This month kicks off celebratory outdoor eating for those parts of the country that have been dealing with ice, snow and brisk showers for the last several months. Picnics at the beach or park, and firing up the grill in the backyard hold fond memories for many of us. Something about eating outdoors feels like an instant-vacation and the food even tastes better than usual. But often, popular foods choices for these events can leave us feeling less than refreshed. During the spring, our body undergoes a natural detoxification, mostly focused on the liver and gallbladder.

Spring has finally arrived, after what felt like an unusually extended winter here on Long Island. Today I was able to go for a hike in a tee-shirt in the same state park where I had been sledding just two weeks ago. It reminded me just how quickly things can change when Mother Earth is ready for the transition. Even with a record 14-inch snowfall so recently, a week of warm sunny days was still going to be in the cards soon, no matter how far away that had seemed during the blizzard.

Valentine's Day will soon be here upon, as Hallmark, and your local florist and jewelry store is so eager to remind you. Many of us have sweet childhood memories of heart-shaped lollipops and handmade valentines "sent" to everyone in our class. Maybe your father always brought you flowers or you can fondly remember a special Valentine’s treat made by your mother. It was just an especially sweet day during the cold of winter. As we become adults and navigate our way through romantic relationships, this day can bring some unnecessary drama and pressure for all of us, coupled or not.

A new year has begun! Here’s hoping that it brings promise, enthusiasm and new resolve into your life. If you are like many of our friends and neighbors, the resolution at the top of the list might be to increase (or just begin) physical activity. After a two-month frenzy of cozying up on the couch with holiday goodies, many of us feel the urge to get things into gear. However, the New Year feeling and that newfound desire to exercise more must also grapple with, for many of us, bitterly cold weather and shorter days.

No sooner have the plates been cleared from Thanksgiving dinner when the pressure to begin holiday shopping commences. The traditional day off after Thanksgiving could be a great day to relax, enjoy friends and family, see a movie or even set intentions for the coming year. Instead it has become that manic day known as “Black Friday.” No rest for the weary, often the same people who cooked that huge meal the day before. No, if you want the really good sales, it’s best to be up by day-break.

As this is an issue focused on gratitude, I would like to first thank you for taking the time to check out the November edition of the Ripe Wellness newsletter. As mentioned in last month’s article, the fall is a time when we naturally turn inward, perhaps feeling more contemplative. Something about the chill in the air and the grey sky that turns darker increasingly quicker with each day seems to encourage that. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, tight about now seems like a perfect time to ponder- what does this holiday bring up within you?