Last weekend I taught a Reiki Level 2 certification class. It was a joyful experience in so many ways.  As we sat down to lunch, one of my students commented that he didn’t know what he looked forward to more, the teachings or the yummy home-made lunch!  He even suggested that I start a new blog entitled “Reiki in the Kitchen!”  Well, I chose to start out with a single blog on this topic because it really did speak to me on the capacity of bringing the healing power of reiki to whatever we do.

I love to cook and prepare meals that nourish our soul and to sit at a table with others to share just adds more joy to the whole event!  When we spend time at the reiki training to open our heart and learn the sacred teachings of the Usui natural healing system, it only seems to fit that we also take time to nourish our bodies with healthful food to support the day.  I love to take time looking through my cook book collection to find just the right dishes to share for the time of year. I tend to focus around a soup dish and this past weekend was no exception.  I chose a recipe from Julie Daniluk’s book entitled “Meals that Heal Inflammation” called Ginger Butternut Soup. I will share the recipe below.  Served along with a salad of fresh baby greens, basmati rice and bread, it warmed our bellies and prepared us for the afternoon session.

Not everyone who takes the reiki trainings actually want to do this for a living.  Most want to develop their own intuitive healing abilities for themselves and their loved ones.  I have definitely had numerous people who already practice another healing modality such as reflexology or massage therapy wish to bring an enhanced level of healing to what they already do.  So, it should be no surprise to find that people not in an obvious healing field, also want to add this level of healing and love to what they do.  I have had specialists in the environmental field, special education teachers, organic skin care producers, doulas, writers, artists and yes….chefs! Why not?!  It makes sense that if we love what we do, we bring more positive energy into every step.  The initiations received during a reiki training focus on opening up our direct connection with universal life force and the guiding principles encourage us to bring intention to everything we do in life.  Reiki is not the only modality that would bring this out by any means however it is one I can share from my personal experience.

Here is the recipe for Julie’s Ginger Butternut Soup.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups finely chopped onions
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 10 cups filtered water or vegetable stock (I used veg. stock)
• 7 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced
• 1 cup red split lentils
• 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger root or ½ tsp. of powdered ginger root
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. of ground nutmeg
• 3 tbsp tahini
• 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)

Optional additions:

• ¼ cup roasted pumpkin or squash seeds
• ½ cup minced fresh parsley
• 1 tsp tumeric

Directions:

1. In a large soup pot over medium-low heat, cook the onion in the oil about 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent.
2. Stir in the garlic, and then add the water or stock. Add squash and lentils.
3. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Uncover pot and skim off lentil foam with a spoon. Reduce the heat and simmer until the squash and lentils are tender. About 40 minutes.
4. Using a blender, food processor or immersion blender, puree the squash mixture along with the spices, tahini and salt.
5. Serve hot, garnished with roasted pumpkin or squash seeds and parsley or watercress if desired.

Enjoy!

As we step into the heart of our fall harvest season, I invite you to think about what things you do in your life that you naturally bring the intention of love to. Share your thoughts with me! I love getting feedback.  Let’s not forget to bring that loving intention to ourselves first – then there is abundance to bring to everything else we do.  In the spirit of Thanksgiving – I am so grateful for all that my students bring to me!  Please visit the site again soon and watch for the 2014 training dates to be posted shortly.

Until next time,

Karen