As we approach Memorial Day, let's think about honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice as a way of honoring ourselves. When we express gratitude and love toward others, especially those who fought for our freedom, we benefit in many ways. Honoring others is food for our soul.
Clearing up some common misconceptions about Memorial Day may be a great place to start. There is confusion between Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. Honoring both of these important days with gratitude and thanks shows love and appreciation but knowing the difference is valuable for us all. Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May, honors service members who have died in military service to the nation. The holiday has roots dating back to the post-Civil War era, when citizens would informally place spring flower memorials on the graves of fallen soldiers. Veterans Day, a federal holiday that falls on November 11, is designated as a day to honor the more the 19 million men and women who have served in the U.S. military.
Although Memorial Day for most Americans marks the beginning of summer and that's really awesome, a way to start your summer off on the right foot is to honor those Veterans who died protecting our freedoms. Participating in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3pm on Memorial Day is a great way to include and educate your family on the meaning of this holiday. (check it out online). Visiting a military cemetery and feeling the magnitude of loss our country and the families affected have endured is another way. Displaying the United States Flag at your home is an easy way to honor all Veterans. Flying it at half-mast on Memorial Day honors those who died on duty.
As you think about the meaning of Memorial Day and how if affects you and your family, consider honoring those Veterans who gave their lives to ensure our freedoms. Honor yourself by taking the time to remember and give thanks for those freedoms and for the lives that were lost.
There is a special Memorial Day Concert on Sunday, May 28. Here is the link. https://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/
Listening in and possibly donating to a worthy Veteran charity is another way to celebrate our lives and those who went before us.
What Seeds Are You Planting?
Think of your body as a garden. To achieve the best result, a garden must be tended to. The results look very different if we are not attentive to its needs. Our bodies are the same.
And….we are human. We may have great plans for what we will do regarding our health and we often do pretty well…for a while. Then something comes up…a vacation, an illness or another life stressor. These can throw us off and push us back to old ways of being. We may return to unhealthy eating habits, let our exercise routine slide or turn to substances that get in the way of better health. We let the weeds get out of control. so to speak. It can feel really hard to get them under control again when we look at how much there is to do. A strategy that may work well is to tackle one small section of the garden at a time. The same can be true of improving our health. Number one is to stop beating yourself up for getting off track. Give yourself some love and know that you may fall off AND you can get back by just starting again. As many times as it takes!
Most of the time the things that can get us off track are related to sleep, nutrition, or exercise. Consider what nourishes you the most and start there. If it's getting enough sleep that allows you to thrive, focus your attention on getting to bed on time. If eating more veggies gives you the energy you need to be your best, that is the area to place your attention. If movement lights you up…just do it! Starting can be the most difficult part. Once you do it once or twice, your memory kicks in on just how good it feels and that brings you back for more. Once you've taken the first steps, you may notice that other healthful habits begin to form. Getting enough sleep may lead to doing more morning exercise. Eating more vegetables may lead to giving up foods that no longer serve you from a health standpoint. Stretching or planking in the morning may lead to taking a short (or long) walk. Sleeping, eating, and moving are the components of a healthy body. Just like a weeded, tended to garden, we thrive when we tend to our bodies needs. These are the seeds that grow and flourish so we can feel our very best!
The Easiest Vegetables to Grow
Cultivating crops from seeds can be such a fun activity. Watching sprouted plants transform into edible vegetables gives us a renewed sense of pleasure in the beauty of creation. Gardening can be easy with the right planning and prep. Timing is very important so this must be addressed in the planning process. Location matters, as well. Choosing the area that will provide the right combination of sunlight and water is key. Also, consider wildlife and how those cute little bunnies or deer may impact your efforts.
When choosing which seeds to plant, consider which foods you will actually enjoy eating. Planting foods you love will allow you to enjoy the process even more. Some of the easiest veggies to grow include:
Radishes - They are a great choice for a beginner to start with. Radishes are quick to grow and are a tasty addition to salads, as well as being a great choice to add to your roasted root vegetables. Have you tried roasted radishes? So good.
Green Beans - Typically green beans are easy and grow abundantly. They can be grown in containers or in the ground. Even in poor soil, they can thrive and make the soil healthier by fixing the nitrogen content.
Kale - So easy! Kale has little disease or pest concerns and is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures. I've grown kale into October in Michigan! Great to add to salads or smoothies or just steamed as a side dish. Drizzle with your favorite balsamic vinegar to boost the yum!
Beets - Usually trouble-free. They take about 60 days to grow and will thrive if thinned to 3-4 inches apart. This gives them the space they need to grow. Also, fabulous roasted or grated onto a salad…or just eaten plain!
Tomatoes - Focus on hearty varieties. Cherry tomatoes are super easy and quick to fruit. The little orange ones are so tasty, I refer to them as candy for my granddaughter who also loves them.
Squash - Zucchini, summer or spaghetti, all can be seeded directly into the garden or raised beds. They can be grown in containers but need room to spread out so keep that in mind.
Lettuce - How awesome to be able to walk out to your planting space and pick your greens to make a fresh salad for your meal. Typically quick to grow - often can be harvested in as little as 6 weeks. Don't plant too much though…if you're unable to keep up with the volume, it may go to seed and become bitter. The same can happen in very hot temperatures. The lettuce can ‘bolt’, which means its growth is accelerated and it becomes bitter. Spring or Fall planting may be more appropriate for hotter climates.
If you're feeling creative and ready to experiment with gardening, try one or more of these easy to grow veggies and experience the transformation of seed to food!
One teaspoon of soil has more microorganisms than there are people on Earth
Raw & Roasted Vegetable Platter with Herbed Hummus
Ingredients:
1 lb. carrots, chopped
1 lb. asparagus spears, trimmed and halved crosswise
3 cups sugar snap peas
2 cups radishes, halved or quartered if large
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed
¼ teaspoon paprika
1 - 8 oz container oil-free hummus (Ziyad brand is canned)
¼ cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, dill, tarragon, and/or chives), plus more for garnish.
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a 15x10 inch baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Spread half of the carrots, asparagus, peas, and radishes in a single layer in prepared pan. Set aside the remaining vegetables. In a small bowl stir together 1 tablespoon lemon juice, the Italian seasoning and paprika. Brush over the vegetables. Roast for 6 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
In a small bowl, stir together hummus, the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice and the fresh herbs. Arrange roasted and fresh vegetables on a serving platter with hummus. Garnish platter with additional fresh herbs.
Recipe adapted from Forks Over Knives (Sauces & Appetizers)
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Important Disclaimer
The content in this newsletter is intended for educational/informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care professional.
