Spring is the season of renewal, characterized by a bounty of green. Tender plants emerge from the warming earth, providing a refreshing presence with their aesthetic and nourishing properties. Chlorophyll in greens is said to cleanse the blood, supporting purification, anti-inflammation and regeneration.
During the winter months, your body naturally slows down. In spring, fresh, seasonal choices fortify the liver, the body’s major detoxifying organ, and encourage healthy digestion and increased energy, which also benefit the brain.
Make way for spring renewal by practicing the following:
Drink a lemon tonic every morning.
A wedge of fresh lemon in an 8-ounce glass of room-temperature or slightly warm water breaks down impurities and supports immunity. Warmer water enhances digestion, may be beneficial for metabolism and is more easily absorbed than cold water.
Go green.
Try tender baby greens like arugula, spinach, microgreens, baby lettuce, dandelion greens, watercress and Swiss chard. Eat them raw or slightly wilted to aid digestion.
Spring for sprouts.
Brussels sprouts, broccoli, pea shoots, sprouted grains and rice contain fiber and various micronutrients that support blood-sugar balance and digestion.
Personalize protein.
People have unique needs for quality protein as a catalyst for biological functions and numerous other benefits. Honor your body’s need for protein to maintain balanced blood sugar and resilient energy. A good gauge for quality protein consumption is a serving about the size of the palm of your hand with each meal.
Go berry wild.
Deep-red and purple compounds in berries support cognitive wellness. Powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in berries assist the brain’s natural ability to clean out toxic proteins that may contribute to mental weakening.
Get your garlic.
This flavorful bulb increases production of glutathione, an antioxidant that purifies the liver. Enjoy garlic in a slurry of olive oil and lemon juice as a dressing over fresh greens.
Hydrate.
Adequate hydration from water is vital to flush toxins from the intestines.
Nibble herbs.
Bitter herbs like dandelion and yellow dock can cleanse you from the inside out to reflect a healthful glow.
Practice good sleep.
A peaceful and technology-free wind-down routine each evening enhances natural detoxification and rejuvenation that comes with quality sleep.
Tam John is the author of A Fresh Wellness Mindset (CreateSpace, 2018), which teaches people how to love food that loves them back. Available on Amazon and tamjohn.com.