low, slow, basic support. + a recipe & a poem.
- Coalesce Atlanta
- 17 hours ago
- 5 min read
hello again. there are so many things going on right now far away and close to home that I feel I should mention. but I feel you know them. if you’re reading this we probably share a news feed, social feed, or signal group. I know, you know. breath, beloved.
this weeks offerings : space to set it down for a little while.
Wednesday 7:30 p Sound bath @ Liminal Space Collective
bring something to lay on for a mid week rest. wednesday's 1/28 & 2/3 @ 7:30pm.
Thursday + Friday @ Coalesce Wellness
Massage, Cupping, Lymphatic Drainage, Energy work.
think of scheduling a 90 min session and really settle in.
11a, 1p, 3p
shout out to recent support
All seasons I try to remember to keep the basics in mind. I think Winter is when I cling to the basics more than ever. Maybe I feel like that because it’s currently winter. Low and slow- like the season calls for, or more like the season forces me to be. Being well nourished in a few basic ways keeps me afloat when cold dark weather chills my mood and body. Well fed, well rested, well moved, and well played. Some days the bare minimum is best I can do so i try to make the minimums good ones. If all the basics are covered and i still “feel a way” I can go from there.
One of the basics around here is chicken bone broth.
We consume it in some way most days. As a soup base, in beans, just drinking it straight, hot out of a mug. I make it weekly using an instant pot pressure cooker. See general details of the process below if you’re interested. Most recipes I share will be offered as suggestive guidelines because that’s how I cook. I use recipes as inspiration but always use what I have. We’re an ingredient household and I’m sure that makes it easier.
Making stock or broth can truly be a “clean your fridge / freezer” event and the ingredients listed are just what I often have on hand. I also keep 2 bags of “scraps for stock” in the freezer. one for meat, one for veggies. The “stock bucket/bag” is just a container in the freezer of scrap veggies- the ends of carrots or celery. onion peels. wing tips, extra thighs that didn’t fit in the pan when I was cooking a meal.
Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth
3 lbs chicken feet (from a place you trust)
*2 or 3 bone in skin on thighs (3 individual thighs or drumsticks/wings - maybe 1.5-2lbs total) this is optional: the 3lbs chicken feet or neck is enough .But fat is flavor and I like what they add.
1 whole onion ( no need to peel)
1 whole head of garlic (no need to peel)
1 shallot
3 carrots
2-3 celery stalks
2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
1.5 Tablespoons kosher salt
.5 - 1 Tablespoon whole black peppercorn
Filtered water
Place everything in Instant Pot or pressure cooker - add filtered water up to “Max PC fill line”. make sure the seal is in the lid before closing (adding this from experience ;). Place the steam release handle to the "sealing" position. Pressure cook on high for 1hr 20 min. It will take some time to come to pressure before the cycle starts. Allow to naturally release for 30 min after the pressure cook cycle ends-then manually turning the steam release handle-watch your face. Once the float valve is down it is safe to open the pot. Carefully pour liquid through a fine strainer, mesh or sieve to filter. Use within the week or freeze. If you freeze, leave some headspace in the container for potential expansion. This will solidify once cool. It will gel even at room temp in my home. do not pour this down the drain.
Another winter basic around here to help support our immune systems and help encourage hydration during these more drying times is Manual Lymphatic Drainage. something simple like a short lymphatic drainage routine while putting on body butter after a warm hydrating shower. In the morning a hot shower really helps my muscles feel ready to move for the day and at night helps me sink into the sheets. I didn’t even notice how much warmer my muscles were after a hot shower until I heard my Granny mention it a few years ago. The heat has been kicking on all night and we’ve taken full luxury of keeping the fireplace lit all day during the cold weather. Beautiful, cozy and dehydrating. Lymphatic drainage is really supporting my sinus. I am grateful for it because as long as it’s below freezing the fireplace will be lit . Sleeping with a humidifier has been helpful also.
What's possibly been most beneficial is being with my people. Physically being with. hugging, eating, crafting, crying, strolling, lying on the ground. Over the phone too, hearing the voice of those I love and am loved by. seeing a smile through the screen. nourishment also. I have been well enough to do so with help from the immune supportive things described above, no doubt.
Let the little things count, friend. They do.
Current Reads:
Myths from Mesopotamia-(Ancient Lit Bookclub:) recently finished Atrahasis - stories of the creation of man and the flood- among other population control tactics used by the gods.
I just began The Epic of Gilgamesh (from the same book)
from The Essentials of June Jordan - this months poetry read
“Why I Became a Pacifist”
Why I became a pacifist
and then
How I became a warrior again:
Because nothing I could do or say
turned out okay
I figured I should just sit
still and chill
except to maybe mumble
“Baby, Baby:
“Stop!”
AND
Because turning that other cheek
holding my tongue
refusing to retaliate when the deal
got ugly
And because not throwing whoever calls me a bitch
out the goddamn window
And because swallowing my pride
saying I’m sorry when whoever don’t like
one single thing
about me and don’t never take a break from
counting up the 65,899 ways I talk wrong
I act wrong
And because sitting on my fist
neglecting to enumerate every incoherent
rigid/raggedy-ass/disrespectful/killer cold
and self-infatuated crime against love
committed by some loudmouth don’t know
nothing about it takes 2 to fuck and
it takes 2 to fuck things up
And because making apologies that nobody give a shit about
and because failing to sing my song
finally
finally
got on my absolute last nerve
I pick up my sword
I lift up my shield
I stay ready for war
Because now I live ready for a whole lot more
than that
June Jordan 1936-2002
see you soon.
take good care,
Porter
*If you are in need of bodywork or energy work and my listed prices are out of reach please contact me. Services may be offered at a sliding scale in certain cases.
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