Happy Solstice!
Today is the winter solstice, the longest night, the darkest time of the year. It’s no accident that many religions celebrate their most sacred holidays at this time. That lights are involved; Christmas lights, Hanukkah candles – reflects how intensely we react to this darkness.
We all live by an inner circadian rhythm that governs not just our wake and sleep cycle, but so much more. What we eat, our activity level, even fertility is affected. When it’s dark we want to sleep, hibernate like a bear but we now know that insomnia is a common ailment of the winter solstice. Our melatonin levels drop, the hormone that promotes restful sleep. Serotonin also wanes with the daylight, causing depression for many. Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a lack of serotonin levels.
Tomorrow the light begins to return, and the cosmos will be celebrating with a full moon. Mother Nature has a sense of humour.
Happy survival solstice 🙂
Solstice Menu
Winter solstice food in my kitchen can include anything that grows in the dark. My menu for tonight:
- Carrot/beet/mushroom salad
- Crab cakes
- baked potato
Full Moon Menu
To balance the solstice menu, the full moon menu will be food that grows lightly
- Spinach salad
- chicken (bird?)
- asparagus (light and airy plant)
