3/10/13

Goddess of the Week: Yen koang p'ou sa

Laurie needs a goddess for her eyes, and boy do I get it. My family has a long history of eye disorders, and I can tell you that anybody worried about their eyes needs Yen koang p'ou sa, the Chinese goddess of eye diseases.

Not a lot is known about Yen koang p'ou sa; she predates Buddhism. Yet despite her ancient roots, she is both modern and western in her determination to have a medical specialty. She heals eye diseases. That's it. She's not interested in your liver or your feet, just your eyes. And just so you don't get confused, she goes around carrying a big ol' eye. It's kind of her calling card.

Since I couldn't find out any more than that, I am just boldly going to call on you to make her a little altar of edible sacrifices that are full of vitamin A, which is very good for your eyes. Think: carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, spinach, kale and cantaloupe. In other words, if it's orangey or deep green you probably can't go wrong.

Here's a little recipe to get your altar started. Get yourself some butternut squash. Make it easy: buy the precut kind. Take all those precut cubes and mix them with just a little bit of olive oil, sea salt and parsley. Put that in a 400 degree oven and roast until soft. (Every once in a while, while they are still in the oven, you will want to toss them.) You can eat them fresh from the oven, but I like to let them cool and keep them in the refrigerator for a few days. Then, you put them on top of a little salad made of lettuce and walnuts and maybe a little goat cheese. Dress with garlic, olive oil and lemon juice.

It will be good for your eyes, and it will give you that satisfying feeling that you always get when you are practicing better nutrition than your negligent dining companions.

Channel this goddess: When your eyes need a little TLC. Give them the love! Eat a carrot!


12 comments:

Watson said...

Good advice and a great goddess Margaret. We are going to take your advice.

Susan Campisi said...

I was so sorry to hear about Laurie's eye problems. How amazing that you came up with a Chinese goddess of eye diseases for her. I wonder if acupuncture might help, too? All the best, Laurie.

Unknown said...

Awesome! I sure could have used her a few years ago, but I'll gladly embrace her now! Butternut squash/apple soup is fab, and Omegas are good for the eyes as well.

Petrea Burchard said...

I love butternut squash. We slice one in half and bake it on an oiled pan, then eat it with a little bit of butter. Better than baked potatoes, speaking of eyes.

Shell Sherree said...

I love roasted pumpkin, Margaret. Nice choice! I'm so sorry to hear Laurie needs Yen hoang p'ou sa. There's nothing like an eye kerfuffle to make one appreciate those particular assets. I had an issue a couple of years ago and it scared me. If only I'd known about Yen hoang p'ou sa back then.

Take care of those peepers, Laurie. Thinking of you.

Alison said...

I love roasted squash...glad. To hear it's good ffor my eyes!
Alison xx

Desiree said...

I love reading about this goddess--hang in there Laurie!

Olga said...

I really hope this goddess comes through for Laurie. I pledge to eat an extra sweet potato in her honor. And with my strengthened vision, I will look down my nose at the far less healthy eater who sits across the dinner table from me.

Ms M said...

Good advice -- and sound like a good recipe! Interesting goddess, too. I've never heard of her before.

Best wishes to Laurie during this time.

Anonymous said...

I've come to the conclusion it's impossible to stump Margaret and her goddesses.

Star said...

New way (for me) to eat squash, thanks, sounds marvelous. I'll try it.

Unknown said...

You have inpsired me again! Making butternut squash cubes in the oven tonight...drizzled with Scripps Olive Oil! Can't get any better than that, can it?! XO, Kim