Spring Equinox and balance

Today, March 20, 2013 is Spring Equinox. Spring Equinox is one of only 2 days in the year when we have equal day and night. There are exactly 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. As you look online about spring equinox you will notice a lot of talk about balance. Balancing brooms, standing eggs on their ends, but what I really want to chat about today is "Do you feel balanced?"

So now that spring is here (I know the crocus' are under the snow and will soon show themselves ) you can feel the new energy in the air. That feeling when you just know that the plants will be awakening and popping though the earth in the next few weeks. It's a time to be grateful for all that we have and for all that is coming to us. It's a time of rebirth and time for our body to begin to take in amazing nourishment. In Chinese medicine each season represents an organ in the body. Not surprising that spring is liver season. 

It's time to replace nutrients that we've been missing in our diet and nourish our bodies. Today I wanted to talk a little bit about Stinging Nettles, which you'll generally hear referred to as nettles. If you've ever touched nettles you'll know why they are known as stinging nettles. However the sting in them fades when they are cooked or dried.

Nettles are filled with chlorophyll, calcium, chromium, magnesium, zine and so much more. I love to pick early spring nettles and saute them with a little garlic. All year I drink nettles infusions. I take approx 3/4 cup of dried nettles and put it in a quart size mason jar. Fill the jar with boiling water, stir and then top it off (as the fairies need to take a drink first). Cover and leave on your counter overnight. In the morning strain and then refrigerate. Drink hot or cold. Try it, tell me how you feel after drinking it for a week or so.

I'd love to hear from you.