Nature's Healing Power in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Love - Heal - Nature - Food!

“Walk in nature and feel the healing power of trees.” Anthony William.

I am just back from a weeks’ vacation in my favorite place, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Lovingly called the U.P. by us Michiganders, it is miles and miles of endless untamed wilderness and far less people. It is a more laid-back way of living where everyone waves at each other as you pass by in your vehicles even when you do not know the person. A much friendlier place that is akin to years gone by. I was in a grocery store in the U.P. with no self-check-out isles, they all had a person working the registers. There is far less traffic, breathtakingly beautiful scenery, long beaches on the shores of Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and the mighty Lake Superior. The perfect place to help heal your body and mind.

“In clinical studies, we have seen that 2 hours of nature sounds a day significantly reduce stress hormones up to 800% and activates 500 to 600 DNA segments known to be responsible for healing and repairing the body.” Dr. Joe Dispenza

I go to the U.P. as often as possible every year. I have been all over the U.P. and have some favorite places that I keep going back to over and over again. The Keweenaw Peninsula is one of those areas. It is surrounded by Lake Superior, deep lush forests and the old remains of the mining days that are all gone now.

“Nature itself is the best physician.” Hippocrates.

I highly recommend going out into nature to help keep your body healthy and also to heal your body. Breathing in the fresh air, smelling the sweet cedar, pungent pines or dank earthy dirt awakens your senses. When you are hiking down a path in nature, admiring the beauty, saying ‘thank you’ to the trees, discovering all the colorful wildflowers, you can let go of all the stresses in your life, lose your endless mind chatter and relax. That is healing at a soul level.

“There are increased benefits of spending more time in nature and leaving technology behind such as improved short-term memory, enhanced working memory, better problem solving, greater creativity, lower levels of stress and higher feelings of positive well-being.” David Strayer, Professor of cognitive and neural science.

While on vacation, I did not go on social media or on the internet for a week. That felt fantastic! I did not check my emails, I did not check my notifications, I did not wonder if ‘so and so’ of my friends was having a challenge and posting it on their page, and I definitely did not need to hear any breaking news while enjoying the peacefulness of the wilderness. Whatever was happening could wait a week. There is so much to see and do in nature, I did not have time to check those internet things. You know, the way it used to be. I felt like I did 20 years ago before all of us were captured by this controlling entity we call the internet.

“Allow nature’s peace to flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.” John Muir.

I was blessed to have great weather while in the U.P. which meant, plenty of sunshine. We humans need the sun. It provides vitamin D, light energy, strengthen your immune system, fight off depression, gives you energy, maintain stronger bones, reduce stress and is essential to our well-being.

“Illnesses do not come upon us out of the blue. They are developed from small daily sins against Nature. When enough sins have accumulated, illnesses will suddenly appear.” Hippocrates

Most of the great philosophers, healers, scientists, physicians, and enlighten masters talked about the health benefits of being in nature. I have included many quotes in this blog from various people throughout history on how nature is healing to us.

“Go outside. Don’t tell anyone and don’t bring your phone. Start walking and keep walking until you no longer know the road like the palm of your hand, because we walk the same roads day in and day out, to the bus and back home and we cease to see.” Charlotte Eriksson.

Have you heard of ‘Earthing’? It has been around since the beginning of human existence; we just did not have a word for what we were doing. Earthing is going outside, standing on the earth with no shoes or anything between your body and the earth. You will receive electrons and sync with the earth's natural frequencies. Energy healing! Think about when we humans walked around bare foot all the time. We were ‘Earthing’ all the time.

I was able to do a lot of ‘Earthing’ while in the U.P. Being bare foot on the beaches and in Lake Superior. I have no scientific explanation; you just feel better. And it is free! Just go outside bare food and walk around.

To learn more about ‘Earthing’: https://www.earthing.com/pages/what-is-earthing

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” Franklin D. Roosevelt.

One of the unique and delicious things about the U.P. is the wild Thimbleberries. Have you had them yet? They are kind of a big thing to the people who live up there. And the tourist who come to visit usually go home with a jar of Thimbleberry Jam. I pick them every year I am up there. Which is not an easy thing to do. The plants can grow very tall and the leaves are huge. A big patch of Thimbleberries growing can completely take over an area and you can get lost in them especially them the plants are taller than you. They like to grow on the side of the road, in places that there are old wood piles, and generally hard to get to places.

They are bright red in color. They have a sweet/sour taste being slightly sourer than red raspberries. The health benefits are: high antioxidant content, anti-inflammatory, vitamin A and C, iron, potassium and calcium.

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” Anne Frank

We sometimes overlook the simple things in life that can help us. It cost nothing to go outside and connect with nature. Usually, wherever you live, there is a wilderness area or park around that you can go out into to feel the healing energy of nature. Remember there is more to life than just working, working, working. Vacations are also an important part of keeping healthy. We all need a break from the usual routines that we are living in and it is good for the body and the soul. I highly recommend taking some time, getting into nature, going bare foot, turning off social media and the internet and just breathing the fresh air of nature. Your body will thank you.

Cooking Classes:

Corn on The Cob Outdoor Grilling Cooking Class
Wed. August 14 - 6 to 9 PM (ET)
In person $65.00 - Virtual $55.00

The flavors of summer are in full swing in this class. The sweet potato patties are served with the marinated grilled tofu and vegetables all seasoned with a marinade made with fresh oregano and thyme.

In the last class, a student exclaimed "WOW!", as he took his first bite of the dish taught in class. He said the flavors were phenomenal!

Attend virtually and you can cook in the comfort of your own home. If you do not have a grill, the recipes can also be made using your stove.

Menu: Grilled Corn on the Cob with Vegan 'Yum Yum' Sauce, Sweet Potato Patties served with Grilled Tofu, Onions and Radicchio in a Fresh Oregano Marinade, Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash and Grilled Peaches in a Sweet Cherry Sauce.

Get in the Kitchen and Cook Healthy!

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