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Foods to Favor in Spring

3/19/2018

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How to eat to as you move into spring
I recently made a video with my friend and colleague, Alexandra Epple, about how to eat as we transition from winter to spring.
​

Spring, the season to detox
The body’s need for the heavier, rich foods of winter shifts to a desire for light, dry, simple foods that digest easily. Maybe you’ve noticed your cravings change. The arrival of the warmer weather often is accompanied by the desire to eat less of the heavier substantial foods of winter, and the desire to eat lighter foods such as fruits, fresh veggies and salads.  This is the body’s way of telling you it’s time for a SPRING CLEANING.

This is a great time to do a CLEANSE or DETOX.  You may have access to a reliable and appropriate CLEANSE OR DETOX, such as a mono-diet or a juice cleanse, but anyone can DETOXIFY THE BODY by simply adding more of the flavors of pungent, bitter, astringent tastes found in seasonal, bitter greens, berries, ginger, turmeric and simply prepared veggies and vegetable soups.  

How to live and eat for spring
To balance the COOL DAMPNESS of spring, we want to INTRODUCE foods, flavors and experiences that are:
  • WARMING
  • LIGHT
  • DRY
  • MOBILE
  • SHARP
  • PENETRATING
We want to REDUCE foods, flavors and experiences that are:
  • COLD
  • HEAVY
  • OILY
  • STATIC
  • DULL
  • SLOW

If  we do this, we will be less likely to experience COMMON SPRING IMBALANCES such as
  • Sinus or chest congestion
  • Spring allergies
  • Lethargy

Let’s talk food!

TASTES TO FAVOR AND ENJOY IN THE SPRING:
  • BITTER
  • ASTRINGENT
  • PUNGENT

FOODS TO FAVOR:
  • GREENS!  To clean out the body!
  • PUNGENT SPICES: ginger, black pepper, lemon, turmeric
  • DRY GRAINS: corn, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, rye
  • ASTRINGENT FRUITS: apples, pears, berries, prunes
  • LEGUMES AND LEAN PROTEINS: beans, lentils, egg whites, chicken, fish
  • BITTER VEGETABLES: kale, arugula, dandelion greens, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli
  • RAW HONEY in moderation

FOODS TO REDUCE:
  • Anything cold
  • Dairy products
  • Sweet heavy fruits (dates, figs, bananas)
  • Breads and refined carbs
  • Heavy, oily, fried foods
  • Roasted nuts
  • Salt – because it adds to fluid retention
  • Animal protein – eat in moderation during spring

Suggested Spring Meals:

BREAKFASTS:
  • Green smoothies made with fresh fruits and greens, consumed at room temperature or slightly warm.  Add ginger and turmeric for more cleansing qualities
  • Porridges made with lighter grains such as buckwheat or millet
  • Fruits like cherries and berries, apples and pears

LUNCHES AND DINNERS:
  • Enjoy cooked legumes, cooked grains, freshly cooked veggies, salads (midday)
  • KITCHERI and other veggie stews
  • LENTILS AND RICE DISHES
  • CHICKPEAS, BLACK BEANS
  • ASPARAGUS STEAMED OR IN SOUP
  • ASIAN STIR FRIED VEGGIES AND TOFU
  • VIETNAMESE PHO SOUP WITH BOK CHOY AND VEGGIES
  • CAULIFLOWER OR BROCCOLI STEAMED OR IN SOUPS
  • ARTICHOKES
  • LIGHTER, LEANER PROTEINS and not so often (chicken, fish, eggs)

More adventures in spring season eating
  • TRY SPROUTING!  Sprouts are full of vitality and cleansing properties.
  • EAT YOUR WEEDS!  Some of the best nutrition to be found is in your yard. Dandelion, Thistle, Nettles – detoxifiers.  And they are FREE! Read more and get recipes here.
  • TRY THHIS SPICE MIXTURE: coriander, fenugreek, cumin, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, cayenne, cloves
  • HYDRATE WELL. DRINK WARM WATER BETWEEN MEALS. Avoid cold beverages.
  • ENJOY DIGESTIVE TEAS MADE WITH ginger, anise, cloves, and peppercorn

Need some recipe suggestions? Here's a collection of plant based recipes.

Do you have a spring recipe or tip to share? Contact me.

Happy Spring Eating!
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    The information on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go here.

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Annie Barrett, M.A., E-RYT, YHC (she/her/hers)
Coach • Speaker • Educator • Ayurveda • Yoga
Annie Barrett Wellness, LLC / Vibrant Soulful Wellness
vibrantsoulful.com
Annie Barrett Wellness, LLC, 5139 25th Ln NW, Olympia, WA 98502 | ​DISCLAIMER, TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PRIVACY POLICY
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The information on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to DISCLAIMER.
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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Our Values
  • COACHING
    • AYURVEDIC WELLNESS COACHING
  • COURSES
    • VIBRANT LIVING HABITS
    • IGNITE YOUR DHARMA
    • SPRING DETOX
    • FALL DETOX
    • AYURVEDA ESSENTIALS
    • AYURVEDA WOMEN'S HEALTH
  • YOGA
    • YOGA CLASSES
    • PRIVATE YOGA SESSIONS
  • WORKPLACE WELLNESS
  • RESOURCES
    • TIP SHEETS
    • FREE YOGA
    • RECIPES
    • BOOKS
    • PODCAST EPISODES
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT