Cooking with Anna Roar Like A Polar Bear

by Anna Hamilton

In the very early morning, when my husband and I leave to go to the gym, we pass by a local business with their display window bright from the spotlight shining on a huge, taxidermized polar bear. Now, if we lived in the Alaskan tundra this might not be an unusual sight, but we, however, live in a small town in North Alabama.

Without fail, I growl at my husband when we pass by the polar bear. No matter what we are talking about, I stop and growl before we continue the conversation. I asked him one day if he thought I was a weirdo for growling like a polar bear, he looked at me and smiled and simply said, “Don’t ever grow up.”

I recently read a quote by author Elizabeth Gilbert, “Don’t ever be ashamed of loving the strange things that make your weird little heart happy.” As silly as

Summer Vegetable Chowder

Ingredients:

4 ears of corn

1 yellow potato

1 carrot

1 zucchini

2 cups spinach, chopped

½ yellow onion, diced

3 Tbsp. butter

3 Tbsp. flour

4 cups vegetable broth

2 cups milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

it sounds, my weird little heart loves growling like a polar bear. Is it silly? Absolutely! Is it weird? Oh, yeah! Is it fun? You bet it is!

In Matthew 18, Jesus’ disciples were wanting to know who was the greatest in Heaven. Jesus simply called a little child over and said to them, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18: 3-5 Little children are full of imagination and wonder. They trust fully, love without limits, and are able to be themselves without fear of being called weird continued on page 23

Carefully cut the corn off of each ear. Chop all of the vegetables into small, bite-size pieces.

In a large pot, over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion and sauté for a minute. Add flour and mix well. Cook for about 5 minutes.

Add broth, corn, potato, and carrot. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add zucchini, spinach, and milk. Simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.