Comments on: Sunday Brunch: Blueberry Oat Pancakes and “Salty” Carob Steamed or Salad Kale

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:40:35 +0000

Thank you Gena–these kind words mean a lot to me. I’m so glad you were able to experience this post as moving yet non-sentimental. I was really hoping for that. And here’s to good food to bring us through in darker moments! (with whole grain blends thrown in) 🙂 xo

By: Gena

Gena — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:27:23 +0000

What an inspiring post, Maria. I’m sorry to hear that your move was accompanied by news of this frightening and disorienting event, but I am so very glad that you have been the recipient of these special and random acts of kindness. Your post is a moving but non-sentimental testament to the wonderful potential of human nature, and it’s also a great ode to the balance we must all find between allowing ourselves to feel sorrow and sadness, and also encouraging ourselves to experience lightness and levity (and pancakes). For me, personally, food is always a source of comfort in darker moments.

Also, your pancake recipe looks incredibly simple and so, so wholesome. I love the addition of the whole grain blend!

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 18:42:50 +0000

Dear Susan, Wow, so happy this is one of your favorites! Thank you so much for these wonderful kind words about it. (And so glad you can relate to walking right by the batteries–I’m doing a whole lot of that kind of thing lately.) Life keeps on teaching me it’s really the “safe way” to focus on the kindnesses and pleasures when it come to staying brave, so I keep trying to learn it. Hope your “lessons” in that work well for you, too, in this time of huge transition. Sending my gratitude, support and love to you and yours. 🙂 xoxo

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 18:35:32 +0000

HI Veronica, and thank you for all these kinds words about my neighborhood and this post! Yes, the neighborhood is definitely full of personality, which I actually like a lot, and the goats are just awesome. As someone who walks around on the sidewalk all the time, I am in the habit of stopping to chat with whoever wants to ask about Romeo, or whatever else comes up. It’s essential to our human spirit, I believe, to receive acknowledgement and smiles from others. I SO agree no one likes to feel invisible–it’s the worst!

The borage is an annual, and yes it will reseed all over the place. 🙂 But it’s not that hard to pull up and it’s very good for the garden in general. So yes, kind of like mint, but it has pretty little edible flowers to recommend it, and it not as hard to pull up as mint is. 🙂

Thanks for kind thoughts about continued adjustment–and yes, I SO agree it’s time I had my pancakes!! 🙂 xoxo

By: Susan Voisin

Susan Voisin — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:13:30 +0000

Maria, this is one of my favorite posts of yours! I loved seeing the goats, and I worried when I heard about the shooting. I nodded in recognition when you walked by the batteries (I’ve done a lot of similar things myself lately) and I teared up when the man called you and Romeo angels (because you are). Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts. I’m going to try to remember to focus on the kindnesses and pleasures and stay brave in the coming days, thanks to your example.

By: Veronica

Veronica — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:04:49 +0000

Oh Maria, I’m sorry to hear about the shooting so close to your new home! Living in a large city is quite a change from the small Moscow life, I’m sure, and there will be ups and downs. I’m glad no one was hurt.
I do love the great variety of your neighborhood! I would love to walk by goats on the way to the store. 🙂 They are so full of personality and mischief. And I agree on the angel part! Both you and Romeo help others more than you realize. Those living in the shadows often see more than we do, and it was kind of you to chat with him for a bit. I used to walk by them all, but now I try to smile or say hello – nobody likes to feel invisible.
I’ll have to get some borage in my garden! It sounds quite lovely and delicious. Should it be in a pot or in the ground (i.e., does it grow like mint where you can’t get rid of it or is it easily contained)?
Moving is a huge adjustment – I hope your continued settling-in goes more smoothly and you find a happy peacefulness. And I’m glad the kindness of strangers is helping you along.
It’s about time you got some pancakes! xo

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 05:16:57 +0000

Hi Kelly–I’ve used both. It just kind of depends on what I can get. When I lived in Moscow, the co-op there had raw carob powder, which I liked a lot. Here in Portland, there’s Bob’s Red Mill Carob powder, which is toasted. And at the Alberta Grocery Co-op they have an organic carob powder from Italy in bulk that seems lightly toasted to me, if I’m remembering correctly. That’s my favorite so far. But this recipe will work with either raw or toasted. If you use toasted that adds a depth or a stronger flavor so you might want to use water instead of tea to thicken the fudge sauce. Just play around and do what tastes good to you!!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 05:08:41 +0000

Is the carob powder you use raw or roasted? Can’t wait to make the sauce and the pancakes. <3

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:17:35 +0000

Dear Silvia, I am so sorry to hear about your dog. Life is full of these disorienting experiences, and I so agree and thank you for your kind words about taking all the time that is needed to catch up and begin to adjust and cope. I am doing well enough, considering. My kids say it is normal to be overwhelmed when moving to a new city, and I think they are right. Sending you and your dog my best thoughts and prayers, and feeling grateful for your kind readership, always.

By: Silvia

Silvia — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:47:03 +0000

Dear Maria, I hope you feel more grounded and focused soon!
You speak of the circular nature of life. Yes life is like that. But sometimes it just feels too hard to bear.
A few weeks ago I learned that my old dog has a terminal illness and it shook me up a good deal. I am a bit disoriented without having to deal with MS.
Sometimes we have to give ourselves the time to cope with things. All the time that is needed.
I really hope you are feeling well soon!
Best wishes from Silvia in Germany