EARTH’S BREATH: PLANTS, THE VITAL PRINCIPLE HELD TO GIVE LIFE
Ever Seen Nature Breathe?
Have you noticed Nature lately? She’s been blossoming. Blooming. Opening with colors and clarity. Have you smelled a new flower? Heard all the birds singing? Seen the beautiful Blue Sky?
Since March 21st, we’ve pretty much spent Spring indoors . Now we are our way to Summer.
Spring to Summer is one of my favorite times of year. It represents perfected balance between nature’s polarities: night and day; dark and light; and the midway between winter’s depth and summer’s peak.
As nature’s brilliance would have it, plants are coming into season that can help us do this…popping greens, buds, flowers…plants help align us with natural cycles of he Earth.
If we can harness this seasonal energy to fuel our health, it’s powerful.
I love diving into the spiritual, internal components of a plant-based lifestyle just as much as plants’ external health components. This helps us truly embrace the fullness of how plants can heal, and transform us from the inside out; much like winter unveils its once-internal seeds into lush greenery.
Here are a few helpful plants coming into season:
- Arugula: High in potassium, arugula helps us maintain electrolyte balance and nervous system function. With a semi-spicy-bitter flavor, arugula pairs well with savory dishes and many fruits; wilted or fresh.
- Parsley: Parsley is a queen of cleansers, and exceptionally high in vitamin C. Parsley is also gentle; ideal for those whose liver or other organs are not yet ready for more rigorous cleanses. Parsley reminds us too be light and gentle in spirit.
- Watercress: Watercress is high in vitamin K and antioxidants, making it a fantastic anti-inflammatory, illness-preventative agent. It’s spirit is bright and energetic. Add it to salads for an energizing, fresh, slightly spicy kick.
- Dandelion: Dandelion is a gentle liver detoxifier, diuretic, and mild stimulant. It can help us release with ease, rather than too fast. Try fresh dandelion greens sautéed in olive oil or dandelion root tea.
- Chives: The antimicrobial properties of chives make them an ideal ally for warding off spring bacterial infections. High in nutrients such as pantothenic acid, phosphorus, niacin and zinc, they also promote digestive health; though it is best to use chives sparingly, as their impact is strong and too much at once could cause upset to delicate systems. Chives embody the fine balance of spring’s strength and fragility of spirit, urging us to ponder on strength and potency, which come in many forms.
What plants do you gravitate towards? When you’re choosing salad greens, do any particularly stand out to you?
Let me know, let’s explore what they mean.
Your body has an innate wisdom, called intuition, which helps us when we’re selecting foods
(and science is starting to catch up). Tuning into this intuition of what our bodies truly need (rather than what are emotions are merely craving), can help pair us with our spirit plants (plants that can be emotionally, spiritually and physically beneficial to us).
(and science is starting to catch up). Tuning into this intuition of what our bodies truly need (rather than what are emotions are merely craving), can help pair us with our spirit plants (plants that can be emotionally, spiritually and physically beneficial to us).
Also, getting to know our spirit of plants can help us move our intentions from the beginning of the year like, eating better foods for more vitality to do the activities we love.
If you’re not sure where to start with all this “spirit plant” business, keep it simple.
Start with the herbs and greens above. Which sound most satisfying to you?
Start with the herbs and greens above. Which sound most satisfying to you?
One of the things we go over when I help clients with their nutritional blueprint, is what specific veggies and greens will be helpful based on your specific health profile. This is where it gets fun because we get too see how what you’re drawn to often matches what your body needs. For now, simply get curious.
