I know I’m not alone in celebrating the arrival of spring. I love this time of year, the fresh air, longer days, sunshine, flowers popping and the birds singing .
Spring is a great time of year to clean and revitalize the parts of our lives that may have gone unattended while we hunkered down to survive winter. Along with the cleaning out of our closets, houses and yards, it’s also a great time to help our bodies gently detox.
So, what exactly does it mean to detox? It’s a simple process where we intentionally remove as many unwanted toxins as possible. It’s like opening our windows and allowing any sickness, sluggish metabolism, bloated-ness, and unwanted body fat, a way out. This is the secret to feeling lighter, brighter, and having more energy. Our bodies already have what they need, we just need to help them out from time to time. We can all benefit from a little intentional rejuvenation!
I know the detox word gets thrown around a lot and can sound scary or hard, but it really isn’t. Your body has a beautifully designed detoxification system all set up. Every day we are eliminating and neutralizing toxins through our colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph system and skin…pretty cool, huh? But because we live in this modern world with a constant barrage of chemicals and toxins, these systems can become overwhelmed. Think of ‘spring detoxing’ as stepping in to give your detoxification organs a much needed vacation.
The best way to help your body do it’s natural thing is
1. Eat Clean, choose whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible
2. Hydrate, shoot for half your body weight in ounces of water a day
3. Rest, 8 hours of sound sleep is our goal
4. Move/Exercise, meaning any kind of sweat, movement, or deep breathing you enjoy
5. Clean Eating, include detoxifying foods whenever you have the chance
Work to reduce
1.Sugar
2. Caffeine
3. Alcohol
4.Processed Foods
5.Stress
As far as the food part goes, all whole foods (as close to their natural state as possible) are great for you and help with detoxing your body. The point here is to look for the least processed foods you can find.
Some potent detoxifying and delicious foods that most of us tend to overlook are:
Cauliflower- this anti-oxidant rich cruciferous vegetable aids our natural detoxification system and reduces inflammation.
Grapefruit- rich in fiber, helps to lower cholesterol, prevent kidney stones and aids your digestive system.
Lentils- aid in elimination, help lower cholesterol, balance blood sugar and increase energy.
Lemons- helps your liver flush toxins, great source of vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system. They are also great for digestion, easing both heartburn and bloating.
Pick one or all of these powerful foods to add to your spring meal plans. Get creative and enjoy eating cleaner, adding new fruits and veggies whenever possible.
All in all, spring is the time of renewal and rejuvenation. It’s the season we use to get rid of the ‘junk’ we’ve accumulated over the past year. Maybe this year, along with dusty closet contents, we can also sweep away some of our toxins. Here’s to a healthier and happier you!
Cheers,
Chef Steph