It’s a new beginning!
In Chinese medicine, Spring is the season of growth and the time of year to rise early with the sun. It’s also the season of the liver and gallbladder, it’s a great time to detoxify the body, move forward, release and let go of all the cobwebs from the previous season of hibernation.
At Tao to Wellness our Spring suggestions include eating what is in season and eating less of it in order to cleanse the body of the fats and heavy foods of winter. Your diet should be the lightest of the year and contain foods that emphasize Yang and the ascending, expansive qualities of Spring. Cook food for a shorter period of time as well, but at higher temperatures. If cooking with oil, use rice bran, coconut or avocado oil. If cooking with water, light steaming or minimal simmering is recommended. If you are considering a detoxification program this is also a great time of year to do that as well.
Sweet and pungent flavors are appropriate as a means of creating a personal spring from within.
Pungent cooking herbs are: basil, fennel, marjoram, rosemary, caraway, dill, bay leaf, turmeric, cardamom, cumin, ginger, black pepper, horseradish, mints, and lemon balm, garlic and all members of the onion family.
Foods to eat during this time are: legumes, seeds or grains that are sweet and can be sprouted such as: amaranth, quinoa, rye, millet, alfalfa and mung beans; young beets, carrots and other sweet starchy vegetables, mustard greens, watercress, taro root cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, romaine lettuce, asparagus, radish leaves, citrus peel, celery, seaweeds, lettuce, cucumber, tofu (in small amounts), mushrooms, radishes, chestnuts, pine nuts, cabbage, turnip, kohlrabi, strawberries, peaches, cherries, blackberries, huckleberries, raspberries, dark grapes and plums.
Switch from refined sugars to sweeteners like honey, stevia, unrefined cane juice granules, whole sugar cane, licorice root, barley malt, date sugar, molasses and rice syrup.
Chlorophyll rich foods accelerate Liver rejuvenation; wheat or barley grass, wild blue green algae, parsley, kale, watercress, alfalfa, and collard greens. Spirulina is also a great supplement if you were never breastfed. Those who were not breastfed are more likely to develop immune deficiencies, allergies, difficulty with weight management, digestive disorders and asthma. It supplies the body with Omega 3’s and GLA.
Eat less and eliminate foods that are hydrogenated or have poor quality fats, excesses of nuts and seeds, chemicals in food and water, drugs (including prescription), intoxicants and highly processed and refined foods.
If you need support around, inviting in some new dietary guidelines, feel free to book a complimentary consultation to see if we are a good fit for you.
