Simplicity can be made complex with layers; like in this wonderfully flavorful salad. Crisp and complex textures, colors, and temperatures layer up to a beautiful Asian inspired salad that's a feast for your eyes as well as your taste buds. Each bite is slightly different than the last, but each compliments the previous. Overlaid and underscored by the antecedent and subsequent forkful, this dish is wonderfully compound recipe filled with the amazing attributes of layering.
Layers. They seem apropos to all aspects of life. Each day is filled with layers; layers of light, layers of shadow, layers of emotions, and layers of experiences. No day is exactly the same as before, and so no person can say they are exactly the same as the day before. Those layers of life build us into the people we become over time, and can evolve us to be the best selves we can be. They can also evolve us to be the worst versions of ourselves.
With complexity comes the ability to intensify experiences and construct utopia or dystopia. It seems that we, as a global society, are in the throws of a confluence which has caused disruption and layers of discontent. The interesting note about that discontent is that the voices of the majority have been subjugated to the voices of the minority. Interestingly enough, we have evolved to ensure that the minority has a voice, but ironically it is at the cost of minimizing other groups.
Those that have the voice are amplified by social media platforms, which in theory is an excellent resource for the continuous and present pulse of the people. In reality, though, it is estimated according to the NY Times from a December 2020 article, that "...5 percent of (Facebook) profiles are fake, or more than 90 million accounts." 5% doesn't sound like much, but when you account for the fact that "(u)ser participation often more or less follows a 90–9–1 rule: 90% of users are lurkers (i.e., read or observe, but don't contribute). 9% of users contribute from time to time, but other priorities dominate their time. 1% of users participate a lot and account for most contributions..." (NNGroup.com).
So, who is really driving content, opinions, and social decisions? The minority. As such, it has become very dangerous for politicians and society to "rely" upon these minority opinions as representative of the entire complex conversation. Instead, they are reviewing just one layer of the discussion which has never been (and will never be) representative of the full scope or challenges of incredibly important societal needs of all people.
Sustainability Spotlight: Much like the need for the world to recognize our time is "running out" to fully invest, and challenge our current energy usage, the layer of discussion around climate change is driven by the select few. Yes, I'm using this platform to try and institute change in a grassroots way attempting to reach for the masses. This reach though isn't for recognition; it's for change. I don't believe that I'm the minority. In fact, I know that I'm not since the masses have already instituted change by their purchasing selections and power of choice. Instead, I believe in the complexity of individuals and that such complexity can lead us to innovation, change, and to do great things. However, the first layer must always be the one of personal choice in any discussion of change. If we all begin to layer sustainable choices into our lives, the whole of society will be weaved with the complexity of solutions to the many layered challenges ahead. Inspire each other to do more and our layers of change will make the difference.
Ingredients:
Shitake Saute:
6 oz shitake mushrooms (sliced)
1 tsp avocado oil
salt & black pepper (to taste)
2-3 garlic cloves (grated)
(1) 1 x 1 in piece fresh ginger (peeled and grated)
1 lime (juiced)
Salad:
1/2 Chinese cabbage (shredded)
5 radishes (sliced - level 1 mandoline)
1 bag frozen edamame (cooked & cooled)
1/2 cup matchstick carrots
large handful cilantro (chopped)
small handful basil (chopped)
small handful mint (chopped)
Miso Dressing:
3 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp white miso paste
2 tbsp filtered water
1 tbsp dark sesame oil
(1) 1 x 1 inch piece fresh ginger (diced)
2 garlic cloves (diced)
1 lime (juiced)
Directions:
Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat; add avocado oil from Shitake Saute. Once it shimmers, add mushrooms and salt & pepper; stir infrequently for ~4-5 minutes until juices start to release. Next, stir in garlic and ginger. Saute another minute until fragrant and then stir in lime juice. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Layer ingredients (in the order above) for Salad in a large salad bowl / container.
Blitz all ingredients in Miso Dressing above in a personal blender until incorporated and slightly foamy. Pour dressing over your salad.
Layer mushrooms on top of the dressed salad and serve.
With love & hope for a better future for all of us - Jamie