DOES YOUR BODY NEED A SPRING CLEANING?
The US Healthcare system is the most expensive system in the world, yet the health of the average American falls far below international comparisons. American spends $6,100 on health care compared to $2,700 spent by the average consumer in other leading industrialized nations. Despite spending more than twice the amount of money per person, a vast 32% of Americans are obese in comparison to less than half that number, only 15%, in other industrialized nations.[1] While it’s impossible to identify one variable that’s causing the staggering number of overweight individuals in America, the standard diet is often a frontrunner in explaining the crisis.
Diet is a critical contributor to great health. Western science has well-documented evidence of the correlation between poor diet and a host of diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure and even some types of cancer. Then there are all the intangible benefits such as providing sustainable energy, instead of a false sugar high, and promoting healthy functioning of organ systems. Analyzing and assessing one’s eating patterns, and ultimately adjusting your diet can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, spring is a perfect time to make adjustments, as change aptly complements the nature of the season.
Living According to Seasons
Spring’s natural cycle of rebirth is a great opportunity to pursue change and growth. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the liver represents the Spring season due to its growing and initiating qualities. The diet during Spring should ideally be centered around cleansing and detoxifying the body to rid it of fats, toxins, and phlegm that may have accumulated during the winter from the consumption of heavier foods during cold weather and the holiday season.
In order to shift the focus of the diet during spring to healing and cleansing the liver, heavier foods, which require more work to process, should be avoided and replaced by lighter, fresher foods. A spring cleanse is a perfect way to jumpstart a healthy spring diet.
Simple Cleanse Ideas
- Simple 2-day liquid fast: Drink water, fresh vegetable and fruit juices, vegetable broths and teas. Slowly incorporate solid foods, starting with cooked vegetables and legumes, back into the diet.
- Liver Cleanser: vinegar is cleansing and detoxifying to the liver. Simply mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a teaspoon of raw honey in a glass of water. Ingest daily for up to two weeks during a liver cleanse.
- If fasting or detoxifying seem too extreme, you can simply focus on eating foods according to the season, lighter foods including many vegetables and fruits are perfect complements to the light nature of Spring. Detoxifying teas, such as tea made from sage leaves, are a healthy way to further support the cleansing process.
As the body begins to facilitate the cleaning process, take time to slow down to aid in the detoxifying and cleansing properties of a fast. Relax and take long walks in nature to observe the similarities between the body and nature during this time of rebirth and renewal.
Contact Fine Balance Wellness at info@finebalancewellness.com today to reach higher levels of health this spring!
Copyright 2007 Fine Balance Wellness, LLC
[1] Davis, Karen et al., Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: An International Update on the Comparative Performance of American Health Care. Commonwealth Fund. May 2007.
Sources
McCall, Timothy, M.D., The Role of Diet in Yoga Therapy. November 2006. Yoga Journal.