Friday, May 1, 2015

Spring is upon us!

Spring, a season of growth and rebirth, is upon us. Living things, now more than any other time of the year, require good nutrients to support the growth that comes during this time. According to Chinese medicine, Spring also represents the liver and gallbladder. Hence, the green season vegetables that sprout up during this time are good for nourishing the liver.

This time of year is also when many of us do our “spring cleaning.” Besides our homes, this is an ideal time to also “spring clean” our bodies. The body hibernates during the winter months, and can use a greener diet to wake it up. The kale and lemon smoothie below is an excellent way to “wake up” the body and start your day.

Kale and Lemon Smoothie 

Ingredients

3 kale leaves

1 whole lemon (remove the skin)

1 – 2 slices of ginger

1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar

1 cup of water or almond milk

Directions

1.    Place ingredients in a Vitamix or blender.

2.    Blend until smooth.

3.    Store in glass bottles in the refrigerator until you are ready to drink it.

If you prefer warmer drinks in the morning, make the smoothie a bit thicker and ad warm water to it before drinking.

Some green leafy vegetables can be bitter, which is good for nourishing the liver. Use a something sour, such as a lemon, to offset the bitterness and the fast growing energy of this season.

 

Points of Wellness wishes everyone a happy Spring, and leave you with another great recipe below to keep you healthy and nourished through the season.

Warm Kale with Avocado oil

Ingredients

2 cups of curly kale leaves (de-stemmed)
2 garlic cloves sliced

Juice from half a lemon

2 tbsp avocado oil

Almond slices for topping

Directions

1.    Heat up a wok or frying pan with avocado oil.

2.    Once the oil is hot, add the garlic.

3.    Once the garlic is slightly browned, add in the kale.

4.    Lightly sauté the kale.

5.    Add salt and pepper to taste, and then squeeze in the lemon juice.