The Alchemy of Green Pumpkin

I was raised to "bless" my food, before eating it. Religious. Dutiful.
As a kid, I did it out of head-bowing habit. It didn't yet come from my heart.
Now -- and maybe as a result of spending nearly a year alone (all-one) --
I do much more than bless my food.
I speak to it, and give it my thanks directly.
My yearning, my watering mouth, is the prayer.
Fruits and veggies are what I mostly eat.
It comes from the store dirty (seen and unseen)...
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...so I wash it with vinegar and soap. During this "bath," I appreciated its weight. I genuinely thanked it for its strength and health that would soon be transferred to me.
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Then I cubed it up, looking forward to its yummy taste, and pleasant texture.

I sauteed it in olive oil, where I had already simmered two diced garlic cloves.
Then added hulled hemp seeds, parmesan cheese, black pepper,
​cayenne pepper, Himalayan salt, and pasta sauce.

Perfect and easy blend of sweet, and spicy.

This very basic bowl of food was eaten with extreme thanks. And awareness of life.
I have never valued arbitrarily designated -- or cancelled -- "days".
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​They are ALL mango delicious.
I am grateful to be FREE.
I am grateful to be ME.
I am grateful for YOU. 💋​