Seasonal Body Support

“Spring is a time of new beginnings, fertility, conceiving new ideas, and laying the groundwork for things to come. It is a time to restore health, to build new relationships, to express our emotional truths, to expand on current projects and to plant seeds that may one day come to fruition.” – Sat Dharam Kaur

Living according to the seasons is an ancient Chinese principle for health and wellness. When we align our diet and physical activity with the “energy” of the season, we quite naturally fall into balance.

This time of year, the days are getting longer, the sun is shining (except for yesterday…what’s up with the snow??) and the body is ready to get moving after months of hibernation. It is the time to cleanse and support our liver, gallbladder, tendons & joints. It’s the season for balancing our hormones and, according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), nourishing the “wood” element.

Here are a few simple ways to do just that!

Liver & Gallbladder
Cleansing Tea:
1 part fennel
1/4 part burdock
1/4 part licorice
Water
1 part peppermint

Use 1 oz of the herbs to 20 oz of water. Mix all of the dried herbs (except the peppermint) with the water and simmer on the stove for 20 minutes. Then, add the peppermint, take it off the stove, and let it steep for 10 minutes.

Sip throughout the day, for 10-14 days.

Lemon Water:
1/4 of a lemon squeezed into some warm water first thing in the morning and right before bed is another way to gently detoxify the liver. I like this hot, as a coffee replacement!

There are ways to flush both the liver and gallbladder but it's a good idea to consult an ND first!


Tendons & Joints
Get moving! You need to work those tendons and joints. Tendons, in particular, get limited blood flow. You really need to move and stretch your joints to increase blood and lymphatic circulation to the tissues.

Yoga is perfect for flushing out the joints! Try a class (Gentle yoga at studio 330 is amazing!) or a few simple poses at home!




Walking is also great for the joints! It is probably the easiest, cheapest, most convenient form of exercise. Get bored? Put an audio book on your ipod, assemble a great play list, or bring a friend. Start with 30 minutes 3 times a week and build up to 60 minutes 5 days a week. If you want to know how much moving you’re doing in a day, invest in a pedometer…you should be hitting 10,000 steps every day!

Balancing & Metabolizing Hormones
2 Tbsp of ground flax seed on plain yogurt with berries, or sprinkled on a salad is great for hormones. The lignans (fibre) in the ground flax seed bind to hormones and help us eliminate them. The omega-3 fatty acids in the flax are anti-inflammatory and support healthy sex hormone balance.


Diet for Spring
Foods that support the liver:
Raw Brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, kale), soy, whey powder, onions, garlic, sunflower seeds, green tea, peppers, citrus, legumes, oatmeal, turmeric, beets, apples, pears, pumpkin seeds, almonds, salads, whole grains, extra virgin olive oil
Food that harm the liver:
dairy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, alcohol
Break out the Juicer:
Juice carrots, beet, apple, kale and ginger once a day

Nourishing the Wood Element
Planting a tree is a wonderful way to honour the wood element...and freshen the air!For something more intense……join me tonight at 7:30pm to find out about the 14-day Lean & Clean detoxification and yoga challenge! We'll be at 348 Bagot st, Suite 101. Refreshments will be served.