While enjoying the latest season of Queer Eye recently, I caught an episode featuring a young climate activist that resonated deeply. One memorable quote from Karamo was, “to help others and create change, you must first care for yourself.”
This past week has pushed many of us to reflect on privilege, activism, and allyship in ways we often overlook. Many friends expressed feeling drained after just a week of vocalizing their thoughts and learning about racism. One week. Consider the exhaustion of those facing racism daily. An insightful thread on Instagram reinforced that taking care of ourselves is essential; rest plays a crucial role in fostering change.
It may seem odd to discuss a salad recipe right now, but I've realized that self-care is vital to sustaining our ability to support others and advocate effectively. It's a journey, not a sprint. We must recharge our spirits to continue this important work for the long haul.
I nourish myself with food. It’s a necessary pause during my day, allowing me to focus on something simple and rejuvenate my energy for ongoing efforts.
I find joy in foods reminiscent of home. Mangoes, in particular, were a staple during my childhood. My family would drive to Indian markets in Houston to stock up on Alphonso mangoes shipped from India, which would occupy our kitchen counter until the next purchase. My dad devours them straight from the skin, while my mom sprinkles chaat masala on hers. Whenever I enjoy mangoes now, it transports me back home, inspiring me to incorporate them into my meals. This salad is a reflection of my identity: a blend of American and Indian influences.
This dish combines my favorite ingredients—mangoes and avocado—along with feta. (Let’s be honest: avocado enhances everything.) I ran out of paneer a few weeks into quarantine, and my local store doesn’t stock it. Feta serves as a decent substitute, filling the gap, if not entirely. I crave light, fresh meals that nourish, and this simple combination of quality ingredients delivers just that.
Let’s prioritize our well-being, recharge, and continue our important work.
Preparation Time
10 minutes
Recipe Components
Ingredients
- 2 ripe mangoes, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 6 oz feta cheese, diced
- handful of chopped mint
- handful of chopped chives
- handful of chopped basil
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tbsp high-quality olive oil
- flaky salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and toss until everything is well-coated with lemon juice and olive oil.
- Adjust lemon juice and seasonings as desired. Enjoy!
