Now that Spring has sprung, I thought a little Spring cleaning might be order.
No worries – what I have in mind doesn’t require any special cleaning equipment. (Definitely no vacuums, dusting cloths or spray bottles).
(Unless, of course, you choose to).
It’s no accident, by the way, that Spring is considered a time of renewal.
In fact, in ancient Chinese art, the plum blossom is a treasured symbol of Springtime – since it blooms early in the season, thus signifying new life ahead.
And in traditional Chinese medicine, Spring is also the season for cleansing – making this the perfect time of year to cleanse your home, body, and even your mind.
But here’s the most important thing you need to know:
In traditional cleanses, there is often one critical piece that’s missing!
Want to know what it is?
Keep reading and I’ll share with you exactly what I mean.
Cleanse Your Cupboards
You may have already cleared your cupboards, fridge and freezer of gluten-containing foods, along with your other allergens.
But why not go a step further?
This is the perfect time to thoroughly clean out your kitchen, and release any foods that don’t truly support your health.
So – out with the tired spices, white flours and processed junk food!
In with nourishing whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat or gluten-free oats.
Bring on the whole grain crackers, and minimally processed staples like pasta and whole grain, gluten-free flours for baking.
Better yet, if you own a Vitamix, you can even grind your own flours from the whole grain.
Not only is this fun to do, it takes mere seconds – start to finish! (I love making my own Buckwheat flour – it takes all of 2 seconds).
Stock your snack cupboard with nuts and seeds, and fill your fridge with fresh fruits and vegetables.
If you already own a juicer, now’s a good time to haul it out of the cupboard, and create a daily habit that includes fresh green juice, or a smoothie.
Here’s My Favorite Smoothie recipe to get you started.
You’re all set!
Cleanse Your Body
There’s a lot of talk this time of year, about trying either a Detox or a whole-body Cleanse.
The idea is to give up some of the least healthful foods in your diet for a period of time – generally a week, or as long as three weeks. If you’re new to eliminating gluten from your diet, this might sound a bit daunting – and probably more than you can handle.
The good news?
Almost every cleanse, or detox, requires you to give up gluten – and hey, you may already be gluten-free!
That means you’re a step ahead.
If this seems too extreme, then try a simplified cleanse. (See Cleanse Your Cupboards above,)
With this simple step, you can quickly and easily revamp your diet, by nixing the junk food and focusing instead on fresh, locally grown foods that truly support your health.
Of course, I would be remiss not to mention that a proper cleanse should include the removal of any harmful creams and lotions you might be putting on your body.
In most cleanses, it’s often the one critical piece that’s missing – yet it’s the most important thing you need to know! (click here to learn about my Kitchen Detox for Weight Loss).
Regardless whether you’ve chosen to immerse yourself in a seasonal detox, there’s no need to stop at revitalizing your Body.
Why not move on to cleansing your home, as well?
Cleanse Your Home
As you ‘lighten up’ during these warmer months, you can literally shed some weight with a little spring cleaning.
Start with any room in your home that is cluttered with extra stuff, or piles of paper that you seemingly never get to.
Now is a good time to sit down and tackle it, once and for all!
This is also a good time to switch out your cleaning products for a fresh, light scent – be sure to read the label, to make sure the product is free of environmental toxins. (if you don’t know what I mean by that, then be sure to read ‘Cleanse Your Kitchen’, below!)
And if none of this appeals to you, there are many fun things you can do to give your home a whole new look, just in time for Spring.
You can:
- Re-arrange the furniture
- Paint a wall or two, in a bright cheery color (make sure it doesn’t contain any VOC’s- check out this brand & this)
- Add colorful throw pillows
- Slipcover the sofa
- Decorate with flowers
A fresh coat of paint, and a little less clutter can do wonders for both your home and your spirit!
Cleanse your Kitchen
If you’re ready to revamp your kitchen – and make it the healthiest, and most organized it’s ever been, then a Kitchen Detox for Weight Los could be just the thing you need.
However, I highly recommend that you watch this video first! You can skip that step, of course – but the video will give you a better understanding of the connection between environmental toxins and weight gain, plus what you can do about it. (it’s not as daunting as you might think).
How do you know if the Kitchen Detox for Weight Loss is right for you? If you answer “yes, yes & no” to the following questions, it’s a perfect fit:
- Do you have plastic in your kitchen? (you probably do)
- Do you have canned foods in your pantry? (you probably do)
- Do you know what’s in your tap water?
In this 4-week program you will learn:
- What to look out for in your kitchen – especially your Pantry & Fridge
- Which containers are ideal for your food storage needs & where to find them
- Plastics & other hidden sources of chemicals in your Kitchen
- What you need to know about your Cleaning Supplies
- Water quality…and lots more!
You can read all about it right here. Again, if that sounds too daunting, just check out the Skinny On Weight Gain video first. (it’s a free online class & you can listen anytime – anywhere!)
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