As spring rolls around and the winter becomes a chilly memory, it’s a great time to start an overall spring detox of your body, mind, and kitchen!
There is so much talk about cleansing and detoxing now a days and there’s a reason for it: it creates healthy habits. There are so many ways to detox your body. Start with what you drink. Try to replace all sugary-based drinks with water. Try to replace coffee with green tea. Green tea has natural antioxidants and can detoxify the body. Coffee turns the body acidic which creates a hostile environment that allows bacteria and illness to thrive in the body. Adding green smoothies is another way to add nutrients that may be missing. It can also help remove toxins from your body. You can also detox the body by replacing one meal a day with a green smoothie. One of the best go-to smoothies is made with kale, bananas, parsley, coconut oil, and spinach. This amazing breakfast can fuel you until lunch.
Turning to organic foods is another method of detoxing the body. Organic fruits and vegetables are not grown the same way conventional farmers grow their crops. Organic farmers will use natural fertilizers to feed their plants. Organic produce is GMO-free, which has been a rising concern in health over the years. Also, if purchasing meats; organically raised animals are not given antibiotics or hormones.
Over the years grocery stores have gotten larger, but with size came an overwhelming amount of processed and refined foods. You walk in to purchase tomatoes and walk out with a shopping cart full of food that you were enticed to buy. My theory that I stand by: always stick to the perimeter of the grocery store. This is where the most nutrient dense foods will be. As you stray within the isles, this is where temptation lays. Rows upon rows of processed foods. Everything in the grocery store has been strategically placed in order for you to purchase more, from the lighting and music to the food demonstrations. In recent years, companies have noticed that people are adhering to the “perimeter rule”. Be aware while selecting foods, and always read labels. Overall, when you’re choosing the right foods, it creates a healthy habit to make good choices at the grocery store.
Cutting out white sugar and flour will be beneficial for detoxing your body. Not only does sugar and flour add pounds to your waistline, it leaves you feeling lethargic and unhealthy. This deadly duo can make the body feel as though it is full but realistically your blood sugar level is increasing and then decreasing at such a high rate that your appetite returns with a vengeance. Try adding more complex carbohydrates such as brown rice and sweet potato.
Sleeping is another way to reboot the system. Try to get to bed one hour earlier, even if you don’t sleep right away, it creates a habit for your body. This will reset your internal clock and you will wake up feeling refreshed. Try to exercise a few times a week as well. This will release natural endorphins in the body. Not only will this help with overall weight and health goals, it will decrease your stress levels.
Lastly, eat more greens! Greens vegetables are natural powerhouses that are packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They are low in fat and carbohydrates and provide an excellent source of plant based protein. This recipe for steamed pea shoots is a delicious way to get key nutrients in the body.
