Life Lessons

10 Life Lessons from Alexander the Great

Tao Te Ching: Chapter 10
translated by Chao-Hsiu Chen (2004)

Can one hold the soul in the body,
hold the mind in the spirit,
and keep them as one?

Can one concentrate the energy of life
and keep it supple like a newborn child?

Can one study everything and really know everything
without making a mistake?

Can one govern the nation with all the right actions
and really love the people?

Can one always make a decision with the right mind?

Can one empty the mind and fill it with the brightness of wisdom
and learn to step back from this knowledge?

Can one give life and grow life and yet claim no possession?

Can one supervise and benefit others,
yet exercise no authority and rely on no pride?

This is what is called the mysterious virtue.


Southern Cornbread Stuffing (adapted from Paula Deen's recipe)

Vegan Cornbread

7 slices oven-dried white bread

1 sleeve saltine crackers

2 cups celery, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

8 tablespoons non-dairy butter

7 cups no-chicken chicken stock

1 teaspoon salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon sage

1 tablespoon poultry seasoning

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine crumbled cornbread, dried white bread slices and saltines and mix together and set aside.

In a large skillet sauté the chopped celery and onion in butter until transparent, approximately 5-10 mins.  Pour sautéed mixture over cornbread mixture.  Add the stock, mix well, taste and add salt, pepper to taste, sage and poultry seasoning and mix well.  Reserve 2 heaping tablespoons of this mixture for the giblet gravy.  Pour mixture into a greased pan and bake until dressing is done, about 45 mins.  Serve with tofurky as a side dish.

6-8 servings