It’s that time of year again. Toes are starting to peak out of sandals, sleeves are getting shorter, the days are getting longer and we’re starting to get the itch to do our spring cleaning! Now that the sun is shining more, we can see where the dust bunnies have been hiding and where hand prints have been stopped in their tracks! There is something so rewarding about getting everything fresh and clean and starting with a spotless space for the spring.  We spend a lot of time and energy on our homes, yards, gardens and garages – but what about our bodies?

Our bodies have endured a long winter too. Most people tend to eat a little differently during the colder months – rich, heavy foods, less fresh produce, more meat perhaps? How can we cruise into summer looking great and feeling even better?  Here are a few tips the experts recommend:

1. Drink more water with lemon. Adding ½ of a lemon’s juice to your morning glass of water will help re-hydrate you faster and clear the waste from your system.
2. Drink more tea. Tea is full of antioxidants and is also hydrating.
3. Increase the number of antioxidant foods you consume. Add more berries, red & kidney beans, beets, kale, collard greens and dark chocolate to your diet.
4. Eat a rainbow of colour. Our bodies need all of the vitamins and minerals found in a variety of produce. If we are only eating a small number of fruits and vegetables, we are missing out on other key foods and are consequently depriving ourselves of some very important elements.
5. Reach for organic. Keep the toxins out of your body by choosing organic products whenever possible. If you need to prioritize, buy organic for the “dirty dozen”.
6. Improve your overall gut health with the healthy bacteria found in yogurt, kombucha tea or kefir.
7. Go non-GMO. Choose foods that are produced from non-GMO ingredients to ensure that you’re getting the cleanest versions available. The best way to identify these foods is with the non-GMO verified seal.

Maybe making all of these changes is as overwhelming as cleaning out all of the cabinets and closets in your house!  Start small. Choose a couple of changes that will make a difference in your eating habits and your general health. Nobody ever finishes all their spring cleaning in a day!