Haven’t written much in the past year. Not much at all.

Sometimes things have to die so that they can come back to life in a true way.

Starting from a young age I wanted to be an actress. I loved being on stage. My first real acting classes, I realized later, were my first formal spiritual training. The reality that I could take on different states of mind and emotions at will showed me I was not the personality that I knew as “me”. If that wasn’t “me”, what was?

I explored more as I became an adult. I became fascinated with creativity of many types – writing and film making, primarily. I was cooking for a living, until I could become “an artist”.

In my early thirties I shared the idea that I was waiting to “become an artist” with a group of teachers on a meditation retreat. One of the teachers said, “But, Durga, you ARE an artist. There’s no becoming. It doesn’t matter if you’re not making money at it. Being an artist is a way of being in the world. It’s a view.”
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Velvety Chocolate Cake on one of my favorite depression glass plates

We’re on vacation at my husband’s family cottage in New Hampshire on Lake Winnipesaukee. (I can finally spell that without having to look it up.) The amenities are basic, the cottage is shared with a number of family members and is only used during the summertime. The mixing options are an ancient Waring blender with a glass carafe and hard plastic lid that doesn’t seal (I LOVE this blender on an aesthetic level, but it’s not the most effective appliance I’ve ever used), and a hand mixer. Never to shy away from a challenge, I wanted a new treat that I could eat without paying for with my health. It’s nice to have time to tinker in the kitchen.
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I wrote this article a few years back, and posted it on the old blog. It’s timely! So many of us are traveling sometime over the summer. Here it is, edited and updated. Enjoy.

The posy my youngest picked for his teacher on the last day of school.

Some helpful hints on traveling with diets outside the cultural norm. A little planning can go a LONG way.

Here are some things that work for my family when we’re on the go.
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My dear husband and I just had a re-commitment ceremony last weekend. As a result, finding a theme for next weekend’s potluck feels like an impossible task! We already had the love and fertility theme last month!

Durga and Tom

Therefore, just bring what you love to eat, to cook, and to share. Here’s what last month’s spread looked like –

New Life Potluck buffet

You know you want to come…. 😉

RSVP so I know how many to expect, and I’ll send you the address. See you there –

Community event
Second Saturday with
The Cook Awakening
Free Form Paleo Potluck
I just can’t think of another theme, so it’s free form month! Bring what you love to eat. Bring what you love to cook. Bring something you want to share with friends. And, summer is just around the corner, so include a little sunshine in your dish! We’ll sit in the garden if the weather holds up.

Saturday, June 8th, 11 am – 2 pm
Fee: One potluck dish to share
SE Portland address given upon RSVP
Contact Durga for suggestions, no one turned away for lack of imagination
503.422.8346, or email, Durga@TheCookAwakening.com

We are halfway between spring equinox and summer solstice, a time traditionally considered to symbolize fertility. A time to be celebrated! A time for frolicking, dancing, and enjoying the sensual pleasures. Like luscious food.

If you’re inspired, wear clothes that make you feel beautiful. Yes, that means you men, too. Expose a little skin!

As always, RSVP for the address and so I know how many people to prepare for. More details below –

Food Mandala

Community event
Second Saturday with
The Cook Awakening
New Life Paleo Potluck
In some traditions this is the time of celebrating and inviting fertility – of the earth, our bodies, our passions, and our creativity. Let’s celebrate that! Bring food that makes you feel sexy and creative, or that reminds you of new life. I’ll be making chocolate. Think sensual and fun – artichokes and garlic butter, asparagus, avocado, honey, ginger, vanilla, wine, basil, eggs, rare steak… and feel free to dress the part, too!

Saturday, May 11th, 11 am – 2 pm
Fee: One potluck dish to share
Portland address given upon RSVP
Contact Durga for suggestions, no one turned away for lack of imagination
Durga@TheCookAwakening.com
503.422.8346

My mother has been on my mind a lot recently. Our birthdays are two days apart in early April, and last year she and I traveled from California to Oregon together on the day between our birthdays.

She loved flowers. I see the tulips blooming in our back yard and I remember her noticing them as she walked toward her little cottage for the first time that day. “Oooohh!” she said. “Look at them!” The blooms this year come from the same bulbs that lay hidden under the earth since then.
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