Tips on Spring Cleansing

Ok I know you are going to ask about detoxing or cleansing programs next, so let me tell you about some of my ideas. Though there are many detox programs out there, they can be harsh and difficult to manage. I prefer intentional nourishment programs, like the one outlined below, as a pleasant way to cleanse and renew your commitment to healthy living.

This program is especially good to use at the change of seasons, at the beginning of a weight loss program, during times of stress and tension, or during any time of transition to help instill healthy habits. Try it for a weekend or a week, and see how you feel!

Supplies
• A good vegetarian cookbook for ideas
• several lemons
• local honey (to build up immunity to pollen)
• organic apple cider vinegar or brown rice vinegar
• olive, flaxseed, safflower or sesame oil
• garlic
• ginger
• your favorite herbal teas, green teas
• organic and whole foods

Meals
o For your meals - cut out packaged and pre-cooked foods, dairy products, anything rich or high in fat, and stick with the basics
o Breakfast: choose fresh fruit, granola, whole grain cereals, soy or rice milk, or try scrambled eggs with veggies
o Meals & Snacks: choose organic whenever possible from the following: leafy greens, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, chickpeas, red, white, black, pinto beans, lentils, tofu, eggs, fish, lean meat, whole grains like quinoa or brown rice
o Flavor your meals with apple cider, balsamic or brown rice vinegar, olive, flaxseed, safflower or sesame oil, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, onions and herbs and spices
o Drink plenty of water (flavor with lemon if you desire), herbal and green teas sweetened with local honey

What to do
• Begin the first night with a healthy dinner with above suggested foods. Consider a salad in warm weather or soup or stew during the colder months. Use lemon, garlic, vinegar, ginger, herbs and spices, and oils listed above as your condiments. Try not to eat too late.
• Set aside time to do the Chi Kung Healing Meditation.
• Drink plenty of water and/or herbal teas throughout the evening.
• Choose a healthy breakfast from the foods suggested above & feel free to drink tea with local honey.
• Make a healthy, seasonal midday meal using the guidelines above.
• Set aside time to do the Chi Kung Healing Meditation once or twice each day
• Snack on veggies and fruit throughout the day if you are hungry or drink water with lemon if you are thirsty. Drink plenty of water and tea all day long.
• Exercise gently doing cardio, walking, yoga, or stretching to circulate your cardiovascular and lymphatic system to help them work most efficiently. Make sure to bathe afterwards to cleanse your skin of any toxins that were released.
• Generally take it easy, try not to do anything stressful, and enjoy yourself. Give yourself the time and space you need during this cleanse. Pick up an old hobby or a new one and generally try to relax during the cleanse instead of working or worrying.

Chi Kung Healing Meditation

Set aside time each day to do the following exercise.
• Sit in a comfortable position in a chair or on the floor.
• Start by envisioning someone who brings you happiness or makes you smile when you think of him or her.
• Bring that smile into a golden globe in front of you. Bring it in your third eye and bring it down to your heart. Offer your heart love and kindness. Sit with it as long as you want. Observe what happens or does not happen.
• Then bring your smile down to your lungs. Do the same.
• When you are ready, move on to your pancreas, then liver, the kidneys, then bladder, then reproductive organs.
• Then go back to the golden globe and swallow it into your stomach. Repeat the loving, kindness with your stomach, then spleen, small intestine, large intestine, gallbladder, and colon.
• Your loving intent will nourish and enliven your internal organs!