Hello Reader!
Last week, I turned to my husband with a sparkle in my eye. “Do you want to go to a local orchard and gorge ourselves on pomegranates?”
“Yes!” he replied without hesitation.
So, Tuesday morning, with $3 tickets in hand, we headed out to the Gilcrease Orchard in Las Vegas, a 60-acre plot brimming with apples, pears, pomegranates, and pumpkins this time of year. I had just visited with my mom, daughter, and granddaughters the week before and discovered that you could wander deep into the orchard and eat fruit right off the tree. I knew Jay would love it.
Our last house had an orchard full of apricots, apples, lemons, plums, oranges, mulberries, loquat, grapefruit, guavas, and an enormous fig tree—but no pomegranates.
Jay has always been fond of picking fruit from trees, harkening back to his childhood when his family lived behind his grandmother’s house, surrounded by fruit trees. His favorites were Persian mulberries, strawberry guava, loquats, figs, and pomegranates. As part of his legacy to the earth, we’ve planted a Persian mulberry tree in every home we’ve lived in.
Even now, living in the desert, we planted a mulberry tree in the giant planter by our front door. The last act before leaving our old house was to dig up that tree, and the first act upon moving to our new home was to replant it. It’s thriving here. We’ve since added a fig tree, which has grown five times its size and is bearing fruit. I hope a pomegranate is next!
Be still my beating heart. It’s pomegranate season!
Just looking at these crimson fruits makes my heart tingle with romantic longings. The pomegranate has symbolized passion and love across cultures for centuries.
Today, as a slight diversion from my usual Juicy Practices, I will dive into this Fruit of Love. I’ll share some pomegranate history (cultural and personal), a fun recipe, and a life hack.
In a way, these newsletters are the fruit of my love for you.
An Aphrodisiac or the Forbidden Fruit?
Legend says that Aphrodite planted the first pomegranate tree, and some believe the fruit is an aphrodisiac. Others speculate it was the actual forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.
For me, pomegranates are tied to young love. We lived in a tiny “casita” in Culver City the year before and after our marriage. It was so small I could almost touch both living room walls by stretching my arms, and our kitchen table was an old picnic table balanced on a windowsill for stability.
Though the house was tiny, the yard was spacious, with a fire pit where neighborhood cats would gather with us in the evenings. To one side, we made a substantial organic garden—our Garden of Eden. Best of all, next to our front door grew a pomegranate tree. It was here, as newlyweds, that I picked my first pomegranate straight from the tree.
The Sensual Art of Eating a Pomegranate
Pomegranates are gorgeous—bright red and round on the outside, bursting with juicy jewel-like seeds within. Holding and breaking one open can be a ritual of sensual delight.
Back in the day, my husband and I would cuddle up and watch a movie, eating pomegranate seeds instead of popcorn, each seed bursting with juice and flavor.
Pomegranates as Miracle Cure and Culinary Delight
Besides the feelings they evoke, pomegranates are excellent for health. Modern medicine agrees with centuries-old wisdom, praising their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, benefits for the gut, blood sugar, and prevention of Alzheimer’s.
They add playful, sweet-tart bursts of flavor and bright color to dishes. One favorite holiday dish is “Cabbage with Jewels,” a festive, delicious, and simple recipe from my friend Nancy:
Cabbage with Jewels
- 1 cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- Seeds from 1 pomegranate
The Easiest Way to Seed a Pomegranate
As beautiful as pomegranates are, extracting the seeds can be tricky. Here’s a simple trick I rediscovered that works like magic:
How to Remove Pomegranate Seeds Easily:
- Cut the pomegranate in half crosswise to the stem.
- Hold one half, seed-side down, over a large bowl.
- Firmly tap the backside with a wooden spoon, rotating as you go. The seeds will fall out into the bowl, leaving behind the pith.
- Voilà! It takes about 30 seconds.
Now, you can revel in the pomegranate’s beauty, savor its health benefits, and easily add it to culinary creations!
An Invitation to Share the Fruits of Your Life and Love
As you release these vibrant seeds, consider the fruits of your life and love. What juicy morsels are ready to be shared with the world?
Is there a story, recipe, cherished activity, or lesson you’d like to offer that might brighten someone’s week? I’d love to hear about it. Let’s celebrate this season by sharing the fruits of our love.
Remember, sharing requires vulnerability, and vulnerability can sometimes look messy. Our insides might not feel like a juicy red pomegranate but a dark, mysterious abyss. Let’s share that, too. We learn through daring to be messy; we connect by daring to share.
Fun fact: Did you know there’s a variety called “Black Inside” pomegranate? These rare, unique fruits are mysterious, and I’m itching to try one!
“Pomegranates are so beautiful and worth the mess.
Maybe I am beautiful and worth the mess, too.” ~Author unknown.
Good News
- Library Stock: I’m thrilled to share that Naked in the Now is making its way into nationwide libraries! Most recently, it’s available at both the Bellingham Public Library and the Clark County Library. You can also request that your local library stock it—spread the love of mindful awareness!
- Naked Writing Workshop: I’ll be hosting a “Naked Writing” workshop on Zoom on Tuesday, November 5, at noon. Here is the Zoom link! Feel free to let me know if you’re interested!
- Write Now Mind: We’re nearing the end of our current session, and I’m looking forward to what’s next. I usually hold a session every other month, but the holidays make scheduling tricky. I’ll be starting a new session in January, but would anyone be interested in a shorter, two-week session (with prompts twice a week) toward the end of November or early December?
- Latest Review: Hearing feedback from participants always warms my heart! Here’s a review of Naked in the Now from a recent attendee at my Breitenbush Hot Springs workshop. I’d love to hear your thoughts, too!
“Naked In the Now offers practical guidance to be more mindful and vulnerable. You’ll find both novel concepts and tried-and-true methods that engage and build awareness across different parts of your being. The exercises are playfully presented, making this a fantastic book for folks who ‘can’t meditate’ or struggle with mindfulness practices. Highly recommend!” — Shaun.
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Pomegranate picking in Gilcrease Orchard – and a image of a “Black Inside” Pomegranate |
Smiles,
https://marijkemccandless.com
Kirkus Reviews endorses Naked in the Now!
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