Wellness Newsletter

Programming Highlights

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Spring Asparagus Recipe!

The following recipes comes from one of our regular freestyle cooking classes with Renate. Join us next month to make something new together!

Asparagus has been cropping up everywhere, especially here at People’s Place. It is a vegetable rich in antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and vitamins particularly potassium which helps lower blood pressure. We thought you might like a few delicious ideas to add some local asparagus goodness to your cooking routine. Luckily, since spring asparagus is so fresh, the simplest cooking methods are usually the best to bring out optimal flavor.

To get started, always wash and remove the fibrous ends by easily snapping them off. They naturally pop off at the point where the tough end meets tender spear. Then they can be either roasted, grilled, steamed, poached, stir-fried, etc. Here’s a few fun ways to get started!

For roasting, grilling, and stir-frying, a simple drizzle of olive oil with salt and pepper is enough to make for a nice vegetable side dish. This is usually done on rather high heat, say 400° when in the oven, for a short period of time. So care it taken to not overcook them. For extra flavor, asparagus pairs nicely with lemon, garlic, and tarragon. A toasted breadcrumb, parsley, butter, parmesan crumble can also be a welcome touch right before serving.

For steaming and poaching, again this can be a quick method. Especially with very fresh asparagus, going al dente is perfectly fine. These then can be seasoned similarly to roasted or grilled or just as nice at room temperature as an addition to a salad, crudite plate, or tossed in a pasta dish.

With all this spring asparagus there might be occasion for some leftovers. Asparagus soup is an elegant, yet deceptively easy, light meal in of itself. Simply start with some sautéed onions and optional garlic. Add chicken or vegetable broth along with the leftover asparagus. Simmer until all is softened. Then blend either in a blender or preferably with an immersion blender until smooth taking care to not splash the hot liquid. Safety first, friends! Season to taste with salt, pepper and any extra herbs. If the soup is thick, it can be thinned with more broth or a bit of cream. A nice way to serve this stylishly verdant soup is topped with fresh herbs or croutons. Enjoy!

May Practice: Awaken, Nourish, Bloom

May is a month of expansion. The earth is alive with color, movement, and possibility. It reminds us that growth is natural when we give ourselves light, care, and patience. This month’s practice is about tending to your own inner garden.

Week 1: Focus on Clearing the Soil

Release what feels heavy or outdated. Declutter a space, let go of one limiting belief, or say no to something draining your energy.

Week 2: Focus on Planting New Intentions

Choose one intention you’d like to grow this season—peace, confidence, health, joy, connection—and write it somewhere visible.

Week 3: Focus on Nourishing Daily

Commit to one daily act of wellness:

• Take a walk outside
• Drink more water
• Stretch each morning
• Rest without guilt
• Speak kindly to yourself

Week 4: Focus on Celebrating Growth

Notice how far you’ve come. Growth is often quiet and gradual. Celebrate small wins, mindset shifts, and the ways you’ve shown up for yourself.

Daily Reflection Question:

What can I do today to help myself bloom?

May Affirmation:

I welcome growth.

I trust the process of becoming.

I nourish myself with love, patience, and possibility.

May's Rally Ride Fundraiser