Spring cleaning
The spring season is characterized by changes, growth, outdoor activities, and new beginnings. To start it off lightly, it's a good idea to cleanse yourself of the excesses accumulated during the cold winter season.
Let me start by saying that I have never been a person of diets, menus, or extreme changes in general. To this day, I am ambivalent about it and mainly believe that changes in diet require a lot of in-depth study and attention to the body, and usually also professional guidance. But out of my belief in seasonal nutrition, there is a certain time of year when it would be right to make some slightly more dramatic changes in our menu, even if it is only for a few days, and that time is in the spring!According to Chinese medicine theory, spring is the ultimate season for cleansing toxins and other excesses that we have accumulated over the past year, and especially in winter. As nature renews itself, it would be the perfect time for our bodies to undergo cleansing and rejuvenation as well.
What's special about spring?
The spring season is associated with the element of wood and the liver - the dominant organ in the cleansing process. The liver knows how to cleanse and renew itself naturally, but because we live in a modern world full of toxins, we should help it with this from time to time so that it can continue to function properly, otherwise it may be damaged and this will be reflected in symptoms such as skin problems, asthma, allergies, headaches, tantrums, and more.How do you cleanse the liver?
First of all, there is more than one way to do spring cleaning, but no matter which one you choose, it is important that you do it responsibly and with attention to your body, and preferably with the guidance of a professional.The cleanse can be done for anywhere from a week to a month. About 10 days before starting it, it is a good idea to stop consuming, or reduce to a minimum, coffee, meat, spicy spices, sweets, and cigarettes, in order to reduce the "withdrawal crisis." I also recommend doing the cleanse itself and exiting it gradually, i.e. adding things to the menu slowly and gently and a few days at a time.During the cleanse, it is important to drink plenty of water and herbal infusions (8-12 cups a day), and start the morning with half a lemon squeezed in a glass of water. You can add a tablespoon of olive oil if you suffer from constipation.What to avoid?
Completely avoid coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, sugar, fried foods, processed and industrialized foods, white flour and its products, yeast, sugary and carbonated drinks, meat, fish, eggs, chicken and dairy products. In addition, also eggplants, olives, cauliflower, tomatoes and pickled/pickled/spicy vegetables.What do you eat?
Completely avoid coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, sugar, fried foods, processed and industrialized foods, white flour and its products, yeast, sugary and carbonated drinks, meat, fish, eggs, chicken and dairy products. In addition, also eggplants, olives, cauliflower, tomatoes and pickled/pickled/spicy vegetables.Grains - rice of all types, pearl barley, quinoa, oats, buckwheat, and millet.Fats - olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, whole sesame tahini, nuts, almonds and seeds.Vegetables and fruits - pear, lemon, apple, a few berries, all green and orange vegetables, mushrooms, all types of sprouts, carrots and beets if there is no sugar problem, root vegetables, onions and garlic - only cooked. Regarding fruits, it is recommended to consume 1-3 servings of fruit per day depending on the medical condition.Legumes - it is important to soak before cooking and it is also recommended to sprout: orange lentils, azuki beans + mash + green beans, green peas (fresh peas are available in season)Animal protein - add gradually towards the end of the cleanse.Herbs - thyme, oregano, basil, parsley, coriander, dill.Spices - turmeric, cumin, oregano, cumin, salt, hyssop, fennel seeds and a little sweet paprika.Important to remember!The cleanse is not recommended for pregnant women, people with kidney problems, anemia, and chronic diseases that require regular medication. In these cases, it is recommended to contact a professional who specializes in cleansing processes for this type of population. In any case, it is recommended to do the cleanse under the supervision of a qualified professional.