Springtime is the perfect time for a detox

Grandma called it a "Spring Tonic". Today we call it detoxing. All winter we have sat inside where it is warm and poked in holiday cookies, New Year's drinks, Super Bowl junk food and Valentine's Day candy. After a long hard winter the body needs to prepare for Spring, sunshine and fresh alive foods.

From the Chinese point of view, winter is a time for guarding and conserving energy so people are less inclined to exercise or exert themselves. According to ancient medical systems such as Chinese medicine, Spring is a time of building Chi (life-force) and it's the best time of the year to detoxify the body and cleanse the mind.

Detoxing involves many systems of the body including the digestive, respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems. Our bodies naturally detoxify themselves, however, if we are over indulging our bodies may need a little support with this process. Here are some simple ways to help the detoxing process.

• Pick a start day where you won't be doing a lot of activity. Whether you choose to follow it for two or seven days, make sure you try to follow the plan as much as possible to get the full effect.
• Aim to eat and drink only organic fresh fruit, vegetables and juices, purified, mineral or spring water as well as herbal teas, such as dandelion, peppermint, red clover and chamomile.
• For the rest of your meals aim to include cooked brown rice, organic whole-grain cereals, live-culture yogurt, plain cottage cheese, steamed fish or chicken.
• If you normally drink more than two or three cups of coffee per day, wean yourself off slowly before starting a detox, or you may get withdrawal symptoms of irritability and headaches.
• Another good way to help your system stay clean and healthy is to drink GreensFirst every morning. This is a great tasting greens drink sold here at Apothecary Wellness, that gives you the antioxidant boost of 10 fruits and vegetables in one 8 oz glass. Ask us for a free sample.
• You can try an herbal detox system such as 4 Total Cleanse from Genesis Today, this will help clean your liver, kidneys, intestines and blood. Follow the instructions on the box carefully.
• Acupuncture treatments are an amazing way to boost your body's detoxifying process. Take advantage of Greta's expertise and make an appointment with her.

Remember to take it easy and try to go to bed early each night to give your body a chance to rejuvenate and refresh itself.

¼         pound fresh asparagus spears (about 10)