With spring just around the corner, you might be thinking about lightening and supporting your body with a spring cleanse. People often come out of the winter season feeling sluggish and are looking for some ways to et their metabolism boosted and energy lifted. A common question in my practice is, “How do we cleanse our bodies after the long winter season?”
The following tips are all simple, food based ideas that I regularly use in my practice to promote a healthy lifestyle and will be helpful in getting people back on track.
Lemon water first thing in the morning. Take a ¼ of a wedge of lemon and squeeze it into a glass of warm water. The bitter flavour of the lemon stimulates the liver and gallbladder as well as supporting digestion. It’s a simple and healthy habit to start your morning off right.
2 tbsp of ground flax seeds daily. You can add these to cereal, applesauce, yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal or sprinkle it on salad. You can really add them to anything, you just don’t want to heat them. Ground flax seeds are high in fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, and a phytochemical called Lignans. Lignans, eliminate xenoestrogens (bad cancer causing estrogens) from the body. I give ground flax seeds two thumbs up.
Eat either an apple or a grapefruit every day. These fruits are high in calcium-d-glucarate, which is another way to promote liver detox pathways. They also decrease the risk of hormone dependent cancers.
1 cup of dark green vegetables daily (feel free to eat more!) Think kale, chard, collards, arugula, spinach, bok choy, mustard greens, watercress. You get the point. These greens are all rich in phytochemicals, antioxidants, and are nutrient dense. They also promote an alkaline environment, and our bodies like that.
Many people, at this time of year are complaining of bloated bellies. Try 1-2 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar in a ¼ cup of warm water before dinner. This simple drink supplies your body with enzymes, supports healthy stomach acid, and kills off unwanted yeast. It’s even been noted to have weight loss properties. If you’re not a fan of vinegar, the flavour is something to get used to, but I promise what your taste buds won’t like, your tummy will.
Wishing you all a healthy and joyful spring season.
About Rachel Schwartzman, ND, L.Ac, Birth Doula
I am a licensed naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist and am passionate about helping people get healthy. In our fast paced world I truly believe a healthy body and mind starts with a healthy diet. My goal is to inspire healthy choices, be it from one person to whole families, in simple and easy to incorporate ways.
I am so excited about being part of the Cookin’ Greens community, as we truly are promoting health and wellness thorugh food. Greens are the most important colour we can add to our diet. They are a powerhouse of nutrition loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber and are connected with so many health benefits, so make sure you eat your greens everyday!
