Sol
+ stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" + "to
stand still." As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher
until it seems to stand still in the sky...
The Summer Solstice celebrates the longest day--and shortest night--of the year. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice will occur this year at 7:09pm EDT on June 20.
Since ancient times, people all over the world have celebrated the power of the Sun with festivals, usually in the hopes of a good harvest. Among the most famous celebrations were the Celtic Midsummer rites, where people jumped over bonfires in the belief that their crops would grow as high as they could jump.
This mystical day was also thought to mark the wedding of the Sun and the Moon, creating the tradition of June weddings being lucky. In fact, the full moon in June, was called the "Honey Moon" because of the special mead made from fermented honey which was part of the wedding celebrations. The bride and groom drank mead to bless their union with fertility.
Even if you're not planning a trip to Stonehenge this year to dance through the ruins, the Summer Solstice is still meaningful in our lives today. What people have been seeking through the ages can be summarized as the continuation of Life by the Gifts of a bountiful Harvest, or food supply, and Fertility, or healthy children.
Regardless of our individual spiritual/religious beliefs, isn't that what we're trying to achieve with Holistic Living?
Ancient people were often helpless before droughts and other 'natural disasters', but today we're fighting an onslaught of unnatural disasters -- from unpronounceable chemicals in our everyday food, genetically modified corn, hormones in our meat, and an ever-growing list of 'recommended' vaccines for our children!
Yes, we want to do better, and live green, crunchy lives. But, what are we doing to make it happen?
Let's use the Summer Solstice as a day to take stock and ensure that we're actually 'walking the walk'.
Sometimes, the concept can seem overwhelming, and we make excuses that we're just too busy or money is too tight. So start by doing ONE new green thing for yourself or your family this week. Just ONE. Then next week, add one more green thing, etc. Before you realize it, you'll be a SUPER CRUNCHY Peep (or at least a little around the edges)!
Ask the kids for ideas. Especially since they're about to be free from the homework regimen in a few days, they can come up with helpful stuff.
In our modern mobile, app-driven world, Summer Solstice is especially important because it brings us back to the basics. When all is said and done, a healthy food supply and healthy children-- with fewer allergies and learning disabilities--is what most of us want. So, this June 20, do ONE thing to help make it happen!
To help you start out your summer of holistic living, all week you can enter in our SUMMER SOLSTICE SWEEPSTAKES for a chance to win 1 of 3 AHHH-Mazing prizes including:
$50 Gift Card to Adams Fairacre Farms
Summer Survival Kit from Three Sisters Herbals
Gluten Free Gift Pack from Bob's Red Mill
Celebrating the start of Summer in Granolaville,
~Kalimah
Kalimah Karim is the Executive Director of The Granolaville Group, a veteran writer and Registered Nurse. Her focus is on community outreach and children with special needs. When she is not commuting to NYC for work she's spending time with her 3 grandsons, and building a successful Doula business with her daughter, Nacia. Kalimah wants people in co-ops and apartments as well as people in suburban areas to know the benefits of holistic living.
3 comments:
I am already a pretty naturally crunchy peep, but I plan on adding at least one new healthy food item to my diet that I have yet to try. Two things I have already decided to try are black garlic and ugli fruit. Black garlic is said to be sweet, with five times the health benefits of regular garlic, without the potent garlic smell. In addition to benefits given by eating most fruit, ugli fruit is said to be great as a morning drink to improve energy levels throughout the day. You can even add some sparkling water to give it a little extra kick!
I've never heard of black garlic or ugli fruit (you sure that's a real thing, lol) But exercise at least twice a week is on my agenda for the summer. Whether its at the gym or in my backyard with the kids.
I had never heard of it either until last week...I am intrigued enough to try it though!! I saw your video of your first work out and you have motivated me to join a class. Thanks!
Post a Comment
Leave us some crunchy goodness...