wholefoods - growing a kitchen

The kitchen with its rhythmic huffing and puffing breathes life into the home. Bubbling pots and rainbow strewn chopping boards radiate warmth down hallways and under closed doors. Peripheries of our small four walled world come alive with spice and scent. This space calls me often throughout the day and from its modesty I nourish my family.

I cajole rock hard pears into luscious compotes, ladle shiny bone broths over noodles and green leaves and squeeze every last drop of vigour from our meagre food budget. Cinnamon and cardamon dance together under my nose and the kettle boils at any given time. At times this simple world is steeped in drudgery and monotony however, as the rhythms of the day find me here often I have chosen to mindfully prepare the space; to grow my kitchen. To make it a world of sustainability and health, of creativity and calm.

My beloved hung a simple shelf of thick timber skirting graced with chipped patina and stories of yesteryear. Upon it, stone vessels dripping with grasses and gumnuts, a set of teal metal scales and my great Nana's cake cooler (it is used often). Bits and bobs to infuse this space with warmth and nostalgia and invite reflection and dreaming. Things that make me smile.

Time has been spent to thoughtfully arrange...and rearrange cupboards making sure much used tools and vessels are close to hand. Clunky, unused and unpleasing items have been sent off to find love in other homes and a list of "wishes" is being slowly ticked off as the budget and op shop gods see fit. A good knife, more cast iron pots and pans and glass storage containers.  Deeply marbled chopping boards in Aussie timbers have been purchased - one for meat and fish, a small one for garlic and onions and another for fruit, veggies and bread. A tiny version rests nearby belonging to one honey girl.

My needles have churned out a handful of sherbet hued dish cloths in sturdy organic cotton *. At the end of each day they wipe the benches and table clean one last time and head for a spin in tomorrow's wash. With a stout and bristly  pot brush and environmentally friendly products the cleaning arsenal is complete. The cornucopia of nuts, seeds and pulses that come with a wholefoods approach to eating have found homes in op shopped jars and kitchen bench clutter has been whittled down to the bare minimum. Fresh flowers arranged haphazardly in an array of thrifted jugs and jars are ever present. The space is now dotted with treasures I hid away for that "special" day. Tarnished silver, floral china and aged timber have become the bread and butter of our kitchen life with a particular vintage wooden spoon holding a special place in my heart. Time and use have completely worn away one side and as I stir our morning porridge I dream of Nonna's supping red wine laced bolognaise and entertaining babies at their feet -a kitchen full of stories and scent.

I dream of a head full of "off by heart" recipes that my babies travel the seas to devour. A giant table laden with leaves and fruits and warmth. A kitchen humming along to a soulful tune. As we further delve into the rich and rewarding world of wholefoods I know that with each sprinkle of sea salt and drizzle of olive oil I send forth life into my people's world and I endeavour to nourish with heart. My kitchen is a space that now reflects my dream.

Steph x

Other posts in my Wholefoods series include:
wholefoods - olive oil dough

* I am still on the hunt for an Australian made organic cotton so would love any suggestions.