Of Tea and Seasons

I made Kombucha Tea today for the first time since Seth was born. Why, when I believe so strongly in the health benefits of this and other fermented drinks, would I quit making it for over a year?

The answer is the same reason as it was in this post – “Seasons”. I was in season where extras like something to drink other than water or milk, especially if they required preparation, just weren’t happening. Also, Seth didn’t seem to like the caffeine or to much acidic stuff in the first months of his breastfeeding. Oh, and did I mention I didn’t drink it when I was pregnant, either? Yeah – almost two years without this awesome super-beverage in my diet. Why was I OK with this?
Because I have learned to accept seasons in my life.

There is such freedom when you recognize what seasons mean in life. It goes back to Ecclesiastes – in which the Preacher tells us there are times
to be born, and to die
to kill and to heal
to break down and to build up
to plant, and to pull up
to weep and to laugh
to mourn and to dance…

We know and understand seasons of a garden – planting and pulling. We know in life there is a time to be born and a time to die. We accept this. Then why do we chaff against seasons in life and motherhood? Why do we resent a season in which we do not get enough sleep? If we recognize it is a season and it will not always be this way, can you see the peace that would come in that?

Let’s get back to the tea again – and why I didn’t stress about skipping it for a time. I’ve come to realize that eating as healthy as I know how to takes a lot of time and energy – two resources that have many other draws on them in this season of my life. Stressing about my inability to achieve all my goals in the area of nutrition will only add more stress to my life – which itself is as unhealthy as munching a candy bar for breakfast. Resting in the season I am in is much better for me and my family.

Perhaps you are trying to eat healthier, and learn more about good nutrition. I would encourage you not to obsess about it, as I have done in seasons. Unless you have an urgent health issue that makes major diet changes priority, give yourself grace. Try one new recipe or technique at a time until it becomes familiar and routine, before adding another thing to your plate. If you just can’t get the hang of a recipe, or can’t find a source for something you’ve come to think of as essential (like raw milk), or you can’t afford to purchase coconut oil in bulk right now – relax. Take a deep, cleansing breath, and do what you can do in this season.

For me that means committing to a bit more planning and effort in the kitchen this week, to prepare some refreshing summer beverages to take on our road trip at the end of the month. (I’m going to make Kefir Soda and Fermented Sun Tea, too!) Taking my own treats will keep the temptation at bay to eat too much junk on the road. Now that Seth is less sensitive to acid things in my diet, it’s time for me to once again focus on my goal of regularly supplementing each meal with a little something cultured or fermented to aid digestion and nutrition. 

What about you? Is there something you need to pick up in this season? A skill you need to grow? Or is it time to lay something down and embrace a season of rest in an area that is stressing you? Let it go, honey. There will be a reverse season at some point in which you can tackle that goal – Scripture assures us of this. Do what you can where you are and rest.