Spring has officially sprung, and what better time to revive, refresh and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul; channeling your energy, creativity and intelligence with Mother Nature.
The natural world bursts into life; trees full of blossom literally hum with potential. Our mood lifts and the brighter weather puts a spring in our step. This season is a fresh start for all. It brings forth new life and regeneration. As the lighter evenings appear, the days start to become longer and the darkness and sheltering feelings of Winter start to become a distant memory. Life and our vitality are at the fore, therefore making it a perfect time to detox the accumulated waste of Winter and to prepare for the joys and vibrancy of Spring, both physically and mentally.
Spring cleansing is not only the perfect time to de-clutter our homes, dust away the cobwebs and accumulated clutter, but it is also the right time to free our mind, cleanse our body, release and explore our spirit. Let’s drive forward and bring to life your greatest visions and goals, initiating your new journey and creating a whole new you!
SOWING THE SEEDS
Spring ignites the possibilities of a brighter year to come, sewing your seeds for the energies to come and the fragrance of radical possibility! It is the season to think the impossible; questioning what you want to be. It is important to watch and beware of your thought patterns; how are you talking to yourself? Are you being kind to yourself? Talk to yourself as though you are speaking to your best friend. Forgive your mistakes, release your past and be gentle. Meditation can also help to focus your mind, de-stress and find peace within.
After months of consuming denser and heavier foods, give your body a rest. Spring is a time to cleanse your system, reignite the fire within and restore the energy of your internal engines, supporting your body with wholesome, fresh foods; an important step if we are to invite the clarity, energy and vitality of the coming months.
Spring symbolizes the colour green, and green indicates healing and renewal. The lime-green buds on the first blossoming leaves of the trees and the earthy, fresh smell of the reemergence of grass, brings forth new life and creates a profound live energy. It is time to give your body what it craves during this wonderful season, nature’s very own foods!
EAT MORE GREENS
An essential way to incorporate more green into your life is to eat more greens! The next couple of months are an important time to significantly up your intake of greens, as they support the shedding of accumulated toxic waste in the body. The powerful healing of greens also promotes beautiful skin and encourages a sluggish digestion.
Visit your local farmer’s market and captivate your senses with the fresh, lively and vibrant colours of Spring’s delights. The local, seasonal foods of this time of year include spinach, dandelion greens, asparagus, sprouts, watercress, baby greens, artichokes, pea shoots, and rocket. Green vegetables are full of cleansing and regenerative properties. The chlorophyll pigment that gives plants their green colour has many benefits and is rich in Vitamin C and K, Iron, Calcium and Folic Acid.
Chlorophyll also helps to increase the red cell production and oxygen utilization, which enhances our energy levels, cleanses the body of toxins and impurities and has many immune-boosting and anti-cancerous properties. Many of the listed greens have a bitter taste and therefore offer the perfect cure to the damp and cool climate that Spring delivers, both externally and internally. This month is a beautiful time to soak up the energy of new life and enhance your well-being. A detox will promote feelings of calm and clarity, centering your mind and being.
JUICE FRESH
Fresh, organic homemade juices are one of the most powerful foods that you can add to your diet, giving you an immediate burst of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Try one green juice every day. This will help to cleanse your liver, refresh internal organs and leave your skin glowing! Plus, fresh juice contains living enzymes, which assist in virtually every physiological function of the body. We can use the medicine of food that nature provides to clear out the waste from the past and to make way for new renewed energy, allowing creativity to emerge. That means steering away from heavy, warming stews, and instead opting for fresh organic fruits and vegetables, preferably raw or lightly steamed.
Eating lighter foods will also help to cool and cleanse, preparing the body for the hot Summer months ahead. Aim to reduce the amount of alcohol, red meat, caffeine, white sugar and dairy you consume, and eliminate all processed and packaged foods – all of which tax the liver of vital energy; the organ which needs cleansing the most this season. Instead focus on fueling your body with seasonal, organic fruit and vegetables, whole-grains, wild fish, nuts, seeds and drink plenty of water and herbal teas. This will help to not only help your liver but also increase your energy and allow you to reconnect more with yourself and the foods you consume.
MOVE YOUR BODY
As well as Spring being the perfect time to rejuvenate the body, it also a wonderful time to spend more time outside and embrace the green space around us. Get moving and stretch everything! Feel the energy radiate through every cell in your body! Energy is electric and will pass on to everyone you meet, let it flow through you! Breathe,feel the grass beaneath your feet, hug a tree, smell the blossoming flowers, touch and reconnect with the greatness that is nature. Simple pleasures will help you feel renewed and rebalanced. Tai-chi is a great exercise as it helps to promote energy flow, remove blockages and restore balance within.
We have a lot to thank Mother Nature for, she can heal and restore you to your personal best and instantly make you feel invigorated and alive! Get back to nature and let it guide you on your new, awakened path. Make a promise to yourself to embrace the greater outdoors at least once a day, even if it’s a brisk walk around the block. It will leave you feeling calm, decisive and able to deal with whatever life throws at you.
MAKE A GREEN GODDESS
Below is a recipe for my favourite green juice! Invigorating and refreshing, this juice is a great way to start the day. It is detoxifying, cleansing to your system, and will penetrate deep within every cell of your beautiful body!
Ingredients – Serves 1-2
- 2-4 handfuls of Spring greens (spinach, dandelion leaves, baby greens etc)
- ½ cucumber
- 1-2 stalks of celery
- 1 lemon
- 1 lime
- 1-2 apples
- 1 inch ginger
- Optional: ½ cup of basil or parsley leaves
- Optional: 1 shot of Wheatgrass
Method
Put all the ingredients through your juicer. Add ice cubes to a glass, then pour the fresh juice over and enjoy!
Try to reduce the amount of fruit added to your juices as this can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels.
