Today’s Prayer to Passage will be from the book ‘100 Best Health Foods’ created and produced by Ivy Contract with consultant Judith Wills. In the world of mind, body, and spirit, let’s shift gears to the body. I’m going to do a three-day body bundle. The whole package belongs here, and this is what I will continue to deliver.

Today I pray, “Dear God, I am becoming more aware of how important it is to nurture the body in addition to my brain and soul. Speak to my heart today. Amen.”

I held the closed book in my hands and concentrated on my prayer. I opened the book to this passage:

Page 174:

.
“PARSLEY
A traditional herbal remedy, parsley is strongly antioxidant and antigoagulant, and is also rich in Vitamin C and iron.
Flat-leaf and curly-leaf parsley both have a similar nutritional profile. Parsley sprigs are often simply used as a garnish and then discarded, which is a pity as the leaves are a good source of several nutrients including vitamin C and iron. Myristicin, a compound found in parsley, inhibits tumors in animals and has a strong antioxidant action, neutralizing carcinogens in the body, such as the dangerous compunds in tobacco smoke and barbecue smoke. Parsley is also an anticoagulant, and contains compounds of oils that are linked with relief from menstral problems such as pain, fluid retention, and cramps.”

This is fantastic. I planted herbs this summer. The Simon and Garfunkle four; parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. And the only one of the seasoning quartet to have taken root was the parsley. It flourished. I like being reminded that other than calorie counting and exercise there are a variety of health-boosting options available to us, as close as potted soil on a windowsill.

Parsley is from the earth, a gift for the body. Not a mere breath freshener, rather, part and parcel of the plate. (Pardon the parcing wordplay.) Parsley could be a toast to the start of a meal. Here’s to parsley! An antioxidant and anticoagulant. That’s a healthy little leaf, beginning, middle, or end.