Spring is an exciting time of year! I love the first days of Spring when the cold finally breaks and you can just smell the warm weather. It as if Spring is Summer just trying to break through. It makes me think of when you are on the brink of a good idea, something really big and you are about to burst as the idea comes to fruition. Spring symbolizes this same magic, a renewal that takes place not just in nature, but within our own bodies. Do you ever get the sense that you just want to start cleaning out your closet? It’s this desire to declutter that marks the advent of spring within us, not just outdoors. When it comes to food and our bodies, that same desire to declutter is happening inside all of our organs.
Many people ask me about detoxifying during this time of year. Spring is a perfect time of year to detoxify and cleanse the body. Many cultures have engaged in spring cleansing throughout history. The process of cleansing helps us clean out all of those winter comfort foods and prepare ourselves for lighter days. There are many ways to cleanse, including shelf after shelf of detox supplements at your health food store. While these products can sometimes be effective, there are easy ways to detoxify with food that everyone can do. If you want to keep it simple this Spring, you can start your own Spring Cleaning with one easy step: Eat more greens. Dark leafy greens are absolutely vital to optimum health. When you add ample amounts of greens to your diet, they simply crowd out all the overprocessed, nutrient-devoid foods that deplete you of energy. Dark leafy greens are much more delicious and nutritious than iceberg lettuce, which contains very few nutrients. Conside trying swiss chard, broccoli, broccoli rabe, bok choy, collards, green cabbage, kale, nappa cabbage, mustard greens and watercress. Or toss up a salad with various wild greens such as arugula, chicory, mesculun, and endive. My mouth is watering thinking of one of my favorite recipes, my Power Salad. Beside being chocked full of vital nutrients, greens act as cleansing agents and help you move toxins out of the body. They reduce mucus, clear congestion, encourage healthy intestinal flora, purify the blood and boost the immune system. So, welcome Spring this year with a bowl of your favorite greens.
For more tips on Spring Cleaning the Body, tune into Fox 6 Milwaukee’s Wake Up News on March 31st where I will be discussing how to transition into this season with spring foods. You can also click here to learn about my Spring Cleaning Manual or Spring Cleaning teleseminar.
Try this tasty Greens recipe:
Arugula with Toasted Walnuts & Goat Cheese
- 7 cups arugula, rinsed and dried (or other mixed greens)
- 2 oranges
- ½ cup goat (or feta) cheese, preferably organic or imported
- ½ cup walnuts
Dressing:
- ¾ cup walnut oil or olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
Preheat the oven to 350°. Spread walnuts on a baking sheet and place on a middle rack. Bake for 8 minutes to lightly toast walnuts. Peel an orange, and section it into small pieces. Combine arugula, oranges, cheese and toasted walnuts in a bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss.