Time flies when life is absolute chaos. I apologize for the lack of February newsletter - February was chaos reincarnated, for both good + bad reasons, so unfortunately by the time the dust was settling (read: our “new to us but actually old” home plumbing issues were no longer piling up) and I had an opportunity to finalize my thoughts for the month, February became March. So here we are. Spring is [almost] upon us! Hopefully we are close to being over the last bout of frigid cold in the PNW. For those that live in northern latitude states or those that participate in daylight savings, we are all so grateful for some extra light in the evenings. Things are starting to bulb in the garden. We are close, mother nature can feel it. Let’s chat about our introduction to spring!
Silly Spring
Ways to use herbs + spices this spring:
— herby vinaigrette
— add sorrel leaves to a salad or soup; make a sorrel-based pesto
— poppyseeds in salads, baked goods, oatmeal, protein mug cakes
— dandelion leaf tea supports digestion
— mint in sparkling water or mocktails
EAT
March mood board
— citrus season!!
— everything but the bagel seasoning on eggs
— potential March intentions: gimme all the basketball. brighter evenings. cooking with fresh herbs. instill a good habit this month or remove a poor habit. spring cleaning. rainy walks. slower weekends. more meals not in front of a tv/electronics. cook with 1 new herb/spice this month.
What I’m cooking
Breakfast:
Matcha Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
Lox bagels/toast - carb source, cream cheese*, capers, dill, lemon juice, + smoked salmon *I love subbing greek yogurt instead of cream cheese for extra protein!
Lemon Poppyseed Oatmeal Mug Cake
Chocolate Chip Protein Oatmeal Mug Cake - 1/4 cup flour (dealer’s choice), 1-2 scoop of protein powder, 1/4 cup of oats, sprinkle of baking soda, milk or water (until cookie dough consistency), and chocolate chips. Add dry ingredients, pour in a little bit of milk at a time until you’ve reached a cookie dough consistency (this will change based on the flour and protein powder you use). Fold in chocolate chips, then microwave for 2-2.5 minutes. I recently made this for a friend and she loved it!
Lunch + Dinner:
Roast Carrot, Shallot, Butter Bean & Dill Salad
Spring Couscous Salad with Feta Vinaigrette
Chachos - iykyk, but this really is a personality trait of mine
French-Style Potato and Green Bean Salad
Spring Pistachio Pesto Pizza with Asparagus and Ricotta
Clams in Fennel Broth with Parsley Vinaigrette
Artichoke Hearts with Herb Gremolata
Marinated Butter Beans, Ricotta, + Charred Artichoke Hearts with Fresh Herbs
— my God I wish I came up with this recipe; Todd + I paired with grilled chicken and fresh sourdough bread and it was, as Mama West says, ‘lick the plate’ good
Drinks:
Cucumber Elderflower Spritz Mocktail
Additional ideas:
For Each Season’s ‘Spring Recipes’ Pinterest Board
LISTEN
Spring Playlist:
— a mix of feelings to match the mix of weather in spring.
Women’s History Month / International Women’s Day Month
— I was really wanting to get this newsletter out prior to International Women’s Day as I wanted to share this playlist. As we all realize that didn’t happen and I realized women get the whole month (note: we get every damn day), I chose to include this playlist. With my 30th birthday approaching, Something I have been reflecting on is ways I have developed in the last decade - in my 20s I became a girls girl. I have grown abundantly in my appreciation and gratitude for my girlfriends. This one is for you, ladies. If you want an all-women’s playlist to workout to, look no further.
READ
Seven life lessons from spring
Staples:
— patience is key (one I’m still learning and may be a lifelong lesson)
— there’s room for everyone
— there is hope after hardship (a daily reminder for myself as we move into spring)
Dare to Lead, by Brené Brown
— A challenging read addressing how to tackle hard conversations with vulnerability and honesty. Brené has profound wisdom on how to grow as a leader, credited through years of research and conversations with successful leaders in today’s world. I’d recommend this book to every working adult as we are all dealt hard conversations, are part of a team, and influence work culture.
SLEEP
Sleep Training Hygiene
— Texas Tech created this sleep hygiene training handout that I often provide for clients that spells out the dos and don’ts for how to improve your sleep!
Dying of the flu?
— It seems as though this year’s flu will not quit. If you struggle with congestion at night, aside from medications (consult your physician/PA/NP), peppermint oil is a great tool to dab onto your pillow or under your nose to help open your nasal passages.
REFLECT
“The coolest people I know: 1. Don’t respond to negativity. 2. Don’t speak poorly about others. 3. Show up on time. 4. Give without expectations. 5. Deliberately optimistic. 6. Don’t nitpick or brag. 7. Show gratitude. 8. Have good manners. 9. Make no excuses. 10. Random acts of kindness.”
— Let’s try to be kind to everyone. No one likes a bully, an excluder, or a bragger. That went out of trend in junior high. Be each other’s biggest supporters, life is hard enough.
“Maybe life leaves us with cracks so we can let in more light and see a way out of the dark.” — Louise Kaufmann
“Just as God has birthed rhythm/seasons into nature, He has birthed rhythm/seasons into our lives.” — Andrew Damazio, Rose Church
— what season are you in right now as we transition into spring? what is best for you to strip or incorporate in this season? who are people you’d love to invest in or gain support from in this season?
COMING SOON
— I have many aspirations for For Each Season in 2025 (screams “merch!!”), but I am hoping to cook some recipes this spring. It may or may not be a 2025 resolution to get that train chugging along again. Thanks for agreeing to be my accountability buddies.
— London city guide coming this month, to Substack [for paid subscribers]
— For Each Season Library coming soon [for paid subscribers]: a place to find resources on a variety of health-centric conversations.
Enough from me!
Making the most of each season,
Mads