LadiesCorner
by Mary Thomas
Spring cleaning is not an innovation. Spring is generally thought of as the ideal time to cleanse, according to Ayurveda. While many of us may have attempted a ‘detox’, winter isn’t the best time for detox routines. The body needs nourishment and internalisation during winter, but as we enter the Kapha (the slush and mud) season, this is truly the ideal time to observe these detoxifying practices.
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anchakarma involves ‘five actions’ and is the Ayurvedic cleansing and purifying program traditionally undertaken in order to detox and rejuvenate the body: Vamana, Virechana, Nasya, Basti, and Raktamoskshana. These techniques are not commonly practised in the west, and to make the process more accessible, realistic and enjoyable, a spring cleanse may consist of a mono diet of Kitchari, a three-day juicing cleanse, intermittent fasting, cutting out sugars and processed foods, refraining from snacking between meals, or simply reducing caffeine in order to allow the body to rid itself of toxin build up. It is advisable to seek advice from a qualified doctor or therapist if you are considering taking a fast or cleanse. As the temperature shifts, you might begin to feel some shifts in your body:
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a desire for more exercise and time outside, and a craving for lighter meals rather than the dense soups, stews, and casseroles that nourish us in fall and winter. Now’s the time to replace heavy, oily, sour, and sweet foods with foods that are pungent, bitter, astringent, dry, and light. Eating seasonally is the most intuitive diet you can practice. Start with foraging at garden centres, local farmers markets or joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. At the grocery store, look for what is on sale in the produce section—if you see pyramids of a particular fruit or vegetable, it is likely in seasonal abundance. Eat Lean, Eat Green. Every year, I get so excited when my town’s Farmers’ Market starts up in late spring. Things are very mellow with the pandemic, but I have got my potatoes, basil, amaranth, onions, garlic rooted and ready for planting. My body is so ready for bitter alkaline foods by this LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021
point, and there is not much here. Many people notice a natural but distinct shift in their cravings as winter gives way to spring. The arrival of the warmer weather often marks a decline in our desire for the heavy, substantive foods, so essential during the winter months. In fact, many notice an increasingly insistent preference for lighter fare. Your appetite may decrease, and you may find yourself craving fruit, fresh vegetables, and salads galore. This is your body’s way of telling you that it is time for some spring cleaning. Juice fasts with pomegranate or apple juice and mono diets are wonderfully supportive. This helps balance mucus production, regulate moisture levels, and serve to open the channels of elimination so critical for purification. Spring is the time of year to eat lean. All winter, we have been into rice, potatoes, stews, meats, and cheese. It is time to reset the digestion and cleanse
