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.
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Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Garden Meditation: A Poem
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Top 10 Immune Boosting Foods
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.