It is always interesting to notice how nature provides us with the right and perfect food for each season.  Spring is a time when we most often think about cleaning out, thus the phrase Spring Cleaning.  This is the time of year when many people think about cleaning out closets, drawers and even their cars. But, have you thought about your body? I mean Spring Cleaning from the inside - dealing with all of the impurities that can accumulate and foster the potential for disease.  I once read in a book, that people take better care of their car than they take of their body.  This Spring I invite you to think about the vehicle that is your transportation everyday; your body.  It is so important to keep it working at peak performance. What would your life would be like without your health?  It is no surprise that in the Spring, the right and perfect foods are growing to help us do that.   These foods are dark green vegetables such as Kale, Broccoli and Collards.

 

Dark leafy greens are the perfect recipe for an inner Spring Cleaning.  These awesome and delicious vegetables are like a magic internal spa.  If you have been eating,  like most people, a diet high in processed, fast, fried and sugary foods, in addition to additives and artificial sweeteners, you may have found yourself drained of energy, struggling with dry skin, hair or nails, having outbreaks of acne, noticing weight gain, even experiencing a dip in your mood.  If you have any of these, then your body may be telling you that it is time for Spring Cleaning.

 

Dark green vegetables come into season just as  the earth is clearing away from winter and rejuvenating itself.  With the foods that are in season or coming into season, you can do the very same thing for yourself. In fact, when I'm  supporting people around making changes in their diet, it is so much fun to watch how their skin improves and even begins to glow shortly after they start eating dark green vegetables.  It is like the best facial spa in town. 

 

I hope that you will step into this Spring season by eating the foods that cleanse and rejuvenate you.  Maybe you will have a whole new experience and feel really great too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you like who you see when you look in the mirror?  Or, do you say things like, "I should loose this weight", " I look terrible", "I can't do that", " Wish I were: (prettier, healthier, skinnier, richer, more successful . . . you can fill in the blank). What you think about yourself does affect your health.  Continuous modes of thinking and speaking reflect itself in your body.  The body, just like other things in life, is a mirror for your inner thoughts and beliefs.  In fact, each cell in your body responds to the thoughts that you think and the words that you speak.  Will you take a moment right now and get up from your computer?  Try saying the words, " I am no good, I can't do anything right" and notice your posture & your feelings.  Now, try saying this statement: " I am grateful for the good things in my life. I am a wonderful person."  How is your posture now?  How did that feel?  Did you notice the difference?  If you didn't, you may want to try this little experiment in another way.  Choose a time in your day, perhaps setting aside 5 - 15 minutes, if you can.  During that time, be observant of your thoughts.  And, as you are doing that, notice how you are feeling, how you are posturing yourself and even how you are breathing.  You may be surprised at what you discover. 

 

Did you know that you can choose your thoughts? It may take some practice, but you didn't get the way you are now in a moment either.  Why not start thinking thoughts that contribute to a healthy atmosphere both within and around you? 

 

Here are two healthy affirmations from Louise Hay's I CAN DO IT book, that you can incorporate into your day right now. 

 

I ENJOY THE FOODS THAT ARE BEST FOR MY BODY.  I LOVE EVERY CELL OF MY BODY.

 

I CHOOSE TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF. I AM WORTHY OF MY OWN LOVE.

 

Try saying these everyday.  Post them up on your bathroom mirror or at your computer or someplace where you will see them regularly.  You will discover that soon you will start to feel more positive about yourself and your life.  Your choices will start to reflect that and your body will surely be fed by your new healthy thinking.

 

 

 

 

BASIC NO-FAT, NO-FUSS, COLORFUL KALE

 3/4 Pound Kale (about 6 cups chopped)

2 Cups Water

3 Carrots, peeled and quartered lengthwise

3 Ears of Corn, kernels cut from cobs OR 3/4 Cup Frozen Corn

Salt to Taste

 

1.  Wash kale and strip leaves from stalk. Discard stalks and chop leaves into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

2.  Bring water to a boil in a large skillet that has a tight-fitting lid.

3. Meanwhile, cut the quartered carrots into 1/2-inch pieces. Place carrots and corn kernels in the boiling water, reduce heat, cover skillet, and simmer for 5 minutes.

4.  Add prepared kale to carrots and corn.  Cover and cook for 4 minutes. Water should be bubbling rather vigorously but not boiling over.

5. Sprinkle on salt to taste, stir to combine, and remove to a serving dish with a slotted spoon.  Serve hot.  You can drink the "pot likker!"