Now that warmer weather has arrived leaving us in no doubt about the arrival of spring we turn to new rituals. Packing away our bulky winter woollies, making room for lighter brighter clothing. The slow cooker tends to be stored in the back of the cupboard, fresh salads replacing slow-cooked soups, and the inevitable renewed gym membership to give ourselves a body overhaul for summer.
These are all the external signs that spring cleaning is underway but what about internal signs? Do we pay attention to what is happening on the inside? With the renewed burst of energy and lightness, that spring brings it is a good time to consider giving our internal workings an overhaul and tune-up.
In assessing how our internal health is checking our skin, hair, general vitality and alertness are a good way to go. Changes happening inside will be evident externally and dull skin, brittle nails and a general feeling of lethargy are strong indications that an internal ‘spring clean’ and tune-up is in order.
We often have a perception that a detox involves giving things up and living on lettuce leaves and consuming some disgusting concoctions each day. But this is not the case, as an abundance of vital and beautiful fruits and vegetables start to arrive at the supermarket, putting together a detox and giving your body an overhaul can be a tasty, inspiring and invigorating thing to do.
Starting the day with drinking some warm water, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, a dash of maple syrup and cayenne pepper, this kick starts your liver, digestion and gets you ready to begin a day of nourishing yourself back to energy and vitality.
Do an inventory of the following foods and see how many are in your current diet.
Omega-3’s
Check your Omega-3 intake. These are an essential fatty acid, anti-inflammatory and necessary to take either as a supplement or in food. Our bodies don’t make them. For the best sources, try fish oil or algae and flax oil if you are vegan.
How is your essential vitamin and mineral intake
Daily B vitamins generate energy, are absorbed in our gut and can be overly consumed under times of stress and alcohol intake. Having sufficient B vitamins will help manage stress and balance your overall mood. Brewer’s yeast and whole grains are rich in B vitamins while meats are high in B12. Fresh fruit and vegetables contain essential B vitamins.
Herbs and Spices for detoxing
Incorporating detoxifying spices and herbs. Dandelion, turmeric, milk thistle, and nettle all support the liver by circulating nutrients. These can be incorporated into the diet in dandelion coffee, replacing caffeine, Tumeric lattes, with nut milk, getting rid of dairy, adding bitter greens to your salad will stimulate your digestion.
Feed the gut
Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria Bifidus ar a couple of the bacteria that keep the digestive tract and immune system healthy all year round. In addition to supporting good health, pre and probiotics produce vitamins that assist with digestion. If you’re lacking the correct balance of bacteria you may find yourself bloated, craving sugars and generally feeling flat and off. The coconut of water Kefir, kombucha, coconut yoghurt, Kim Chi, Sauerkraut and other fermented foods are essential to maintaining a healthy immune and nervous system.
Building Vitamin D
Get outside! Sunlight converts on the skin to vitamin D, having a healthy liver is essential for this process. Vitamin D is fat-soluble and often best consumed as supplements or through foods like eggs, salmon and soy.
Digestive support
Eating bitter greens, like endive, arugula, rocket and peppermint all help with digestion, encouraging the production of stomach acid and the release of bile. Having some water or mineral water and Angostura bitters with a meal will also support digestive enzymes. If you’ve been feeling constipated or bloated these past few months, it may be time to start eating more bitter foods.
Try Organic
Try to moderate exposure to toxins found in animal-sourced foods. If you eat meat, opt for meat that’s free of antibiotics and hormones — just make sure you read these labels on the packaging. Switch things up and reach for colourful vegetables and fruits throughout the day. Buying organic fruits and veggies limits toxin exposure, but there are some foods like avocados and watermelon that don’t need to be bought organic. Check out the dirty dozen and clean 15.
Moving everything through
Eating soluble fibre helps to keep you full while slowing digestion to balance your blood sugar. As soluble fibre moves down the digestive tract it absorbs water and helps the body eliminate hormones and cholesterol. Try foods like avocados, kidney beans, peaches, prunes or oat bran. Include some Chia seeds in your day.
Balance body, mind and soul
Try and find something in the gym that works for you, yoga, Pilates, boxing. Whatever it is. Not only will working out give you more energy, but your body and mind can destress as well. Find a gym with a sauna to speed up your detoxing process.
Get the right advice
Often no matter how good our intentions are going it alone can be challenging. That’s where the team at Shift at Brisbane Natural Health can support you on your journey and be the best version of you. Our Naturopaths can put together a program that will work for you. Checking your digestion, thyroid, hormones and other organs and providing additional support where needed. This way once you start you know that you will end up in a better place when you complete your own personal ‘Spring Clean.’ The emotional wellness team can help you check your emotional baggage and create a clean and clear space.
