All I ever want is just to fall into your human hands.
-- Elvis Costello

Primary Foods feed us, but don't come on a plate. Things like a spiritual practice you feel connected to; a career that inspires you; physical activity that makes you want to move; and honest & open relationships feed your soul, and your hunger for living.

Today we'll look at the role relationships play in our nourishment. In much the same way as you may be starting to tune into the foods that nourish or deplete you, are you applying that same criteria to the relationships with the people in your life? And, of course, just like there's no one diet that's right for everyone, there's no perfect way of relating that works all the time either. The magic of the journey is finding out what (who) feeds YOU, where you are NOW.

I think that we all know this intuitively - it's important to cultivate relationships that bring out the best in you and support your individual needs and desires. Friendships, for example, can be like clothing, no? Sometimes they fit, they're classic pieces, and sometimes they just don't work any more or have gone out of style. If you're on a healthier path, not smoking and drinking as much any more, for examples, your partner in crime during your bar-hopping days might not have evolved along with you.

It's the same with love and intimate relationships. If you have a mate, are you communicating with him/her in the way that brings out the best in each of you? Do you know each other's preferences and limitations (e.g., who needs more "alone time" and who wants more "togetherness")? Are you able to talk about your needs and wants in a productive way? If not, consider the help of a counselor, therapist or support group.

Whether in an intimate relationship or not, we all need human interaction; it's easy to get isolated. It's amazing, and somewhat reassuring, to find likeminded people in business or social situations who are open to saying hello and connecting in a warm, yet appropriate way through a kiss, a hug, or a squeeze of the shoulder. It feels great and it's humanizing.

Be that as it may, I tend to think they adopted me! I get so much affection, laughter and gratitude by having them in my life. They're sensitive and attuned to my moods, and to the energy of others. They're often a calming influence to clients who see me in my home, curling up in the laps of those who welcome the soft comfort of petting their fur, and giving wide berth to those who need their space.

I feel blessed to have a loving family, a good network of supportive, nourishing friends & colleagues, and the partnership of dear Raymond - all of whom are parts of my ever-evolving recipe for long-term "soul satisfaction."

Identify 3 or 4 people you'd like to spend more time with because they are interesting to you, seem to resonate with your way of living, or reflect where you'd like to be headed. Figure out a way to get to know them, maybe by inviting them for tea or to lunch. Don't have time, you say? "Not interviewing any new friends" (one of my favorite lines from Seinfeld)? Then perhaps it's time to look at another few people in your life who might actually be draining you, or whose friendship might have made more sense in your past rather than your present, and give them less of your time and energy. Consider clearing space, both psychically and literally, so that new relationships can flourish in your life and nourish you.

We're soon coming into berry season here in the Northeast, which is great news for our health as well as our taste buds! Fresh berries - my favorites are strawberries and blueberries - are absolute nutrition powerhouses. Besides tasting like the essence of summer, they're packed with vitamin C, fiber, and potent phytonutrients called anthocyanins, which help to scavenge the free radicals in our system that lead to inside-out aging at the cellular level. In fact, their bright, deep blue-red color is Nature's sign that the fruits contain these powerful antioxidants. Berries (especially blueberries) are highly protective for cell-wall structures, so they play an important role in keeping the eyes, veins and heart healthy. Given their role in (and what recently happened with my) eye health, you can bet that I try to have one or two servings of berries almost every day.

Berries are available frozen all year around; and while it's exceptionally healthful to eat foods in season, I personally think they are so good for us, it's OK to eat them all the time. Now that they'll soon be available in local farmer's markets, enjoy them when they're super-fresh.

This, of course, brings up the issue of organic vs. non-organic (see the 3/12 issue of this newsletter). Sometimes we have to make a choice, and in the bounty of spring and summer, I tend to choose locally grown conventional produce (when organic isn't available or affordable) over organic from far away. Our food loses a lot of its freshness when it's shipped thousands of miles, and there's an inherent cost - and baggage - to foods that take that much more energy to get to our tables. Make the choice that's right for you - but I believe we're better off with food that's picked the day before, grown in soil that's within a few hundred miles of where we live.

If you've got the room, you can always grow your own - raspberries, which can be so frightfully expensive in the markets, grow pretty easily and prolifically (assuming you don't have fauna in your garden like I do, beating you to the harvest!). There are also plenty of places to pick your own berries, which is a fun family activity. I also really know it's summer when we go hiking in July, around Raymond's birthday, and we pick wild blueberries straight off the bush. Sweet!

You can buy fresh local berries and freeze them yourself for future use. Put them in one layer on cookie sheets and freeze; when solid, you can pack them into containers or bags for easier storage. Be sure to wash them before eating.

Though it is essentially made of gelled fruit and juice - so simple! - kanten is a wonderful way to satisfy a sweet tooth and take advantage of the fruits of the season. The texture is different from traditional Jell-O; it's much softer and more custard-y, which is a result of using agar and kudzu.

You can make different flavors, chill separately, and layer them for a beautiful and flavorful dessert or snack:

I've been certified as an official OASIS trainer -- the only one in the state of New Jersey! If you'd like to find out more about how I can share this leading-edge, yet amazingly simple methodology for creating calm, refreshing your mood and rewiring your brain with your group or corporation, let me know.

On June 10, I've been invited to speak on Healthy Nutrition for Teens at Abraham Clark High School's Work Force Readiness Program in Roselle. I love getting kids excited about eating good food!

This Fall, I'll be teaching again at the Montclair Adult School and South Orange-Maplewood Adult School, among other locations. Classes will include: OASIS in the Overwhelm; Soups are Good Foods, Great Grains; Glorious Greens; and more to come. Schedule details to follow.

Do you want to improve your eating habits, feel confident in choosing and preparing better food for your self and your family, find balance in all areas of your life, and experience a lasting increase in your energy? Not sure where to begin -- or how to stay on course? As a Holistic Health Counselor, I am committed to being your guide and advocate on the path toward health and vitality. I can help you clear away the clutter of old food and lifestyle habits so that your best self can shine out to the world. Working together, you'll learn to tune into your body's innate wisdom, find clarity about what really nourishes you, and move closer to the balance that's essential for accomplishing all that you came here to do. Please contact me to schedule a get-acquainted conversation.