Spring – A Time to Eat Kale and Shout

 

Growth. Creativity. Movement. Vision

 These are all characteristics Chinese medicine associates with spring.  Through the observation of nature the ancient Chinese found that each season had its own energy.   They realized that as part of nature people also experienced these changes in their bodies, minds and spirit.  Even after our “non-winter” it is hard not to feel motivated and energized by the emergence of spring.  People are rushing about 7th avenue, the playgrounds are full again, shoots are poking out of the ground and it seems everyone is making plans…this energy is what spring is about!  It can also be seen in our children…they are spring in action, full of volatile emotions, growth, activity, creativity and vision.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine springtime is also associated with…
Color: Green
Organs: Liver & Gallbladder
Taste: Sour
Emotion: Anger
If you want to honor the spring transition here are some ideas how…
    •    Shout…Anger used appropriately is a force to create change in your life.  Get angry and use it to create the best life, family or neighborhood you can!  Try dropping an annoying bad habit.

    •    Get Outside and Move...Believe it or not the way your kid acts when he has been stuck inside all day is the same way our bodies feel whether we realize it or not.  Learn a new sport (http://www.brooklynboulders.com/) or renew your love for an old one.  Don’t forget the little league parade later this month!

    •    Garden and Grow...Use Earth Day as an excuse and whether you have a backyard or a pot get the kids together and plant something.  In my book chia pets count!  Check out the Sakura Matsuri Festival at the BBG - http://www.bbg.org/visit/event/sakura_matsuri_2012/.  Or enroll in the gardening summer camp at the Old Stone House - http://theoldstonehouse.org/education/environmental/.

    •    Create...A meal, a Lego kit, a drawing or a story – vision it, plan it and create it!

    •    Green(s)...Help your Liver out by adding some leafy greens into your diet.  I love Kale and Dandelion.  Check out the easy recipe for kale chips below which is surprisingly kid-friendly.

    •    Roll...Foam rolling is one the best and most effective ways of relieving muscle tension and stiffness from all those months of hibernating.  A couple minutes is all it takes.  Learn more about rolling here  www.livestrong.com/article/501055-muscle-foam-rolling-techniques/.

    •    Pucker up...Add sour tastes to your meals to ease the transition into spring.  Drink room temperature or warm Lemon water in the morning and add pickles and vinegar to your meals anytime.  Most kids love sour but don’t be surprised if you see an even stronger craving for sour foods right before a growth spurt!

    •    Spring Clean...Spring is THE TIME to clean up your diet.  Avoid sugar and buy organic.  Start by buying the dirty dozen only when they are organic.  This link gives you the list and while you are there check out the report on sugar in breakfast cereals-  www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/.  Avoid greasy foods and fatty meats which compete with the energy of the season by weighing you down.

    •    Rejuvenate...Give your circulation a boost and exfoliate by dry brushing before you step into the shower.  Using a soft natural fiber brush use long sweeping strokes up your limbs before you step into the shower.  Your skin should get pink but be gentle until you know how strong you can tolerate.  Always use brush strokes toward your heart going in the opposite direction can put a strain on your veins causing varicose veins.  Don’t dry brush kids delicate skin.

Spring – Kale Chips

Adapted from many inspiring sources all over the web
Kale chips are crispy, not bitter and surprisingly kid friendly.
1 Bunch Kale (any type-but you may get extra kid points for using dinosaur kale)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
Sea Salt – to taste

Preheat oven to 300°F
Wash and dry kale.  Remove stems and large ribs. Rip or cut into large pieces, toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.  Place leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes or until crisp.  Place on baking rack to cool.


–Lorraine Hickson
(mom to Christopher K-102 and Ava future PS39er) 

If you have suggestions, comments or questions for future blogs please e-mail me at lkhickson@yahoo.com with the subject line PS39.