Spring is half-way through and we are heading right into summer. This is a time when we are thinking about holidays, vacations — and how we can fit into our summer clothes better and feel more energized and healthy. At least that is how I feel about it.
If you are living in a place where you are coming out of the cold, snow, rain and storms, maybe you can feel a touch of spring/summer in the air. For me, in Florida, that has already happened and I feel like I am springing right into the time when I want to get my body in tip-top shape.
You might see a lot of advertisements at this time of year for a spring detox or blogs about cleansing your body and getting ready for spring. Maybe you don’t even like the word “detox” and it conjures up negative thoughts in your mind. I know that I used to think of a detox as going to the health food store and buying pills to clean out the colon – which meant not eating for maybe seven days. It was not a pleasant experience AT ALL!
Since I became a health coach, one of the things I actually love to do now is detox every season. A lot of my clients have experienced this with me and they absolutely love the way it makes them feel (not to mention they lose quite a bit of weight in the process). So now when I think of detox, I think about all the great foods and great recipes that go along with that process. It helps balance my mood, balance my hormones, and deal with toxins that have built up in my body.
Spring is when many people revisit their New Year’s Resolutions to get back on track. Whether you just want to be healthier or work on your summer body, it starts with the inside of your body.
Thinking of a whole detox can be a bit daunting – especially if you haven’t experienced it before. So here are a few suggestions to help you “clean out your body from the inside-out” with ease.
Make Fruit-Infused Water
Dehydration is something many people experience year-round, without even knowing it. Not only are you at a general risk for not drinking enough water, but in the spring when it gets hot and you work out a little more, yep, you’ve it — you sweat. This, of course, causes you to need even more water to stay hydrated.
Infused water tastes better than plain water, and has the added benefit of nutrients from the fruits, vegetables, and herbs you infuse it with. You can go simple with just lemons and limes, or kick it up a little with berries, vegetables like cucumbers, and herbs like mint or thyme. There are many recipes found but you can also find some great ideas in a previous blog >>HERE.
Add More Salads to Your Diet
Spring is a great time to make some healthy changes to your diet. Not necessarily eating less, but eating better quality food. For something crisp and refreshing, try a fresh salad. Use your favorite leafy greens like kale, spinach, or romaine, and top it with vegetables of your choosing. Adding a protein like hardboiled eggs, turkey, or tuna is another excellent option, with or without cheese and dressing. Some spring salads also incorporate fruits like apples, pears, blueberries, or strawberries. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little.
Focus on Spring Superfoods
If you want to detox your body and take better care of your health, think about adding more superfoods to your diet as well. These are foods that contain a higher-than-normal amount of vitamins and minerals, including grains, nuts and seeds, fruits, and vegetables, and even seafood. Some superfoods that are perfect for the spring season include tuna and salmon, veggies like artichoke, asparagus, spinach and lettuce, and fruits like strawberries and blueberries. Oats, arugula, walnuts, and whole grains are also on the top of the list.
Take your time switching up your diet so you can begin healing and detoxing your body from the inside out. Eat foods that are good for general health, specific issues like improving your kidney or liver function, and contain a lot of essential nutrients like your superfoods.
If you love recipes like this and would like to experience some great way to get off the processed foods and onto a healthy clean eating way of eating, join my FREE 5-Day Clean Eating Challenge starting June 3rd. Sign up >>HERE<<.
Vitality Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- 4 ozs goat cheese
- 1/4 cup cashews
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or currants
- 1/4 cup beets cook (pre-packaged or freshly boiled)
- 1/2 avocado chopped
- 1 cucumber chopped
- Balsamic vinegar to taste
- Sea or Himalayan salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the salad ingredients to a large bowl. Top with balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well before serving immediately.