I got up early in the morning with a feeling of lacking energy, time and joy. Despite this feeling, I still went to the farm nearby for harvesting some of my vegetables. It always takes an effort to go there and harvest everything on my own. In the past I was so used to simply buying vegetables in shops or with farmers on the local marketplaces … so it’s still quite new for me to tap into my responsibilties around this chapter of my life. Somethimes I don’t even know how to get the vegetables out off the ground smoothly, without damaging them!
This time, when I was searching for food, I saw a very abundant field full of good looking Brussel sprouts. I felt excitment in my body, as I took the first gift of nature in my hands 😊. You cannot predict in advance how many sprouts each plant has. It’s always a surprise. There was a mixture off fresh ones and older ones on the same plant. Just as in life where we have different ages, and all are connected by the same soil under our feet.
What I was remembering in the field is that Brussel sprouts flourish so well in Belgium’s ground, and are often perceived as a ‘delicacy’ in other countries because of their typical, unique flavor. The plants grow here from late summer till the end of March: what nurturing foods we have here in Belgium over such a long period of time, covering our vegetable supply year after year. Mabybe our crownjewels are actually our local plants, who knows.
It really touched my heart because we – the people who live in Belgium – usually don’t like our own country so much, for many reasons. I can feel that my whole being is more grounded in the Belgian soil now, more connected to the land. My body felt lighter and more energetic after harvesting the sprouts. How incredible, such a lovely surprising experience on the Belgian fields.
By An Pintelon
