Spring Tonic

We tend to leap into January full of renewed optimism and are often focused on losing weight and increasing fitness levels, but the heart of winter is not really the best time of year to start this. In the winter, just as plants die back and put their energy into their roots, we should be doing the same. For us this means more sleep, warming foods and time for reflection and planning. Again, just like plants, it's in the spring that we should start to get moving again and use that positive energy to make some healthy changes.

If we try to mimic nature in our actions then this will naturally lead us to a healthier life. Practically, this means trying to eat only foods that are in season, waking naturally when commitments allow and using our energy and ideas in different ways to coincide with temperature and available light.

Look at what's starting to grow around you and try to incorporate these into your diet either as a tea, soup or salad:

Nettles - packed full of vitamins and minerals and supportive to the entire body

Dandelion leaves - bitter and diuretic so support both the liver and the kidneys

Cleavers (sticky willy) - fresh tasting and supports the lymphatic system

Plantain - will sooth and restore mucous membranes and support the lungs

Keep in mind that food is medicine and what you are ultimately trying to do is support your organs of elimination (liver, kidneys, skin, lungs and intestines). Your body is naturally detoxing all the time, it may just need a bit of a boost after an often long and sedentary winter.