Living by the Seasons

I've just put the finishing touches to my Summer Nurture Journal which you can now purchase from my Resources page to support your health journey.  In light of the fear and anxiety that the Covid-19 situation has brought to the surface I decided to create a personal health journal to support you to build your immune system.  I've made it seasonal because it helps us to get back into a rhythm which is one of the ways we feel 'safe'.  The rhythm of nature is part of our external guidance system, like the rising and setting of the sun.

When we eat food that is seasonal we are eating the nutrients provided by Mother Earth (Gaia) to support us in that season.  Before we had a choice, we had no choice.  Some indigenous tribes and those who live by the land (in small rural towns across the world) do just that.  Many a Summer I've spent in the medieval town of Pontremoli in northern Tuscany where the seasons matter and they live by the earth guided rythm when it comes to food.  Those who live in the countryside and mountains outside of the town all have an 'orto' (veg patch) and all follow the traditions of their forbears when it comes to food.  They are blessed to be able to pick their fruit or or dig up veg in the moment which makes it the freshest and most beneficial for your health and wellbeing.

Over recent months, the importance of food availability, has been starkly highlighted as supermarkets struggled to meet demand, with empty shelves and rationing of staples came into being.  A situation unknown and not experienced by many of today's generations.  Our human created food supply chain and the problems that the Covid-19 situation highlighted was a gift.  Who knew there was a 'hungry gap'?  A time from Jan to May during which there is little or no fresh produce available from the land in the UK.  That means we rely on imports from abroad and that made it tricky on many counts.

Thankfully Summer is the season of bounty in terms of fresh produce and we have the opportunity to indulge in and appreciate the jewels that the season has to offer us:  all types of berries and cherries, tomatoes, greens and beans.  In traditional cultures, much of this prosuce is abundant and to prepare for the forthcoming 'hungry gap' people have numerous innovative ways of preserving these amazing food to tide them over.    One of these methods is fermenting vegetables or making 'sauerkraut'.  This is perfect food for your gut and supports your body in the cooler months when your immune system needs to be at its strongest.  

There are so many ways to lay down the foundations of a strong immune system during the Summer season.  It's actually the best time to do it.  Autumn and Winter are the times to focus on nourishing the foundations you have already laid,  so check out my Summer Nurture Journal on my Resources page to get a head start.

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