Life wasn’t meant to be easy

It’s tough.  Health issues.  Relationship issues.  Emotional issues.  Financial stress.  Mortgage stress.  Fuel prices.  Rising prices.  Prices.  World food shortage.  Global warming.  The future.  Our kids. Their problems. Their future?

We were never promised an easy ride.    But I guess without trials and testing we don’t develop character, are never stretched to grow and learn and become more compassionate, more resilient, more loving human beings.  But that’s little comfort in the midst of hard times.

What can we do to get through the arduous times?  Live each day as a gift.  Each day IS a gift.   Talk, laugh, sing, dance, pray, enjoy the sunshine and the rain.   Nurture and value each other and ourselves.  Give thanks for our many blessings. Remember the hope we have.   Celebrate with each meal.

That sounds trite but the little pleasures do add up.  Real food.  Cooked with love.  Real coffee.  Music which lifts the spirits.  A fat sun-warmed purring cat. (Or dog or or child grandchild – but of course, children and dogs don’t purr!)  A hug and an encouraging word.  A meal eaten enjoyed outside in the sun, or the cool (whatever you need!)

I recently bought a 2kg bag of sweet potatoes and we have enjoyed a number of great dishes.  Some new, some family favourites.  I don’t recall where I got this recipe.  It’s a satisfying, healthy, honest, simple-to-make but complex-in-taste, delicious salad.  It’s a meal in itself but those of you who are meat-addicted could add some crumbled crisp bacon or a grilled minute steak or even some lamb kofte.

Sweet potato and chickpea (garbanzo) salad

Peel and cube a couple of sweet potatoes, toss with oil and put in a baking dish.

Drizzle with sweet chili sauce, then roast.

Toss (when cooled a bit) with a tin of drained chickpeas, some onion (either finely sliced red or spring onions or shallots) and baby spinach leaves or other dark leaves (rocket is good too).

Add the dressing of your choice. I use extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar with some chopped garlic.  The original recipe suggested a yoghurt dressing, but that would negate the taste of the caramelised sweet chili sauce, I thought!

Toasted pine nuts are a nice addition too!

More sweet potato recipes to come!

A song which has lifted my spirits this week is Love Came Down by Ben Cantelon.

Tags: blessings, life, sweet potato