The power of a breath, basking in the light of the sun, listening to the music of the trees, feeling the warmth in your muscles as you move with intent thru the world, laughing with abandon at simple delights...  this is where health really begins.

Too often, we reach for the quick fix to patch us up.  In our haste to move faster, work harder, bury our heads in the minutia of our lives, we never take a moment to pause and simply look around.

The principle of 'First, Do No Harm' is cast aside many times because it is not convenient and requires effort, especially in today's chaotic world.  But it is in that work that we find the path to wellness and a life filled with purpose and grace.

With summer upon us, there is no better time to take action towards improving your health and well-being.  Summer offers so many more opportunities for health improvement than are readily available during the rest of the year. 

​With that in mind, here are a few tips to better health that take advantage of these summer months:

• Stay Hydrated – Water is vitally important in the summer, especially when the temperatures start rising.  Keeping well hydrated will help prevent sunstroke or heat exhaustion.  Water also helps to rid our body of toxins that we’ve stored up during the winter, as well as improving digestion and keeping skin looking healthy and glowing.  Not a water lover?  Try some light refreshing drinks like mint ginger lemonade or iced mint tea, as it’s best to avoid sodas and other heavily sugared drinks.  But remember, simple water is always the best option.
• Increase Your Fruit & Vegetable Intake – Summer is the best time to modify your diet, especially when it comes to increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat.  This is the growing season for many wonderful foods: berries, peaches, corn, zucchini, etc.  Your meals will become more colorful and tasty, and you will have the added benefit of supporting local farmers, especially if you buy your produce from the source itself.  Plus, fruits and vegetables have many health promoting actions, such as supporting your immune system, improving digestion, and stabilizing blood sugar.

These muffins are a perfect treat on a cold winter's morning.  Not only are they delicious, but they are also gluten and dairy free.  Great for those on an elimination diet!

Very Blueberry Muffins

1/3 cup light oil
1 ½ cup brown rice flour
1/3 cup honey
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup applesauce             
½ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup orange juice
2/3 cup blueberries
½ teaspoon grated orange rind

It’s just becoming audible now, but the stirrings are significant. 

A grassroots transformation in health is underway.  It’s driven, largely, by these stark facts: nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese…tens of millions are afflicted by chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes…and 70% of us report suffering from stress (which itself can lead to such problems as heart disease and depression).  At the grassroots, though, 40% of Americans are taking greater control of their health by using holistic medicine.  And, a small but growing number are seeking care from the “general practitioners of holistic medicine” known as naturopathic physicians.

This movement is reflected at the national level.  On September 10, the US Senate unanimously approved a resolution that establishes October 7-13, 2013 as Naturopathic Medicine Week.  Congress thereby recognized the ability of naturopathic physicians to “provide safe, effective, and affordable health care” and urged Americans to learn more about this form of medicine.  So, the second week of October is a good time to visit a naturopathic doctor (ND) and size up whether her or his approach is potentially a fit for you.

Now that summer has ended and school has begun, it's time to focus on something that can have a big impact on your child's academic success: their diet.  Childhood obesity continues to be a concern, and effects about 1 in 8 preschoolers.  In fact, a recent study found that Pennsylvania was one of a handful of states in which the rate of obesity among preschool-age children has actually risen.  This doesn't come as a surprise when surveys of US children reveal that 50% only have one serving of fruit a day, and 25% have one serving of vegetables a day.  And, no, french fries are not vegetables.  A diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins have been shown to improve our immune system, increase athletic performance, improve concentration, among other things.

Here are some helpful hints to get kids eating their fruits and vegetables:

• Seeing is believing.  Children learn many of their behaviors by watching what older siblings and grown-ups do. Modeling healthful eating habits is a great way to make sure your kids develop healthful eating habits. 
  

The easiest and most difficult thing to do but the one with the most health benefits, breathing is an art long forgotten.  Do you notice your breath?  Do you take moments to experience the subtle movements of your chest as your breath rises to join the air?  Whether you call it meditation, prayer, or just being, the power of breathing is immense.  Our mind becomes quiet, anxiety decreases, digestion and sleep improves, and most importantly, we reconnect with our hearts.  Take the time to just breathe and you may find a world more glorious than you remembered.

I came across this awesome recipe from the Healthy Foodie.  The buckwheat can be served cooled or slightly warmed.  And best of all, this recipe is gluten free!

Buckwheat is great substitute for gluten grains.  Buckwheat is high in magnesium, which helps relax smooth muscles such as blood vessels.  In fact, diets that contain buckwheat have been linked to lowered risk of developing high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  Buckwheat is also associated with better blood sugar control and is helpful in the management of diabetes.

As I thought about what to write about Earth Day, many things came to mind.  I could provide ways to conserve energy, clean up the planet, and reduce our carbon footprint.  I could talk about the importance of supporting local farms, eating organic, and responsible farming.  But the more I thought about these things, the less I wanted to write about them.  Not because they are not important.  Instead, I wanted to focus on the underlying meaning behind all of these efforts, which is to celebrate and take care of the gift we have been given in nature.

Of course, when I think about words that encapsulate for me the wonders of the earth, I look to the poetry of Walt Whitman.  So, today, I offer a section from Whitman's "Song of Myself" which I feel crystallizes the spirit of Earth Day:

I believe that our ability to thrive both as individuals and as a society depends on our ability to embrace nature.  To understand the complexity of this thought, consider the definition of 'nature':

1. the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing : essence 
2. a creative and controlling force in the universe; an inner force or the sum of such forces in an individual
   
3. the physical constitution or drives of an organism
4. a spontaneous attitude
   
5. the external world in its entirety
   
6. humankind's original or natural condition; a simplified mode of life resembling this condition
7. the genetically controlled qualities of an organism
   
8. natural scenery

4 lb corned brisket of beef
3 large carrots, cut into large chunks
6 to 8 small onions
1 teaspoon dry English mustard
large sprig fresh thyme and some parsley stalks, tied together
1 cabbage
salt and freshly ground pepper

Put the brisket into a saucepan with the carrots, onions, mustard and the herbs. Cover with cold water, and bring gently to a boil. Simmer, covered, for 2 hours. Discard the outer leaves of the cabbage, cut in quarters and add to the pot. Cook for a further 1 to 2 hours or until the meat and vegetables are soft and tender.

Serve the corned beef in slices, surrounded by the vegetables and cooking liquid. Serve with lots of floury potatoes and freshly made mustard.