Create A Personal Spring Within

This is the time of year we naturally gravitate toward fresh, light foods that embody the expansive energy of the spring season. Match your diet to the season by choosing foods that emphasize spring time qualities like young plants, fresh greens, and sprouts that move qi up and out. Use the flavors of the season which are pungent and sweet like the cooking herbs basil, fennel, marjoram, mint, rosemary, caraway, dill, cilantro, and bay leaf.

Here are a few recipes that will help you create a personal spring within:

Spring Time Brown Rice:

Add a handful of mixed, chopped basil, parsley, cilantro, arugula, and/or spinach with a few halved red and yellow cherry tomatoes to some soaked and cooked, warm brown rice. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a touch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.


Parsley and Mint Relish:

1 cup parsley or cilantro
1/2 cup mint leaves
1 green chili
1 clove garlic minced (optional)
2 dried apricot (soaked and minced) or juice of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Wash the mint and parsley/cilantro.
Chop and grind together with the green chili.
Mix with the rest of the ingredients.
Yields 1 1/2 cup.