Well, I know spring is finally here (despite the chilly temps). I had ramps for dinner- woohoo! When I moved to the mountains 5 years ago I had never heard of ramps. The friend who gave me my first ones warned me to open the windows before I prepared them and he sure was right! I've also heard that in the "old days" when kids ate ramps on their way to school, the teacher would make them stand outside the classroom window and wouldn't allow them in the room. (Couldn't get away with that today!) For those of you who don't know what ramps are, they are a member of the onion/garlic family, look like a small green onion, and are VERY pungent!

To me, ramps have become my indicator that it's time to put my sweaters away, let go of those heavy winter comfort foods, and move on out into spring. It's going to be time to work in the garden before long and exercise will be much easier to get going. The past week I've developed some type of stomach/intestinal problem (IBS? ulcer?) It's no wonder, with the renovations dragging on despite the contractor's efforts to get it done, the stress around here has been piling up. Who knew we'd find so many problems as we started? The contractor is ready to get out of here and I'm ready to get my house back. Once that happens, I think the stomach problems will disappear. (But I will be seeing my doc soon any way.) And those lovely ramps? Well, it's time to find out just how medicinal they are. There are a lot of thoughts out there about them being so healthy for you, but I'm already a believer!