In the last several years, many have dreamed about chucking city ways and living on the land as a small organic farmer. Here’s the story about Michael Paine, a man who went to college in the Bronx, then joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Lesotho to grow trees.

He concluded that growing food was more pertinent than forestry and when he came home he decided to be a family farmer. The bank wouldn’t lend him money to buy a farm, but based on his wife’s earnings they would lend money to buy a country estate.

It’s an inspiring story and while most of us won’t end up as small farmers, we can appreciate those who do.

You know spring is here when you catch a whiff of Violets (Viola odorata). These beautiful flowers, which you may also know as Heartsease, are members of the Violaceae (Violet) Family.

In mythology Zeus had a lover named Ione (from which the word viola is derived). His wife, Hera was jealous and turned her into a white heifer. Zeus created violets to give her something lovely to graze upon. Wherever Venus and Adonis lay together a bed of violets was said to have sprung. Persephone, the daughter of the Earth Mother Demeter, was picking violets when Pluto kidnapped her to live with him in the underworld. Athens was once known as “the city of violets.”

The leaf and flower have been used for thousands of years by millions of people as an antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic agent.

Violets have been used to improve acne, anger, asthma, bronchitis, colds, eczema, fever, fibrocystic breast disease, grief, headache, heartbreak, lymphatic congestion, mastitis, mumps, psoriasis, scurvy, sore throat, ulcers, urinary tract infection, varicose veins, and whooping cough. Apply a cloth soaked in violet leaf and/or flower tea to the back of the neck to treat headaches. The flowers are eaten as a breath freshener.

Violet flower essence helps those that feel lonely, despite being surrounded by others. It increases openness and helps shy aloof people that want to share but feel overwhelmed.

As long as the leaves are heart shaped, the leaves and buds are edible raw in salads or as a potherb. The flowers are edible and make a beautiful garnish. Freeze the flowers into water in ice cube trays for a touch of elegance. Violet sherbet, puddings, and candied violets are sweet delicacies. Violet tea is most often prepared from the leaves. Violet leaf tea is safe and gentle; it even can be used as a substitute for baby aspirin. Do not substitute African violets as a medicine plant.

Ancient Greeks wore crowns of violets to promote serenity and sleep. Ancient Romans would plant violets upon the graves of children. Violets are regarded as a symbol of innocence and modesty. Violet is the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. Violet flowers are carried to bring good fortune.

Violet leaves and flowers contain beta-carotene, vitamin C, salicylates, the flavonoid rutin, mucilage, and the flowers contain essential oil.

Violets are pungent, bitter, and sweet, cool and moist and correspond to Venus, and the element of water.

Viola odorata is native to western Asia and Europe but is widely cultivated and naturalized. This evergreen perennial grows to about 6 inches in height and has heart-shaped leaves. The flowers are self-pollinating and purple, pink, lavender, or white in color. They usually have five petals, two on the upper portion, two laterals, and one on the bottom. Though flowers appear in early spring, the true seed-producing flower is inconspicuous and appears in autumn.

In gardening, violet leaves are used as a fertilizer for leaf crops. Some Native Peoples have soaked corn seeds in cool violet tea to prevent insect damage during germination.

In the garden, violet provides nectar for early butterflies. The plant prefers full to partial shade, soil that is rich in organic matter, and moderate to high amounts of water. There are over one hundred of the Viola genus. Most are perennial, though there are a few annuals in the genus. Viola. tricolor, also known as Pansy, also edible is one of the most recognized.

Violet Vinegar

Place as many violet flowers as possible into a jar. Cover with white wine vinegar, cork and allow to steep for one month, shaking daily. Strain and refrigerate. Voila!

Violet Honey

In the spring, collect two cups violet flowers. Place in the blender with one cup raw unfiltered honey and the juice of one lemon and blend. Store in a glass jar in the freezer. Use as a spread on sprouted crackers.

Brigitte Mars, a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild, is a nutritional consultant who has been working with Natural Medicine for over forty years. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University, Omega, Boulder College of Massage, and Bauman Holistic College of Nutrition. She has a weekly local radio show called "Naturally" on KGNU and a private practice. Brigitte is the author of twelve books, including The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, Beauty by Nature, Addiction Free Naturally, Healing Herbal Teas, and Rawsome!. Find more healthy living articles, raw food recipes, videos, workshops, books, and more at brigittemars.com. Also check out her supermodel yogini daughter, rainbeaumars.com.

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By Annie Scott, Tonic

At last, spring is upon us! Even if you’re cooped up in an office, it’s still fun to appreciate the springiness happening all around. Here are a few things to watch for as we head into the season of love, rebirth and much-needed warmth.

10 Signs that Spring has Sprung

1. No jackets.

This is a personal favorite of mine, especially since almost everyone in New York wears a boring black coat all winter. Suddenly, as spring arrives, the streets are filled with color and interesting outfits — and you can actually see what everyone is wearing! Some people take the “oh my LORD I don’t have to wear a coat!!” a little too far, though. Watch for shivering.

2. Spring smells.

One of the first signs of summer is that freshly-cut grass smell. In spring, it’s flowers. They’re everywhere; florists are starting to stock outside displays, men and women are carrying them around and if you’re lucky enough to be near some nice landscaping, they’re starting to bloom on their own. The other telltale scent? Barbecue. That meat-flavored smoke wafting through the air means it’s time to hit the deck — and start grilling.

3. People walking slower.

There are two reasons that people walk slower in the spring. One is that they’re not freezing, obviously. The other is that due to the not freezing, people are actually enjoying being outside again. They’re literally smelling the roses. Spring is a time for strolling.

4. Birds.

You’ll notice that you hear more than just the usual muffled pigeon sounds as you walk around outside. Birds start appearing everywhere in spring, and you may even catch a couple of randy ones chasing after each other. Brown-chicken-brown-cow!

5. You drop five pounds.

Sometimes, we don’t even notice it happening. We crave lighter foods when it’s warmer, so without even realizing it, you may have just gone on a diet of sorts. Not only that, but the good feelings of being outdoors will encourage you to exercise more. Five pounds may just fall right off you

6. Your body feels better.

Not only might you feel a bit lighter, but because you’re not all tense from being cold, your muscles will be more relaxed all day, and then at the end of the day, too. Give yourself an extra flexibility and muscle relaxation boost by hitting a few yoga classes. Yoga feels great in the spring.

7. You get more done.

The days are getting longer, and more hours of light means more hours of motivation. It’s so easy to quit running errands when it gets dark out. Now, you can keep on with your day until 7 p.m. or so before the sun sets. Not only that, but the bright, warm light early in the morning gets you out of bed faster. This phenomenon is part of why we have “spring cleaning.” We suddenly have time!

8. You hear music.

The good feeling of sunshine on your shoulders may bring songs into your head — or it may be that your local musicians are out on the street playing again. After relying on your iPod for tune-age all winter, you can finally unplug and listen to the music of your environment.

9. Buds are budding, sprouts are sprouting …

Keep an eye on that dormant tree outside your office window. In fact, consider photographing it daily to make an album of its progress — it’s fun. Also, a walk through the park through budding trees and other plants will remind you that this is the season of new beginnings and bolster your spirits. Get out there!

10. Love is in the air.

Everyone is suddenly better looking, no? Their faces aren’t scrunched up from the cold, you can see what they’re wearing, they’ve lost five pounds, the SAD blues are receding, our circulation is on the rise and the sunshine has our bodies manufacturing vitamin D by the jazzies. All this can lead to some pretty lusty thoughts about the people around you. Don’t feel guilty; it’s normal. Watch for the adorable PDAs as hands come our of pockets and lovers loll around having picnics and making lovey-dovey faces at each other. Better yet, find somebody to love up for yourself and give those randy birds some competition.

Tonic is a digital media company dedicated to promoting the good that happens around the world each day. We share the stories of people and organizations that are making a difference by inspiring good in themselves and others.

At Tonic, we also see ourselves as a service company — one that strives not only to inspire our readers, but to equip them with the resources to make a difference.

Debbie Mandel, Intent.com

Spring is almost here and many people are worrying about allergy season. However, nature can actually make you healthier with fewer doctor’s visits. Human nature is enmeshed with nature. Learn to get along with nature’s rhythms to reset your own biorhythms from technology overload — focus on the benefits. So, the next time it is hot and humid, don’t beat the heat — make peace with it.

Here is what nature can do for you:

* Silent communication. Overscheduled and endless demands, you need to detoxify your senses with solitude, setting aside quiet time to reflect. You can hear a bird, smell a flower and feel the wind on your skin. Learn to pay attention to feel alive and alert — less likely to fall and get injured.

* Slow you down. Being crazy busy sets you up for chronic stress. Nature reduces the inflammatory response of stress which is damaging to all your bodily processes and sets you up for unhappiness.

* The sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D as transmitted by sunlight to your skin and helps to release serotonin to improve your mood. Exposure to sunlight stimulates the pineal gland to produce melatonin which plays a role in quality sleep, so that you wake up refreshed to start your day — without irritability. Vitamin D boosts the immune system and helps prevent certain cancers like breast and colon.

* Nutrients. Eating local, organically grown pesticide-free fruits and vegetables provides superior nutrition because they go directly from harvest to table. Better yet grow fruits, herbs and vegetables in your own garden or a community garden. Did you know that gardeners don’t tend to get osteoporosis and get a great workout that many gym members envy?

* Natural self-expression. Nature reminds you to be your authentic self — embrace your body and run with wolves — metaphorically speaking. Silence, suppression, pretense — take their toll on your mood and cardiovascular system.

* Movement outdoors. Take your workout outdoors because man was designed to walk and run outside. One hour at the gym is not enough. Look for opportunities to move all day instead of sitting in front of the TV or a computer.

* The power of the pack. Nature teaches us to flock together for safety and close relationships. Isolation breeds depression, illness and cognitive impairment.

* The power of green. The fewer chemicals the better, as everyone has a tipping point for illness. Chemicals stress the body. Also, the color green helps to promote healing. Nature has many shades of green.

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