The Tree Leans

 The Tree Leans

The little tree leans because of some trauma in its very young life.

Like we humans, you are sensitive to outside pressure.

How was it?
What pushed you over?
What strength did you call for in your vulnerable young self to stay alive?

Is your strange angle away from the sun a disability?

I look deeper and wider.

You are fully alive!
Your leaves are as green and full as the others!
Your fruit as whole and sweet!

What do I learn from you?

What do you teach me?

Already, I feel the profound lessons of my own distortions.

How adversity has been my strength and determination has been my teacher.

--Betty Esthelle

Baked Salmon Loaf with Lemon Dill Sauce

Delicious and nutritious, but for non-vegetarians. 

I invented this dish and it was a rave at the Bar Mitzvah lunch! 

It easily feeds 8 or 9 people. 

Double the ingredients to feed 18:

Dill weed
Fresh: top
Dry: bottom
Photo source:
 www.quintessenceextracts.com

• Start with 1 can of Pacific wild caught Salmon, preferably whole. Flake the salmon, saving the skin and bones (a most nutritious part). 

• Save the salmon juice separately. If you have less than half a cup of the salmon juice, add water or broth to make half a cup of liquid. 

• One onion minced, one carrot minced, one stalk of celery minced, one large clove of garlic minced,  2 tablespoons of minced parsley, 2 whole palm sized raw mushrooms, minced. (I used dark baby portobellos). Saute all the minced vegetables in 2 tablespoons olive oil.

• While that's happening, lightly beat/mix 2 eggs. Add one tablespoon brown mustard (wet or dry- I used wet) into eggs  then add the flaked Salmon. Put bones and skin in food processor, then add to Salmon. Mix gently. 

• 2 cups of soft bread crumbs (I use whole wheat bread, about 3 slices). Add that to the Salmon mix, then add the sauteed minced veggies. Mix gently.

• Add 1/2 cup your choice spaghetti sauce to moisten mix a little more. Mixture should be moist but not runny. 

• Spray a loaf pan with olive oil or any good spray. Add mixture.

Bake for 45 minutes at 350.

While it's baking make the sauce: 

• In a small pan, melt 1/4 stick (2 tablespoons) of sweet butter, then 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour, adding flour gradually so it absorbs the butter. Then add juice from salmon, slowly, stirring constantly. Add teaspoon or more of dry dill weed.  Add 2 teaspoons lemon juice.

Put sauce in separate dish, (a gravy boat or any bowl with spoon), Serve on the side of the salmon loaf, and let guests pour or spoon sauce on.  

Can serve salmon loaf and sauce either room temperature, or hot or cold. 

Betty's Song: How To Be Your Own Valentine

For Valentine's Day, A Song:

I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter

Be very sure it comes from me

I'm gonna write things oh,so sweet,

It's gonna stand me on my feet

Lots of thank yous at the bottom,

I'm so glad I got 'em.

I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter

Forgive myself for thinking I'm not enough

I'm gonna live life more at ease

I'm gonna flow like summer's breeze

Appreciate my good stuff

Laugh away my bad stuff

And let me know I'm loved by life