It's a Seasonal Thing!
The evenings are drawing out and the bulbs pushing through; there is a general feeling of anticipation for the coming spring.
Spring is a time of rejuvenation in nature so it follows that it is also a great time of change for us as well. Those first few warm days have us all cautiously coming outside, squinting up at the sky and baring bits of our bodies we have only glanced at in the bath over the winter.
Water – The Spring of Life
Spring is a good time to look at what we are eating and drinking. Let's start by looking at what we drink.
We all need to drink more water.
Our water intake tends to drop in the winter. So it is a good thing at this time of year to increase the amount we drink in preparation for the summer when, hopefully, our water intake will need to be increased even further due to the warm weather.
Now on to Food
Eating fresh, locally-grown, seasonal foods all the year round is one of the best ways of making sure we are getting the correct nutrients we require.
By following the seasonal rotation of foods we can pick those foods that are plentiful at the time we buy, and which, therefore, are at the best price in the shops.
Springtime is a good time to start moving our diet towards seasonal foods. The variety of fresh foods is increasing and supply is becoming plentiful.
So widening our choice comes at a time when it's economical to do so.
Seasonal Foods
What exactly do we mean when we talk about seasonal foods? Good question as supermarkets today stock most foods all year round.
Foods to look out for in the spring are the greens: for example, cabbage, lettuce, asparagus, broccoli carrots and leeks. Sprouted beans and seeds are great in salads.
It is a little early for locally grown fruits but eating apples and pears will have a cleansing effect on the body.
Lightening the Diet
Obviously you will not be limited to the seasonal fruit and vegetables alone, but generally we should be looking at making our meals lighter: we should also be eating less of the heavy protein and fatty foods which we prefer in the winter.
As we come into summer, we should introduce more raw fruit and vegetables.
Follow the Natural Rhythms
Years ago, we would not have had to make a conscious effort to adjust our diet as the seasons changed because nature's supply dictated what we ate. In contrast, in today's world of takeaways and convenience foods, and all-the-year round availability, we hardly give seasonal variations a thought.
As a nutritional therapist, I maintain that it is highly beneficial to introduce more fresh seasonal foods back into our diet.
Your local health-food shop may be able to give you details of organic fruit and veg box schemes in your area. Or try searching the Web for 'organic food delivery' in your area.