Spiral Way Jin Shin Jyutsu

Self-Help Tip:

Spring Greens

"This outward spring and garden
are a reflection of the inward garden."
~Rumi

     Ah, Spring, that transition period between winter and summer, the season of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. The birth of new ideas, inspiration, and creativity restored by the longer sun-filled days.
     I am drawn more and more these spring days to be out in the garden among the fresh growth and delicate flowers all brimming with possibility. Small wonder that the color for harmonizing the body in Spring is GREEN. The seasons of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, like the tides, have an affect on our body's energy flow. Each season has a connection to a pair of organ functions. The organs of Spring are the liver and gall bladder. The attitudes of imbalance are anger, frustration, and insecurity. When in balance, there is harmony and well being. Imbalances of the liver and gallbladder as well as the associated attitudes can be harmonized by simply holding the Middle Finger.
     In addition to holding your middle finger for balance, it is wise to eat plenty of greens to help the Liver detoxify from the long winter. I am finding that I have great cravings for greens of all kinds at this time of year. As I work in the garden, I munch on the tangy arugula and pungent garlic tops that always manage to make it through the winter, a hopeful bit of green showing through the snow. The abundance of the color green in Springtime should be a reminder to us about the need for these greens in our diet.
     We have been eating salads of arugula and tender young herbs, sauteed mixed greens (chickweed, arugula, collard and kale), and chopped greens added to stirfrys and steamed rice. The photo above shows and abundance of green from a previous year's Swiss Chard bed in my wonderful garden. I love knowing that eating local, in season foods work with my body to keep the organs of the season in harmony. Nature is so intelligent, it is a shame that science thinks that it can do any better by engineering our foods.
     Here are some tips for getting the most out of Spring to bring harmony to Body, Mind and Spirit:

• Eat lots of green foods.
• Eat Local, In Season.
• Eat Organic.
• Get outside and play in the dirt.
• Plant a garden.
• Get plenty of exercise.

"But each spring a gardening instinct,
sure as the sap rising in the trees,
stirs within us.
We look about and decide
to tame another little bit of ground."
~Lewis Gantt