SPRING CLEANING
You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present.
-Jan Glidewell
Its that time of year! Spring is in the air. Its a beautiful time of year where the weather changes, the air smells fresh and every ones seems to come out of hibernation.
Spring Clean your CLOSET:
When I think of Spring Cleaning, the first thing that comes to mind are all those clothes that haven't been worn since before Dylan was born! Why do we feel the need to hold on? Why do we get so attached? After all, its just Stuff! I understand the need to hold on to precious memorabilia but where can we draw the line?
Let’s “get rid of the old to make room for the new”...
If you have a hard time getting rid of your things, like me, invite a girlfriend or a family member who will be honest and helpful. I always call on my mother, my husband, or my sister-in-laws to be objective. Its much easier to give away something when someone else is there to say “that doesn’t fit you anymore and someone else will make wonderful use of it”. We need to make space in our closets and in our minds.
“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions” – Barbara Hemphill
Spring Clean your body with FOOD:
We actually have 2 houses … Our physical Home is one and our physical bodies are the other. We need to take care of our physical well being as well. During the winter months we tend to eat more hot foods which tend to ground us. We may be drawn to soups and pastas and meat products. We choose foods that will comfort and satisfy.
As the weather warms up we begin to eat more cooling foods such as fruits and vegetables. Your body is craving a rest from rich and heavy foods. Juicing and/or making smoothies can be a great way to begin this process. Eating clean foods like leafy greens is the way to go during this transition into spring. Leafy greens are packed with nutrients and give you energy. My go-to leafy greens are kale, collards, arugula, spinach, broccoli and more… Greens are high in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous and zinc, and are a powerhouse for vitamins A, C, E and K. They are packed with fibre as well to help keep your bowels regular.
Simply sautéing your greens with some garlic, olive oil and a drop or 2 of lemon oil is a great way to eat them. Simple and fresh. And as I have mentioned for my extremely picky eaters I hide them in their smoothies and by juicing.
One of my favorite books is "Greens Glorious Greens” by Johnna Albi and Catherine Walthers. Below you will find one of the recipes from the book that I love and use often.
When you eat well you feel refreshed and lighter which in turn will promote better digestion and immune function. You will gain more clarity and awareness .This can cause a trickle effect in all parts of your life. Your heart may feel more open.
SPRING CLEAN YOUR HEART:
This may sound completely corny but often we get stuck in our same routine and thought pattern. Let go of negative energy and negative habits. Allow your heart to open and to receive good and positive energy. Yoga and/ or meditation can help with this process. If you can’t go to a class there are so many yoga and meditation apps that can be easily downloaded for free. Become more aware of your thoughts and think about how you can align them with your goals. Go through your daily habits that no longer serve you or propel you forward. When your heart and mind declutter you make room to receive gifts from the universe that you never expected.
“Get rid of clutter and you may just find that it was blocking the door you’ve been looking for” – Katrina Mayer
Spring Clean your body with OILS:
Always remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day! Adding a drop of lemon essential oil or Citrus bliss can be beneficial. These oil are very supportive and cleansing for the body. They also add a yummy taste for those who are not crazy about plain water.
doTERRA’s Zendocrine essential oil blend supports the body’s natural ability to rid itself of unwanted substances.* It supports the healthy cleansing and filtering functions of the liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, and skin.* This powerful blend combines Rosemary, Cilantro, and Juniper Berry, known for their detoxifying properties and ability to support healthy liver function, while Tangerine and Geranium have purifying effects against unhealthy substances.* Zendocrine helps cleanse the body of toxins and free radicals that can slow the body’s systems down, leaving a heavy, weighted feeling.*
*Remember not all oils are created equal. The oils I TRUST are doTERRA essential oils. They are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade and are of the highest quality. For more info on these gems feel free to contact me.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Collard Greens and Caramelized Onion
I vary this recipe by adding mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes. Delicious as is or add other veggies and you can use as a pasta sauce or put it in a pie shell.
Ingredients:
1 bunch Collard Greens - cut into strips
1 Tbs olive oil
3 onions sliced thinly
3 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Wash collards and remove stalks. Stack 4-5 leaves, roll and slice into strips. Approximately ¼ inch thick
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for about 15 - 20 minutes, until golden and sweet. Add Garlic and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until golden
While the onions are cooking bring 2-3 cups of water to a boil in a large skillet with a lid. Add collards and cover over high heat for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. The collards are ready when they are tender but still bright green. Drain in a colander and set aside.
Add greens to onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cool for another 2 minutes. Serve hot and Enjoy
In the above picture I added mushrooms and put into a pie crust and topped with some breadcrumbs and olive oil.
