Spring 2020: A Season of Heaviness

Usually I write enthusiastically about the lighter-brighter-fresher side of Springtime following the colder winter season (especially in Colorado). This year is different. A worldwide health shift hit planet earth earlier in the year and seemed to skyrocket in severity.

Most humans do not do well with uncertainty, especially of this magnitude. I believe we are wired to desire some sort of plan, blueprint, recipe or strategy to move us onward and upward. The Spring of 2020 has sprung a heavy uncertainty on us. This unknowing-nesss about almost everything familiar in our existence is calling us into new territory. Without a map.

Much of the current mandated behaviors remind me of my younger life on my family’s farm–– minus the pandemic:

• We lived isolated from friends and activities in town and only had a telephone––on a party-line at that––to communicate.

• We created our entertainment. Thank goodness for Sears catalogs and scissors––my sister and I were in paper-doll heaven!

• Our food storage consisted of a couple freezers in the garage with a side of beef and plenty of veggies, milk, and bread. Most of our meals were “cooked from scratch.”

• News did not travel as quickly then. Our farm television antenna only received three channels and the news was not broadcast 24/7.

Those days are long gone, but fondly remembered. Reading numerous posts from friends and family quarantined in their homes and how they are discovering ways of overcoming this uncertain time, I am impressed with the creative, innovative and humorous solutions they are sharing. The human spirit is alive and well!

From a wellness perspective, I must share that now, more than ever, it is critical to stay alert to your immune function. Your incredible human body was designed for a time such as this. Are your daily habits supporting a healthy-strong-resilient immune system? Here are a few thoughts and tips to keep you strong through this storm:

• The human body thrives when it is in synergy with Nature. Get some sunshine every day.

• The human body continuously rebuilds/replaces itself at the cellular level. Are you supporting building up or tearing down?

• An “on-purpose” health plan helps your body build its reserves. • Include optimism in your daily thoughts, attitude, emotions and effort.

• Limit man-made, processed, high-sugar, high-trans-fat foods or snacks.

• Stay hydrated and active.

• Include immune support supplementation and essential oils.

This is a new season for all of us––a time to take the best care of YOU!

Please try this recipe with Spring’s fresh greens and let me hear from you:

Tri-Colored Spring Salad

Serves 4 to 6

4 cups arugula

1 head radicchio

1 head Belgian endive

3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 tsp. minced garlic

2 oz. parmesan cheese

Freshly ground black pepper Salt to taste

• Rinse and drain arugula; discard coarse stems and discolored leaves.

• Trim and discard root ends from radicchio and endive; separate each head into leaves; rinse and drain.

• Wrap arugula, radicchio and endive separately in towels and enclose together in a plastic storage bag. Chill at least 15 minutes before using (up to one day).

• In a large bowl, mix vinegar, olive oil and garlic; mound arugula in the bowl and top with the radicchio (break up larger pieces into bite-sized pieces), then endive.

• Shave parmesan onto salad (use a vegetable peeler to thinly shave cheese); sprinkle with pepper. Gently lift salad to mix then transfer to serving salad bowls.

• Add salt if desired.