Happy Spring!

I am a big fan of winter, but this year I am very ready for spring.  I’ve been dreaming of running in the sun, fresh asparagus on the grill, chirping birds, red buds and walking barefoot in the grass.

Spring is a season of newness, planting and growth.  It’s a beautifully appropriate time to set aside old things [things that are no longer serving you or anyone else well] and make space for new things.  I invite you to take a moment today to reflect on the past season of your life and look ahead into spring.  You might ask yourself some questions like

What brought me a sense of joy and hope this winter?  How was the health of my body this winter?  How was the health of my mind?  The health of my spirit?  What served me well?  What didn’t serve me well?

and

What might I need to let go of in order to create space for something new?  What would I like to cultivate or grow this spring [in my garden, in my body, in my heart]?  What kind of support might I need in order to cultivate those things?

As you dream and plan, here are some tips and resources to help you flourish this spring by eating seasonally and locally.

1.  Join a Community Supported Agriculture [CSA].  My husband and I joined a CSA a couple years ago and love it.  Weekly we pick our produce up at Oak Hart Farm and chat with Shawna, our farmer.  We’ve learned so much about our food, including some tasty ways to prepare vegetables we’ve never heard of.  Check out this link to find a CSA near you!

2.  Get fresh produce delivered to your door.  This is a wonderfully convenient option without the fries and burger.  I used Green Bean Delivery when I lived in Denver and was very happy with it.  I’ve also heard great things about Door to Door Organics.

3.  Know what foods are in season, especially if you are shopping at a grocery store. Click here for a pretty comprehensive list of spring produce and recipes for each food.  Or try one of these phone apps so you can have the list wherever you go.  I have personally enjoyed using Locavore.

4.  Be creative and try new foods!  I will definitely be trying this Wheat Berry, Beet and Cilantro Salad and of course making spring variations of my favorite Chopped Green Power Salad.

Cheers to a happy, healthy, colorful and growth-full spring!

I’ll be posting all kinds of delicious spring food recipes and tips on my Facebook page.  It’s also a great place to ask any questions you have — I try to respond to each comment and question.