It’s spring time!! My favourite time of the year. It’s a time of re-birth and new beginnings. The trees are blooming and there is a certain sparkle in the air that gives new life to every cell of the body.
Spring is also the perfect time to give our body, mind and spirit a re-birth. We can achieve this but making a few simple additions to our diet and removing sources of harmful toxins from our lives.
Here is how a diet that is rich in raw plant based foods can help your body to detoxify:
Enhanced digestion and elimination Eating a diet that is high in raw plant based foods naturally supports a healthy digestion and elimination. Each whole raw food contains naturally occurring enzymes designed to help break down that particular food. Germinated foods, like sprouts, are easier to digest because the availability of enzymes is increased. This enhances the life force and vitality in the food by making all of the nutrients readily available and easier to assimilate. The high fibre content in fruits and vegetables helps to eliminate harmful toxins from the body.
Helps to alkalize the body Vegetables, especially the green kind, and fruits contribute to a more alkaline body. When the body is in an alkaline state, it is better able both to absorb nutrients and to expel toxins more efficiently. The SAD (Standard American Diet) of meat, bread, dairy products, processed/cooked foods, caffeine, and alcohol creates an acidic state in the body, which contributes to a variety of health problems.
Phytonutrients and antioxidants Research suggests that phytonutrients may help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes. Phytonutrients may also help slow the aging process and enhance eyesight and brain function.
Adding more raw detoxifying food to your diet is easy. Here are 3 simple recipes!
Kale and Cucumber Green Juice
1 cucumber
1 bunch kale
1 lemon
3 apples
How to make:
Wash all produce, cut into large chunks and juice away!
Makes enough for 2 green juices.
Green Tropical Breeze
2 cups of filtered water
2 cups of arugula
1 cup of fresh pineapple, cut into large chunks
1 Banana
Handful cilantro, roughly chopped
2 Tbsp hemp seeds
2 Tbsp of chia seeds
1 tsp chorella
Pinch of all spice
How to make:
Golden Delicious Beet Salad
1 yellow beet, peeled and shredded
1 carrot, shredded
1 apple, cored and shredded
¼ red onion, sliced thinly
1 avocado, sliced
1 Tbsp black sesame seeds
Dressing
1 orange, juiced
½ lemon, juice and zest
1 spring fresh basil, chopped (9 leaves)
¼ cup olive oil
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp hemp seeds
¼ tsp sea salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper
How to make:
Dressing: Combine all ingredients into a blender and buzz until smooth.
Salad: Shred beet, apple, and carrot in a food processor or by hand. Put into a large bowl and add sliced onion and dressing. Mix well. Placed sliced avocados on top along with sesame seeds.
Makes 2 main dishes or 4-5 side dishes.
Happy spring cleaning!
