It’s wonderful to look around and see all the ‘green’ everywhere along with the bright yellow forsythia bushes and the intoxicating fragrance of lilacs. This is such a beautiful time of new beginnings. I like to think that Mother’s Day honors Mother Nature right along with our own mothers.
I was blessed with two beautiful babies myself, and now that they’re in their twenties it seems so long ago that I would receive handmade cards and dandelion bouquets given with pure love and joy. Way back when, we used to joke that once they got older and got a job, then they could really go all out with expensive gifts, which may be so, but looking back, I think that those early gifts will always hold a very special place in my heart.
My own mom continues to inspire me with her ability to take everything in stride, no matter what life sends her way. It’s a skill that I have learned and honed over the years, and it has served me well on many occasions. Looks like it might make it into the next generation as well with my daughter Jes who already seems to be a natural.
Springtime brings back memories of local farmers markets which are near and dear to my heart, literally. My Dad had quadruple bypass surgery a few years ago, and that’s one tradition that I don’t want to carry on. Several years back my doctor suggested that I begin taking medication for high cholesterol and I really didn’t want to go that route, so I decided to change my diet and eventually become a vegetarian to see if that might make a difference. That was a little over seven years ago and my cholesterol numbers are spot-on and I’m not on any kind of medication to this day. I can say from my own personal experience that what you eat can really make a big difference.
It was amazing to me what a difference it makes to change your diet over to more fruits and vegetables, it gave me more energy and I am sick a lot less often. Plus when fruits and veggies are the majority of what you eat, it’s really a treat to get fresh items from the farmers market. It’s a bit of an event when each new item is in season. I have also learned that including a higher amount of raw foods in my diet can help reduce the likelihood that I will develop type II diabetes which also seems to be prevalent in my family.
Be sure to check out our listings of all of the farmers markets that we could find in the Wayne County area. Some of the details were difficult to track down and verify, so double check before heading out, and if you know of a market that we missed, please email me so that we can include them in our ongoing calendar of events throughout the season.
Some farmers markets also allow artisans and crafters into the mix with wonderful homemade soaps, blankets, handmade jewelry or decorative reusable shopping bags and all kinds of other interesting items. Many of these individuals are working hard to supplement their incomes and keep their heads above water. I encourage you to consider purchasing these products whenever you can. It also helps to keep our dollars working within our local communities.
As we were reaching out to the farmers markets, most of them agreed that we could deliver some magazines to them each month, so that might be a new convenient place to pick up your Natural Awakenings Magazine in the summer months.
Wishing you all much love, health & Joy.