Preparing for Spring with Simple Food Suggestions

Spring is a season for new beginnings - the time of year to “rise early with the sun’ - as well as the ideal time for cleansing and rejuvenation for overall health and well-being. 
Here are just some of many food suggestions from the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine to help keep your mind and body healthier for Spring:

• The diet should be the lightest of the year where we naturally eat less and detox from the heavy foods from winter

• Think GREEN 🥦🥬Green vegetables like asparagus, fresh greens, young plants, sprouts, peas, kale, collards, chicory, spinach, bok choi, chard, coriander, parsley, tops of beetroot, avocado, asparagus, okras, cucumber, broccoli, brussel sprouts, green beans, leeks,spring onions, green peppers and zucchini; Green-coloured fruits like green apples, grapes, kiwis, limes, and honeydew melons🥝🍏

• Juicing is a great way to condense all your greens but keep it at room temperature rather than iced.

• Sour flavour is great for liver detox: try juice of half lemon, lime. or apple cider in warm water first thing in the morning; or use as dressings with olive oil for salads; small quantities of sour pickled vegetables are also good. Take care not to overdue on the sour as it can impact your digestive enzymes. Listen to your body!

• Adding slight pungent flavours to your meal such as mint, fennel, basil, rosemary leaf, and bay leaf.

• Grains, legumes, seeds, beets, carrots, and other sweet starchy vegetables are good to add a bit of sweetness (an expanding quality) to your daily meal.

• Minimize food that is too salty as it is cold and has a sinking quality.

• Mostly cooked meal when temperature is still cool. As it warms up, can add a bit of salad.

• Majority of the food is best cooked for a shorter time but at higher temperatures. When cooking with oil, a quick high-temperature sauté method is appropriate method. When cooking with water, light steaming or minimal simmering is ideal.