Jonah Kenney
Stories (2)
Filter by community
Roots of a Lotus
Grilled meats and dumplings filled my nose as I entered the prefecture of Kyoto. I walked through the streets filled with market stands until I came across a Tea house with red doors.Upon entering I smelled green tea and flashbacks of family and home came across me. Taking my seat I felt around my knapsack for a small wooden pointed rectangle. Before finding it I felt someone gazing at me from the next table in front of me. I looked up to see an elderly gentleman, he grinned squinting his eyes. "Do I know you?" I asked. "Yes and No." he replied. I thought this old man must have been drinking sake all day long but a part of me was curious "How so?" waiting to be served I figured I might as well play along. "We have met before but as different times, in different forms." the old man said still grinning with his eyes squinted. Ok, now I was sure it was the sake talking, still I was intrigued "Oh yeah, how about I order a bottle of sake and you tell me all about it?" I replied half joking half curious. " I appreciate the gesture but I don't drink these days. How about some dumplings? I would be eternally grateful." the man said heartily. I raised my eyebrows being caught off gaurd and I went to say something but a teal and white kimono stood next to my right. A soft voice greeted and asked me "Welcome to the Red Lotus Tea House, are you interested in anything?" I looked up to see a soft face with brown eyes somehow matching the voice and smiled "I'll have one mactcha kettle and a plate of dumplings for my friend" I extended my hand to the table across me "if you could bring two cups and serve them to that table I would appreciate it." She looked over and smiled "It will be there shortly, let me know if you would like anything else." We nodded to each other and she went on. I turned to the old man "May I sit with you?" He gestured welcoming with his hand. "How long have you been here?" I asked as I took a seat, "Just long enough to meet you." he said. I cocked my head to the side slightly, starting to feel a little weirded out by this guy. "Me? Why me?" He grinned "You have been on a quite the journey. You have learned many lessons, endured great valleys and have seen beautiful peaks. Though you may feel as if you have had a full life, you're path is just beginning. At times you will be tested to see if you are worthy of what you are searching for. Be careful what you seek, you shall find it." Then the teal kimono woman returned with our afternoon snack, and we thanked her. I was sucked in and eager to what the man would say next. At the least I was entertained after traveling such a distance, although I hadn't traveled this far for nothing. I looked to the man sipping my tea as he chewed on a dumpling. He swallowed and continued "Many of the things that we search for that is outside of ourselves, from money to revenge, we think will bring us satisfaction. We often forget the the most important journey is the one within. Ask for peace, clarity and balance all the while being grateful to see another grand day. Do not be grateful for a "good morning" because a morning is what happens after someone close to you dies. Be careful what you seek." We sat quietly for a few moment as he slid another dumpling off its stick, I drank my tea pondering the crazy old mans insight. I hadn't expected this conversation before I took this seat, but he had peaked my interest faster than my teacher could draw his sword. "Who should I be asking a question like that, some kind of guru?" I laughed and the mans grin got bigger. "You should ask those who hear you in silence" my eyes half low with amusement, I kept sipping my tea. He continued "Take a few moments, find some peace and follow these steps. Once you hone this skill, you will be able to regain your power and answer many of the questions you have. Then apply this to situations that need to be more free flowing like a conversation, or whenever you need to focus.
By Jonah Kenney5 years ago in Poets
Forbidden Grains
The Chinese emperor watched as each cover was lifted from each tray of food, steam billowing out. There was grilled fish and a wide variety of vegetables. Foods that pretty much any one in the kingdom could get their hands on. All but one. One bowl of purplish looking rice known as black rice that no one of the lower class could touch. Black Rice was forbidden for pretty much every person that was not apart of the royal family. Due to its high nutritional value and low grain per hull, it was kept to the highest class that could afford it. The antioxidants and vitamin E is good for support in the heart, brain, skin and eye health as well as boosting the immune system. Higher in protein, iron and fiber compared to the "healthy" brown rice and the white rice that essentially breaks down into sugar. It provides a more stable energizer rather than a sugar rush. The husk is left on, so if you decide to give this a try I would soak it ten to twenty minutes before cooking. It wont be soft like Nishiki, japanese rice, and the taste will be on the nutty side but honestly its next to nothing. So I'm giving you my secret recipes! Better to drop gems than let them turn to stone, right? The way I flavor it up is with a good sprinkle of Shiso, pickled plum leaf, and then I squeeze half of a lime over it. That lime also aids with iron absorption which pairs perfectly with the black rice, adds even more immunity and helps with skin health as well. Next you slice up some pickles, and if you are like me then you cut up a celery stalk and a jalapeno to replace the claussens you are about to eat so you don't waste all that good pickle juice. Then you dice up a nice and soft ripe but not mushy avacado on top and booyah! You get to figure out if you want to lightly grill some wild salmon and squeeze a lemon on it or marinate some chicken wings in soy sauce and bourbon. Oooooh my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Now we move on to the sides. Do you go and bust out the olive oil to sautee some fresh spinach, sweet onions and shiitake mushrooms or grab the Himalayan pink salt to boil black beans and corn? Yes protein bowls will be called upon at least twice a week if not thrice! Its all about THrice hahah No? Well anyways I imagine I pretty much live on protien bowls at this point, they are easy to dish up and with a nice mix you will have all kinds of flavor in your mouth with every bite. What I also imagine is some people of the lower class getting their hands on some and seeing their face expression once they tasted it. The excitement it must have been to get a bite of luxury, YES AND FINALLY THE MOMENT WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR aaaand "This bland a$& @!#% is what those robe wearing uppities eat?" Without knowing about antioxidant and vitamin E levels I would have stayed away as well but knowledge is power. And this is just the rice we're talking about people! I don't know, maybe a little more digging, aka googling, and we'll find out about the vibrations of their Jade jewelry has some crazy effect on prosperity and the heart chakra *cough cough wink cough* Don't get me started or I will give you everything you need to align yourself with the most high, the universe, God or whatever floats your boat but no this is about rice. Ah yes Black Rice, treat yourself don't cheat yourself.
By Jonah Kenney5 years ago in Feast
