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Greetings!
 Our bodies know best. I love how as soon as spring starts to sprout my body craves citrus fruits, sour foods and light, leafy salads. I'm squeezing through lemons like never before this season. I make a lemon drink in the morning to start my day, use them to make marinades and dressings, I've even been squeezing them over my avocado/cucumber brown rice sushi rolls (definitely give that a try!). When we detoxify the body, we focus especially on detoxing the liver. The liver is responsible for eliminating and processing the toxins our bodies are exposed to each day. Springtime is associated with the liver energy. The sour flavor is associated with the liver energy as well; therefore, sour foods (think organic sauerkraut, fermented foods or sour fruits) are beneficial in detoxing the body. So beginning the day with a glass of warm lemon water is a great way to detox the body (see below). Also, putting only pure foods in your body for a certain amount of time such as a day, a week, or a month is another option. For example: eliminating sugar, alcohol, caffeine/coffee, animal products, and processed foods helps to cleanse the body.
I appreciate being able to share my newsletter with you. Feel free to pass this along to anyone you feel may be interested. Wishing you health & happiness!
Namaste,
Lauren Forney, HHC, RYT
Holistic Health Coach
Registered Yoga Teacher
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Kick Off Day with Lemon Water
It is believed that 6 ounces of hot water mixed with ½ fresh squeezed lemon is an optimal start to the day, along with promoting a healthy body from the inside out. Something as simple as drinking a glass of lemon water daily can help prevent minor illnesses like the common cold and alleviate symptoms of major ailments, such as high blood pressure, some believe. Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant with cleansing properties that purify a body and theoretically boost its defenses against infection and disease.
I make this cup of lemon water each morning: 1/2 juice of a lemon, hot water, 2 dashes of turmeric powder, a drip or two of maple syrup (maybe a 1/4 of a teaspoon) and a light dash of cayenne pepper. Zing!
Read below for numerous benefits that will hopefully get you on this healthy habit each morning! If you find that this routine doesn't work for your body, skip the lemon squeeze and try plain hot water in the morning.
Benefits of Hot Lemon Water:
Blood pressure: Potassium-rich lemons stabilize high blood pressure and strengthen capillaries. Lemons promote relaxation, reducing feelings of anxiety or stress, all of which can trigger high blood pressure.
Colds and flu: Sipping hot lemon water encourages perspiration, which helps reduce fevers associated with colds and flu. The antibacterial properties of lemon juice soothe sore throats and decrease phlegm.
Digestive issues: Commonly considered a daily laxative, lemon water assists the digestive process, relieving symptoms of nausea, heartburn, and constipation. Lemon juice encourages the liver to increase production of bile, an acid required for digestion and the effective elimination of waste from the body.
Increased immunity: The potassium content in lemons promotes healthy brain and nerve function, boosting the immune system.
Oral health: Routine consumption of lemon water supports oral health by reducing bad breath odors and relieving pains associated with toothaches and gingivitis. However, the citric acid in lemon juice may erode tooth enamel, so be sure to rinse your mouth out with water after your daily cup.
Respiratory system: Hot lemon water breaks up congestion and calms coughing fits, providing routine relief for asthma-sufferers.
Skin care: The antiseptic nature of lemon juice cleanses skin from the inside out, resulting in a healthy glow, while high levels of vitamin C help decrease the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes. Applied directly to the skin, lemon water helps scars fade and can cool the burning sensation associated with sunburn.
Stress: Vitamin C plays a vital role in stress management, particularly for individuals with compromised immune systems. Stress depletes the body's stores of vitamin C. Drinking lemon water raises the levels necessary to manage stressful effects resulting from drinking, smoking and obesity.
Weight loss: Lemons are high in pectin fiber, a key component to healthy diets and a healthy weight. Fiber reduces cravings by slowing the digestive process, increasing satisfaction after a meal.
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Center Your Health's BLOG
If you haven't gotten around to checking out my blog, here are some of the things I've been blogging about this past month. I hope you enjoy!
Flexible on the Mat, Flexible off the Mat!
Going Veg? Resources to help your journey.
What Makes Me Happy Right Now
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Wellness Tip of the Month
When life gives you lemons, clean!
Since this month is Earth Day, you'll be happy to know that I've been making the most out of all of my lemons by also using them to clean! Lemons are great to use as cleaning agents because they have an anti-bacterial effect and are thought to contain antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties.
Sink Cleaning:
I take the used lemon halves, rub them all over my kitchen sink and rinse with hot water to kill any bacteria.
Kitchen Drains:
To clear my kitchen drain I'll pour some baking soda over the drain, squeeze a lemon over it and pour boiling hot water into drain.
Fresh Fridge:
Half of lemon stored in the refrigerator will help control unpleasant smells.
Glass Cleaning:
Mix 4 tablespoons of lemon juice with half a gallon of water to make an effective green window cleaner.
Who needs harmful cleaners that damage the Earth and compromise
your health when you've got a bowl of lovely lemons?!
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