The Cultivating Wellness column explores natural health through food and herbal healing. You can expect to find recipes that support full-body health from the inside out.
Even though it seems like winter is determined to hold on, spring is on its way. And, like the natural world around us, as we head into the thawing season our bodies are beginning to shift into a new seasonal gear.
This can often result in changes to our digestion, energy levels, metabolic health and overall mood. I know that for myself at this time of year, I begin to crave fresh foods, warm morning sun and even feel my appetite dip when it comes to overall intake.
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Books Worth the Look, part 2: Kitten and the Bear
A leisurely read through cookbook Kitten and the Bear: Recipes for Small Batch Preserves, Scones and Sweets offers several recipes for marmalde to use up that end-of-winter citrus.
Our ancestors would have been much more attuned to this seasonal malaise, being limited to food stores and what was left in the pantry this time of year. In many ways I think our bodies remember this, and our appetite and digestion become a bit finicky this time of year, even though we now have access to a variety of fresh foods throughout the year.
From a traditional, natural health perspective, for most of us early spring requires a little extra focus on digestive and metabolic health as we transition into a different season, temperature wise and in terms of energy output. Because we aren’t out of the grip of winter quite yet, we can begin to support the inner spring of our body by adding some enhanced hydration to our days, especially in the morning.
For a simple morning tonic to support your systems in this “thawing” season you will need:
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Pinch of salt (sea salt or regular salt)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon or ginger powder
- honey to taste
Combine all the above ingredients and enjoy as a warm first drink of the day. If you tried the fire honey recipe I shared a few issues ago, you could mix in a half to a full tablespoon of fire honey with lemon juice, salt and warm water for a similar effect.
Sipping this concoction prior to your morning coffee or breakfast warms up your digestive system, stimulating those important digestive juices and enhancing nutrient absorption. The tonic’s warmth stimulates the nervous system and gently wakes up our physiology for the day. The lemon juice supplies vitamin C and when combined with salt, provides a dose of electrolytes to complement the rest of your daily hydration.
This tonic is especially helpful if you find yourself waking up feeling sluggish, digestively or otherwise, or stiff in the joints. Ginger provides a gentle anti-inflammatory effect and boosts circulation. Cinnamon has a similar effect, while also regulating blood sugars and supporting metabolic health.
Stick to a lower dose of the spices if you are on blood thinners or if you have blood sugar conditions. Use caution if you are in the early stage of pregnancy or experiencing acute or unmanaged heart conditions. Always consult your health care provider if you are on new medications or navigating chronic health conditions.
