Spring.
The snows are melting.
The rivers are flowing.
The trees are budding.
Animals come out of hibernation.
The earth is waking up from the winter’s frost.
Rebirth and renewal are in the air.
While anytime is a good time to make healthy changes, energetically, spring is a powerful season to shed old patterns and behaviors, and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Many of us have unaware patterns that no longer serve us, sabotage us and hold us back. It is very important to bring them out. To tell them “I see you!” It is the first step in letting them go.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LET GO OF?
Find some quiet time and take a look at your life.
Make a list.
Anything that comes to mind.
Nothing is too small or too insignificant
Don’t worry about being negative, this is about telling your patterns:
I see you and I am ready to let you go.
You might write:
I am eating too much sugar.
I don’t make time to cook.
I have been sedentary during the winter.
My kitchen is unorganized.
I have been feeling tired.
I don’t make time for myself.
I haven’t done anything fun lately.
I am bored with my meals.
I crave chocolate.
I crave pizza.
I can’t stop eating at night.
I feel unfocused.
Then think of what you would like to have instead.
ENVISION YOURSELF AT YOUR HEALTHIEST AND HAPPIEST.
What are the things that nourish and support you? That bring you joy?
Make a list.
Anything that lights you up.
This is not about describing an impossible ideal but about having a vision that you walk towards.
You might write:
I listen to my body.
I lovingly prepare meals for myself.
I feed my body nourishing foods.
I start my day with yoga.
I get plenty of rest.
I am active and I love it.
I have plenty of energy.
I love vegetables.
Here are 3 practices that will start bringing this vision into reality:
1. Breathing Meditation To Letting Go Of The Old And Inviting The New
Sit down quietly.
You can play some soft meditation music.
Take a deep breath.
Breathe out.
Repeat a few more times.
Feel your body relaxing with each exhalation.
As you breathe in, imagine breathing in the things you want in your life.
As you exhale, imagine letting go of something that you no longer want.
Keep doing it slowly and mindfully and go through your lists.
This is a amazingly powerful exercise.
It uses the power of your mind and realigns your patterns.
2. Spring vegetables have a great renewal energy.
They help us feel uplifted, light and energized.
Eat plenty of the following vegetables
~ Leafy greens, especially baby leafy greens like:
- Lettuces
- Spinach
- Kale
- Chard
- Collards
Incorporate them in salads or lightly sauté then with olive oil and garlic.
~ Spring scallions and spring green garlic
These are delicious in stir fries.
~ Radishes
Especially cleansing. Slice them, sprinkle with a little sea salt, and serve as snack or side dish.
~ Sprouts
- Alfalfa
- Broccoli
- Sunflower
- Pea shoots
Very potent and energizing. They are great in salads and sandwiches.
3. Cleanse
A cleanse helps you get rid of toxins and impurities
It renews your inner organs
Cleanses the intestines
Rejuvenates the digestive system
And also helps release negative emotions
You don’t need to step away from your life
Sit on top of a mountain
Meditate
And fast
Even though you can certainly do it if that’s your cup of (detox) tea
I prefer cleanses that are gentle,with plenty of food to eat, and that can work with our schedules and life.
Here is a very easy one day cleanse.
Feel free to modify it to your needs.
You don’t have to follow it perfectly.
It is not an “all or nothing”.
Do as much as you can.
● For one day, avoid processed foods, everything that comes from a box, bag, package, frozen and processed.
● Eat foods that have no lists of ingredients, they are the ingredients.
● Emphasize vegetables, fruit, grains like brown rice, quinoa, barley, legumes like beans, lentils, chickpeas.
● Avoid caffeine, sugar and alcohol.
● Animal products, nuts and seeds can be heavy on the digestion so try to avoid them for one day, to give your digestive system a break.
● Start your day with a warm lemonade:
Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a cup, add a teaspoon of honey and a slice of fresh ginger, add hot water and sip slowly. A really yummy and nice way to flush your digestion first thing in the morning.
● Have a green smoothie:
Put in blender banana, apple, berries, celery, cucumber and a handful of greens (spinach, kale, arugula…) add water and ice. Blend until smooth and drink.
● Meal ideas:
~Breakfast: Rice Pudding
Put one cup of cooked brown rice in sauce pan, add one cup of soy (or almond, or coconut) milk, 2-3 chopped dates, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
~Lunch: Salad Niçoise With Chickpeas
Top your favorite salad greens with steamed green beans, cubed boiled red potatoes, halved cherrie tomatoes, sliced red onions, olives and cooked chickpeas. Dress with juice of half lemon, teaspoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of mustard, a pinch of dry thyme, salt and pepper to taste.
~Dinner: Quinoa With Aduki Beans
Rinse one cup of dry quinoa and put in sauce pan. Add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low flame until all the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. In a frying pan sauté onions and garlic in olive oil cooking spray. Add rinsed canned Aduki beans, cumin, paprika, chili powder, and salt. Cook covered for about 10 minutes, adding a little broth if necessary. Serve beans on top of quinoa. Great with steamed or roasted vegetables.
For a more in depth cleanse check out my 7 Day Cleanse Program.
xoxo
Rachel
