Simple Raw and Natural

October 31, 2025 The Hundred-Foot Journey Last night I watched The Hundred-Foot Journey , and it stirred something in me I can’t quite put into words. It was one of those movies that fills you up from the inside out,  not just because of the food (though the food is beautiful), but because of the feeling behind it all. The story takes place in a little French village where an Indian family opens a restaurant right across the road (just a hundred feet away)  from a fancy French one. You’d think it would just be about competition, but it’s really about connection, learning, and finding home in unexpected places. I loved how it showed that food can bridge worlds and how it carries memories, love, and even courage. The scenery is gorgeous, the kitchens feel alive, and every meal seems to have a heartbeat. I found myself smiling through most of the movie, just soaking in the colors, the flavors, and the sense of belonging that runs through it. It reminded me that joy often comes fr...

  After reading about the benefits of drinking tea, I reached back into my Southern Heritage and asked some questions about whether drinking tea is a good thing to do.  There are some potential upsides.  It naturally contains the polyphenols and flavonoids that may support heart health, reduce oxidative stress, and have mild anti-inflammatory effects. In some studies, drinking unsweet tea may contribute to a slight lowering of blood pressure and possibly improve vascular function. It contains caffeine so can help with alertness, focus, or mild metabolism stimulation. If the tea is unsweetened, it contributes to hydration without sugar or calories. However, there are some drawbacks, especially if buying pre-made tea at the grocery store..  Many tea beverages have added sugars which can turn this benign drink in a calorie/sugar burden.  Also, artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes can have an impact on the gut microbiota and appetite. Commercially bottled tea...