www.HandsOnHealthHH.com

Holistic Hugs & Peaceful Blessings!

Paula M. Youmell, RN, MS, CHC

Holistic Health, Nutrition & Fitness Counselor

(315) 265-0961

"Just lift the corner of the clouds and the sun is

ALWAYS shining!" Eli Schechter

Spring Nettles poking out of my home garden plot, Spring 2014

Weeds to one person are another person's medicine!

I love spring for the wonderful green plants shooting out of the earth around my home, in the woods and fields. These plants remind me of the ever changing and newness of life, the bounty of good food right outside our doors, and the nutritional value and healing properties of what many people consider weeds. I personally await the spring's wild leeks, dandelion greens, first nettle shoots, plantain leaves, rhubarb shoots, and so many more spring edibles.

These spring edibles awaken our taste buds, livers, digestive tracts, and each and every body cell. The incredible amount of nutrients in the plants adds to our nutritional stores and cleans our winter blood, liver, and digestive tracts.

What a relief to move away from my beloved winter root veggies (beets!) and begin incorporating our natural spring foods.

For more thoughts on the whole food-ness of herbs (weeds) click here.

Dandelion greens and flowers; good for liver health!

Fun Food Focus

Spring Greens Soup

I gather several kinds of spring greens: dandelion, plantain, lambs quarters, nettles, mustard greens, sorrel, violets... the list goes on. (Learn to identify them, pick and enjoy!)

I gently wash them, throw them in my blender with some raw goat's milk and wild leek shoots and leaves. Blend into a puree and warm gently.

You can also saute' the wild leek, ever so gently, then toss in the green and saute' for 1-2 minutes before blending.

Easy greens to start with are dandelion, plantain, nettles and violets.

Another idea: mix them in a salad with local, mixed baby greens - they should be available soon! Dress with raw - apple cider vinegar, organic - extra virgin olive oil and a few dried spices. Yummy!

This picture taken today, 5-16-14. The nettles are getting larger!

Bonus information: Check out Martin's Farm Stand website, you can pre-order your fresh, local, seasonal produce, on-line! Cutting edge - local food access!

http://martinsfarmstand.locallygrown.net/welcome

Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass.

Generally speaking, humans should have at least one bowel movement daily, in the AM shortly after arising. Some humans have bowel movements within a short time frame from each meal.

For others, things do not work so smoothly. Having bowel movements every 2 to 3 days is not normal. What is happening is the solid waste material is compacting and backing up just above the level of the anus, in the rectal and descending colon. See picture above.

Solid food waste moves from your small intestine, into the ascending colon where you see the appendix. Solid waste then moves up the ascending, across the transverse (part of colon going straight across the lower abdomen), and down the descending colon. When solid waste moves into the rectum, it stimulates nerves that tell us it is time to head to the bathroom. Solid waste then leaves the body through the anal opening.

When this does not work so smoothly, meaning things get backed up, and constipation is the result.

Natural Health Education Blog

Weeds to one person are another person's medicine!