March Madness in Maine: Celebrate the Coming of Spring With This Healthy Recipe

by Rachael Reynolds | Mar 3, 2021

flower blooming with snow on the petals and ground

March could make anyone feel like they may be going mad with its fluctuating weather and temperatures.

On the bright side, it also marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring!

By the way:

1. Change Your Clocks on Sunday, March 14th!

In Spring we spring our clocks ahead by one hour. Nowadays most of our clocks will reset themselves, but not all of them.

If you’ve ever wondered why we even started or continue daylight savings; the reasoning may be more simple than you could imagine.

While some speculate that it was to help farmers who needed to rise early to deal with livestock or crops, that would be wrong. Daylight savings is simply done to conserve energy.

2. March 20th is the first day of Spring, or as many like to call it, Mud Season!

The changing of the season is marked by the spring or vernal equinox on which falls on March 20th this year.

Fun fact, the word equinox comes from the Latin words meaning equal night. It is the day of the year when daylight and nighttime are nearly equal. After which the northern half of the globe tilts towards the sun and as the days pass the daylight lasts longer and temperatures rise.

Of course, with Spring, we often have Spring showers, which can result in a lot of mud forming on the ground where the ground may still be partially frozen underneath.

Keep reading below for a few tips on keeping the mud from adding to your March madness.

Things you will need to combat the mud:

A raised pathway to and from your door can be your first defense against mud being tracked indoors. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways but a few common ones include; adding stepping stones, bark mulch, or gravel to raise the pathway up. (If you rent, be sure to talk to the landlord first.)
A good bristly doormat, both outside the door and inside as well, can be helpful as long as everyone remembers to wipe their feet. I put a waterproof mat underneath my inside mat to keep my floor from being damaged.
If your entire dooryard turns into a muddy mess in the springtime, a boot scraper can come in handy.
Lastly, if removing your shoes at the door is an option then this can be the very best way to keep the mud out of your home.

3. Did you know that Spring cleaning can be good for your health?

Spring cleaning is just a deeper version of cleaning our home.

If cleaning is not your favorite task and the thought of deep cleaning your entire home feels instantly overwhelming, do not despair.

Spring is an entire season and is technically three months long. This task does not need to be done in one day or even in a weekend but can be spread out over the course of a few months’ time.

Spring cleaning is good for your health because it helps to reduce common allergens like dust, mold, mildew, pet dander, and pollen that may have built up over the wintertime.

Things to Consider

Spring cleaning can look different for everyone depending on several variables including your space, family size, and priorities. You should set goals to clean at your own pace. I often start with the two most used spaces in my home, the kitchen, and bathroom.

You do not need to have expensive equipment or harsh chemicals to get the job done. I often use things like baking soda, white vinegar, black and white print newspaper pages (in place of paper towels), and items I purchase at the dollar store like scrub brushes, the off-brand Magic Erasers, face cloths, and toothbrushes for tight spots.

Spring cleaning can be a great time to declutter your space and rearrange needed items or get rid of items you may no longer need or use by discarding or donating them. This not only helps by giving you fewer items to clean but can reduce the stress that can be caused by clutter.

If possible, now is a good time to clean under and behind appliances. Be very careful in sliding appliances as they are heavy and may pose a tripping hazard. Also, be aware of the length and placement of the power cord to avoid damage or shock hazards. Cleaning under and behind appliances not only helps reduce allergens but can also reduce energy use and extend the life of appliances. (It is always best to have help with this task whenever possible.)

If you aren’t sure what to clean or where to start, there are free printable lists online or you can create your own list to fit your needs.

4. March Madness Healthy Spring Recipe

March is also National Nutrition Month! Check out this fantastic SNAP-Ed recipe from FoodHero.org for Asian Chicken Salad;

Ingredients:

Dressing

1⁄3 cup rice vinegar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
1 1⁄2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1⁄2 teaspoon hot chili oil

Salad

1 package (10 ounces) salad greens or 6 cups of other lettuce
1 medium carrot, grated
1 bunch green onions, sliced diagonally
1⁄2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, rinsed
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges
1 package (6 ounces) snow peas, sliced diagonally
2 cups cooked boneless chicken meat, shredded

Directions

Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
Toss greens, carrot, onion, and cilantro with dressing.
Drain mandarin oranges and water chestnuts, then add to salad.
Add snow peas and chicken; mix lightly.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

5. Add a little color and freshness with citrus fruits!

Citrus is in season and adding them to the menu is a sweet way to get some freshness, flavor, and a healthy dose of vitamin C.

Citrus fruits come in all sizes and each variety is a little different from the next. While we usually eat them fresh from the peel, don’t be afraid to change it up.

I add them to salads, including a warm fruit salad I use to top pancakes or waffles.