Tag Archives: Spring

Eating with the Seasons: Nourishing Spring Foods

As the earth awakens from winter, spring brings fresh vitality not only to the soil but to our bodies. According to the teachings of Dr. Weston A. Price, traditional cultures thrived by eating seasonally-honoring the cycles of nature and consuming nutrient-dense foods available at the time. In spring, this means embracing lighter, cleansing foods while still ensuring we receive the fats and minerals needed for deep nourishment.

Spring is the perfect time to incorporate leafy greens like dandelion, nettles, watercress, and arugula into the diet. These bitter greens stimulate the liver and aid detoxification after a heavier winter diet. Traditional diets often included wild spring greens as tonics, and modern nutritional research supports their richness in chlorophyll, magnesium, and antioxidants. Lightly steaming or sautéing them in butter or ghee-a traditional fat praised by Dr. Price-enhances the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K (1).

Pasture-raised eggs, another springtime staple, are particularly nutrient-rich this time of year as hens begin laying more frequently. Eggs from chickens allowed to forage on spring grasses contain higher levels of omega-3s and fat-soluble vitamins. Raw or cultured dairy products from grass-fed cows also reflect seasonal improvements in nutrition and can provide beneficial probiotics when fermented.

Lamb is a classic spring meat, traditionally consumed in many cultures during this season. It is a rich source of heme iron, zinc, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), especially when the animals graze on fresh pasture. Bone broth from lamb or poultry is also supportive to the digestive system as the body transitions to lighter fare.

Finally, sprouted grains and legumes are more digestible and nutrient-available than their unsprouted counterparts and were traditionally soaked or fermented before consumption. This mimics natural springtime germination and is in line with the wisdom Price documented from indigenous diets (1).

By following the rhythms of nature and embracing seasonal foods, we align our diets with traditional wisdom and modern nutritional science. Spring invites us to lighten up without losing the deep nourishment our ancestors prized.


4.Fallon, S., & Enig, M.G. (1999). Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats. Washington, D.C.: NewTrends Publishing.

Latest Update from Charmaine – April 2021

Greetings all,photo3-300x198

Goodness me, but Spring is playing peekaboo with us with her deliciously warm, “springy” days and smells ( let’s pretend we didn’t see the mud, shall we?).

Garden dreams will slowly begin to take shape and it is always important that you don’t dive headfirst (literally and figuratively, LOL) into your projects.  Plan them out so the right tools are handy and remember- that while the temptation is there to kill the project …..ROME was not built in a day and weekend warriors pay a heavy price for wayyyyy too much enthusiasm!!

Took a mini break down south a week or so ago to see if Spring could be found, and as we crossed into Kentucky, Mather Nature threw off her winter wraps and blasted us with the most awesome display of greenery and redbuds and dogwoods in the woods and yellow daffodils were all over the place.  We also got to see an incredible wonder in the form of the Parthenon (the only full-scale replica in the world) and the beyond beautiful secret hidden inside.  Google it and see what comes up…but I will say You Gotta see it to believe it!!!!!

Our bikes had a great vacation…Nashville and back in the back of my van.  Giggles!

So enjoy the slow return of spring…knowing that even Covid can’t mess with Mother Nature!!!

Make sure you get checked and adjusted so that you can enjoy spring and see you in the office, on the mat, or under the barbells!

Call to make an appointment:  517.627.4547

The Latest From Charmaine: February 2019

Greetings all!!February 2019

Well, if you wanted Winter…are you happy now??  This has been both BEAUTIFUL AND UGLY.  The snow is gorgeous and yet what it has done to schedules and school days is definitely not pretty.

The good news is that we are inching closer to SPRING (March 1st if you are of a meteorological mindset) March 20th is the DAY !!!

My mail has had sporadic garden catalogs come in and I look out the window and go HURRY! HURRY!

One bright spot might be if you grow your own microgreens/sprouts.  Easy peasy and a constant supply of great fresh greens can be yours unless you are lucky enough to get out to the Farmers Markets that run thru’ the winter (but appear to be limited to the east side and also at hours that might not be convenient).

Interesting article in this newsletter from the Canadian Health Minister.

Any questions about the content…shoot me an e-mail (lanjorc@yahoo.com)

SEE YOU IN THE OFFICE, ON THE TABLE/MAT OR UNDER THE BARBELLS

 

Latest News From Charmaine: April 2018

Greetings all!April 2018

There is a song that goes April showers brings May flowers….but what the heck does this chilly weather bring?

MOTHER Nature is sorely testing our patience, isn’t she? …Spring is so close and yet so far away. And, of course, being the human creatures we are, we will probably soon be whining about how hot it is.

So, on the power lifting front, I was invited to 3 different National events this year and due to circumstance beyond my control (too short notice and recovering from an injury), could not go to any of them. I am competing again in June and at the Senior Olympics in August, so I may get another invitation next year…who knows!

On the health care front, we have included an article about making resolutions in Spring when the fresh veggies come to the forefront and we have a chance to lighten up on the heavy comfort food of winter.

See you in the office/on the table/on the mat or under the barbells!!!

EARTH DAY IS THIS MONTH

April 2018

 

Springtime Veggie Pasta Primavera

Serves 6-8vegan recipes

1 lb small pasta of your choice…rotini, penne or oriochetti…use whole wheat where possible

  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 2 cups asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 2-in pieces
  • 1 large sweet pepper, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for topping
  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute broccoli, asparagus, pepper, onion, and garlic in olive oil until veggies are just tender, about 7-10 minutes. Stir in spinach, peas, and cherries tomatoes and continue cooking an additional 5 minutes.
  3. Remove cooked veggies from heat and stir in cooked pasta, 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water, lemon juice, and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste and top pasta primavera with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

Spring: the most dramatic time of the year

spring fermIt’s Happening (again) …

Nights are getting a wee bit shorter every night; days are getting a wee bit longer every day – it’s the most dramatic time of the year.

The earth is preparing to bring forth expansion after constriction, awakening after sleep, life after death.

Spring is a rebirth

Spring is a reminder that nothing lasts – not the dark, cold nights of winter nor the sultry nights of summer. What lasts? An endless cycle of life expressing itself over and over.

Nature gives us yet another chance to be all we can be.

Latest News from Charmaine: March: Spring is Finally Here

Greetings All!Latest News fro Charmaine: March Newsletter

Well, as you get this newsletter, we are on the cusp of Spring (according to the calendar—not Mother Nature!).

This is really not time to throw caution to the wind, as the weather can still sneak in a few snow events yet and the conditions can be less than optimal…So, still be careful out there….AND get checked and adjusted if you have an OOPS!

We will be away from the office April 10th thru the 17th as we are heading over for Alfred’s christening which will happen on Easter Sunday and as is the tradition there, several other babies from the valley will be christened at the Valley church, a hop and skip from Damaris and Anders house.

Meanwhile enjoy the roller coaster weather..AND THIS NICE FULL NEWSLETTER!

See you in the office, on the table, on the mat or under the barbells.