A Season for Change

The ice cold weather is long gone and warmer days are sneaking in, which can only mean one thing: Spring is here! March 20 marked the official day of spring here in the Northern Hemisphere as well as the vernal equinox. For centuries different cultures have used the March equinox as a day of celebration, or the mark of the new year. So for us here in the Northern Hemisphere, it's the perfect time to start dusting off old winter cobwebs and get a fresh, new start!

I want to share with you some ways in which you can replace the warm winter comfort foods and all the sweet, treaty winter desserts with live raw fresh foods, bursting with enzymes that will bring life and regenerate your body so you can feel energetic and motivated.

During winter many people don't eat enough fresh produce because of availability or just because they don't feel like eating raw food on a cold day! However, we need at least 5-11 servings per day.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are full of live, raw enzymes. Because we are made up of "living" cells, we need to feed these cells "life" with "living" food. All food contains minerals, amino acids, vitamins and enzymes. Enzymes are vital to life. They are the spark plugs that ignite the engine.

WORKING YOUR WAY TO FIVE OR MORE A DAY

You don't have to include all five portions overnight. Don't rush out and buy a heap of fresh food just to watch it rot in the fridge over the coming week. Build up gradually, make it a habit and remember that each extra serving is a step in the right direction.

Breakfast

· Have a glass of freshly squeezed fruit and

vegetable juice

· Make a delicious smoothie from fresh

fruit; top it with sliced almonds

· Slice some fresh banana over your low

sugar, whole grain cereal

· Have a fresh fruit salad with some

sliced or slivered almonds or some raw

cashew nut custard

Lunch

· Add tomatoes, cucumber and mixed salad leaves to your

sandwich

· Toss a selection of vegetables and salad leaves together,

drizzle with a tablespoon of cold-pressed olive oil in a

dark glass bottle and some fresh lemon juice

· Make your own raw vegetable soup

· Pre-packed fresh salad (no mayo/dressing, no

preservatives or additives)

Dinner

· Add chopped vegetables to stir fried vegetables and

disguise grated carrots, and other vegetables in

homemade dishes

· Have a fresh fruit salad for dinner

· Salad with oven-baked vegetables and grilled chicken

Snacks

· Make your in-between meal snacks raw

· Look out for small packs of carrots, raisins and grapes at

the grocery store; grab these

instead of chocolates,

candy/sweets or chips

· Make some crudités (carrot,

celery sticks, red, yellow

and orange bell pepper sticks,

baby corn)

· Always keep a piece of fresh fruit on hand

Eating out

· Always start with a fresh salad; try eating it without the

dressing or limiting the dressing

· Request a side salad or steamed vegetables instead of

fries/chips

5 GREAT REASONS TO EAT 5-A-DAY OR MORE

1. They are packed with vitamins, minerals and other

phytonutrients.

2. They can help you maintain a healthy weight.

3. They are an excellent source of fiber and antioxidants.

4. They help reduce the risk of certain chronic and lifestyle

diseases.

5. They are delicious, versatile and convenient.

400g (almost 1 pound) of fruit and veggies a day is the world goal set by the World Health Organisation.

There is no doubt that fruits and vegetables help set you up for a healthier lifestyle. Best of all, there is so much variety from which to choose -- all year long! There's enough to keep even the pickiest eaters happy. So, what's your excuse?

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

AIMGarden Trio

If you find it challenging to get the recommended daily servings of vegetables, try the AIMGarden Trio®. You'll get the vital nutrients found in three important foods - green barley, carrots and beets. Each is packed with the essential enzymes found in whole-juice products, plus antioxidants and a host of other nutrients to maintain good health. You'll promote a healthy immune system, have more energy, and wake up every day feeling great! The Power of Powders: increased absorption irrespective of stomach acidity levels; faster absorption as tablets have to be broken down; easier to take for those with swallowing problems; larger servings of nutrients are easier to take.

Helps maintain whole-body health
Helps maintain a healthy immune system
Provides increased energy
Benefits of juicing without inconvenience

CRUNCHY WALNUT COLESLAW

Serves 4

Quarter of a white cabbage, cored and finely shredded

4 carrots, trimmed, peeled, and grated

2 celery stalks trimmed and thinly sliced

1 red pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

2 ounces fresh garden peas

2 spring onions, trimmed and thinly sliced

1 cup walnut halves

1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Dressing

3 Tbsp cold-pressed olive oil

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

Pinch of garlic salt or 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed

Combine all the vegetables for the coleslaw in a large bowl.

Using a food processor or handheld blender, blend the dressing ingredients together with 3 tablespoons of water until creamy.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.

Divide the salad among salad plates and serve garnished with the walnuts and parsley.

(Taken from: You Are What You Eat, Jillian McKeith)

SPIRITUAL HEALTH

The Lord has given me an incredible promise in the scripture below, just in this past week. Many of you know that the past seven months have been very difficult for me with the loss of my precious father and all the transition that has taken place. What a faithful God we serve!

Song of Solomon chapter 2 verses 11-13

11 See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. 12 Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. 13 The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.

Yours in healthy living,

Lere