Spring

Come Sunday morning, you'll find me with toes tapping, eagerly anticipating my weekly stroll to my neighborhood farmers market. Part of the excitement, especially this time of year, comes from not knowing exactly what new treats I'll find as we hit peak harvest season. That being said, I'll be sad to see some Spring favorites vanish till next year. Like a chipmunk before Winter, I gorge myself on those treats, trying to get my fill before they're gone.

Many a meal over the past couple of months involved slender and snappy stalks of asparagus, what some might consider the quintessential Spring vegetable. I've eaten it every which way: blanched, roasted, grilled, and even larded with prosciutto (wow). This is not to say that I've grown sick of it: I've just satisfied my need to consume it in more elemental preparations, and at this time of year, I find myself turning to one of my favorite kitchen tricks. A few swipes of a vegetable peeler, and I'm left with a pile of willowy asparagus ribbons, fit to be tossed into a salad or (my favorite) atop a pizza.

Keep reading to get the recipe.

You can be excused if your excitement to finally run in good weather has been dampened by a stretch of runny noses, itchy eyes, and nonstop sneezing. Allergy discomfort can be enough to prevent anyone from wanting to skip their daily workout, so keep sneezing and sniffling at a minimum with these tips for dealing with allergies while on your outdoor runs.

Check the counts: Some days are just made for the treadmill, especially if high pollen counts would mean you'd be suffering through your entire outdoor run. Make a habit of checking pollen and mold counts every day, and ditch your outdoor exercise when counts are the highest. Try Pollen.com for forecasts in your area. If you're not quite sure what triggers your allergies, then go to the doctor for an allergy skin test that will help you figure out what to watch out for.

Pick your time: Pollen counts are usually the highest in the mornings, so if you are feeling sneezy and stuffed up after every morning run, then try to move your running time to later in the day. Going in the evening may be your best option.

Change out of your clothes: Exercise clothes can carry allergens, so make sure you change — and shower — as soon as you get home to limit your exposure.

Prevent discomfort: If you know you're going to be running in high-allergen situations, then take a few preventative steps to make your workout a success. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen, and take your allergy medication — as long as it's nondrowsy and nondrying. Medication and inhalers that open up your air passageways can actually make your symptoms worse, so plan to take these at least an hour before your run.