SpringSeasonal Wisdom
“Spring wisdom, Seasonal foods and Practices”
Spring is a time of birth, growth and new beginnings. Nature’s offerings of majestical blue skies, cheerful bird sounds, the fragrance of blossom trees and luscious new growth bring a lightness of being in the air after the hibernation of winter. Our vitality and renewed enthusiasm for life’s natural beauty and wonderment returns. We feel ready to embrace life again and it’s changing landscape. Our growth is accelerated with daily opportunities to declutter, spring clean and recreate any aspect of our self which no longer serves our aspirations and hopes. Spring provides us with a template of inspiration to eat cleanly, walk with purpose and breathe with a clear vision.
“Begin and end each day with an open heart” Book of prosperity
Physically, Spring has an affinity to the Wood element and the Liver and gallbladder systems. These systems govern our ability to balance our emotions, strengthen our eyes; tendons; sinews; nails, regulate our digestion, excrete toxins and hormones and facilitate the harmonious movement of blood and qi(vital life force energy) within our body. If these systems become overloaded with processed foods, toxins & chemicals, fast paced living, stress, technology and unexpressed emotion our ability to feel motivated and “in the flow” with life becomes compromised. To encourage our liver systems to function well, prioritise daily meditation, walks in nature, any form of somatic movement; yoga, dance, martial arts, qigong or exercise and doing a spring clean of both your body’s temple and your home.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” Lao Tzu
Emotionally our liver and gallbladder system are in charge of our ability to plan and make decisions. If we struggle to make decisions or commit to plans or if we feel challenged by change and a flexible routine our liver system maybe requiring our attention. Spring also encourages us to review the way in which we express and regulate our emotions. If our emotional world is governed by regular bursts of anger, frustration and irritability our sympathetic nervous system will go into overdrive, impeding our ability to relax and let go. Spring presents an opportunity to create balance by transforming our anger, releasing stagnant behaviour and breathing life into a new way of being and seeing ourselves.
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end” Seneca
Spiritually Spring is a potent time to awaken our deeper vision for life. Through self reflection and honouring our heart’s song, we create a sacred space for our dreams to be realised. By reconnecting to the depths of our spiritual nature and the gifts we have to contribute, our human experience becomes affirmed with meaning and purpose. Spring offers the opportunity to reevaluate our participation in our life, recharging the connection with our true nature and aligning our vision with our souls purpose.
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose” Robert Bryne
Seasonal foods principles and foods to detoxify and cleanse our liver
Include: raw sprouts, green leafy vegetables:(kale, silverbeet, rainbow chard, wild dandelions, spinach, nettles, bok choy, Pak Choy), bitter greens:(rocket, bitter melon, mustard greens, watercress, radicchio lettuce, wombok), vegetables: (mungbeans, beetroots, carrots, lettuce, cucumber, seaweeds, radish, celery, broccoli, liquid chlorophyll), citrus fruits, tofu, green apples, apple cider vinegar, whole grains, seeds, legumes, millet, quinoa, amaranth, micro algae: (spirulina, chlorella, barley grass, wheatgrass), herbs: turmeric, ginger, parsley, coriander, mint, oregano, basil, lemongrass, milk thistle, rosemary, citrus peel, fennel, horseradish), herbal teas: nettle, chrysanthemum, lavender, mint, burdock, green, dandelion, tulsi, bitter melon)
Avoid: smoking, alcohol, coffee, chemicals and toxins, processed foods, meats, preservatives, GMO foods & artificial colourings, sugary foods, deep fried foods, excessive wheat, stressors
Cooking styles: sautee, steamed, blanched, stir fry, include raw sprouts and greens, salads with fresh herbs, green smoothies, organic fresh fruit and vegetables, lighter meals, filtered water
Lifestyle: Early to bed and early to rise, spring clean our body and home, clean living, walks in nature, somatic movement, wearing green, meditation
