| June
2005
As spring shifts into summer many people also go
through a transition. Perhaps a transition involving
more outdoor or physical activity, or a transition
from eating the heavier food of winter like root vegetables,
beans and grains, to a lighter fare that includes more
raw and fresh vegetables and fruits. Our bodies may
struggle with making these changes, leaving us feeling
fatigued by the sudden change of season instead of
reveling in it. Below, I discuss the role of purifying
the body with a cleanse to help you spring into summer.
| The
Perfect Time to Purify your Body and Mind |
 |
The change of seasons is classically
considered the ideal time to do some kind
of internal cleansing and detoxification.
The change from spring to summer is probably
the most ideal of these transitional times
for the cleanse program that I recommend.
The key to this cleanse is the consumption
of plenty of raw vegetables and fruits. Large
salads and fruit smoothies made with a whole
food nutritional powder make up the cleanse
diet. In addition to cleansing the body, these
foods are cool and refreshing-- ideal for the
summer, but not so appealing when the weather
is wet and cold!
This is also the best time of year for a cleanse
because the fruits for the smoothies are freshly
available and in season. While all fruits including
peaches, bananas, papayas and mangos can be
great additions to the smoothie, berries are
some of the best.
More on Cleansing and Clinical Purification |
| Berries
Restore Balance |
|
|  Cleansing
is about restoring balance within our body
and revitalizing the function of every cell.
An important component in achieving this is
intake of foods high in antioxidants. Antioxidants
protect the structure of our bodies cells by
inhibiting the action of molecules called free-radicals.
Berries happen to be one of the best sources
of antioxidants available on the planet.
Researchers at Tufts University analyzed
60 fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant
capability. Of these, blueberries rated
the highest in their capacity to destroy
cell damaging free radicals.
Other berries high in anti-oxidants include
raspberries, strawberries and blackberries.
Now is the time! Strawberries are at the
peak of their season from April through
July, raspberries and blueberries from
June through October, and blackberries
in June and July.
Find Fresh Local Berries Near You
|
| Balance
Through Yoga |
|
 Cleansing
is one tool for restoring balance in the body.
Another tool is yoga. Yoga helps to restore
balance of more than just the body. It can
also bring about a balanced state between the
body, mind, and spirit.
As yoga's popularity grows so do the number
of styles available. Many styles emphasize
athletic performance or fitness, while others
foster more introspection. For those of you
looking for yoga with an inward focus, I highly
recommend an upcoming retreat in Portland,
Oregon called The Energetic Essence of Yoga:
A Weekend of Hatha Yoga and Meditation. I will
be teaching in the retreat along with a dozen
other highly skilled instructors.
More on The Energetic Essence of Yoga Workshop |
| Help
for the Aches and Pains of Summer |
|
|  Along
with the increased outdoor activity of summer
can come injuries ranging from sore muscles
to strains and sprains, bruises, cuts, and
even burns (from the grill, sunburns etc.).
Did you know you can treat these minor injuries
effectively without chemicals or artificial
ingredients?
The Art of Health Herbal First Aid Kit
provides the remedies to help you heal
and a thorough information booklet that
tells you how to address each minor injury.
Purchase the Herbal First Aid Kit
|
|
Are you ready for summer? Ready or not here it comes! After a long winter (and
perhaps a rainy spring), the clear skies and warm days of summer are welcomed
by most people with more activity generally, and more of it outdoors.
This month's Art of Health Bulletin provides
tips to prepare you for summer. These include
how to get your body in sync with the vibrancy
of the season through cleansing, which highly
nutritious foods are fresh and in the peak
of their season, and tending to injuries
from increased outdoor activities. |
|
Have a Great Summer!
Laura Washington, ND
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