When I think about COVID and I remember how much it changed things in the financial, mortgage and banking world. I never had a moment where we stopped working and in fact, it made life much harder for us. Rates dropped, house sales spiked, record volumes and we were busier than we had ever been. I never got to rest. In fact, I remember that both times I had COVID I just had to keep working through it. Since I was working remotely, I didn’t have to stay away from folks and I could just keep working from home. In fact, I remember the second time being the last week of the year which was a huge week trying to wrap up the year end and get everything recorded and posted and cleaned up before the end of the year. My boss found out I had COVID and I remember the conversation like it was yesterday:

Me: I just found out we have COVID and I feel terrible.

Boss: Oh, that is horrible. Yeah, I am sure you feel terrible and you need to make sure you get plenty of rest this week so you can get better. Oh, but hey, remember though, this week we have this to get done, that to get posted, this to wrap up, that to transfer and wire out, this to post to the fed, month end to complete, and make sure you have all your evals of the team turned in this week.

I remember working just under 95 hours that week and wondering why I couldn’t shake how bad I felt. Oh, because I wasn’t able to stop and get any…REST.

And that is what I want to talk about in this week’s post: lesson from the pit #7…how letting meat rest after the cook correlates with the rest we as men need in our lives.

Letting the Meat Rest: A Culinary Ritual:

Before we slice into the heart of this matter, let's establish the basics. Every BBQ aficionado knows that letting the meat rest is a critical component to serving great bbq. I know there are some various thoughts and arguments out there about letting your meat rest. And one of my bbq heroes that focuses on the science behind bbq argues that this is a myth, at least when it comes to smaller cuts of meat or meats that are cooked to lower temps say around 140 or so. It does make sense to me but I would love for everyone to do their own testing or research to prove or disprove. I think that would be a cool project as a bbq cook. However, when it comes to the larger cuts such as brisket, pork butts or ribs it does become a necessary element of the process, which is what we are here talking about today.

1. Resting Times for Different Meats:

So when it comes to bbq, we often use the word “rest” when talking about the time set aside after the meat is removed from the smoker. Another word that is often used or interchangeable is the word “hold”. You are basically “holding” the meat at a certain temperature range until it is time to serve. You will see holding warmers behind the cutting lines when you go to your favorite barbecue restaurant. You may see the stainless steel warmers or block pits that are used as a warmer pit (which are pretty awesome to see). 

The key to remember here is that each meat has its own sweet spot for rest, allowing the juices to redistribute and flavors to intensify. Patience is not just a virtue; it's one of the secret ingredients.

2. Reasons for Letting the Meat Rest:

• Locking in Moisture: Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is succulent. Mainly, when you let the meat rest, you are letting the carryover cook continue to render the fat throughout the meat, which also allows for the next point:

• Flavor Infusion: The flavors reach their peak during the resting period, creating a symphony of taste.

• Avoiding Dryness: Cutting too soon can result in dry meat. Waiting retains the moistness, giving you that perfect, tender slice. You do not want to start slicing your brisket an hour before everyone sits down to eat. And, if you do cut into it, you need to wrap it back up and put it back in the warmer until ready to do more with it. 

  Pro-tip: if you are cooking pork butt at home and taking it to an event elsewhere, do not pull the meat before leaving for the event. You want to keep the pork wrapped in the foil and juice until you arrive and then you can pull it at that point. This will keep the meat warm and the juices in with the meat until time to serve.

Rest for the Weary: A Call to Pause and Reflect:

Now, let's draw parallels between the art of letting the meat rest and the art of rest in our lives. So when it comes to rest, I want you to remember that I’m not necessarily just talking about sleep. That is probably the biggest factor I’m referencing, but it is not the only thing. I want you to consider rest anything that allows you to stop, or to slow down and rejuvenate or refresh. For some of you, this could be getting out in nature while fishing, hunting, hiking or playing golf. For some of you, it is listening to some really good music. For some of you it is writing in a journal. For others of you, it is hanging out with people you love. And for others of you, it is sitting out by the bbq pit. Whatever it is, it needs to be something that takes you out of the hustle and bustle and allows you to clear your mind, think and refresh.

Well hey, we’ve got to talk about sleep. You guys, sleep is important and we all know this! We’ve all heard the study results and the suggested amount of hours a grown man should sleep. We all know how tired we always feel after we wake up because we didn’t get enough sleep the night before. Come on now, be honest with me here. How many of you know that sleep is important and yet you do not take it seriously? How many of you find sleep to be the enemy of productivity or getting things done? How many feel that sleep is for the weak? How many of you have said “I’ll sleep when I’m dead”?. 

Ok, enough of that rant because I’m ranting to myself. I’ll be honest with you, I still struggle with getting enough sleep and I struggle with Lesson #7’s point about rest. I am having to work on this one and I’m still learning to implement this in my own life. So let’s get into the importance of rest:

1. Rest Revitalizes and Restores:

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." - John Lubbock

Numerous studies highlight the cognitive and physical benefits of adequate rest, from improved memory to enhanced mood. Sleep and rest are the unsung heroes of our well-being.

Let’s stop on this point for just a minute. Let’s talk about some of the health benefits for a second. Why do doctors tell us to get plenty of rest when we are sick?

1. Energy Conservation: Rest allows the body to redirect energy toward the immune system, aiding in a faster recovery.

2. Cell Repair and Growth: During rest, the body engages in cellular repair and growth, crucial for healing damaged tissues.

3. Reduced Stress on the Heart: Physical rest reduces the strain on the heart, which may be working harder during illness.

4. Enhanced Immune Function: Quality sleep and rest contribute to a stronger immune system, helping the body combat infections more effectively.

Short-Term Effects of Not Getting Plenty of Rest:

Physically:

• Decreased immune function, making you more susceptible to illnesses.

• Impaired motor skills and coordination.

Mentally:

• Reduced cognitive function, affecting memory, concentration, and decision-making.

• Increased stress and anxiety levels.

Emotionally:

• Decreased ability to cope with challenges.

• Increased feelings of frustration and moodiness.

Long-Term Effects of Not Getting Plenty of Rest:

Physically:

• Increased risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

• Accelerated aging and a higher likelihood of developing neurodegenerative disorders.

Mentally:

• Greater susceptibility to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

• Impaired memory consolidation and learning abilities.

Emotionally:

• Chronic stress and a heightened risk of developing mood disorders.

• Strained interpersonal relationships due to irritability and mood swings.

What are some additional ways that rest is important (beyond the major importance we just covered)?

2. Rest Provides Joy and Family Time:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

"Rest and be thankful." - William Wordsworth

Time away, engaging in activities that bring joy, and spending quality moments with family – these are the ingredients for a rested and fulfilled life.

3. Biblical Perspective on Rest:

"On the seventh day, God rested from all his work." - Genesis 2:2 (NIV)

 Over 400 mentions of rest in the Bible emphasize its importance. God Himself set the precedent with a day of rest. It's a divine rhythm woven into the fabric of our existence.

I would say that if the God of creation knows how important rest is, and even set aside a day for it for himself and for us, then maybe we should take note of this.

Conclusion:

In the realm of barbecue, patience in letting the meat rest yields unparalleled results on the plate. Similarly, embracing rest in our lives yields immeasurable dividends. Letting the meat rest teaches us that rest is critical for us and that we need to remember that life's most precious moments are savored when we take the time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most. So remember to rest well so you can live well.

Remember: BBQ is known for being low and slow cooking that produces a fantastic reward. Life as a pitmaster is the same. You have to put in the low and slow efforts to produce the fantastic reward: a legacy of impact!

Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!