Spring Foods
Spring is the season in which we can feel most inspired and purposeful. On the other hand, we can often fall into old patterns that bring up feelings of anger, frustration, and lack of direction in life.
Foods that are important for Spring are barley, tempeh, white radish, cabbage, leafy greens, lentils, lemon, pickles, umeboshi plums, and light salty miso soup.
These foods nourish and cleanse the liver and gall bladder, reduce cholesterol, dissolve fat and mucus, and can help relieve hay fever and premenstrual symptoms.
Spring Cooking
With the seasonal change from winter to spring, we tend towards lighter cooking methods. These include boiling, steaming, and stir frying.
Less oil and seasoning are used as this brings us into harmony with the rising energy of Spring. Vegetables are cut into smaller pieces for quicker cooking and in pressed salads.
Gomasio and miso condiments can be used in small amounts while barley and wheat are the grains most appropriate at this time.
If you’re living in the Northern Hemisphere, you can view our Autumn Newsletter here.
Shiatsu Point for Anaemia
Spleen Meridian Point 10
(SP 10) is located 4cm inside the top corner of the knee
It is a very good point for symptomatic relief from anaemia.
Shiatsu Point Therapy
Using the thumb or finger apply pressure until you feel the soreness in the point.
Taking deep breaths and maintaining the pressure breathe slowly in and out of the point until you feel the tension and pain disappear.
Please note:
The above technique is for symptomatic relief only If symptoms persist please consult a qualified shiatsu therapist for a full treatment.
Recipe – Apple & Blackcurrant Compote
- 4 granny smith apples
- 2 cups soya milk
- 1/2 cup blackcurrants
- 2 tablespoons kuzu
- a pinch sea salt
- 1/2 cup waterCut the apples and cook them in 1/2 cup of water, adding the blackcurrants and the sea salt.
When the apples are cooked, dissolve the kuzu in the soya milk and add it to the apples.Stir well until the soya milk starts boiling and the mixture thickens, then remove from the heat, and pour it in a dish to let cool down.
Serves 4.
Yoga Pose for Spring – Chair Pose
This pose helps relieve lower back, neck, and shoulders stiffness by gently stretching the spine and opening the chest.
Lie on your back with your legs on a chair, arms by your side with chin slightly tucked in, and lower back flat on the floor.
Inhale while bringing the arms up behind your head.
Exhale bringing the arms down to your sides. Repeat 10 times.
Try to keep your back flat to the floor throughout this pose and if possible try and touch the floor behind your head with your hands.
Gall Bladder Meridian Meditation
Close your eyes and start to breathe deeply. Make the exhalation longer than the inhalation.
Imagine your arms spread palms open to receive whatever the Universe may have to offer you.
As you breathe in, imagine the energy entering your body between your eyebrows.
Feel as though there is a doorway in your third eye. Breathe in the energy through this doorway allowing it fill you up, and then when you breathe out feel the energy flow effortlessly and without strain back into the world.
Continue breathing in and out, feeling the energy becoming stronger. Smile to yourself as you realise that that everything is unfolding in perfect order and in perfect timing.
Feel any tension and need for control leaving your body with the outbreath, and bright green light entering with the inhalation.
Let this light travel throughout your body like the first scent of Spring. Feel it energising all parts of your body, releasing the coldness and stiffness of Winter.
Allow yourself to feel the anticipation of the new season and the new challenges and purpose it brings. Feel things starting to grow around you and understand that you too are growing as part of the celebration of Nature and the cycle of life.
Then slowly return your space and open your eyes.
Bach Flower Remedy for Hopelessness
Gorse is the remedy for people who have given up belief and hope. It’s as if they have lost all faith and that there is no cure for their illness or remedy for their situation.
People suffering from such a state will often state that ‘nothing can be done.’
And because they are so convinced that they are right, no amount of support or encouragement seems to help.
At the spiritual level, this represents a crisis of faith.
General dosage is 4 – 5 drops under the tongue at least 3 times a day, or whenever feeling hopeless.
Aromatherapy Essential Oils – Neroli
Neroli can provide symptomatic relief from depression, insomnia, anxiety, shock and more…
Essential Oils Application
Bath: Use 10-15 drops in a tub of water and soak in it for 15 minutes.
Massage: Blend between 1% and 3% of essential oil with a carrier oil of your choice such as jojoba, almond, peach, apricot, soyabean, sesame, or vegetable oils.
please note:
do not apply pure essential oils directly to skin (except for Lavender)
and never take any essential oils internally.
Inhalation: Place a few drops of essential oil in an oil burner or small bowl of boiling water to freshen the air and create a special atmosphere.
Compress: Add 5 drops of essential oil to 200 mls of warm water. Place cloth in the water then wring out and lay over affected area for a few minutes.