welcome spring!

Spring has sprung! The sight of beautiful blossoms, the smell of  freshly cut lawn & the sound of birds chirping happily has amplified!
We, as well as nature are waking from our own winter slumber.... the rising energy of Spring  inspires us to start something new, or begin that project that we've been putting off all Winter!

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Winter is related to the   Wood Element. It is said if we are not living in harmony with the season (or if our Wood Element is out of balance), we can experience issues with the related organs. In this case;  the Liver & Gall-bladder.
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If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below on a   regular basis, it may be a sign that your   Wood Element    is out of balance;

• ​Tendon issues
• Eye problems
• Allergies or Skin disorders
• Rigid or inflexible body
• Excessive feelings of frustration 
• Anger outbursts

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Getting in Harmony with Spring
Spring is a time for new beginnings! A   time to ;

• Make plans
• Start a project
• Find a new hobby
• Get into a regular exercise routine! 

My new "project" this Spring, is training our new puppy, Honey.🐕‍🦺  After Shanti (our first family "fur baby") passed away nearly a year a go now, we decided it was time to add a new member to our "pack"!
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We've had Honey for about 6 weeks & she's now 5 months old. She has bought us so much joy & laughter.... 💞as well as some hard work! Lots of consistent & persistent training! She's learning a lot & so are we! We've noticed she has a bit of a shoe fetish!😂👞👟❤️

What's new; habit, plan or project are you going to "sow"  this Spring? 🧹🪴🏃‍➡️

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Simple Spring Buddha Bowl
There are so many variations of a Buddha Bowl, that's what makes them so fun & versatile!
This recipe is a simple, Spring version, with lots of greens! You can change things up on other days, by swapping the veggies or protein used, or even the dressing can make a big difference to the taste.  

INGREDIENTS;
For the Dressing;

• ¼ cup tahini
• ¼ cup water
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp white miso
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• ½ tsp salt

For the salad;

• 115 g firm tofu, cut into cubes & patted dry
• 1 tsp peanut oil
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• pinch of sea salt & freshly ground pepper
• 4 cups assorted green vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, green beans, snow peas), washed &    cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 leaf of kale tough stem removed, chopped into bite-size pieces (optional)

To serve;

• 1½ cooked brown rice or quinoa
• Fresh coriander leaves
• Toasted pumpkin seeds
• Sliced green onion
• Lime wedges

 
METHOD;

1. Make the dressing: Add all the ingredients in a screw top jar shake as vigorously as you can. The miso may stubbornly refuse to mix into the dressing. If so, use a fork to loosen, then close & shake the jar again—that should do the trick.
2. Fry the tofu (skip this step if using leftover proteins): Heat the peanut oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the tofu, sprinkle with salt, pepper, &    sesame seeds, &    fry until golden on all sides. Let cool.
3. Prep the veggies: Bring a medium pan of salted water to the boil. Add the assorted green vegetables & blanch for 1 minute. Add the chopped kale (if using), & blanch for 30 seconds more. Drain & immediately immerse the veggies in cold water to stop the cooking. Leave them to cool in the water for 5 minutes, adding more cold water if needed. Drain again, & pat the veggies dry.
4. Build the Buddha bowls: Place two or three serving bowls in front of you. Spoon about ½ cup cooked whole grain or rice into each bowl. Divide the green veggies & fried tofu between each portion. Generously garnish with coriander leaves, pumpkin seeds, green onion, & sesame seeds. Finish with a lime wedge.

(Recipe source;  www.foodnouveau.com)

NOTE;
To change this recipe up,  instead of tofu you could  try a different protein;

• Shelled edameme beans (for extra green!)
• Freshly cooked, or canned salmon
• Freshly cooked, or canned tuna
• Cooked chicken pieces
• Roasted chickpeas

For more delicious & nutritious, simple recipes, click on button below...

MORE RECIPES

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Spring Yoga Routine
If you've been feeling a bit stiff & rigid from the winter slumber, here's a couple of short routines to help create openness & flexibility your body! 

In the link below you'll find a couple of my older Yoga Routines I created for Spring. I'm in the process of  creating a new one & will share the link with you soon...

Clink on button below to access the Yoga Routines

SPRING YOGA ROUTINE

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WORDS FOR SPRING;
FLOW & FLEXIBILITY
"Enjoy life as a flow of change, chaos and beauty"
(Leo Babauta)