|
Our bodies naturally are (and want to be) vitally healthy. Therefore, I do not believe in extra fasting or colonics for de-toxing for the spring season, for most people. That being said, spring is a time to lighten up our diets.
Everyone would benefit from putting in place one week of self-nurturance and extra pure, light eating during the spring season. For the month prior to this special week, honor your body and welcome in spring by putting in place a “spring cleanse” nutrition plan that includes adding greens, cleansing teas and bitters (such as dandelion greens) to your diet - while eliminating or decreasing meats and oils.
Strip your life of all those toxins that you are well aware of (we know that they are easy to know about and harder to execute) prior to your special self-nurturance/ cleanse week. If you are ingesting a lot of these toxins - decrease and eliminate them slowly so that you will not stress your body. These toxins include:
- refined sugars
- high fructose corn syrup
- white breads and grains
- meats
- coffee and alcohol
For the week of the cleanse:
- Eat simply and mindfully---enjoy meal preparation, gratitude and putting the fork down between each bite
- Include light walking, meditation and yoga in each day
- Include time for self –reflection and journaling, particularly after your meditation
- Spend time in nature
- Do at least one thing that brings you joy each day, perhaps lunch with a friend, a home facial or a walk in the woods.
Cleansing Diet
Hot water with lemon first thing in morning and continue to drink lots of hot water with lemon, throughout the day.
Breakfast:
- Light Porridge of grain, make it extra moist or soupy.
A sample lunch:
- Kichari, a simple Ayurvedic rice dish, or any kind of whole grain
- Steamed vegetable with spices (such as cumin, coriander, fennel, or turmeric); or a large plate of salad greens
- Herbal teas such as ginger root tea or Passiflora’s Spring Cleanse tea
Dinner:
- Same as lunch but lighter quantity; Can also include vegetable and grain soups
Herbal Supplements
General recommendations:
- Triphala: 2 caps before bedtime with warm water or herbal tea. This ancient formula of 3-fruits helps to remove the toxins from the GI tract as well as promoting a strong environment in the entire digestive system.
- Turmeric by New Chapter or any liver supporting type formula: 1 capsule along with all meals. This formula helps in digestion and also cleanses the blood and the liver ( the tissue and organ that is working hard to clear the impurities out of the body)
- Trikatu. Another ancient Ayurvedic formula of 3 pungents---ginger, black pepper and long pepper---that aids in efficient digestion of nutrients.
- A green powder to put into water with breakfast, such as Berry Greens by New Chapter.
- Friendly probiotic bacteria to populate the colon
- Floraessence by Flora – jump starts the morning with just 2 ounces in warm water, to cleanse deeply at the cellular level. Provides energy for vital living.
After the cleanse, resume your usual eating habits slowly---trying to derive maximum benefits from these new good habits.
Our best wishes for a vitally healthy spring! |
