When Spring time rolls around we often get the bug to start ‘spring cleaning’. But anytime is good for spring cleaning our bodies!
For me, Spring’s arrival means opening the windows and ‘blowing the cobwebs’ out. I clean out the closets, putting away the winter woollies and with excitement I start to bring out my summer wardrobe. Maybe it’s time for me to head off to the mall + pick up a few new treats. (It’s always shoes for me!)
I even like to clear out the garage, give the house a good dusting + start work on the garden.
So, I was thinking, why not apply that same enthusiasm to my diet? (And by diet, I mean it in the old-fashioned sense of what I eat, not how to lose weight!):
I don’t need those heavy carbohydrates in my diet just like I don’t need the winter woollies, so I’ll start by putting them away!
Just as I’m drawn to wearing brighter colors, I can start eating them.
Here’s how I fill up on fresh fruits and vegetables:
I make a rainbow salad as part of one (or two) of my meals each day – red and yellow peppers, or my current favorite – orange peppers. They make me feel that I am eating sunshine. (So even some autumnal or wintery days, I do enjoy!)
I use dark leafy greens and organic mixes, which include exciting flavors, like a little bitter dandelion and arugula or rocket, and the earthy taste of spinach. I’m also into those little grape or cherry tomatoes, green onions, and radishes. All organic, of course!
And, there are lots of wonderful organic salad dressings on the market, but I do like to make my own with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and herbs.
I’m into fresh fruit salad as a delicious and healthful alternative to high-fat desserts. Or have one for breakfast. This week I am eating a selection of berries, including raspberry, blueberry and strawberries (all high in Vitamin C and anti-oxidants) with Greek yoghurt (good for the intestinal tract and a yummy way to get your calcium) each morning. Sometimes I add a banana too.
I am always careful of saturated fats by avoiding margarine, vegetable shortening, and foods containing palm oil. Instead, I like to use a heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil. Remember that butter is usually a better choice than margarine – the less processed the food and the more natural the better it is for you.
Live healthy now~ the less processed the food and the more natural the food, the better it is for you.
Some more tips for you to Choose Happy and Live Healthy Now:
Choose to eat whole grains instead of refined grains. The higher fiber content fills you up, and you will feel fuller. Vary your grain intake, use oats, corn, spelt and quinoa.
And quit going for fast food. Fast food is dead food. To find out more about dead food click here.
If you feel at anytime you would like some help with getting your diet back on track and are looking for someone with a balanced approach to assist you on a personal Wellness Program, just call me for an appointment. I’d love to help you with a Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter Cleaning Program that will lift your spirits, tune up your body and help you lose some of those clutter pounds.
love this!
Love to hear that, Peg! xox
Yes, it’s time to spring clean your tum! What a great article, and just by coincidence I ate a huge layered salad for my dinner today! I decided enough was enough, I’ve eaten far too many cards and I’d like to feel lighter and more spring-like already! My body has been craving fresh veg and salads for about a week now – just goes to show our inner wisdom really does know best!
Inner wisdom really does know best…how cool is that??? I really do find that I tend to crave what is in season, but nowadays we can get anything anytime, so people stop listening to that inner voice. Enjoy your salads Helen. xox
Hooray for bright colours! So good for us in so many ways! In our house we’ve been making green drinks for breakfast and sometimes dinner, and we’re easing away from all of those delicious comfort foods…..unless it’s raining, then those homemade soups are fabulous!
Hugs and butterflies,
~Teresa~
Emerald Green is the pantone color of the year for 2013…and green drinks are in…me thinks there may be some symbolism here. More color in our lives for sure! xox
Yay for spring cleaning inside and out!
I’ve been eating my bright colors too. More salad and fruit. Tonight I’m making Broccoli Rabe pesto for dinner with turkey sausage. Yummy!
Great Post Jacqueline, Thankyou… Yes I have had Avacado’s the last 3 days. 😉
Yummm…I adore avocados…I’ve got one in the fridge gently ripening and waiting for me!
Love the part about a rainbow salad and eating sunshine. I’ve been eating more salads and loved the idea of chopping up the vegetables with a food chopper so they’re easier to digest and you can eat more. I find that veggies I wouldn’t normally eat taste great when chopped finely with my favorites.
I don’t often do fast food, but if I’m on the road and it’s the only choice: Subway does a great chopped salad. I have tuna on it and skip the dressing…lotsa hot peppers and all the veggies they have! Yum!
So excited for spring! So much so that I think I forgot how powerful the sun is and managed to get a sun burn when I was out in the garden yesterday!
Ooh, get that sunblock on Christie!
Oooh, perfect analogy with the spring cleaning of your house and surroundings as well as your body! I really dig this idea! I have definitely been feeling this bug to get everything–including myself!–sorted out, and on a clean slate! Thank you for this inspiration, it has definitely been a theme over the last few days for me. Awe, and peppers are like eating sunshine! I love adding raisins and chia seeds to them with some olive oil dressing–yummy! Thank you!
Thanks for the recipe…sounds good. I’ll give it a whirl!
I love the analogy of packing away carbs like winter woollies! I too feel called. To eat fresher, lighter brighter foods at the moment. Smoothies are my go to in a morning.
Shoes are my Happy too! Just bought my first pair of Louboutins! Very similar to your picture, just in suede they make me very happy!
Awesome! It has to warm up a bit for me to get into the brekkie smoothies, but I know what you mean. Congrats on the shoes…woohoo!!!
A topic after my own heart. I completely agree with eating natural foods, nothing processed. I love the analogy of spring cleaning to spring cleaning what we eat. Great idea! And that rainbow salad…yes, please.
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Yes! I’m so excited to see someone else inspired to healthy eating with the changing of the seasons. Your body will help you, too — science shows that the cold-weather cravings we get for simple carbs and fatty foods will lighten a bit with the warmer weather. In a sense, our bodies want us to shed the extra insulation!
Love it!
your post radiates sunshine and wellness. that’s it I’m ready for my body spring clean and for the house clean as well, spring came only recently to the UK. Apart from being healthy it sounds very delicious and inviting to try 🙂
I love Spring in the UK and I believe it’s one reason I’ve ended up in the Pacific Northwest…similar weather and seasons. The Spring energy arrives wherever we are…enjoy! xox
Eating healthy is so important in life! And it always leads to happiness 🙂 Jacqueline, what is your favorite spring time meal?
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It really depends on my mood, but I gravitate to lighter fare. I’ve got some multicolored carrots in the fridge, which I plan to roast with rosemary, garlic and olive oil, serve with a salad and some tilapia…that’s tonight! Yum!
And you?
My favorite spring time meal would have to a be a salad with romaine lettuce mixed with a balsamic vinaigrette. It’s really simple but it tastes delicious and is really refreshing!
Yummy!
Beautiful spring colours, fresh veggies – oh how it gets my vegan heart racing! Winter blues are passing, time to brighten up our plates to match the weather! Time for a spring clean indeed – very good and timely advice!
Loving the rainbow on my plate!