Recipes: St. Patrick’s Day

It’s National Celery Month: Here are 4 Recipes for Serving up Celery | healthy-family.org.

 

In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, I thought I would post a ‘green food’ recipe. I wrote of my yummy-though-not-attractive green muffins with kale, parsley, avocado, scallions, and pepitas last ‘My Way‘ post. Perhaps they would look appealing to someone, but green baked goods have never done it for me. This time, I was drawn to celery for my green food of choice, and it just so happens that March is National Celery Month. This blog post gives 4 celery-loving recipes — one for breakfast, a snack, lunch, and dinner. So, these are just a few more to add to your corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, stews, green eggs and ham, green beer, and whatever else you might be cooking up.

When I was younger, I really didn’t know why I was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. I recall looking for 4-leaf clover (which we did find every once in a while) and trying to chase rainbows until we found the pot of gold at the end (and perhaps a leprechaun). As far as holidays and celebrations go, I think many people celebrate occasions they do not even know who, what, or why they are celebrating. Much of American culture has reduced holidays into days to: take off from work, eat, drink, tell children fables, or get presents from someone. Not that those things are not pleasant, but some do not even know if their beliefs line up with what they say they are celebrating. Of course, there are occasions in which some family members observe certain days, and others do not. So, in those instances, many families agree to share in each others’ celebrations. I have no problem doing that if the holiday does not go against my core beliefs (I only have a few I can think of that I do not participate in). In remembrance, I thought I would post a bit of what St. Patrick’s Day is all about.

“There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story. 

Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies. 

As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Irelandas a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him. 

During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote 

“The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soulwas rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same.” “I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.” 

Patrick’s captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family. 

He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him “We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more.” 

He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years. 

Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick. 

Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick’s message. 

Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well). 

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461. 

He died at Saul, where he had built the first church. 

Why a shamrock?

Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.” catholic.org

There are so many myths and legends surrounding this Holiday, but I find this a truly wonderful story.

I hope you enjoy these recipes! I will be making the celery juice (pic above) for sure. If you do not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, perhaps you will take advantage of National Celery Month.

Have a fabulous weekend!