Jeremiah Peterson, Brooklyn (Straight off the Boat from Stillwater, MN)

Pondering the Meaning of Family, Earthquakes, Hurricanes & Gratitude

I awoke one day after hearing that one of my best friends little brother was having some difficulties in life, knowing I would help and that I could help.  It was not the best time for me to help as financially, I’ve seen freer flowing cash times for sure, but when one is in need I figure I can help somehow someway.   Sometimes life in the thick of it can be overwhelming and I knew that what I could offer him was a sanctuary of sorts.  So I got our my points from all my world travels bought him a ticket to NYC from Minneapolis and here he is.  He has a sanctuary of sorts and I think Brooklyn and my fellow New Yorkers have embraced him and we have a way of reminding the world that no matter how many troubles we have, with about 11 million people here, there are others who are worse off.  Now its not like I am really doing much for Jeremiah per say a place to get away, some work and some radical dinners for sure, but mainly what I give him is my unconditional support and non judgmental demeanor.  I think life works this way we give, we get back it works out, but the giving has to be genuine and meaningful, to touch the lives of those we know makes an incredible difference, which is why I guess I’m against the whole give money to charity as opposed to getting off your ass and making REAL commitments to those things you wish to help, but that’s just me I guess, I feel we all need to get off our asses more and do some good stuff for those we care about.  Needless to say Jeremiah has found a home in Brooklyn to and is set to move out here for good and seems to have a safe and healthy shelter for his positive growth.  One thing I know is he gets to  heal and grow around good food and that for me is the best medicine outside unconditional support both mentally and financially!  I don’t know if I did much for him, but I know I would do what is needed for my family.  He is not my blood but he is my family.

 

Jeremiah’s Boozy Banana Bread with Vanilla Rum Butter

Makes 1 loaf

 Ingredients

4 ripe bananas
¼ cup vanilla and cinnamon infused rum
¼ cup melted butter
2 tablespoons almond oil
1 cup turbinado sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups all purpose flour

 Directions

 Preheat oven to 350° F.  Smash together bananas, rum, vanilla, melted butter, almond oil and sugar until well mixed, add the beaten egg and mix.  Add the salt and baking soda and mix.  Fold in the flour a little bit at a time mixing until all flour is incorporated and a smooth batter is created.  Pour the mixture into a greased loaf pan and cook for 50 minutes or until inserted stick come sout clean.  Allow to partially cool, remove from pan and serve with rum butter. (1 tablespoon infused vanilla, cinnamon rum  with 3 tablespoons butter.)