By
Victor S. Sierpina, MD
"There is something of the marvelous in all things of nature." — Aristotle
There is something refreshing about being out in nature. Cities with lots of parks, bike paths, and easily walkable areas invite their citizens to not only experience the outdoors but also to exercise more regularly.
Our bodies and minds are intrinsically attuned to the rhythms of nature and getting out of our air-conditioned, artificially lighted spaces to experience the wind, the sun, the moon, the changes in temperature, the light/dark cycle all help us reconnect with our basic and healthy biorhythms for activity, eating, and sleeping.
To experience all nature has to offer means not only spending time outdoors, but making a habit of eating natural foods — those that are close to the source, unprocessed, and containing their essential nutritive elements.
If you don’t have a garden of your own, local farmer’s markets are a great place to find some of the freshest, most healthful foods. Visiting a farmer’s market, you can find fruits, vegetables, nuts, honey, as well as frozen chicken, fish, and beef. Look for vendors that sell foods that are free of pesticides, antibiotics, hormones and other unnatural substances that can strain the body’s detoxification systems.
So take nature in from the outside in. Breathe in the fresh air, drink the purest water, and eat the safest, most nutritious and (whenever possible) organic foods to optimize your health in body, mind and spirit.