When the Southwest monsoon season strikes each year we find ourselves asking is there ANYTHING good about this smoldering desert and it’s oppressive humidity?

Imagine you are suddenly living by your wits in the southwest desert, without an air-conditioned home, car and or grocery store? Add the beautiful and moving landscape of the desert’s sky, winds and monsoon rains and this sets the stage for one of humanity’s most brilliant hacks!

It IS a blessed time in the desert year when water comes from the skies and gives the hope of mid-summer/fall nourishment.  The planting of maize (corn), climbing beans (tepary or common beans) and winter squash as a group creates survival and symbosis.  The corn grows tall and becomes a support for the beans to climb.  The beans fix nitrogen into the soil which the corn has taken out and the squash with its broad round leaves shade the roots of the plants and lower the ground temperature to make the desert heat more survivable.

Try it!  If you have a garden and are in the monsoon’s path then plant some seeds.  After July 4th, anytime in July or the first week of August is a good time. You will  be quickly entertained by bold green seedlings pushing through the ground and this ancient agrarian tradition repeated by your own hands.

I had the opportunity recently to put some thought into how this relates not just in a nutritional sense to human kind but in an integrative interactive sense that is analogous to good holistic healthcare.  You can search to find the right team that will work together to keep you current on your health needs or your Naturopathic doctor may suggest a shared care plan that may include naturopathic and conventional care, other specialists and therapists.  In this way you can find your defending forces against the impacts of the environment, against disease and for health.  Your own support community that fosters physical health and wellbeing. The right team like the Three Sisters makes things happen and gives you a well rounded vital life.

If you are looking for the integrative approach to healthcare for you and your family get in touch with a Naturopathic doctor.

At Ardea Health PLLC our Naturopathic experts can help you find your best fit.  To schedule a free 10 minute phone consult toward a better health plan go to:  keepitvital.com or call 602-421-6237.