A celebration of Spring
As I begin to write this blog, I’m not sure what it’s going to be about – there are so many things to say!
Here’s a list to ponder:
• Eating wholefoods
• Eating seasonally
• Spending time in nature
• Getting daylight in your eyes within an hour of waking
• Supporting your circadian rhythms
• Being in tune with the seasons
• Being present
• Listening to your body
• The miracle of nature
• Practicing gratitude
• Wild garlic
Wild garlic
One of the sure-fire signs of spring is the appearance of wild garlic. If you are lucky enough to have regular walks in nature, you will see it sprouting up, tiny shoots at first, then suddenly covering huge areas with its verdant green carpet before flowering and then dying away, until next year. Wild garlic never fails us, it always appears when it should and stays just long enough for us to appreciate it.
Nature, our biggest teacher
There is something so beautiful and reassuring about nature. Nature does not get impatient or stressed. It just comes when it comes and it knows the right time: the right time to grow, the time to retreat, the time to rest. Nature is our biggest teacher and among the lessons it teaches us, being present is one of the most valuable. When you walk in the woods and take a breath, you can hardly ignore the smell of wild garlic, its beautiful green colour or the hope that it gives you after a long dark winter, and the promise of brighter days. All these things serve to bring you into the present moment, so use your walks to centre yourself and make this a regular practice.
Foraging for food
The other day, I was having some neighbours round for a drink and a few nibbles, so on my morning walk I picked handfuls of wild garlic. (Always be mindful of dogs and try to pick it from higher up and ALWAYS wash it thoroughly!). The obvious thing to do with it is make pesto and that is delicious – especially with walnuts. However, I had some chickpeas in the fridge from Bold Bean Co, which were begging to be used and hummus was the obvious answer.
A recipe for Spring
Here is the recipe, it’s hardly a recipe as it’s so simple and it doesn’t really need quantities – it depends on how many chickpeas you have and how many people you are feeding. Personally, I love to have hummus in the fridge but it’s good to change things up with the seasons, so I hope you will give this a try.
Green hummus with wild garlic
The best recipes are the most simple. Hummus is a real old classic, protein-rich snack which should be a staple in anyone’s fridge. But, if you’re bored with the beige stuff and you want to change it up, try this.
Chickpeas
A handful of wild garlic, washed thoroughly
Lemon juice
Ground coriander
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
Just whizz up the ingredients and use a little of the chickpea liquor to achieve the consistency you desire. You can add some regular garlic if you like, but I was aiming for a subtle flavour and by adding a generous handful of wild garlic, you can achieve a green hummus that is not too overwhelmingly garlicky. You can add the extra virgin olive oil for a silkier texture and an Omega 3 hit, or just use it to drizzle over – or both! I don’t have a picture because we ate it all too quickly but it was a lovely green and it went down a storm with the neighbours!
