Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Garden Meditation: A Poem


Garden Meditation

by Rev. Max Coots


Let us give thanks for a bounty of people.
                                            
For children who are our second planting, and though they
grow like weeds and the wind too soon blows them away, may
they forgive us our cultivation and fondly remember where
their roots are.
                                            
Let us give thanks;
                                            
For generous friends...with hearts...and smiles as bright
as their blossoms;
                                            
For feisty friends, as tart as apples;
                                            
For continuous friends, who, like scallions and cucumbers,
keep reminding us that we've had them;
                                            
For crotchety friends, sour as rhubarb and as indestructible;
                                            
For handsome friends, who are as gorgeous as eggplants and
as elegant as a row of corn, and the others, as plain as
potatoes and so good for you;
                                            
For funny friends, who are as silly as Brussels sprouts and
as amusing as Jerusalem artichokes;
                                            
And serious friends as unpretentious as cabbages, as subtle
as summer squash, as persistent as parsley, as delightful as
dill, as endless as zucchini and who, like parsnips, can be
counted on to see you through the winter;
                                            
For old friends, nodding like sunflowers in the evening-time,
and young friends coming on as fast as radishes;
                                            
For loving friends, who wind around us like tendrils and hold
us, despite our blights, wilts and witherings;
                                            
And finally, for those friends now gone, like gardens past
that have been harvested, but who fed us in their times that
we might have life thereafter.
                                            
For all these we give thanks.

In honor of my dear gardening friend Jen, now in the spirit world.  She pretty much covered the variety of friendship crops, depending on the season.
                    

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Top 10 Immune Boosting Foods

Ripe Juicy Elderberries....

What you eat has a huge impact on how well your immune system is able to function. Eating whole, nutrient-dense foods offers your body the building blocks it needs for optimal immunity—and optimal health—in any season.

. Garlic—antimicrobial and stimulates the immune system

. Fish oil—omega-3’s increase phagocytic activity and strengthen cell membranes

. Leafy greens—high in B vitamins, minerals, and beta-carotene

. Berries—packed with antioxidants to deal with the aftermath of immune battles

. Citrus—high in vitamin C and other bioflavonoids

. Chicken Soup—delicious, digestible, and familiar; it’s also nutrient-rich

. Ginger—antioxidant, antimicrobial, and warming to fend off colds

. Elderberry—loaded with antioxidants and helps your cells hide from viruses

. Carrots, winter squash, sweet potatoes—packed with beta-carotene and other phytonutrients

. Mushrooms—high in immune-boosting polysaccharides

Besides keeping yourself well-nourished, get outside for sunshine and a walk every day, allow for plenty of rest, and spend some time in good company—all activities that will support excellent immunity.

Simple Solutions for Good Health






Seek balance.

Revere all Life.

Breathe fresh air.

Drink clean water.

Eat natural colors. Mostly green, mostly leaves.

Walk often.

Give thanks.

Meditate

Laugh.

Love.