Author: Joshua Stewart

By: Amy Kim

March 20^th marked the first day of spring, and with the season comes a time of renewal. In addition to blooming flowers and the spring green-up, the change in season has significant physical and psychological effects on our bodies. As Victorian poet Christina Rossetti said, “Spring is when life’s alive in everything.”

Indeed, there is scientific evidence to back up that feeling of rejuvenation that comes with the warmer weather and longer daylight hours.

Physical Renewal

Over 90% of vitamin D comes from direct skin exposure to sunlight, which helps maintain healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. Additionally, vitamin D is critical for maintaining brain function and immunity, with low levels linked to increased risk of heart diseases like hypertension and autoimmune diseases.

Other studies show lack of exposure to daylight is linked to lower melatonin production in the body, which is naturally produced as the body prepares for sleep.

Morning light brings those levels back down during the day, but in the shorter winter months, melatonin levels may peak and fall at later times.

Unstable melatonin production cycles can lead to mood changes associated with seasonal affective disorder, which can account for the often-dreaded moody winter months. Studies in night shift workers also show that less melatonin leads to reductions in the chemicals needed to repair DNA and unbalanced fluctuations in body weight and energy.

Mental Renewal

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spending time outdoors in green spaces is associated with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. The increased physical activity that comes with springtime leads to an increase in endorphin release, a natural mood booster.

A study published in the British Journal of Psychology International reported that people who use natural spaces for physical activity at least once a week cut their risk of poor mental health in half. Each extra day of physical activity can even reduce the risk by 6%.

The benefits of green spaces became especially evident during the Covid-19 pandemic. Communities with access to these spaces had better reported physical and mental health outcomes than those without.

As writer Jackee Holder puts it, “Spring is the season of hope, where we see the early signs of the labor of the winter months come to life. What a good time to notice the parallels in our own lives. Whether our New Year hopes and plans have failed or stalled, spring reminds us that there’s still time to start over again.”

Taking advantage of the opportunities spring brings — as easy as spending time in the fresh air outdoors or socializing with neighbors and friends in the warmer, sunnier weather — can significantly improve mental and physical health, giving us a fresh start for the season.

• Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
• Mixed Berry Spinach Salad With Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
• Broccoli Salad
• Spring Arugula and Pea Shoot Salad
• Angel Strawberry Dessert
• Salsa Fresca
• Strawberry Feta Salad
• Kheer – a Pakistani dessert

Angel Strawberry Dessert

Submitted by LaJauna Ellis, Dean’s Office

INGREDIENTS

• 1-1/2 cups sugar 
• 5 tablespoons cornstarch 
• 1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin 
• 2 cups water 
• 2 pounds fresh strawberries, divided 
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk 
• 1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed (4-1/2 cups) 
• 1 prepared angel food cake (8 to 10 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes 

DIRECTIONS

For glaze, in a large saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and gelatin; stir in water until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until mixture begins to boil. Cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat; cool completely. Cut half the strawberries into quarters; fold into glaze. 

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in condensed milk until blended. Fold in whipped topping. 

In a 4-qt. clear glass bowl, layer half the cake cubes, glaze and cream mixture. Repeat layers. Cut remaining strawberries in half and arrange over the top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Salsa Fresca

Submitted by Erin Adams, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Most stores offer pre-cut veggies, but I find that dicing them yourself makes for a better end result.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 small serrano chili (or jalapeno) – stemmed, seeded & chopped
• ¼  ounce chopped fresh cilantro
• ½ cup Rose’s sweetened lime juice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 10 – 11 oz diced tomatoes, not too ripe. 
• 1 small (or most of a medium size or 75% of large) diced red onions
• ¼ finely diced banana pepper
• 2 small (or most of a medium sized) green bell pepper

DIRECTIONS

Combine salt and Rose’s lime juice. Stir/shake until salt dissolves fully.

Combine salted lime juice with prepared vegetables. Mix well.

Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour prior to serving.

Strawberry Feta Salad

Submitted by Shalonda Williams, Electrical and Computer Engineering

SALAD INGREDIENTS

• Lettuce – Any leafy green will work such as romaine, spring mix,
  arugula, spinach, kale, etc.
• Fresh Strawberries
• Walnuts
• Dried cranberries
• Feta Cheese

DRESSING INGREDIENTS

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon
• Honey
• Dijon
• Sea salt
• Black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Add salad components to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Combine dressing ingredients except oil in a mixing bowl. Whisk while slowly drizzling in olive oil until creamy. Refrigerate dressing until ready to serve.

Before serving, crumble the feta cheese and sprinkle on salad. Toss with dressing.

Kheer – a Pakistani dessert

Submitted by Gul Shah, Biomedical Engineering

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup rice, soaked
• 1 liter whole milk
• 5-6 cardamom pods
• 10 table spoon sugar
• ¼ – ½ cup cream

DIRECTIONS

1. Keep the rice soaked in water for an hour and then boil the rice until it is mushy – this is at least 10-15 minutes of active boiling.
2. While that happens use a wide bottomed steel pot (NOT NON STICK) to bring your milk to a simmer.
3. Add the cardamom pods to the milk, and keep the stove on a low temperature.
4. Once the rice is mushy, drain the water and then mash it up thoroughly on a plate with a fork.
5. Add to the milk mixture along with the sugar. Mix well.
6. Cook on low – a gentle simmer for an hour. The milk will scald at the bottom of the pan but should not burn. Stir frequently so that it does not burn.
7. The kheer will thicken and condense quite a bit in this time, add ¼ cup of the cream you are using to the kheer.
8. Pour the kheer in a dish and keep in refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving.
9. You can use almonds or pistachios to garnish it.

Spring is a great time to go tiptoeing through the tulips — or lilies or roses or whatever you like. Enjoy spring and summer in these on-campus and North Georgia gardens.

Georgia Tech Community Garden (759 Ferst Drive)

An initiative of the Students Organizing for Sustainability, the community garden is available to everyone on campus and offers small plots for both individual and group use.

A reopening celebration for the newly renovated garden located on the Experiential Walkway next to Rising Roll will take place April 21 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will learn more about the space and how to get involved with the community garden.

Learn more about the Community Garden.

Clough Commons Rooftop Gardens

Take time to rejuvenate in Clough Commons’ rooftop garden. With 39 species of native plants, the rooftop design maximizes water collection and houses 30 solar panels that provide on-site renewable energy.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens (Atlanta)

An urban oasis abounding with indoor floral exhibits, outdoor garden settings, and dozens of sculptures, beautifully bringing together art with the natural environment. Some of Atlanta Botanical Gardens’ April features include Orchid Daze and Trolls: Save the Humans, an exhibition by Thomas Dambo.

More information

Atlanta Botanical Gardens Gainesville (Gainesville)

Opened in 2015, this offshoot of Atlanta Botanical Gardens is home to the largest conservation nursery in the Southeast. Unique to the Gainesville location is a children’s outdoor learning area as well as a series of hiking trails.

The La Calavera Catrina exhibit featuring sculptures of Dia De Los Muertos figures by Los Angeles artist Ricardo Soltero and runs from April 1 through August 27.

More information

Atlanta History Center (Atlanta)

A 33-acre campus featuring beautiful natural scenery, historic houses, exhibitions, and interactive experiences. Guests can organize their visit by interest area, length of visit, and guest party count using the center’s online visit planning tool.

More information

Callaway Gardens (Pine Mountain)

Callaway features 2,500 acres of gardens, trails, and exhibits. In addition to a vast array of natural scenery, garden amenities include hotel and cabin lodging, golf greens, a lake, eateries, recreation activities, a spa, and educational centers/structures, including the Callaway Discovery Center, Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, and Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl. The Spring Flower Fest runs through April 30.

More information

Gibbs Gardens (Ball Ground)

Sitting on 375 acres, Gibbs Gardens is one of the nation’s largest residential gardens. The gardens are composed of 16 gardens, including 3 feature gardens. Daffodils, cherry blossoms, tulips, azaleas, and drift roses are some of Gibbs’ colorful spring blooms.

More information

From the blooming trees to festivals galore, spring events are as plentiful as the unfortunate yellow coating of pollen. Check out some of the activities happening on campus (and beyond) in the coming weeks.

On Campus

Around Atlanta