Let us outshine the random acts of violence in our world with random acts of kindness. I’m holding my girls even closer than usual this week, and trying to do my part.
One nice, small thing you can do for someone is to peel them a pomegranate. My parents have a pomegranate tree, and my dad has mastered this act of generosity after years of lovingly extracting the sweet seeds for my mom, and us, their children, and now my children. (When he left after a recent visit, my baby had learned to say “I wan’ mo’ pom-a-gran-ate.”) I’ve long relied on his expertise to avoid the task myself, but this week I had good luck scoring the fruit’s leathery exterior—without cutting into the juicy arils—and prying off the outer peel one section at a time. Releasing the seeds is slow, meditative, an act of love. J and I crunched the seeds by the handful, and my big girls happily ate them one at a time, sucking away the fruit and spitting out the tiny seed. What a luxury it is to be together, to eat a pomegranate together.
I’ll be posting here less often in the coming weeks, and spending more of my time delighting in my family’s company while the girls are out of school. May there be much happiness in your holiday season, and so much kindness in the world.
Emmy Cooks 
Beautiful! I’ve never peeled a pomegranate. Note to self: this is the year. :) Hey, I’ve been meaning to tell you..Inspired by your quinoa cakes, I made a riff on that recently and it was heavenly! I love how the sauce brings it to life.
Ah, and I’ll be heading to this gallery to check out the exhibit. Might be a fun outing with the kids. (It closes on 12/21) http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2012/12/14/167080814/a-photographers-mini-food-fascination
Happy holidays!
quick tip – slice in half, bang the back with a wooden spoon – make sure the seeds are facing into a wide bowl – viola!
Lovely post.
Peace, love and happiness to you and your family too! Kindness is never a mistake, I believe.
Have a wonderful, warm holiday, Emmy!
Emmy, May you be warmed, may you hold all you love close this season, and YES, may there be much kindness on this earth!
May you enjoy every moment of it.
A lovely post. The world simply needs more simple kindness. Enjoy your time with your little ones … We’ll be waiting for you whenever you post!
Love this Emmy, with kindness. Blessings for a happy & safe Christmas with the girls.
Am sending warmest wishes from NYC, Emmy! Have a wonderful holiday season (and please do eat one of those home-grown pomegranates for me)!
Wishing you and your family a beautiful holiday! Family time is the most precious moments in life. Enjoy!
This was one of the nicest things I’ve read in the wake of all the recent random acts of violence. Hope you have a lovely holiday with your family, filled with good food, warmth, and kindness!