Welcome Back to Fresh!

I thought those 5-feet-tall mounds of snow on each side of our driveway might never melt, but a little spring sun and a little spring rain this past week has made short work of them. The snow is gone. This is my first spring in the new house and there are little green shoots starting to show in the garden beds. I can hardly wait to see what show of color there might be...crocuses? hyacinths? tulips? daffodils?

Even going to the grocery store is giving me a little lift. There is rhubarb, asparagus, and gorgeous knob onions on display in the produce department. Everything is looking really fresh.

And not a moment too soon. It's time to start eating light again. Yes, I DO love the slow-cooked braises and hearty fare of the cold-weather months, but as I have been reading up on remedies for a strained tendon that has been giving me grief, I keep seeing anecdotal evidence that eating anti-inflammatory foods (http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/anti-inflammatory-diet-road-to-good-health) might help me heal faster. Anti-inflammatory foods are the ones without added sugar, glutens, or chemicals. Land-animal fats are kept to a minimum while the consumption of cold-water fish is maximized (for their "good" Omega-3 oils).

When the weather outside does not resemble the arctic circle, eating this way is pure pleasure. There's a feeling of synchronicity when the weather is lighter and brighter and so are our dinners. Doesn't wild salmon with little spring green onions in a yogurt sauce sound amazing? Chicken breast with rhubarb and sorrel is a springtime favorite of mine. Little haricots verts with roasted pistachios and citrus zest pair well with just about anything.... All of those little neighborhood farmer's markets should be opening up again in a few short weeks and I, for one, am ready to take advantage of all the young, spring produce. Who needs a gut-busting meat-fest for dinner with a sugar-bomb for dessert when the sun is still shining in the evening hours and there is gardening to be done, or twilight walks to go on?

Welcome back, sunshine...welcome back, fresh food!