The #woodboardlove movement

brought to you by Jules Blaine Davis

We originally posted this over a decade ago, but with summer eating revving up, fresh fruit ripening, and friends and picnics on the horizon, #woodboardlove is just what I’m in the mood for.

Jules Blaine Davis is otherwise known as the kitchen healer.  She brings a fresh approach to getting people back into the kitchen, not by 'teaching' people to cook, or creating a special new diet -- instead, she finds beautiful, magical ways to change people’s relationship to food and cooking.

Jules inspires a shift on a deeper, emotional level. She uses poetry to inspire, creates gatherings called miracles to nourish our food story, and finds ways to help people overcome their resistance to enjoying a creative and more connected relationship with eating and preparing food. Also, her comedic approach sets the stage for a safe and loving conversation about what nourishment is all about and what it feels like in our everyday lives. It’s as if she is bringing the Jewish grandmother out in all of us.  

One of our favorite projects is her #woodboardlove campaign. When Jules told us how she goes into people's kitchens and helps them shift the energy in simple ways, we asked her what she thought was the most magical change she had observed:  "Just reminding people to use a knife with fruit.  That is a revelation.  Once people start cutting up the fruit things shift."

Which brings us to her #woodboardlove project -- which is bigger than a project, it is really a movement. It is communal in nature as it invites people to share from a woodboard.  It is giving in nature as it is a simple way to prepare an easy bite for your friends and loved ones.  It is creative in nature as the woodboard is like a canvas.  You can create a face if it is a snack for your kids, a beautiful ensemble for a more grownup occasion, even a very simple cut up piece of fruit takes on a new dimension when presented on this woodboard -- beautifully displayed in an almost "zen" approach.  And then there is always that 'clear out the bits and pieces in your fridge' functional approach where you take something that might otherwise be forgotten and elevate it in a matter of seconds, into a wonderful snack...

"we call it wood board love. you can grab a bread knife or any sharp knife you love in your hand & cut up some fruit, some cheese, some old veggies, some defrosted edamame (yes, i wrote that), old pizza, whatever you got and create a conversation of food for you and your family. the key to this: please do not ask if anyone is hungry! the answer is always YES! everyone wants to be FED, to eat together, to talk about the day with yummy food like it’s a party. and yes, they want us to sit down and they want to see us eat."

Jules has invited people to share their #woodboardlove creations on instagram, and we love this inspiring feed.  Why not create one for your friends or family, or even just treat yourself to some kitchen nurturing during a quiet moment. Here's some inspiration:

About Jules

jules blaine davis is a true renaissance woman. she is a mama of two, a poet, a hip hop dancer & america’s kitchen healer.

jules creates the space to unravel our food stories, to be inspired in our everyday lives & to deeply nourish our needs. she offers one-on-one coaching sessions, kitchen healing, farmers market tours & seasonal miracles.

you can follow her journey on instagram at @julesbdavis, and buy her cookbook and follow online at JulesBlaineDavis.com.