The temperature is rising and if you’re like me, closets are getting rearranged, flowers are getting planted, and my day of office revamping has made it finally look like a normal, organized human being works there. For once.
Of course, part of the Big Spring Clean should come from within, and I would argue that there is no better time than now to jumpstart your diet with a renewed healthy vigor. But before you stock up on 50 juices for a week-long liquid fast, consider a more sustainable, long-term approach via everyday smart food choices! Read on to see how you can re-energize your diet, all season long.
Enjoy one superfood drink a day | Between smoothies, juices, elixirs and more, there’s a lot of choices these days with healthy drinks! Each kind of superfood drink offers its own set of wellness advantages, but regardless of your choice it’s great to get into the mindset of a one-a-day (or more!) plan. By incorporating such a nutrient-dense, borderline medicinal practice into your routine, you’ll feel more energized and balanced, and less inclined to reach for the bad stuff.
Employ the potent power of green foods | Green foods are amongst the finest things we can possibly put in our body, thanks to their top-notch nutrient density. Outside of chowing down on salad all day, look for “greenopportunities” in your favorite meals, like adding shredded kale into a hot bowl of soup, layering sprouts into a sandwich, or plating a protein on top of a thick bed of steamed greens. My favorite way of ensuring I get a solid dose of daily greens (regardless of the what else happens in the day) is through sneaking in green powders – my go-to is Hawaiian Spirulina. Just one 1 teaspoon of this incredible deep green powder has more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients than 5 pounds of vegetables! We’re talking 180% more calcium than milk, 3100% more beta carotene than carrots, and even 31 times the phytonutrient potential of blueberries. A spoonful in your smoothie, a sprinkle on your oatmeal, or even just a capsule if you must is one of the most positive things you can add to your day.
Clean out your cupboard | There’s nothing better than coming home to a clean house, but don’t forget to do a sweep of what’s being stored behind the closed doors of your kitchen shelves, too. Now is a great time to get rid of items that don’t support your health goals – the cookies that are made with corn syrup, the salad dressing that has Yellow #5 in it, or the candy you’re still sneaking from an old Halloween stash. (Unopened packages are great to donate to food banks.) Because let’s face it: if it’s not around, you won’t eat it.
Switch your sugar, salt and fat | One of the simplest ways to freshen up any diet without feeling a sacrifice is to give a modern facelift to the 3 things that make our taste buds swoon: sugar, salt and fat. Use smart sweeteners like fruit, coconut sugar, stevia, or even agave in small quantities instead of cane sugar for more nutrients at a lower glycemic cost; Swap out table salt with sea salt to get additional minerals; And put beautifying coconut oil to work in the place of butter for a cholesterol-free metabolism boost.
Treat with seasonal fruit | Seasonal spring fruit is the best! Right now we’ve got things like incredible citrus (Cara Cara oranges, anyone?), juicy sweet-tart plums, and ruby red strawberries. Instead of a midday pastry, take your $5 and instead treat yourself to the freshest, most of-the-moment specialty fruit you can get your hands on. Not only is it an exquisite culinary adventure, but you’ll also be giving your body nutrients it needs, instead of empty calories. Change it up with nature’s spring collection!
Ready to try? Here’s a spring-cleansing green smoothie that has everything you need to embrace the bright new season.
Lemon-Coconut Smoothie
There are many borderline magical flavor combinations in the world, and in my option, lemon and coconut easily earn their spot on that best-of list. This creamy blend tastes almost like a cheesecake, and thanks to its balance of quality protein, greens, minerals, and healthy fats, you’ll find this smoothie makes an energizing meal replacement.
Makes 16 ounces / 1 serving
1 frozen banana
1 tablespoon hemp seeds
2 tablespoons dried shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1 Medjool date, pitted
1 tablespoon your favorite vanilla protein powder
1 teaspoon Hawaiian Spirulina
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup almond milk
1 cup coconut water ice,* or regular ice
In a blender, combine all the ingredients except the ice, and blend until smooth and creamy. Add the ice and blend until frosty. Enjoy immediately.
*Simply freeze coconut water in ice cube trays for enhanced smoothie flavor and extra electrolytes.
Thank you Nutrex Hawaii for sponsoring this post, and providing such top-notch spirulina for the world to enjoy! Use code SFJULIE at Nutrex-Hawaii.com to receive 20% off up to $75, 30% off up to $149.99 and 40% off above $150.
