Secret Recipe: Nettle Star Bread and a Love Letter to you!

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Dear Reader, 

You are stunning. 

Yes, I say that with complete conviction, even though I have probably never laid eyes on you. But I know this truth IN MY BONES. 

The veins that pump your blood echo majestic rivers and deltas, like the lacy delicacy of a coastline from the sky. The blemishes or freckles on your skin are the speckles on a perfect egg or the constellations far above us. Your soft parts are for cushioning your body, or the head of another person leaning in to your warmth. Your bony parts are a reminder of the strength of your bones and the stars they came from. The swirls in your iris are portals to an infinite universe and your lips a reminder of more earthly pleasures, echoing soft peaches or rich berries. Your stretch marks are the wind-blown waves in the sand. And that part you are thinking of right now, that area that makes you self-conscious? It is gorgeous too. I absolutely mean that. 

The next time you look in the mirror, look beyond the magazine covers and billboards, the cruel words or harsh judgements. Look past expectations of conventional attractiveness. See yourself through the lens of being part of this big beautiful world full of wonders. Look at the forms and patterns of your body and what they echo. Notice the intricate details that make your body unique and incredible. You carry the magic of this world in every inch of your being. 

If you are having trouble seeing this (which is understandable; self-love is an unlearning of deeply pervasive messages that can be hard to break), think of someone you love. Any kind of love - romantic, platonic, motherly, admiration. Look at this person and pay attention to the patterns of beauty you see. Are their eyes the color of the ocean on a clear day? Of rich toffee in the candlelight? Of a misty morning in a dark forest? Move beyond “you have a nice smile” and allow yourself to see the pattern at the corner of their mouth. You can tell them of your observations if you’re comfortable with that level of vulnerability, or you can hold those truths within yourself. The more you look for the wondrous beauty in those around you - loved ones and strangers both - the more open your own mind will become to seeing the wonders of your own magical, amazing, stunning self. 

Nettle Star Bread with Cheesy Mushroom Filling: 

The above writings may be difficult to feel without first being able to admire the beauty of the natural world. That’s why I chose to pair them with this particular recipe, since this hearty bread will require you to get out into the woods in search of nettles and edible wild mushrooms! Surely while you are out enjoying the freshness of autumnal woods, you’ll notice beautiful colors, patterns, shapes, and forms, perhaps even some that you can see echoed in your own appearance. Then, you get to bake up a delicious bread that is a love letter to early fall, packed full of delicious forest treasures. This bread is deceptively simple, too; the star pattern is impressive and certainly looks complicated, but you will be surprised at just how easy it is to pull off! It’s as fun to make as it is to eat, with rich savory flavors, melty cheese, and delightfully green bread. 

Find the rest of this post and the Secret Recipe over on Patreon.com/thewondersmith!

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