I've been falling down a rabbit hole lately. Partially because, like most of you, I'm living in a state of constant gall and horror, due to the political climate plaguing our world. And partially because, despite all of it, my creative energy keeps going. I debated whether or not this latest brainstorm of food & drink play, co-ordinating with the total solar eclipse, was too frivolous for such a somber time. But then I considered the following, and realized that now more than ever, if we find glimpses of joy and playfulness, we need to follow it. Living fully with enjoyment is just as much an act of resistance, as attending protests and calling sh*t out:

The sun is commonly used as a metaphor for the masculine, & the moon is commonly used as a metaphor for the feminine. I'm not into tripping about gender roles, but I'm noticing the stark symbolism of the sun getting totally eclipsed by the moon. If I consider all the ills of living in a patriarchal, white-male-dominated society, I celebrate that in celestial terms, there are big shifts at work here. Solar eclipses occur during new moons, and new moons are times for setting intentions, and embracing new cycles. Solar eclipses are known to amplify the new moon's power, making it even more of a special time to be intentional about what we're bringing into our lives. 

Some insight from astrologers: 

“At the solar eclipse, our ego light (Sun) withdraws so that we can see the mystery behind it – the universal Mind." (Cathy Pagano)

"May we shift to a new understanding of power and feel the power of love to transform, heal, unify, and create ripples of change." (Mystic Mamma)

I decided to really go for it, and plan a party with the theme of dark & light, black & white, to illustrate the theme of luminaries in motion.

May we all shine our light. It's the only way to transform darkness. 

ECLIPSE RICE BALLS

Black:

2 Cups Forbidden Rice
3 Cups Vegetable Broth
Goat Cheese 
Bowl & plastic wrap for molding 
Queen Anne's Lace Flowers & White Sesame Seeds for Garnish

Bring rice & vegetable broth to a boil over a high heat. Cover, and simmer on low for 30 minutes. Allow to cool off until it's comfortable to touch. Spread a piece of plastic wrap over a small bowl. Pat down about 1/4-1/2 cup of cooked rice down in the covered bowl. Add a quarter-sized ball of goat cheese to the center of the rice. Gather all edges of plastic wrap to form the rice into a ball around the goat cheese. Squeeze it all in tightly so that the rice sticks nicely together. Form as many rice balls as you wish, and lay them out on a tray. Garnish with edible white flowers and/or white sesame seeds.

White:

2 Cups Sushi Rice
3 Cups Water
Small bowl & plastic wrap for molding
1-2 Nori Sheets
Black Salt (Mix some Food Grade Activated Charcoal w/ Flake Salt)

Rinse rice in a colander until the water runs clear. Bring rice and water to a boil over a high heat. Cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Allow to cool off until it's comfortable to touch. Spread a piece of plastic wrap over a small bowl. Pat down about 1/4-1/2 cup of cooked rice down in the covered bowl. Gather all edges of plastic wrap to form the rice into a ball. Squeeze it all in tightly so that the rice sticks nicely together. Form as many rice balls as you wish, and lay them out on a tray. Garnish with thin strips of nori wrapped around the top of the balls, and a dusting of black salt. 

CELESTIAL SWIRL YOGURT POPS

2-3 Cups Full Fat Greek Yogurt
1/2 Cup Simple Syrup (if you want it sweetened)
2 Tablespoons of Food Grade Activated Charcoal
Ice Pop Molds 

Mix the yogurt with the simple syrup. In one bowl, mix 1 tbs. of charcoal with 1 cup of yogurt. This will be your fully black yogurt base. Play around with mixing some dark with the white in each popsicle mold. For mostly white with just a little black, add yogurt to a mold, and lightly dust with some charcoal. Then use a spoon to spiral it downward. It's fun to do all different variations!

LUNARIA ICE BLOCKS

2 Cups Water
2 Tbs. Food Grade Activated Charcoal
Mason Jar w/ Lid
Handful of White Sugar Snap Pea Flowers 
Handful of Dried Lunaria
Silicone Ice Block Molds (I use these) 

Mix the water and charcoal together in a jar. Cover tightly and shake well. Pour the mixture into a measuring cup or a spouted vessel. Carefully fill each mold with the dark water, and top with flowers. Freeze overnight. 

TWILIGHT MARGARITA

3 oz. Tequila Blanco
2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz. Simple Syrup
1 tsp. Orange Liquor/Triple Sec
1/2 tbs. Food Grade Activated Charcoal
Black Salt & Blackberries for Garnish 

Mix tequila, lime, simple syrup, orange liquor, charcoal together in a shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a salted glass over a Lunaria Ice Block. Garnish with blackberries! Cheers! 

Other black drink recipe ideas:
Make fresh lemonade, and mix with food grade activated charcoal (1 tbs. per 8 oz. of lemonade). Also, try a black mimosa! We will have these on eclipse morning, but didn't photograph them just yet. 

GALAXY POPCORN 

1 Cup Popcorn Kernels 
3 Tbs. Coconut Oil
1 Tsp. Food Grade Activated Charcoal
Black Salt* to taste 

Heat coconut oil and 2 popcorn kernels in a pot with a lid. When all 3 kernels have popped, add the rest of the kernels. When the popping stops, remove from stove and allow to cool for a few minutes before adding salt and charcoal. 

 BLACK BEAN HUMMUS DIP

1 Can Garbanzo Beans, drained
1 Can Black Beans, drained
2 Tbs. Olive Oil 
3 Cloves Garlic
3 Tbs. Tahini Paste
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 Cup Water
Cayenne Pepper to Taste
2 Tsp. Cumin 
2 Tsp. Salt
1 Tsp. Black Pepper
1 Tbs. Food Grade Activated Charcoal
Queen Anne's Lace Flowers
Cauliflower to dip

Mix everything together in the Vitamix. Pulse until it's all blended well. Serve in a bowl garnished with Queen Anne's Lace Flowers, with Cauliflower to dip for nice contrast!

MIDNIGHT SORBET

32 oz. Fresh Lemonade
1 Cup Fresh Lime Juice
1/4 Cup Simple Syrup
2 Tbs. Food Grade Activated Charcoal
White Sugar Snap Peas, Lunaria for Garnish 

Mix all together and add to pre-frozen ice cream maker bowl. Use your ice cream maker according to its instructions, until the sorbet is ready. Garnish with edible white flowers, serve immediately, and enjoy!

Special thanks to Kale Chesney for taking all of these beautiful photographs! 
Thanks to Beam & Anchor for carrying these perfect Felt & Fat plate wear that works so well for this color theme!