Welcome and Hello Spring

I am so excited to launch the Melissa Snow Nutrition website! Creating the look and feel became a reality when I partnered with Stacey Hamblett of Applemint Creative. I am so grateful for Stacey’s guidance, creativity, knowledge of food and culinary art, and her passion for creating websites.

And I love my logo! My mother told me when I was young that the name Melissa is derived from the Greek word μέλισσα meaning "honeybee". My grandfather used to say to me “Melissa Lee, busy as a bee!”. Surrounding the bee is Melissa officinalis, also known as lemon balm. Small white flowers bloom in the summer and are full of nectar, attracting honey bees.

Pictures of honey bees are not all pleasant. Liz Favini of Hatch Projects drew the bee I envisioned. I am grateful for her probing, forcing me to identify with what I felt in my heart and connect it with the work I do and my business. If you like the logo, keep your eye open for eco-friendly merchandise to support you in your healthy eating journey.

Since lemon balm has a lemony scent, it reminds me of Spring and my love for all things citrus. It comes from the same family as mint and has traditionally been used to improve mood and cognitive function, digestion, specifically with the liver and gallbladder, and has anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-spasmodic properties.

The leaves are used in teas combined with peppermint or spearmint as a digestive and sleep aid; in skin ointments; and chopped up fresh and added to salads, green drinks, fish, or in lemon balm pesto.

Spring is a time for renewal. Examine your daily rituals. Which ones are serving you in your desire for better health? Which behaviors or practices are interfering with your intentions or goals for experiencing optimal energy and vitality? Reach out to me if you want to take a closer look at your diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits.

Garlic Scape Lemon Balm Pesto

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (8-9) washed and trimmed garlic scapes (available at farmer’s markets) or substitute 3 garlic cloves

• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1/2 cup fresh lemon balm leaves (if using garlic cloves, increase to 1 1/2 cups)

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or other hard cheese

• kosher salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• in a food processor, pulse garlic scapes or cloves

• add sunflower seeds and pulse

• turn on processor and drizzle in olive oil; turn off and scrape sides

• add cheese and salt and pepper to your liking

• store in a glass jar or freeze

• serve on top of fish or seafood, pasta or other grains used for making Buddha bowl

Recipe from Grow a Good Life