I was recently on an archaeological dig in Long Island and came across this incredible cave drawing. The team of experts I was digging with informed me that the drawings told an incredible story. In short, Marshal, the cave man, had gone to the market and gotten the last of the butternut squash, because it was soon going out of season. His wife, Paige, had decided to experiment in the kitchen with some adzuki beans. She was so impressed with their deep red color, wonderfully chewy texture, and huge amounts of protein and fiber. She asked Marshal to go to the store to pick up some cinnamon and coriander, as she felt the sweetness of the squash would go wonderfully with these delicately hot flavors. They would blend so well with the hearty adzuki beans. He asked her why she didn’t ask him to get these things when he was already out. She could have sent him a smoke signal or something. Paige replied that she had been home all day cleaning the cave and sewing his fur loin-cloth. The least he could do was get some spices. I mean, really. Marshal left in a huff and bought her the spices. And boy, was he glad he did. He couldn’t get enough of the sweet and lightly spicy flavors of this soup. He loved the soft butternut squash and the meaty beans. Marshal felt so bad that he bought her a new club. What a nice story!

I love stories like this – long lost friends who reunite on Facebook. My friend, Marsha Minestrone was procrastinating at work by searching for old high school friends on Facebook. She searched under “Farmers Market High, Class of 1992″ and also under the school mascot, the Mighty Anti-oxident. She stumbled upon Wesley Wheatberry – and boy did he look good. His wheatfro, acne, and braces, had been replaced by fiber, protein, and iron. She loved his “about me” section, which read “when cooked I release an almost nutty flavor. I’m hearty and sort-of crunchy, an all around great whole grain.” So witty! She poked him and wrote him a note, and he immediately wrote back. “Marsha, OMG!! Gr8t 2 hear from u! Look at you with your carrots, spinach, rosemary, chick peas, and sage. You are so hearty! So warm! So flavorful! Gr8t!!” They scheduled a drink the very next night. And you guessed it – minestrone and wheat berries do indeed make a fantastic combination. Thank goodness for Facebook. OMG!! TTYL!!