysterious attributes within people are the trails they went through.

~ Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 8.19.16

Tribute to Fine Dining!

Ambar

523 8th St SE

Washington, DC 20003

(202) 813-3039

http://www.ambarrestaurant.com/ 

All of life and community comes together around stories agreeing to relationships that make life and community possible. It is food that lowers the guard between people, and joins all the elements that encircle with joy why community comes together! In bustling and changing cities sacred space has to be made in central locations to the theme of coming together. This is where the spirit food is prepared.

Beyond this body and spirit agree with other spirits to simply be in the present and eat. A place and a chef can undo so much turmoil and relieve so much pressure with food in the right place.

These are the things I felt eating chef Alex Kolberg's food, served by the staff of Ambar restaurant, embodying the elements food needs to be around.

These are my words.

Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories
8.19.16

Mothers in the kitchen



Prudence Moe in the kitchen

"One of my favorite memories and present day joys was watching my mother and aunts cooking and each day watching my wife in the kitchen cooking. It is soothing because each meal preparation ends in prayer." - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 5.22.15

 

Guilt in Food?



Bethenny Frankel selling Leaner Creamer for coffee . . .

Bethenny Frankel is always promoting. It is a good attribute in marriage and good for business. She like millions of others eat with emotions I cannot and have never been in relationship with during meals or snacks. The picture of her in a tranquil setting sipping coffee the caption reads: "Putting Leaner Creamer in your #coffee is a game changer. It tastes delicious & there's zero guilt."

I don't associate guilt with food. Gratitude and reverence or pure joy are the only emotions evoked within me when I eat. Been this way since a baby. . . Never been able to eat when angry, upset or afraid or sad. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories (10.18.15)

cartoon - conflict of women's independence.
Bethenny Frankel simple said in response to this cartoon, "The struggle is real." 

 

MAN needs to eat right

Wonder Wombman




Sacred Woman by David Patterson
'When the vagina is healthy and smells sweet and fresh the benefits are mutual...'
- Daria Lyun

When the vagina is healthy and smells sweet and fresh, the benefits are mutual. The female receives blissful pleasure and the male receives a beneficial nectar that stimulates his 3rd eye (pineal gland) enhancing his intuition, psychic abilities, and spiritual faculties. His pituitary and pineal glands are stimulated, nourished, and rejuvenated. His higher chakras become wide open in healthy and safe fashion. If his higher chakras are blocked, they become balanced or aligned from the act and mystical secretions (sex juices). Men benefit from the mystical properties of female secretions while performing cunnilingus. 

Commentary by Daria Ljun 
 Artwork by David Patterson



Sacred Woman creating intrigue

Every Day Grow

The Mind/Muscle Connection

champion Candice Lewis is an IFBB Professional !!!!

Q. How much does your weight vary between shows?
About 5 pounds. I loose weight once I stop lifting.
...
What’s a sample of your daily eats look like?

5 Egg whites – 1/2 cup of oats
5oz fish 4oz 3-5 asparagus and 1/2 cup rice
5oz ground turkey

Q. Biggest challenge dieting for a show?
Not to over eat on the yams.. I just love them. Yummy.

What’s your favorite body part to work out?
Legs!

Q. What’s the key to building a kick ass set of wheels? Lunges and lunges with weights and more lunges and squares.

Q. How do you feel you look compared to Jr. Nationals en route to your pro debut? I’m more balance and I feel I have a more mature look. Because I been lifting more.

Q. How important has having a trainer been for you?
It’s one of the most important parts for me. Damian Duhon Sagovia keep me motivated on my off days.

Q. If you could give other women some advice on staying healthy and fit what would it be? My advice would be to make staying health and fit apart of your everyday life. Like brushing your teeth.

Q. Do you enjoy modeling?
I enjoy modeling because it gives me a chance to inspire people to workout.

Q. What do you do to “get into the zone” of model? Music gets me in the zone for anything.

Goal for the industry: "I would like to make this my career. They say “Do what makes you happy and you’ll never work a day in your life.”~ Candice Lewis Ifbb Pro

 

 

 with BlackWomen AreHealthy and Actress Ben'a 

 

Giada De Laurentiis, last year

Chef Giada De Laurentiis backstage at The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection 2014 made possible by Macy's and Subway's restaurants February 6, 2014 in New York city at the Lincoln Center. 

Giada De Laurentiis

Giada De Laurentiis' portrait 

Breath

Hannah Johansson, Swedish make up artist.

Photos

Sobonfu Somé is the Keeper of Rituals and serves as a teacher connecting people to their natural state. Sobonfu Somé once said: "What food is to our body, ritual is to our soul. A ritual keeps us connected to our spirit, our soul and our purpose." Elders who remember the old ways help us stay in harmony during tumultuous times.

KITCHEN AID

Appreciation 4 Thickness

I associate the kitchen with warmth, familiar and beckoning smells that invite children to supper, and husbands to begin a cozy night with the wife after the meal.  I only have one chapter in my life where I made love more than several times in the kitchen, and the aroma of it, and how our love blossomed between us has merged the intimacy of food, and intercourse. The two are inseparable. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 5.19.13 

Food Tips by Chef Giada De Laurentiis

Holiday Entertaining Tips from Food Network Chef Giada De Laurentiis

DECEMBER 14, 2011 BY KELLY ·

Giada De Laurentiis making talking points. 

Are you entertaining this holiday season?  Here are some tips from Food Network Chef, Giada De Laurentiis.  Giada is one of the friendliest chefs that we love to watch.  She has been a favorite of mine for years and her consistent warmth, humor, and love of family is a true joy.

Tip #1  Plan Ahead.

Prepare as many dishes as you can ahead of time.  Rather than try to cook everything at once, prep your dishes and finish as much as possible the day before.  In Giada’s recipes she will often tell you what you can do before and then the steps to finish the dish just before you serve.  You don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen or stressing (I’m good at at!) during the party.  If you leave only one item for last minute prep and invite everyone into the kitchen, it sets the tone for a cozy, comfortable evening!

Tip #2  Choose foods that have vibrant colors for an added festive touch.

During the holidays, choose foods and combinations of foods that have vibrant colors.  It will make for a party atmosphere on a buffet or on your guest’s plates.  Foods that are beautiful taste better and will earn compliments to the chef!

The ready-to-serve Giada De Laurentis for Target Sun Dried Tomatoes are a great addition to vegetable dish to add festive color.

Tip #3 Select one specialty drink to serve to your guests.

Giada’s favorite?  Prosecco, an Italian champagne with a crisp, sparkling taste that is the perfect start or end to a holiday celebration.  Garnish with pomegranates to give the drink a festive color boost, or use holiday themed glasses.  Your party will be “bubbly” and a great success!

Tip #4 For unexpected guests, keep ready-to-serve delights in the pantry.

Giada De Laurentis for Target includes a line of delicious ready-to-serve choices.  I’ve tried the Black Olive Tapenade, the Sun Dried Tomatoes, Marinated Mushrooms and Eggplant Tomato Spread.  I loved them all!  I took the Eggplant Tomato Spread with baguette slices and pita chips to a party and it was a great hit.  Our local Target now has a large grocery line that carries everything you need for a complete meal.

Tip #5 Create less work and cleanup by using multipurpose kitchen tools.

Use dishes that can go directly from oven to the table.  It keeps the food hot, saves a step of transferring to another dish, and simplifies clean up!  Win-win-win!  The Giada de Laurentiis for Target Ceramic Bakeware is perfect to go from oven to table.  It also makes a great, personal gift when you make a treat in the bakeware and give it to someone, dish and all!  Who wouldn’t love to receive this Raspberry Almond Tart in the Giada De Laurentiis for Target Ceramic Pie Plate?

I used some of Giada’s recipes and items from her product line, Giada De Laurentiis for Target, to prepare an early Christmas celebration for my family.  If you’d like to read more about that special dinner, here are links to the posts, enjoy!

Christmas Dinner with Giada De Laurentiis for Target

• Tapenade Appetizer and Green Beans with Sun Dried Tomatoes
• Baked Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese and Bread Crumbs
• Raspberry Almond Tart in Ceramic Pie Pan and Spiced Coffee with Cinnamon Whipped Cream

Disclosure of Material Connection: All opinions are my own, unless otherwise stated.  I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Giada De Laurentis for Target and received product samples to facilitate my review.  This disclosure is in accordance with FTC guidelines.

Giada De Laurentiis - Official Site

www.giadadelaurentiis.com

children's stories

Santa Claus 

“It's time for a short story, My Mom and Dad told me of when they got their first home it was a corn crib and Daddy moved it from the top of a hill down to a stream by logs and rolling it , when he got it there he piped in some water from the stream to a sink area which Mommy could use a pump to get water, he moved the ceiling up a little for head room and added to it here and there, don't know how long it took him but guess they handled it great back then.It was hard for me to even think of it when they told me I was only 9 didn't even know what a corn crib was. God I miss all those stories life was hard but had so much more meaning!” ♥  9.10.12

Lori Gladding from 

Angel White Tiger Spirit & Susan Perna's Sacred Circle 

"Now, I don't like the whole Christmas thing, but why is it this picture stopped me cold, and resurrected my happy childhood memories around this time of year?" - Gregory

Christmas time

"... and this picture brings up the deep warm feeling of being six years old, protected, snug and anticipating warm meals, hot cocoa, and Santa Claus the next day. 

My sister, Cynthia and I were so close to each other we shared magic and saw and anticpated in the lookout for Santa together. The way Daddy built the tension through off-hand comments, and sudden outbursts of story we strained 'til it hurt as each day drew to a close to bring in the next one closer to Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve we were sequestered to our rooms to sleep, but we couldn't sleep. Mommy and Daddy were in the living room downstairs doing something secretive, and making slightly muffled giggling noises. A feeling of togetherness rose up the stairs with smells of cookies or cake, and ham and potatoes in the oven while that night's dinner, as always, lingered within me; the satisfaction ever present to lull me to sleep. Not this night. We couldn't sleep straining our ears to hear and understand every sound in the house, and what was that?

"Did you hear that, Cynthia? Did you hear that?"

"Yeah. What was it?"

"Santa Claus and reindeer!"

In the next few minutes we could hear walking on the roof as clear as the dinner music and Perry Como serenading Mommy downstairs. It was unbearable, and each minute was longer than the shadows of a setting sun. Finally, the pain of it all dissolved into us into sleep.In the morning before the sun had kissed the gray horizon we were up and in Mommy's room.

"Wake up. Wake up!"

Daddy used to pretend he was annoyed and try to make us go back to sleep, but our excitement made Mommy urge Daddy out of bed. Downstairs we stumbled with Daddy in tow trying to slow us up with short funny riddles and sayings. He'd suddenly say, "Wait. What was that?" We'd freeze on a stair listening.

"Nothing. Your playing, Daddy. C'mon, let's go downstairs!"

Finally at the bottom of the endless stairs was evidence of Santa's visit: gifts and a lit tree! 

"I told you we heard him. I told you!" one of us would say and squeal with delight at the sight of the presents, and the smell of sweets, and pine, and the warm feeling that was always in the house. - Gregory E. Woods, 9.10.12

Mrs. Santa Claus 

Giada De Laurentiis, at 43

Born August 22, 1970 in Rome, Lazio, Italy,

Italian born American chef, Giada De Laurentiis., is the current host

of Food Network's show, Giada at Home.

wikipedia.org

Gallery




Giada De Laurentiis

Giada De Laurentiis arrives at 5th annual Kidstock to benefit One Voice Scholar's program.
June 5, 2011 

INTELLIGENCE OF SALES

"Most people know, have always known that sodas have no nutritional value, but the knowledge of soda pop's insidious nature pales in significance against the backdrop of the sophisticated art of seduction. Sales people know it is the images embedded in people that is more influential. The basic approach of sales focus is on the images, and once that is secured it is a done deal. Non-analytical minds, and undisciplined spirits are easy prey.

People are what they image whether that image is theirs or not it just has to be within them and excepted by others." - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 8.31.13