Huggg...
Posted on 12/24/2003 12:08:17 PM PST by carlo3b
In search of a recipe for Peace on Earth ..A Daunting Task for a simple Chef..
These are very unique times in our history as well as our personal lives. This holiday season is so special because we find ourselves once again focused on events in the some of the most sacred and holy places in human history. The news of the day finds monumental activity in the Middle east, Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Orient.Names and places, cities and towns in and around the milestones and birthplaces of the most important and holy of our bedrock religions are again in turmoil. And, as in olden times, we see Generals and armies are once again mingling in our Holiest of lands and in conflict with not only ideologies but beliefs and faiths, and temples, churches, synagogues and mosques.
This struggle once again stumps Presidents, Kings, Commanders, Politicians, archeologist, bibliographer, historians, and religious scholars. All are struggling with ways to seek, and ultimately find, an ever so elusive..
Peace on Earth.Where can we find a recipe for Peace on Earth.
If these greatest minds in our universe can't agree on a way to bring all of these forces and peoples together at one table and find common ground, perhaps they should look at what everyone has in common in their hearts, as a cook looks into their pantry for the staples of life, maybe we can find enough left for a simple recipe for happiness.In our universal Cupboard of life, we can always find people, men, women, children. All different shapes and sizes, colors, and ages. Which of these ingredients are the most adaptable to all tastes, the simplest to satisfy? Children! Of course, our youngest children haven't grown accustom to a taste of bitterness yet. They aren't sour on life because they haven't been taught that sometime it is better to be bitter than sweet. So lets use our children as a common spice that everyone loves, as our lead ingredient. This isn't so hard, in fact it's really easy... so far.
OUR CHILDREN, AND OUR FAMILY
What else is in our global pantry that everyone agrees upon? God? No, no not so fast, not everyone believes in the GOD, at least not the same GOD, or even in a GOD at all. But, almost everyone believes in something bigger or better than just nothing at all, Most, certainly not all, religions have a belief system that looks to something as a guidance for living that keeps the faithful peaceful and content, and better than they would otherwise be. As an examples you will begin to find common threads in this incomplete list of some of the most familiar religions on earth. I have listed them in alphabetical order so nobody gets hot before we turn on the heat in this world pot..
Baha'ism, has God, temples, a Most Holy Book, and the hope of peace
Buddhism, has an Enlightened One, Monks, Buddah, Temples, God in their own soul, and the hope of peace.
Christianity, has God, Jesus, Angels Churches, Moses, Popes, priests, and the hope of peace.
Confucianism, seeks "beautiful conduct." inner contentment, and the hope of peace.
Hinduism, has God, (Brahman) within the soul, Vedas, Brahmins, Temples, and the hope of peace.
Indigenous, has heavens and on earth, coming together of all and everything, and the hope of peace.
Islam, has God, (Allah) Angels, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, Mosques, Koran, and the hope of peace.
Jainism, has Tirthankaras, inner reflection, nonviolence, and the hope of peace.
Judaism, has God, Moses, strong inner faith, Rabbi's, synagogues, Torah, and the hope of peace.
New Age, has crystals, astrology, and healing rituals, and the hope of peace.
Rastafarianism, has God, bibles, heaven, and the hope of peace.
Scientology, has spiritual awareness, churches, charity, self respect, and the hope of peace.
Shintoism has spirits, called kami, shrines, and the hope of peace.
Sikhism, has God within us, inner faith, equality, Gurus, and the hope of peace.
Taoism, has a divine influence, strong inner faith, equality, and the hope of peace.
Tenrikyo, has God, equality, personal responsibility, and the hope of peace.
Wiccans, Neo-Paganism, has solar, and lunar cycles, inner faith, belief in life after birth, and the hope of peace.
Zoroastrianism, has God, Ahura Mazda, priests, temples, and the hope of peace.So, can we agree that the common thread for most peoples on this vast planet, that have in common is a belief in something that is found in ones heart and soul. Perhaps we can find that guiding force in to locate ... peace!
A BELIEF IN PEACE
Love, one of my favorite subjects, is certainly a common commodity in the world of people, or can we say all of creation, not just mankind? Yes of course, love is universal among living things. Everyone and every living thing wants and needs love.. However, some of us have a strange way of showing it. People living in the same geographic area, love. Some even love their neighbors. We know by the number of kids, that they appear to love each other. But, alas, we know some don't. However, we are looking for a recipe that everyone agrees upon. Lets find something we know that everyone wants and needs that they love, other than their offspring, and a peaceful existence. How about FOOD.
FOOD
Food, everyone needs and wants food, not just to survive, but food that makes us happy.. LOVE FOOD. I can tell you as a Chef, choosing a food that everyone loves and can eat, isn't as simple as we think. Just consider all of the allergies that folks have, and think of the complex list of things that some of us cannot eat, even if we want to. If we started down the road of foods that a lot of folks can't eat, we soon discover that almost everything we consume on this planet can and sometime does make someone sick. Fruit is out. Even fresh strawberries can kill a few of us on the spot.. Can't think of nuts, in any form. Candy, even made from natural ingredients will hurt some kids. Heck, even Mother's milk, will send some hapless infant into the diaper trots.
So what can a Chef do in such a tight spot, perhaps look for something that affects so few in an adverse way, that we can spare the vast masses and make them happy and find common ground for a world peace meal, at the expense of a very, very, few. So few that in the grand scheme of things, even the worst case scenario there is always a tiny number that will never be happy with what makes the rest of us content. In searching the entire list of worldwide food commodities I can only find one item that is available in all major cultures that has the least effect on the well-being of the masses..
Meat, out, poultry, out, even green leafy vegetables, most if not all, can put someone in dire straights, so they have to be eliminated... Coffee, tea, why even some of natures water can knock someone out.. What is left? Olives! Yes, olives are one of the least offensive eatable foods on this planet, but what about the pit.. Sheeesh the kids after all one of our common denominators is a risk if we just hand out olives. How about we just hand everyone a simple Olive Branch and let them pick their own olives and feed it to the children, pitted with their own loving hands.
A SIMPLE OLIVE BRANCH
A Long History of happiness, and the universal symbol of PEACE. How ironic indeed that we find that our history collaborates or beliefs in the end. Even though we know that not everyone embraces our love of Olives, or the fruits of the tree, we can start to find a common thread in the very beginning of our recorded history and maybe find a start. Just like in life not everyone will like our choice and some will hate it, we acknowledge that we will never make everyone satisfied, and with the Olive Branch, some will get a stuffy nose, most will say amen for the effort and attempt at making most happy..
Look for your own common ground with your neighbors. This is a prefect time of the year to search for that elusive answer. Perhaps you will forgive my silly attempt, but respect my effort to make you think.. Peace is really the only answer. We can trust we will never find it fits everyone.. But like the simple Olive Branch we may not offend enough to inhibit a beginning.. LOVE, FAMILY, FOOD.. Thats always my answer, please leave a little room in your heart for someone that is searching for peace and happiness. Reach out an Olive Branch and try.
.HAPPY HOLIDAY .. PEACE ON EARTH .. GOOD WILL TO ALL MEN!
BLESS YOU ALL
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What a treat to find you on line.
I did your root beer fruit baked ham this morning. I am scrambling to fix it, because the glaze did not thicken, and I have a 12 pound beef in the oven now.
I am thinking to rebake with more glaze it after the beef is done? Am I courting disaster here?
Very nicely said. I'm cooking for 14 tomorrow :o
My husband is allergic to poultry of any kind, so no turkey, goose, duck, capon, etc. I'm fixing ham with raisin sauce. But...the daughter of one our guests is doesn't eat most types of meat, so I'm struggling with what else to serve that she will eat. She is, after all, a guest. Her mother has told me that she is starting to eat a little beef, so I'm also fixing a small tri-tip roast. It will be wonderful to have a houseful of family tomorrow. Cooking is indeed a labor of love. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!
Not at all, spread a little honey on it and warm it up before you serve it.. :) MERRY CHRISTMAS
Huggg...
How about OLIVES? LOLOLOL HUGGGG
Merry Christmas and Christ is Born (Orthodox Christmas greetint) to all!!!
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas to all the FReepers in our little health club. A healthy, prosperous, & happy New Year!
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