Spring Awakening

embrace the childlike wonder that comes along with warmer weather

Hi Noosers! Anne & Avery, here. Our view on health is simple: small daily actions add up. The basics are the priority: real food, movement you enjoy, and habits that support you. Anne (Registered Dietitian) and Avery (Health Coach) write Monday Noosletters based on research and our experiences — because at the end of the day, we all want to know what everyone else is doing, perhaps due to our innate curiosity around human behavior. We are mothers, friends, and athletes who want to share our knowledge and empower our readers to take their health into their own hands. Every first Monday of the month is free, but if you’d like to upgrade to a paid subscription to receive weekly Noosletters, we’d be thrilled!

Happy Monday, Noosers! It’s the last Monday in April, and starting to feel pretty springy here in upstate, New York. As the weather hints at what’s to come, you might feel that nudge to circle back on your goals or resolutions. Springtime brings optimism and renewed energy. We aren’t hunched over, trudging through the cold snow anymore. Instead, we get warmer weather and longer days, which might inspire us to pull out our spring attire, look for new recipes, or get back into a workout routine. Fresh produce, fun recipes, and new wardrobes, all invite us to reinvent ourselves in one way or another — whether that’s in the form of new habits, different routines or a fresh start in general. Today, we explore the shift that occurs during this shoulder season. Read today’s post to ignite your spring awakening — whether it’s tending to (or starting!) your garden or enjoying exercise as “play” instead of a grind, you’ll be sure to see spring in a new light!

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Nutrition

Ah, spring time! The warmer, brighter days we've been longing for have finally arrived! The green grass, budding trees (we are slow to bloom up here in upstate NY this year!), and chirping of the birds aren't the only evidence of spring’s arrival. I notice a shift in my patients' moods and behaviors. When the warmth of spring emerges, so does our renewed passion and curiosity for fresh, seasonal food. I love walking around the neighborhood and seeing everyone cleaning out their gardens, veggie beds, and building new ones. Caroline and I just cleaned ours out; we usually plant the first weekend in May. My two early May excitements: the Met Gala and planting the veggie garden!

tending to our beds with my sidekicks circa 2021

I've been reflecting on why warmer sunny days naturally evoke a greater appreciation for cooking and enjoying fresh, seasonal foods. Is it that warmer temperatures bring a change in clothing and an honest assessment of the winter hibernation effect, sparking desires to look and feel different? Or is it simply that more seasonal offerings are available? Maybe it’s the scientific explanation—that we finally get a jolt of the vitamin D we've been missing all winter? Perhaps it's a combination of all these factors that stirs our springtime food revival. The mirror's reflection in spring clothing, the vibrant colors at farmers' markets, and the mood-lifting sunshine create a perfect storm for culinary inspiration! This seasonal reset gives us permission to approach food with childlike wonder again—to appreciate the simple pleasure of a perfectly ripe strawberry or the satisfaction of a meal that energizes rather than weighs us down. And perhaps that's exactly what we need after winter's hearty comforts: a gentle reminder of food's ability to nourish not just our bodies, but our spirits, too.

With this spring awakening I thought it’d be fun to highlight the harvest typically available in the northeast in the month of May.