The transition from winter to spring is great time to reboot your health and wellbeing after the winter months. Now is a perfect time to commit to healthier habits.
The transition from winter to spring can still be a challenging time to detox as itÕs colder outside and we crave warming foods. It makes sense. We need a warm internal temperature to function, which requires more energy when itÕs cold outside. The key is to eat high energy foods so that weÕre not eating all day, putting our bodies in continual digesting mode. When the body is working all day long, it diverts energy from our immune system, which makes us more vulnerable to colds and flu.
A detox allows us to harness our energy, hit reset on our food intake, and stay healthy and energized.
In my book, Heal Your Whole Body, I suggest giving yourself 12 days to cleanse your liver, one of your bodyÕs most powerful detoxification organs. Check out my website for more detoxing tips.
Here are a few tips to support you in your cleanse:
Stay warm! Layer your body with warm clothing both inside and outside. Organic cottons and wools allow your body to breathe, which is hugely important for detoxing.
Keep your feet cozy with warm socks or slippers. When our feet and hands are warm, it warms our whole body. You may even consider sleeping with socks. We sleep much more soundly when our feet are warm.
Take warm baths with Epsom salts and essential oils. Baths are hugely healing Ð both physically and emotionally.
Winter can be dehydrating to your body. Cold, dry winds outside, along with forced air heat inside, can draw moisture from your tissues, joints and cells. I encourage you to drink half your body weight in ounces of water.
Related: Beat The Winter Blues: 4 Revitalizing Smoothie Recipes You Need To Try
Begin your day with a mug of warm water with lemon. It In the late morning or early afternoon, take a glass of water with a splash of Dr. BraggÕs organic, raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Both lemon and apple cider vinegar provide alkalinity to your body.
If you love your green smoothies, keep drinking them. You also may consider making your liquid meal a warm soup, especially at night.
And while shorter, colder days may tempt us to snuggle by the fire, spring is on the horizon, itÕs best if we get outside for a brisk walk or jog. Fresh, crisp air is hugely energizing for the body.
This seasonal transition is a perfect time to commit to your yoga practice. Just up the stairs, over Tidal Creek Coop, Wilmington Yoga Center offers over 100 classes per week for all levels, ages, and abilities. They have a state of art infrared hot studio for you to sweat out any toxins that may have accumulated over the winter. Yoga is a beautiful way to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit.
A detox can help jumpstart your metabolism and boost your energy level higher than any coffee habit. If you need a little refreshment to beat any remaining winter blues, prepare for a winter detox and get into good health (and good spirits) in no time.
Here are a couple of yummy warming drinks, created by Dr. Alejandro Junger of Cleanse.
Chai Gingerbread Shake
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm brewed rooibos chai tea
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger (or a tablespoon or two of fresh squeezed ginger juice)
- 1/2 cup almond or coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- coconut nectar, raw honey or stevia to taste
- optional: 1 scoop hemp protein powder
Directions: Blend until smooth. Drink before it cools for optimal digestion and to warm you up.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 cup heavy coconut cream (in a can)
- 1-2 tablespoons mint flavored liquid chlorophyll
- 2 tablespoons raw cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder
- pinch of pink himalayan sea salt
- 2 teaspoons spirulina powder
- 2 heaping tablespoons almond butter
- drops of stevia to taste (or coconut nectar)
- optional: chocolate flavored protein powder of your choice
Directions: Warm the milk gently on the stovetop. Stop before it comes to a boil, and remove from heat. Add to blender with the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth. Serve warm.
