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March 2008 - Equinox Energy and Weight Management

As the Spring Equinox approaches, we start to feel the energy of Spring rising around and within us. The Spring Equinox signals that the days are getting longer. There is more light and energy and the feeling that warmer weather and summer is approaching. We naturally have more energy and want to be more active. This transition period between seasons is the traditional time to clear out the old and stagnant from the winter to allow space for the new season.

During the Equinox toxins are coming out the cells due to the full moon. As the moon pulls the tides it pulls the sodium out of the cells. Toxic waste inside the cell attaches to the sodium, which becomes acidic. This means that as the sodium moves out of the cell, it is also making it less acidic, i.e. detoxifying it. At this time the lymph is also thinner than in the winter. We can therefore use the lymphatic system to help remove toxins more quickly from the body. This transitional phase may last a few days or a couple of weeks before and after the Equinox.

To maintain and use the energy of Spring properly it is important to eat regularly and feel satisfied after a meal. Eating appropriate foods can help to maintain our energy levels throughout the day. The secret is to choose satisfying and healthy foods at each meal that will sustain us. In this way we support cleansing work on a physical, mental and emotional level. Since eating is part of the process of nourishing ourselves, when we start to do so appropriately, we will also feel better about ourselves and our bodies. Understanding and accepting our individual bodies instinctively or, for example by using the Ayurvedic system of the 3 body types and/or the naturopathic system of the 5 elements, is an important stage when we decide to adopt appropriate nourishing habits and techniques. These systems provide tools we can use to respect ourselves as individuals. Managing our weight is no longer the key issue. We recognize that what is important is to feel good in ourselves.

Whether we feel we can achieve this state of being by increasing our energy levels or clearing out some lingering toxins (and maybe some kilos), one of the first steps is to work with Nature. It's in this spirit that I share below some of my favourite tips about how to use the rising energy Nature offers in the Spring to boost energy levels AND clear away some winter waste.

To clear out some of those toxins (and kilos) and allow space in your body and life for a new-found energetic "spring in your step" eat

• short grain brown rice or millet to mop up the toxins and to provide a neutral environment
• sprouted seeds, e.g. alfalfa, pumpkin, to lower acidity in the body
• warming spices and herbs like turmeric, ginger and parsley
• regular meals, and lighter dishes in the evening
• fresh seasonal locally grown, organic fruit and vegetables - e.g. carrots, cucumber, fennel, leeks.
• a healthy and satisfying breakfast, e.g. porridge, muesli, fruit (start to feel what is right for you)
• more lentils, beans - e.g. kidney, adzuki beans - and wholegrain foods - e.g. barley, buckwheat - in your diet.

Other tips

• Go to bed before 11pm so that the liver and the gallbladder can work properly and filter i.e. do some “spring-cleaning” of the body.
• Go to open-air markets or the organic (bio) section of your supermarket and check the labels for origin and packaging date
• Treat yourself to regular massage
• Drink lots of warm water throughout the day but not during meals
• Get more active - physical movement helps circulation of blood, lymph, energy, all essential to our vitality
• Continue to learn by attending talks on nutrition or by organising a cooking class to learn new skills and how to prepare quick, easy and nutritious meals
• Practise dry skin brushing, which works on the lymphatic system to support the natural clean-out that the body is having over the Equinox period

Copyright © 2008 All rights reserved Janet Gomez

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