From Nourish Your Light
The Earth is stretching and yawning as it wakes from the slumber of winter. Spring is a time for cleansing rains, new growth, and fresh possibilities. The light begins to brighten and the spirit of the heart starts to soar. The body is in tune with the rhythms of nature so when this time of the year rolls around it begins to amp up its cleansing tasks to compensate for the heavier foods of winter. The season of new beginnings offers us a chance to aid in the renewal of our external form and internal essence.
The most important part of cleansing is the mind frame in which you approach the process. A cleanse is not about removing the sinful or bad from inside the body. It is simply a gesture of expansion, offering yourself a protocol in order to enhance the beauty that you already carry inside. A spring cleanse can be done for any duration of time that feels most appropriate to your lifestyle; a good place to start is 3 days and if your schedule allows stretch up to a week. The main intention of a cleanse is to support the liver and the digestive organs so they can more quickly repair and prepare for the next season of eating. It is best to take a break from all animal products, fatty/processed foods, sugar (that includes natural sweeteners like maple, honey, agave, etc.), and alcohol for the duration of the cleanse. Do things that support your state of mind. Find ways to be out in nature, to read, listen to music, take a bath, nurture your self with self massage (the feet love it) or professional body work. It is best to pause from conventional media and minimize stimulating social interactions. During a cleanse you might notice that your mood either becomes depressed or elevated. Make plenty of time to honor your process, journal, and get support from friends and family. What follows is a sample cleanse format. Give yourself permission to adjust, cut out, or add anything in order to craft the best experience for this particular time of your life.
7 Day Cleanse Guideline:
Days 1-4:
Throughout the Day: Lemon water
Breakfast: Parsnip, Ginger, Daikon, Dandelion Greens, Kombu seaweed Miso soup
Tea 1: Ginger Lemon
Lunch: brown rice, steamed/water sautéed veggies (rotate: purple broccoli, spinach, dandelion greens, celery, radish, beets, beet greens etc.), you can also add some beans to your lunch if you are craving protein. Drizzle olive oil or Ghee, sea salt and black pepper to taste.
Tea 2: Oregano Parsley
Dinner: Raw vegetable salad. Start with mixed greens then add all or some of these veggies: dandelion greens, onions, radish, fennel bulb, beets, carrots, parsley, basil, cilantro, and peppers. Drizzle olive oil with crushed garlic, sea salt and black pepper to taste.
Tea 3: Fennel
Days 5-7:
All the same but:
Breakfast: leave out the miso, make a vegetable soup with various veggies (make sure to use daikon) and olive oil. You could also incorporate some green smoothies (google it if not sure) instead of the soup.
Lunch: switch to another grain like quinoa or millet.
*notes: to make teas place tea bag or fresh ingredients in jar, pour boiling water, tightly cover, let steep for at least 10 minutes to increase potency of herbs.
*use an ample amount of olive oil for your meals, olive oil and Ghee cleanse on a deeper fatty tissue level that greens and tea can’t access.
*remember to thoroughly chew all your food, even the morning soup, carve out space for relaxed and slow meals, make sure not to starve yourself as this will throw the body into a stress response and will be counterproductive.
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