What 'Nourished' Means during Covid-19: Month One

I’m in my robe. Charcoal mask and my feet are already cold. I took a shower because my whole body felt frigid. It’s quarantine day something or another and I think it’s Friday. Sun is out, thank God.

The days run together but the moments don’t, maybe? Seems like I’m constantly having to pick my mind up and put it near my heart again. Dust off my shoulders and keep moving.

My cookin’ for you has come to a complete halt and I actually feel kind of frozen on what to do with Nourished right now. Every day I try to think of something new to put on the table but I’m also parenting at home and too nervous to be in and out of the grocery store. So that isn’t necessarily changing.

And I hate that. I hate that I can’t cook for you right now. That I can’t just give away everything I’ve got to keep you and your loved ones fed. It is EVERY thing I have been working for this year and it feels suddenly gone. Like I’ll have to start back over. But you remind me that I won’t and I can’t thank you enough for that. Being seen by y’all, etching humor into the day’s plate is bringing new life.

Nourished Folks is built on the mission to feed people in times of them really deserving to be fed something good. Built on the absolute love and admiration that goes into cooking you something warm and healing that feels like a hug. I get on my own nerves saying that, but it’s true. There is blood and sweat and grit, yes, but I make it my absolute intention to pray over that food and send hope to you. Now would be the PERFECT time to cook for you. It’s exactly what I want and dream of.

The fact that I can’t is killing me.

So ‘nourished’ today means digging for joy. Looking around this room to catch a glimpse of an old friend’s artwork right beside my baby girl’s. It means giving myself the grace that I give to others. Keeping at the forefront that this is gonna work out. That it’ll still be a good mission, that folks will always need good and healing food. That celebration alongside a good meal is always warranted. That this is honest work with true love at it’s core.

It’s sitting here in this mask way too long just so I can feel as cleansed and zen as possible while the toddler naps. It’s standing outside to let the birds sing me a song. Getting in my car to sing them one. It’s cooking a meal later for my family, knowing they are the only ones I can focus food nourishment on right now and that it a little bit special.

Nourished is being alright to know it’d be good for me to stretch but not having the energy to even do it; and being perfectly alright with that.

We’re figuring this out as we go right now, my friends. And nourishment today, for me and for many of y’all, is just letting ourselves roll with the process.

Small note: If you are a person who has a menstrual cycle, I’d like to encourage you to observe and serve yourself through the month. Moods change and minds change and hearts change, but only for a little while and then we move to another element of the cycle. Your hormones are powerful and you absolutely deserve to honor them and you.

Be good to yourself. I love y’all so much and I can’t wait to get back to the business of service.