Natural Philosophy

Just like the laws in nature such as "what goes up must come down" and "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" our bodies also follow a standard of maintaining balance or equilibrium. The foods we eat not only nourish our bodies with nutrients and energy but also contain certain properties that affect how we think, feel and act!

Cravings are a good example of just how much the properties of the foods we eat influence our behaviours and thoughts. Some foods like meats and proteins tend to be heavy, tightening and contractive. Other foods like sugars are expansive and lifting. After eating a meal consisting of a large hamburger, steak or turkey you tend to feel heavy and sleepy whereas a meal high in sugar tends to leave you hyper and seemingly light headed for a while.

But when we eat by extremes the body always seeks balance and so often we find ourselves misinterpreting cravings for quick fixes. Too little and too much of a type of food will leave you wanting. A typical food day may consist of a high sugar breakfast leading to a heavy protein filled lunch which leaves you with that late afternoon energy slump craving caffeine and sugar. Or skipping breakfast and having a light lunch like a salad may do the same leaving you with an energy defecit from the other angle.

So before you head out for that afternoon coffee or morning muffin, think ahead or behind to see what food choices you have made that leave you wanting for more energy. Try more neutral and natural options to acheive balance and support your body with nutrient rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains and avoid major swings in food mood.

As the dog days of summer come to an end, take advantage of the harvest. I have found a great recipe to kick away the heat and keep sweet cravings at bay while using up the four pounds of plums from my CSA fruit share! Although the recipe calls for an icecream maker for best results this sherbert can also be made by any of the alternative methods below.

So the next time you crave a sugary pick me up, chill out and enjoy the rest of summer's bounty in balance!

PLUM SHERBERT - Taken from "Nourishing Traditions"

4-5 pounds of plums
2 cups filtered water
1 cup all natural maple syrup

Cut plums in half and remove pits. Cook with small amount of water until soft. Blend with a hand blender. Bring two cups water to a boil, add syrup and mix with a wooden spoon. Simmer for a few minutes. Let cool and add to plum mixture. Chill well.

-Pour into ice cream maker and freeze according to instructions

-Take two stainless steel bowls of different sizes. Fill the larger one with ice and 1/2 cup rock salt and shake around. Pour mixture in second smaller bowl and place on top of ice. Whip with metal wisk until mixture begins to freeze. Serve immeadiately.

-Take a gallon and quart sized ziplock bags. Fill larger with ice and rock salt as above. Fill smaller with mixture and seal. Place the small bag in the large bag with ice. Seal the large bag. Shake until frozen. Eat up!!!!!