Spring Inspiration

My very first post on this new blog is inspired by the hope I have from planting in the garden today.

Gardening is a sign of hope for the future. I sometimes feel very sad when I think about different things that go on in the world today. By performing this amazing ritual I am saying there are still basic and wonderful things that happen in the world everyday and it is easy to miss these small miracles. I am compelled to go out everyday to see the progress of all the herbs and vegetables and pray the slugs are not eating my delicious Swiss chard. Planting in a garden is an affirmation that tomorrow will come and with the blessing of that day comes the sun and the rains we need to grow our food, and all of that is wonderful.

Gardening is therapeutic and addicting. So if you are already in therapy for an addiction, you can just add this to your list!

You don't need a yard or a deck, a pot and some dirt will do. Your little plant will become part of you. Try some herbs on your kitchen window sill. Basil, rosemary, parsley and chives are all pretty easy to grow.

Well I guess this is how blogs go, I wanted to write about trying to live a healthy lifestyle in a 'not so healthy' environment. So how does gardening tie in to this topic?I like to remember that what ever you eat has a huge impact on your mind, body and spirit. "Eat REAL food!" Thank you, Michael Pollan, for that one. Did we really need someone like Michael Pollan to tell us that?

Real food is real fuel for your amazing body. Eat real food for one whole day and see how you feel.

Pick one day to eat only food that comes from a garden, not from a box or a fast food chain. In fact try to prepare everything that you eat for just one day. If it grows on a tree, a bush or a plant eat it joyfully. Remember that some one or perhaps unfortunately some thing (this will be the subject of another posting) planted a seed to grow that food. The seed grew into a plant that you ate or bore a fruit or vegetable that you ate and your body LOVES IT!

Think about how you feel when you sit down at a dinner table and somebody lovingly prepared a meal for you, how good does that taste? Is it the same feeling and taste as a big Mac?

So, take the feeling of spring and renewal and make a pact to treat yourself to real food because you love yourself and you DESERVE IT!

You will feel better for every bite.

Tell me what you think!

Laurie