Written by: Angela Warburton, B.A., R.Ac., R.TCMP
GREENS
(spinach, asparagus, green beans, dandelion greens etc.)
Spring is a time when all the new fresh greens are coming up. They are so nutrient dense and work directly on the liver system helping it detox and clear up all that heavy food from the winter. They also help to build and cleanse the blood and are great for detoxification of the liver, which is helpful after the heavier, often richer foods of the winter.
BEETS AND BEET GREENS
Why is this important?
Beets are also good for the liver system. They are also a little bit sweet which can help strengthen the digestive system and they also build the blood so great for women who need to build their blood. Beets also help to move the Qi energy and are slightly warm in property. We’re easing into the summer/hot months so having slightly warm foods and still lightly cooking our foods is important. The beets that are grown over the winter months have a slightly sweeter flavor, which aids in digestion and because the soil is richer after the long hibernation, they are often more nutrient dense as well.
LEMON/CITRUS/VINEGAR
Why is this important?
Citrus like lemon or lime and vinegars are great for the liver system and really help to move the energy. They also help to break down fatty foods or congestion in the body, which is particularly helpful after the heavier foods of winter as I mentioned before.
Other tips:
Try to make sure to still cook your foods, but only lightly, shifting away from the slow roasting of the winter. Try for a lightly steamed of flash cooking. Incorporating some raw and some cooked as the weather warms up is a good transition tip. Warming up your salad dressing (see recipe on previous blog) or sautéing peppers, asparagus or green beans and then putting it on your fresh greens are all great options.
Most of all, listen to your body. If you’re someone who has digestive problems like bloating or fatigue after you eat, looser bowel movements or have difficulty losing weight, you’re going to want to stick to cooked food in general to help your body digest easily. If you’re someone who’s hot all the time and seem to burn through food fast, you can probably tolerate more raw fresh foods. We’re all unique and understanding the messages our body is sending and adopting our lifestyle and foods to our particular state of balance AND to the seasons is one of the biggest gifts we can give ourselves.
So happy spring and enjoy all the beauty out there as things come back to life!