The blessings of spring

The first flowers of spring bring cheer, color, and perhaps thoughts of Earth Day on April 22, when cleanups beautify our neighborhoods, roadsides, and hiking trails. You’ll find Earth Day ideas on page 20. Check out www.EarthDay.org for more ways to help our home planet.

If pain from rheumatoid or osteoarthritis—or other causes— keeps you from enjoying spring activities, see this month’s article on ways to deal with inflammation (page 9). There are many natural ways to cut down on inflammatory conditions and relieve the associated pain.

April is Stress Awareness Month, a good time to take inventory of the teeth-clenching situations in life and to come up with a plan to lessen the effects stress has on the body. While nobody can completely avoid stress, it doesn’t have to control you. Our suggestions include both exercise and sleep as well as foods, vitamins, minerals, and supplements that nourish the body (page 16). If getting enough sleep is a problem, see page 28 for the word on melatonin, the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.

For many, spring brings thoughts of cleansing the body after a long winter. On page 22 you’ll find ideas for supporting the liver, the body’s major detoxifier.

Looking for some good eating? Try a smoked salmon platter (page 5). Recipes for a delicious spring brunch begin on page 12, and we provide the basics on making your own salad dressings (page 26).

Not what the poet T.S. Eliot had in mind when he wrote the words, April really is “the cruellest month” for those who are plagued by spring allergies. If you’re one of them, check out our Quick Tips department on page 18 for ways to get relief.

Wishing you a warm, happy, and sneeze-free season!

Contributing Writers

Mary Ann O’Dell MS, RDN

Sally Karlovitz CN

Mary Ann O’Dell, MS, RDN

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Lynn Tryba (Lynn.Tryba@TasteforLife.com)

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Lisa Fabian, Rich Wallace

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Kelli Ann Wilson

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Michelle Knapp

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Donna Sweeney

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