madness & miracles.

praying

it doesn't have to be

the blue iris, it could be

weeds in a vacant lot, or a few

small stones; just

pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try

to make them elaborate, this isn't a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which

another voice may speak.

Mary Oliver

this is where i am today. trying for the silence, allowing for the weeds or maybe it's more like surrendering to the weeds and being ok with this long pause since last we did this: shared a moment like this, fed myself in this way, a little feast of something special, quiet... words, pictures, thoughts, me time i think they call it. putting everything else (that gynormous list) on hold, to do this and only this, while beauty sleeps. her naps are super short so it really is a moment. can you feel it?

so many whirlwinds since those vegan chocolate chip cookies... they were so good! i loved hearing from those of you that got in there and whipped em' up: yummy pants. since then it's been busy over here: we experienced an exodus out of slavery, a journey into freedom (in process), the sea continues to part with cleaning the house like i am moving (my journey into lightness), finding a place for me in my own house, swimming through some depression, questioning this incredible life & happiness, what i am doing here for the millionth time and spring break with my babes. just to name a few things...

you know what i need? A MIRACLE!!! the next two dates are friday april 27 & may 11. spring miracles are full of beauty & magic. with all this inner work of lightness, happiness & freedom who knows what will happen. lets do it beauties... see you in the kitchenxxxx

best (vegan) chocolate chip cookies: ever.

anyone out there experiencing the non-stop/spring fever/sweet tooth party happening over here lately? i usually take the edge off with a cara cara orange and some really hot tea... and yes, for those of you who are in the know: there are definitely some deficiencies, stresses, life actions that continue to keep this party going but we are going to keep this post light and yummy. this particular day ocean was home from school and wanted to bake with me. so i found this awesome, easy recipe for us to make... some wet, some dry, combine, mix, make balls, flatten, heat, rise, cool and eat! i love that to-do list... oh and it's vegan pants which i tend to not be totally gung ho about (is that how you spell it? where did that phrase come from anyway? write in and tell us) i have been a vegan a lot lately so i thought i would give this recipe a whirl. and..O. M. G (which is ocean's knew phrase now) they were so good!

this is such a transitionary time with the season changing, holidays, spring break, march madness... and this is just one of those simple whip it together with a bowl and spoon type recipes.... no kitchenaid needed or eggs for that matter and did i mention how good they were?

and what is more grounding then a simple chocolate chip cookie dipped in some milk? then a nap. and a movie. oh.. don't get me started! OMG! see you in the kitchenxxxx

put on the oven to 350 bake & here are the ingredients.. i used almond milk & you could switch out the flours or use a whole grain with white too.. add some flax powder or other superfood powders, chia seeds, nuts, etc.. i will experiment next time now that i know the base.

one bowl wet, one bowl dry... mix together, bake on 350 for 7 - 10 minutes (depending) or so and voila! let me know how it goesxxxx

terrain.

beauties...

what a deep time for me.

you?

us perhaps.

there is so much to be with once i quiet down,

kick & scream,

stir the pot,

steam myself silly

& allow a warm bath to take me in.

rub my ankles & tell them "it's ok, i'll carry that."

i dig and i stretch, i tear open one more time and i have to admit: i am trusting for the gold again, the growth that only gold can bring.

the only way for me to keep going is the hope that as i fall deeper into her, she will hold the space for me to weep and in turn, i will water her body.

no matter how heavy i become, she is willing to hold me. in the stillness, in the messiness, in the ugliness as we both know how beautiful it really is.

i will nourish her as she has always nurtured me.

this is the only way i can understand this dance, to hear this movement, to follow this dream and eventually, to become her, in this terrain: warm, cozy, deep, mother.

we both know how beauty is saving our life right now

and she wants to hear my voice.

she wants to listen to my words.

she believes in me.

and i am here for so much.

*this picture is of an artichoke heart, open and broken: lush, green, full of life, nutrients. so many wings protect the heart and once you trespass and pluck each wing, you come to thistley like cilia that is the door to the actual heart. there is such a fragility to this STRONG, amazing vegetable. there is so much work to get to the heart. and hope, there is a lot of hope too. steam this beauty and enjoy. see you in the kitchenxxxx

if the world was crazy.

If the world was crazy, you know what I'd eat?

A big slice of soup and a whole quart of meat,

A lemonade sandwich, and then I might try

Some roasted ice cream or a bicycle pie,

A nice notebook salad, an underwear roast,

An omelet of hats and some crisp cardboard toast,

A thick malted milk made from pencils and daisies,

And that's what I'd eat if the world was crazy.

If the world was crazy, you know what I'd wear?

A chocolate suit and a tie of eclair,

Some marshmallow earmuffs, some licorice shoes,

And I'd read a paper of peppermint news.

I'd call the boys "Suzy" and I'd call the girls "Harry,"

I'd talk through my ears, and I always would carry

A paper umbrella for when it grew hazy

To keep in the rain, if the world was crazy.

If the world was crazy, you know what I'd do?

I'd walk on the ocean and swim in my shoe,

I'd fly through the ground and I'd skip through the air,

I'd run down the bathtub and bathe on the stair.

When I met somebody I'd say, "G'bye, Joe,"

And when I was leaving--then I'd say "Hello."

And the greatest of men would be silly and lazy

So I would be king (queen)...if the world was crazy.

by the amazing shel silverstein

here are some wonderful words to bring us into the weekend...this is how my world feels right now and yes, i want to try roasting ice cream. that sounds divine. see you in the kitchen amazing onesxxxx

ouch & yum.

beauties! i tried something new and i want to share it with you: stinging nettles! woot woot. the truth is.. i have been (passively) avoiding them for a few years now... only to see them in a soup somewhere hip & fancy ;) i always wonder what they would be like, taste like, feel like etc... and now i know! it's amazing what happens when you open up to trying something new, unzip yourself to the idea and allow the belly of your fears to the unknown just hang out of your pants!! 'let loose!' as my incredible yogi friend says when stretching so wide and open. i love it.

they were amazing. it took some time to get used to the idea of eating something that could sting me in it's rawest form... once they go into boiling water for one second all the stingers fall off! they have the texture of mint and the taste of something deep and green. it's always hard to express taste.. i feel like there are so many attributes to that first bite... including that belly feeling, open & inviting something in that has always been open to me, then actually trying it... taking the time to introduce myself to another incredible piece of the earth has such a profound place in my heart. i guess that is why it's such an honor to feed YOU!! so you can feel this too.

on this particular day, beauty and ocean were home with runny noses and coughs. party. so i threw all the nettles in the sink and washed them off with the sprayer... (oh and i did not have gloves....super careful with the bag) i used those family heirloom tongs and my scissors to handle them. i cut off all the leaves and put them aside. i put a few in a little pot with water and boiled them to make tea. i added some dark honey and the kids drank it up!! here is a video of beauty loving on it...

i also wanted to try the 'fancy' soup which really means i got over myself and bought nettles for 2 - 3 dollah at the market.. the fancy part is nourishing the self which is fancy, feels so good everytime and needs to be a part of our daily routine stat. hello renaissance mamas. so, for the soup i started with a medium sized pot on medium, poured some olive oil, chopped a yellow onion, garlic and some fingerling potatoes (it's all i had, peeled em' too), some celery and i think that was it.. oh maybe some leeks too! loving the leeks right now... and yes, the nettles.. i boiled it up for one minute and then simmer for 30+ minutes. i like everything to linger together for awhile in a soup, really get to know each other. once i turn off the fire, it continues it's dance till we eat. it was exactly what we all needed that night.. healing, medicinal, earthy and loose. see you in the kitchenxxxx

ps: i pureed it the next day & it was thick and so good...so many ways to skin a cat as my

grandmother used to sayxxxx

jules & RM kitchen news.

*

hello gorgeous ones!

thank you for all the love & support with the newsletter... please check it out if you have not had the chance & subscribe...if just to see sweet beauty and her yogic neck abilities (impressive).

this just in: love is being given to me & the RM kitchen! i had my first write up by one of my favorite farms in southern california, wieser farms! you have definitely heard me share about them (maybe too much ;) as they are the potatoes, parsnips, romanesco cauliflowers, butternut and confection squashes to my heart. they are the roots, the foundation, the grounding to so many of my nourishing creations in the kitchen. i opened my email last night and there was a little love blurb about me and the RM mission. thank you weiser farms!

march is miracle month!

the first miracles of 2012:

friday, march 2 from 10:30 - 1 pm

&

saturday, march 17 from 10:30 - 12:30

all miracles are in the RM kitchen in los angeles. to reserve your wood bowl, email me at juleslove@mac.com. these are intimate gatherings and they fill up fast. so looking forward to gathering again & nourishing each other.

another exciting event up my apron is that i am on my way to YOUR kitchen... i will be starting an RM kitchen 'boot camp'....to begin the long awaited love fest between you and your kitchen. do you want a kitchen that inspires, feeds & serves YOU? and for a quarter of the one-on-one price! i want everyone to experience the incredible opening that beauty and freedom can have in your kitchen and your life. it's the RM way. so, gather your friends for a few hours and lets rock this thing. it will change your life or your money back. i'm serious. more on this very soon... if you are one of those running to the front of the class types (that would be me), email me. see you in the kitchen...yours & minexxxx

*recent photos taken from the hip at the wednesday santa monica farmers market*

it's happening....

hello beauty blog family! just a note to share my first newsletter that went out this week! i would love to have you all in that boat with me as i sail along the kitchen lovin' river inspiring and nourishing (me and) you with beauty & freedom in the kitchen... and all over our everyday lives... i will be sharing what is happening in my kitchen, your kitchen, events, miracles, kitchen tours and so much more.... if you received the newsletter, than you are on the list and all is good in the world ;) if you want the love, please subscribe here in the upper left hand corner. this blog will continue as the canvas for RM; expressing all things food, family, farmers market and more... thank YOU for continuing to support me as i discover, connect and dig deeper into this piece of nourishing me, you and the world. so much love & gratitude. see you in this ktichen and the virtual RM kitchen soonxxxx

we decide.

i wish i could tell you that i have been napping this whole time....waiting for spring like frog. unfortunately, it's not the case. i am missing you though... i think about you all the time... whether i am peeling parsnips, gathering at the market, stirring soup, making tea (to leave it on the counter, sipped once)....i am hoping you are feeling good in your kitchens, that you are feeding yourselves, nurturing your dreams and nourishing your babes and families. are you having any miracles in the kitchen? there are so many amazing things to discover at the market at this time.... and it's such a medicinal food season as well...mama nature provides us with so many nutirent-rich veggies and fruits in winter. isn't it incredible that citrus grows so abundantly when it's cold out? have you tried the cara cara (PINK) oranges or the sweet oro blanco grapefruits.... introduce it to yourself and your friends and family... you can never waste money when you are learning, tasting and creating amazing food... as i drive through the city, i want to climb all the trees and gather bags of bright yellow and orange goodness... the trees seem SO full of vitamin C. have you been seeing them (those of you in LA) ? is it illegal to climb them? i mean... can't we all feed each other in this way?

here are some shots of last weeks' market in santa monica.. the weather has been cookoo pants gorgeous...and there are some other shots of my beauty kin... i have a lot up my apron for this year and i am gathering my thoughts, my dreams, my callings in the kitchen and beyond.... first up, a home for me, our community and all that we can unfold in the kitchen...(i think it's called a website) so, if you know of any amazing people that i need to meet.... please send them my way....

i have been steeping in the mission of my kitchen culture quest... one of the ideas that keeps coming up is how we decide. WE.... as the women, as the mamas, all of us (with mamas inside of us), create this food culture in our homes... we decide what we eat, how we eat, when we eat... we decide if we have beauty, love, intimacy in our food, in our kitchens, in our lives... what i am realizing in so many areas of my life is that the time we have been waiting for, talking about, walking towards....IS NOW! it's as deep or as light or as simple or as free as you want to go... it's up to us. WE DECIDE. so that's the jules tip of the day (another something that is happening up the apron)... want to share about this? please do. i love hearing from you. see you in the kitchenxxxx

MIRACLE ALERT: friday, february 17 & friday, march 2. let me know if you want to be fedX

beauty gifts....

hello beauties...have you seen enough of these beauty baskets?? i know, i feel the same way...i can't get enough of shooting the beauty of this incredible food and nourishment in these baskets! here are a few more recent ones...AND this just in: RM miracle certificates for the intimate & inspiring gatherings in my kitchen! we are getting closer to the holidays and i would be honored to be on your holiday lists with the JOY of nurturing your friends & family this holiday (and really all year long.. i mean we get hungry a lot ;) food is the ultimate offering and when it comes custom and created with love like this.. there is nothing better but to find it at your door or in your kitchen... you can also give the baskets as a housewarming offering for the host etc... i don't need to tell you how many uses food in this gorgeous way can be given... we all know who really deserves one of these every week....YOU! sending love & blessings during this crazy time of year... please, ground & make a soup OR at the very least a tea. it's been really helping me get through... see you in the kitchenxxxx

A MIRACLE.

happy december beauties!!

missing you & me so much... the life of a renaissance mama is forever defining itself in, out and all around me. i have been trying to get this post out for a thousand years.....i can feel you all nodding your heads in understanding and i love you and this gorgeous community for that. please, go make a tea, i'll wait here....i have been returning to the ever spicy and sweet chai latte with a frothy almond milk... i was also turned on to this beautiful pomegranate green tea by a dear renaissance mama...i have been offering that one in the miracles... oh! and get your books, i phones, wall calendars out... this is about making darn sure to nourish YOU this month.... as it's the hardest month to do it!! we have to come together as a community and make it happen or it will not as we all know so well. this is the time WE GIVE TILL OUR BLOOD RUNS DRY (is that dramatic enough?) and then we decide to reconnect to ourselves in the new year (on a gurney..) when most of us truly believe we will be able to see straight again... and we don't stop there.. we decide to make goals, hopes, wishes of ourselves, draw up lists, intentions scrolls, etc... oy, we are a mess! that made me laugh out loud.. i know some of you are really on it and have figured this piece out (taking callers...) and i have pockets of that clarity too (before beauty...) today, i am speaking to the over-scheduled, crazy pants ambitious women & mamas & all of us out there who, like me, want to do it all ALL of the time... especially during the holidays where rituals come to their peak status... and we LOVE those rituals.... so here is a beautiful ritual to begin ane make happen in december: A MIRACLE. i have decided to have only ONE this month (yeah.. i got the memo ;) let us gather, feed off the beauty, celebrate each other, share in this nourishing as we give to all around us this holiday.

HOLIDAY MIRACLE

DECEMBER 15, 2011

10:30 - 1ish

75$/in advance

JULES KITCHEN/MT WASHINTON

*these are intimate gathering, rsvp asap to reserve your wooden bowl

OH! and give the miracle as a gift.... there are RM certificates, custom created, stamped & printed for those you love... you can also get one in a beauty basket with some rustic beauty produce.. more on this very soon!

if i don't see you...have a beautiful holiday and let us continue to inspire, empower and feed each other in this way... see you in the kitchenxxxx