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As we move into early spring the weather begins to soften, if there were excess snow to eliminate that would be melting away and new buds are forming on the trees and from the ground.  We too should be looking to heal and detoxify just as nature has begun to do.

Ayurveda teaches that spring is the season for bitter.  Bitter and sour foods encourage the liver and gallbladder to release excess bile built up over the winter months.  To expedite this process increasing bitter and sour food into your diet is essential.  As such I thought I would highlight two foods that you could learn a little more about and perhaps incorporate into your day this spring.

• Dandelion Greens; these greens are part of the spring farmer’s markets and should be pretty accessible.  They are high in vitamin A and vitamin K and due to their slight bitterness effectively drain the excess bile (a fatty substance) from your body.

I suggest adding a handful of raw dandelion to your salad greens or green juice to mellow out the bitter taste or sauté with some garlic and onion in a little coconut oil; this would be delicious as a side dish or with some quinoa as the main dish.

• Lemons;  High in vitamin C, a good immune system booster, the lemon is also an alkalizing agent, full of anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.  Lemon juice and lemons are not only a good aid for your digestion but they effectively detox the blood as well.  My favorite way to incorporate is with warm water and lemon juice upon waking.  This combo sets you up for a great day digestively, it is easy to implement and is comforting first thing in the morning.  I’m also a fan of squeezing fresh lemon juice into green juice before drinking, over fruit and with some olive oil, garlic and spices for a tangy salad dressing.

love + nourishment,

Amber

Holistic Health + Nutrition Consultant

Yoga Instructor
You can read more from Amber on her website
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