Muffins & A Book Review


For those of you who've been wondering about the "sneak peek" photo of muffins cooking in the oven, this post is for you. I have two recipes in my latest post on my food blog And Razzleberry Dressing on the website BoomerGirl. Learn about the versatility of zucchini and get some recipes here.


When I was making two types of muffin recipes with zucchini, I started thinking about the dual nature of things, which reminded me of the the book The Prophet by Kahil Gibran. In the post here, I mentioned that I was going to read it. I finished it weeks ago, but my posts didn't seem to lend themselves to adding in the review.

The Prophet is a very small book with illustrations, but full of wisdom. It's a quick first read, but a book that I know I'll refer to over my life. I've also started noticing how many people mention the book and quote from it. It's a classic and something that I probably should have heard about years ago. But I often think that when we're ready for a book or something else in our life, it will find its way to us.

The big theme that I'm getting from the book is nothing new, but something that is good to be mindful of however many different ways it's spelled out. Everything and everyone in life is connected and things that appear to be opposites are just the two ends of one spectrum. Even when bad things happen, we're supposed to be appreciative of them, because they are part of our lives and we can learn from them. When we're living our lives and in the middle of all kinds of madness, it's really hard to remember this. When I can remember to stop, breathe, pull back and think about this, it makes life a little easier. It's the remembering part that's hard!

Here are a few quotes from the book, that I really enjoyed.

"Always you have been told that work is a curse and labour a misfortune. But I say to you that when you work you fulfil (sic) a part of the earth's furthest dream, assigned to you when the dream was born, And in keeping yourself with labour you are in truth loving life, And to love life through labour is to be intimate with life's innermost secret."

"Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy. For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man's hunger. And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distils a poison in the wine."

The Prophet is a wonderful book that I highly recommend.

Anali's First Amendment © 2006-2007. All rights reserved.

Comments

FH said…
Muffins are yummy! You are getting better and better at baking!Good for you.I have Kalil Gibran's whole volume bought from Barnes and Noble,love it.

Indian Philosophy says similar."Work and do your best in whatever you do without expecting anything back.That way,when you get back something ,you will be happier than expecting a lot and getting less only to be disappointed!!"
Have a fun weekend Anali:)
So So Simple said…
Anali

The Prophet is correct…now that cooking for my blog has become my “vocation”,
isn’t it marvellous to spend your moments working in pleasure. Either doing or thinking or discussing with friends…one of the great joys in your life,…your work.
Bliss.
Our staff will be benefiting from your muffin recipe, I think I will be really decadent and use walnuts and chocolate together.
Thank you
Lotus Reads said…
But I often think that when we're ready for a book or something else in our life, it will find its way to us

So true, Anali...I haven't read "The Prophet" yet, but I know that when the time is right, the book will make itself known to me.
jac said…
anali
Prophet is one of the best books I ever read.
Barbara said…
The prophet was the bible when we were hippies in the seventies. I even had a passage read at my wedding.
Tera said…
Super post! Love the quotes...especially the second one :)
Dangerfield said…
Good Post the picture of those muffins really did something for this post. I feel what you are saying about doing something with the right intent behind it.

Anyway please sign up with the afrospear forum. We are forming a collective black think tank to adress dire issues of concern to black folks. http://afrospear.jconserv.net/index.php
Anonymous said…
I have never read that book but,It sounds interesting and those muffins look yummy!
wheresmymind said…
Those muffins look divine!
Anonymous said…
I love muffins it's so gooooooddd
dc_speaks said…
ok...my attraction to the blog came from the muffins, but I read it and appreciate the tip on the book "the prophet".

I love a good read and I'm a lover of foods for sure.

Have an awesome day and thanks for sharing.
Suldog said…
I'm so glad you've enjoyed (and plan on continuing to enjoy) The Prophet. Wonderful book, full of much wisdom for the future and much consolation for the past.
Nina said…
I love that the quotes from the book are really speaking to me in a way that I know is meant to be. I've had a lot on my plate recently and this is very meaningful. Thank you!
Lisa Johnson said…
asha - Thank you for such a nice compliment! I'll definitely need to seek out more of his writing. I hope you're having a good week!

so simple - It's amazing how hours can fly by like minutes when I'm cooking and blogging, because it's so fun! The only problem with that is all the other things that I have to to do too! How did you and your staff like the muffins?

lotus reads - It will be interesting to see how that happens!

jac - I agree cuz!

barbara - That's great! Thanks for sharing your story!

tera - Thanks!

mark - Welcome! Thanks for the information and I'll be checking in to see what the group is up to.
Lisa Johnson said…
kaylee - It might be some nice summer reading for you! It's very quick! ; )

wheresmymind - Thank you!

pom d'api - I'm going through a muffin and cupcake thing all of a sudden and have been trying to keep myself from making cupcakes the past few days. My resistance is wearing down!

dc_speaks - Good to "see" you here again! ; ) Glad you liked the muffins and the review too. Have a great week!

suldog - Thank you so much for reminding me of the book!

nina - I'm glad that you related to the quotes. I read your post last night and can see that you've had a lot to deal with. Take care!
Mizrepresent said…
I have loved this book since childhood....it was when i first read it, as a teen, my parents gave it to me...it is truly a delightful book, full of great wisdom....love the muffins lady and the wisdom!
CapCity said…
i think i gained 10 pounds from those delicious looking muffins, Sistah Anali! And thanks for the tip on the book. I will check it out ASAP!
Unknown said…
its bugged
my fav quote is by Miquel alcarin, one of the co founders of the Nuyorican: "Love is Hard Work"
Dewey said…
I only recently discovered Gibran and have read some of his work, but only online. Those muffins look fantastic!
Dewey said…
Oh, and welcome to the blogroll game! And thanks for the plug. The deliciousness of rest of your post made me forget my manners!
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Lisa Johnson said…
mizrepresent - I have the feeling that I would have a grand old time reading the books in your collection! ; ) Glad you liked the muffins too!

capcity - LOL! This is the one place that I can say with certainty that there are no calories here!

brother omi - Welcome! I think I saw you on Farai's NPR blog. Thanks for stopping by! I'll have to look for that book.

dewey - Welcome! Glad you like the muffins! You're quite welcome for the plug. Such a cool game! Thank you!
catalyst0527 said…
Chocolate & Zucchini.
What a wonderful combination! :)
Those savory muffins look fabulous-- and I have a huge wedge of grana padano in the cheese drawer that I can use. I have a chocolate zucchini cake that is the best sweet to pack for day hikes-- it's like a cakey brownie and it never dries out in the oven. Mmm.

The Prophet is in my bedside bookcase, right next to my Bible, my Thich Naht Hahn books, and my Jack Kornfeld books. I haven't re-read it in a while, but I will often dip into it for a page or two, opening it randomly to see if there's something to strike my mood. There always is.
Ana S. said…
Oh my... just the sigh of those made me mouth water!
Lisa Johnson said…
catalyst0527 - It sure is! ; )

bipolarlawyercook - I've never heard of grana padano, but it sounds good! I like Thich Naht Hahn too. I'll have to look for Jack Kornfeld. That is the exact same way that I read these books - a little bit here and there when I need some comfort or inspiration. Like a cookie!

nymeth - Welcome! And I'm glad you are enjoying the goodies! ; )

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