HEADSPACE
🌿 Grounding into Spring

🍃Along with longer days, fresh greenery and a sense of renewal, spring can bring a sense of overwhelm as energy and tasks seem to suddenly increase. Spring grounding techniques, such as a simple walk outdoors, breathwork, and mindfulness practices, can anchor you during this seasonal shift, calming your nervous system, improving focus, and reducing stress.

This year as the majority of our world seems to keep pushing towards toxicity, let’s work on spinning it the other way towards a natural rhythm. Spring is here and we are here to enjoy it! ☀️

Spring Grounding Practice

🌈This week let’s try a daily morning ritual (5 min max) of stepping outside and taking five deep breaths, setting your intention to welcome clarity and calm into your day.

📰In this edition 🌱tips for harvesting and enjoying nettles🌱origins of spring cleaning🌱nourishing recipe to support your digestive health🌱

HOME
🌿 Origins of Spring Cleaning

🧹Why is Spring Cleaning a Thing Anyway?

Spring cleaning as “a thing” has its roots in long held traditions such as preparing for religious practices (think- Passover, Good Friday, Lent, Lunar New Year), agricultural cycles as well as a time of wood burning heat. Historically, cultures worldwide used springtime to clear away winter soot and debris from wood fires and welcome warmer weather.

Biologically, increased daylight boosts our energy levels, prompting us to tidy, declutter, and refresh our spaces. Keeping with or establishing our own Spring Cleaning directly impacts mental health and productivity positively.

DIY
🍊 DIY Recipe: Dandelion Root & Orange Digestive Bitters

Bitters stimulate digestive enzymes, helping you break down food and absorb nutrients better. Dandelion root is particularly helpful for supporting liver health, while orange adds flavor and vitamin C.

Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1 cup fresh dandelion root or ½ cup dried

• 1 navel orange, organic including pith, chopped

• 1 teaspoon gentian root (optional)

• 2 cups plain vodka

• quart jar, strainer/cheese cloth

Directions:

1. If using fresh dandelion roots, scrub, rinse and finely chop.

2. Combine dandelion root, orange peel, and gentian root if using in a quart jar.

3. Pour vodka over herbs, ensuring they are fully submerged.

4. Cap the jar and store on a cool counter out of direct light for 2 weeks, shaking gently every few days.

5. Strain into a clean jar or other glass bottle

Benefit: Digestive bitters support liver function, reduce bloating, and enhance nutrient absorption by stimulating your digestive system. Take ½ tsp 15min before meal time, holding on your tongue for a few seconds before swallowing.

FOOD
 🍃 Harvest Highlight: Nourishing Nettles

Early spring is prime time for nettle harvesting! Packed with vitamins A, K, B, phosphorous, zinc, and magnesium, nettles provide incredible nourishment after winter. They are a powerful anti-inflammatory and also work to stabilize mast cells (hello allergies). Some brave souls use the sting as therapy for arthritic pain, stimulating circulation for their joint mobility. Personally, I harvest nettle tips with gloves and shears.

Enjoy fresh nettle tea, pesto, or sautéed greens for an energizing and nutrient-rich boost.

Caution- be sure you harvest from a clean local. Also, if you are leaning towards the dryer side coming out of winter, nettles may compound this in your system…harvest and dry for later use.

Quick Tip: Dry nettles for teas that support allergy relief and overall vitality throughout spring.

SHORT & SWEET SPRING TIPS if YOU’RE STILL FEELING STUCK
🌷 … try one now to get the “fresh” ball rollin’

• In the Garden: Plant peas, lettuce, and spinach now for early harvests.

• Herb Spotlight: Infuse fresh violets into honey or vinegar for delicious spring tonics.

• Spring Reads: "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer for seasonal inspiration.

• Journaling Prompts

  • Spring Refresh: What is one area of your home or daily routine that feels cluttered or overwhelming? How can simplifying or refreshing this space support your well-being this season?

  • Seasonal Shift: Reflect on one habit or mindset from winter you're ready to leave behind. What new intention or practice do you want to welcome into your life this spring?

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visit the Huckleberry Home & Hardware Home Page (that’s a lot of H’s…) as I build. email suggestions or requests to [email protected]

✨ Weekly Gratitude Reminder

As nature awakens, take a moment daily to reflect on your gratitude. Today, notice one new thing budding in your surroundings or within yourself.

Happy spring, S