Greens for Springtime Health

"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 

      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 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 bitter greens and pungent garlic and onion 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.
      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.

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” 

~Michael Pollan