This is the Best I’ve Ever Eaten

plant-based mushroom rolls ~d nelson

Now, the best thing ever eaten
exposes electric experiences
of Heavenly tastes, textures,
scents. Sometimes
memories arise.

real sweets memories

Preferring plant-based food
to care for myself & mother earth.
All the nutriments this son
of the earth needs for survival.

earth’s jumbo burrito

But being truly hungry
humbled his-self’s appreciation
of whatever foods are offered,
as they’re all gifts of the universe.
Hands extended, & receiving.

 

Hearing of those who raised funds locally,
then purchased food to prepare,
bag and serve to any who present
themselves as in need of eating,
as I did & do, when required,
still brings me to my knees in gratitude.

teamwork
  1. This food is a gift of the earth, the sky, numerous living beings, and much hard and loving work.
  2. May we eat with mindfulness and gratitude so as to be worthy to receive this food.
  3. May we recognize and transform unwholesome mental formations, especially our greed and learn to eat with moderation.
  4. May we keep our compassion alive by eating in such a way that reduces the suffering of living beings, stops contributing to climate change, and heals and preserves our precious planet.
  5. We accept this food so that we may nurture our brotherhood and sisterhood, build our Sangha, and nourish our ideal of serving all living beings. ~Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s 5 contemplations

Note: I’ll be on mindfulness meditation retreat in Oct. Look forward to reconnecting with WP friends by the end of the month. Wishing you happiness & well being, david.


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Comments

70 responses to “This is the Best I’ve Ever Eaten”

  1. delphini510 Avatar

    How beautiful you have presented this David, both with poems and pictures.
    I am so in tune with all you say and admire the people who put all these meals together.
    I like Thich Nhat Hanh’s contemplations. He is a gentle and clever man.

    Miriam

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      gratitude for your presence and kindness
      here with us all looking to get
      nourishment in our belly & heart, Miriam!
      may you feel happily satiated ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. stephen Avatar

    This looks delicious, how much better for such good company.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      i know, right?
      the hungrier i get
      the better it tastes!
      wishing you
      happy meals ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Tippy Gnu Avatar

    wish i could
    have offered
    my box of Cheezits

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      almost
      too kind, Tippy!
      there’s several
      right around the corner
      who would love
      to tear open
      your gift ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Jet Eliot Avatar

    A true pleasure to join you and your friends at the table today, David. Warm, welcoming, and sweet.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      having your kind words
      completes this serving from the heart, Jet!
      wishing you a joyful
      bon appetite ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. ksbeth Avatar

    this is a lovely post, david –

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      smiling to your helping
      make this meal complete, ksbeth!
      wishing you warm, joyful
      meals with heart ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Wonderful meditation today.
    Truly food for thought! ๐Ÿ˜Ž

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      wonderful dining
      with your kindness, Tom!
      wishing you happy
      meals today (not the golden arches kind) ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Rosaliene Bacchus Avatar

    David, your captioned photo reminded me that I need to have breakfast. Your post: an important reminder of the gift of healthy food for mind and body.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      makes me happy knowing
      you are taking good care, Rosaliene!
      may there be just the right
      amount of yummy food ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. susanenholm32 Avatar

    If we wasted less food, fewer people would be hungry. Just returned from five days in NYC. At Rue 57 I saw perfectly good baked goods tossed into the trash. NY has a law – whatever is ordered but not eaten (or even touched), out it goes. Thanks for your thoughts and photos.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      i’m happy you had some good eats
      on your journey, susan!
      quite sad that there’s actually laws
      preventing gleaning of healthy foods.
      may there be just laws for people
      and other living things ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.com Avatar

    Awh, I missed you friend ๐Ÿ™‚
    Everyone is provided for.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      thanks for making me smile
      knowing you are there, Ka!
      i’ve been quite fortunate.
      may all have something
      to eat, daily ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Michele Anderson Avatar

    A beautiful post, David, of love and caring for Mother Earth and what she provides, and kind people to share it all with.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      thank you, dear Michele
      for sharing your
      kindness & caring ๐Ÿ™‚

  11. Sarah Avatar

    I’m fasting today so this post is making me wish tomorrow would come quicker so that I can eat some tasty food!
    Nice post, David, thanks for sharing.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      thank you for letting me know, Sarah!
      wishing you a happy fast
      then a slow, yummy meal ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Sarah Avatar

        ๐Ÿ˜ fast then slow, I like it.
        I had a nice slow Sunday, thank you. I hope you did too.

  12. inesephoto Avatar

    What a wonderful post! May people never starve, and be grateful for the gifts of Earth.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      a smile & bow
      to you, Inese
      for these
      compassionate
      sentiments ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. JoAnna Avatar

    My mouth is watering at these gentle delicacies. I’m curious about the crunchy looking bits on the burrito.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      happy your appetite is good, JoAnna!
      a special restaurant i’ve been to once.
      perhaps toasted flower pedals, but
      your guess is as good as mine ๐Ÿ™‚

  14. leo f. brady Avatar
    leo f. brady

    Thanks for the mindfulness! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      while i do my best
      i appreciate
      the encouragement, leo ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. shamanism1 Avatar

    Mindful eating is always more tasty! Thank you David for sharing the abundance of Mother Earth and for reminding us to be grateful for these daily gifts ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      makes me happy having
      wonderful people like you, Karen
      to consume mindfully with ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. Linda Arthur Tejera Avatar

    Beautiful, David. How blessed we are. Hugs!

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      thank you, dear Linda!
      wishing you tasty treats
      made with love ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. Betty Hayes Albright Avatar

    Beautiful post, practice, and philosophy, David. Let us always remember to eat mindfully, and with gratitude to the source.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      gratitude for your kind comment, Betty!
      that’s a wonderful remembrance ๐Ÿ™‚

  18. Sue Dreamwalker Avatar

    This is wonderful David.. Such a wonderful project to help feed those who are in need of a nourishing meal.. And the food looks delicious. I am sure that you and your team made many people very happy as you tickled their taste-buds and filled their stomachs.
    I am sure also many left that day feeling grateful for your efforts… And it reminds us who grow our own food, just how grateful we are to have that privilege.
    There really is no need for anyone go go hungry, if we all learned to share that which we have..

    Many thanks for Being YOU David… And long may you continue to help feed our souls with nourishing food of wisdom.. โค

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      thank you, dear Sue
      for your understanding!
      because i’ve been really hungry
      i can relate to those who
      are really in need of eating.
      may your day be well
      and meals be satisfying ๐Ÿ™‚

  19. iScriblr Avatar

    Wow, wonderful!โค

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      thank you kindly, dear iscriblr!
      may your day be well ๐Ÿ™‚

  20. Dennis the Vizsla Avatar

    hello smilecalm its dennis the vizsla dog hay i do not no wot all of those fuds ar in the pikchers but if they ar the best yoo hav ever eeten i wood like to try sum!!! dada sez i cant hav enny of the choklit wun tho krool krool dada never letting me hav choklit!!! ok bye

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      happy dada has lotz of gud fud fer you, dennis!
      my dog noze sandwitch gud, choklit not gud.
      yum yum ๐Ÿ™‚

  21. Cate Avatar
    Cate

    Gorgeous images. How satisfying, physically and aesthetically!

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      makes me happy having your company
      for a taste of the goods, Cate!
      wishing you a happy moment ๐Ÿ™‚

  22. Alison and Don Avatar

    What a lovely thoughtful post.
    May all beings have enough.
    May people not use food to stuff their feelings, but rather take the more courageous path of feeling them and so becoming free of them.
    May people eat to live instead of living to eat.
    May we all find peace.
    Alison โค

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      thank you for sharing your blessings
      for those of us humbly sitting
      at the table
      grateful for what
      is offered, Alison!
      may your day be in beauty, david ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Alison and Don Avatar

        and yours too David.

      2. smilecalm Avatar

        smiling to being
        included ๐Ÿ™‚

  23. buddhistwriting Avatar
    buddhistwriting

    Dear David,
    What a wonderful reminder about receiving the gifts we are offered each day. I am hungry just looking at that beautiful food prepared with love. That’s your secret ingredient–lots of love. Keep it coming!

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      smiling to your kind insight, Celia!
      i never thought of what’s the secret ingredient’s ingredients.
      wishing you relaxed, happy moments ๐Ÿ™‚

  24. niasunset Avatar

    What a great feast, poems, foods, photographs, Thank you dear David, Love, nia

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      makes me happy you are enjoying
      the bag lunch, dear nia!
      wishing you happiness ๐Ÿ™‚

  25. AmyRose๐ŸŒน Avatar

    What a beautiful post, David, one that honors self and Mother. To know there are people who CARE and who reach out to those less fortunate …. bring both tears to my eyes and HOPE to my Heart. Your gentleness and peace are felt here. May your world continue to be so. Thank you for being who you are, dear friend. ๐Ÿ’–

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      yes, thank you for seeing this
      as an expression of gratitude
      for receiving gifts offered, dear Amy!
      smiling to the gift you offer me ๐Ÿ™‚

  26. J.D. Riso Avatar
    J.D. Riso

    A warm and beautiful meditation on food, David. Our relationship to it is so very important. Bon appรฉtit! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      i’m seeing this as a meditation of eating, also, dear Julie!
      wonderful receiving each taste as a gift.
      bon appรฉtit to all ๐Ÿ™‚

  27. JC Avatar

    There are many ways to touch and kiss the sky and this one taste better….jc

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      thank you for this amazing poetic response, JC!
      perhaps only one could play it better

  28. Rupali Avatar

    A lovely though thought-provoking post David. The food looks tempting and the teamwork images are inspiring.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      i’m happy you found it so, Rupali!
      i found inspiration making sandwiches
      along with other volunteers,
      then sharing the fruits
      of practice ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Rupali Avatar

        You are a kind soul.

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      thank you, dear sister Audrey!
      the effort will be complete
      when you and others
      hungry are no longer
      hungry ๐Ÿ™‚

  29. Annika Perry Avatar

    As a lifelong vegetarian (even as a baby I could not tolerate meat), I have witnessed the transformation of the world’s attitude to food. Where once I was gently mocked for my odd food choices, these are now the norm. Eating out is a pleasure with so many delicious choices. Your post is a beautiful reminder to be mindful of our food, our eating … I’m writing this whilst enjoying my morning break of banana with yogurt, honey and cinnamon. Reading your words I’m paying more attention than usual to the various elements, to the taste. Being thankful and lucky to have such options. Your part of the efforts to help others not so fortunate by buying and bagging food is heartwarming. David, a great post and one I aptly happened to read on World Vegetarian Day! ๐Ÿ˜€

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      such kind reflections offered on a holiday, thanks Annika!
      how fortunate to have been born with instinctual insight
      of protecting life and caring for yourself & the earth.
      wishing you continued inspirations for yourself & others
      to stop and enjoy the gift of each bite ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. smilecalm Avatar

      i’m happy you stopped
      by for a bite, joshi!
      wishing you a joyful day ๐Ÿ™‚

  30. robert87004 Avatar
    robert87004

    Hi David. After just reading a post on Nannette’s blog about use of animal products in fashion, I come upon this, thinking some of us are unwitting/unknowing allies, each doing our small part in our own way. A lovely post and a feeling of synergy with Nannette’s.

  31. ashiftinconsciousness Avatar

    Mmmmm… ๐Ÿ™‚

    Beautiful words and photos.

  32. Poet Rummager Avatar

    I notice whenever I stick to a plant-based diet, my body feels content and free. I believe it’s also in the mind — no guilt in eating another creature with a heart.

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