Thank you for the wonderful letter Yasmin and for sharing your journey. I’m so glad you found a path to wellness.
You’ve given me a great deal to think about, and certainly has made me notice a lot of differences in attitudes to food while I’m back in the UK visiting from Australia. 💚
Thank you for your kind words Donna. I look forward to chatting more about the differences between the UK and Australia. And wish you an enjoyable stay over here although I imagine it will be busy.
Yasmin, what a wonderful letter you have written to Donna. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the LiotL collaboration is the slowness, the gentle wait for communication that feels like it is being sent the old way – in a bag on the side of the horse making its way across the country. Time elapses, and so much changes in the time of a month. Gardens are beyond the sowing and into the growth stretch. Temperatures are rising and water is being regulated.
You offer an option for how to change one’s relationship with the land through the choice of a plant-based diet. Plate choices that include vegetables and beans, and how those can be sufficient for all your necessary vitamins and minerals. The more time you spend in the garden the less your need for the B12 will be. A simple swipe across the face to wipe away sweat fills your mouth with soil. 🌱
I look forward to how you progress with the learning curve of growing foods in Scotland and how you are able to process those foods for later consumption.
Thanks Stacy. I'm having fun sowing and growing, and now harvesting. Currently the polytunnel is producing mixed leaves and radishes for salads. And there'll be lots of beans - Borlotti's inside and runner beans outside. We're very fortunate to have the space and time to grow our own here in Scotland.
Your tip about B12 is interesting. I'll keep a check on my levels as time progresses. I'm swiping lots of sweat from my face!
This is a lovely piece of writing, Stacy, thank you for sharing it. And, you know, I often think about the marks we leave behind in the garden. Will my daughter think of me when she pulls rhubarb after I’ve gone? Will my granddaughter think of me when she plants sunflower seeds in the future?
I finally got my chance to sit down and catch up on my reading. I’m so glad I did. I have been thinking of trying a plant-based diet too. I had to go off all mammal meat due to contracting alpha gal. Now I have been treated for that and was told I could try going back on red meat. I cannot bring myself to eat it again. It doesn’t even sound or look appealing. Though I have not talked myself out of the cheese, yet, because I also lived without that for a few months and didn’t like it. But, I do use plant based milks now and those are great. I’m so glad to hear your cancer is in remission!! And that you are taking charge of your health from the inside out which I think is absolutely critical in situations like yours. Many hugs and happy gardening. Wish I could get some of that rhubarb. :)
Wow, Yasmin—you’re inspiring me to spend more time looking at my food choices. I’m not a home gardener, but live in a place that offers many healthy choices and I really have very little excuse not to take more full advantage of what is available. Great response to Stacy’s letter. Can’t wait to read Donna’s next time!
Hi Julie. I would definitely recommend a plant-based diet - it really is the most healthy way to eat. Especially if you can easily obtain good produce. Love your veggies!
I read your essay avidly. I'm super-interested in an optimal diet. We've been told so many things. Congratulations on 6 years cancer free! Many more to you & to all of us.
Thank you for the wonderful letter Yasmin and for sharing your journey. I’m so glad you found a path to wellness.
You’ve given me a great deal to think about, and certainly has made me notice a lot of differences in attitudes to food while I’m back in the UK visiting from Australia. 💚
Thank you for your kind words Donna. I look forward to chatting more about the differences between the UK and Australia. And wish you an enjoyable stay over here although I imagine it will be busy.
Yasmin, what a wonderful letter you have written to Donna. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the LiotL collaboration is the slowness, the gentle wait for communication that feels like it is being sent the old way – in a bag on the side of the horse making its way across the country. Time elapses, and so much changes in the time of a month. Gardens are beyond the sowing and into the growth stretch. Temperatures are rising and water is being regulated.
You offer an option for how to change one’s relationship with the land through the choice of a plant-based diet. Plate choices that include vegetables and beans, and how those can be sufficient for all your necessary vitamins and minerals. The more time you spend in the garden the less your need for the B12 will be. A simple swipe across the face to wipe away sweat fills your mouth with soil. 🌱
I look forward to how you progress with the learning curve of growing foods in Scotland and how you are able to process those foods for later consumption.
Thanks Stacy. I'm having fun sowing and growing, and now harvesting. Currently the polytunnel is producing mixed leaves and radishes for salads. And there'll be lots of beans - Borlotti's inside and runner beans outside. We're very fortunate to have the space and time to grow our own here in Scotland.
Your tip about B12 is interesting. I'll keep a check on my levels as time progresses. I'm swiping lots of sweat from my face!
This made me think of you today:
https://riverteethjournal.com/beautiful-things/heirloom/?utm_source=mailpoet&utm_medium=email&utm_source_platform=mailpoet&utm_campaign=beautiful-things-from-river-teeth-5
This is a lovely piece of writing, Stacy, thank you for sharing it. And, you know, I often think about the marks we leave behind in the garden. Will my daughter think of me when she pulls rhubarb after I’ve gone? Will my granddaughter think of me when she plants sunflower seeds in the future?
What a beautiful wee journal!
Nothing is sweeter than a mouthful of dirt.
I thought of you when eating my plate full of stir-fry veggies last night.
I finally got my chance to sit down and catch up on my reading. I’m so glad I did. I have been thinking of trying a plant-based diet too. I had to go off all mammal meat due to contracting alpha gal. Now I have been treated for that and was told I could try going back on red meat. I cannot bring myself to eat it again. It doesn’t even sound or look appealing. Though I have not talked myself out of the cheese, yet, because I also lived without that for a few months and didn’t like it. But, I do use plant based milks now and those are great. I’m so glad to hear your cancer is in remission!! And that you are taking charge of your health from the inside out which I think is absolutely critical in situations like yours. Many hugs and happy gardening. Wish I could get some of that rhubarb. :)
I don’t know if you’ve heard of Zoe - I listen to lots of their podcasts. It sounds as if your gut microbiome has improved with your change of diet. You have made many of the choices described in this episode about cancer and food https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/zoe-science-nutrition/id1611216298?i=1000763239042
Very interesting Felicity. I’ll listen to the podcast.
Oooh I can’t wait to read this later. I have a little squee when I found it in my inbox
Yasmin, I’ve recently become a vegetarian and found your intimate letter so very inspiring in all kinds of ways. Thank you.
And here’s to you and yours and your dwelling. I’m really looking forward to seeing it this year (and meeting you this weekend!)
Fab, thanks Bee. We have lots to chat about and I can’t wait to see you!
Wow, Yasmin—you’re inspiring me to spend more time looking at my food choices. I’m not a home gardener, but live in a place that offers many healthy choices and I really have very little excuse not to take more full advantage of what is available. Great response to Stacy’s letter. Can’t wait to read Donna’s next time!
Hi Julie. I would definitely recommend a plant-based diet - it really is the most healthy way to eat. Especially if you can easily obtain good produce. Love your veggies!
I read your essay avidly. I'm super-interested in an optimal diet. We've been told so many things. Congratulations on 6 years cancer free! Many more to you & to all of us.
Thanks, Janisse. I really feel very good on a plant-based diet. And thankful to be enjoying life.