The word cleanse has been demonized with poor nutritional examples which, in our opinion, often do more harm then good. The obvious focus of these “starvation” diets lead to quick weight loss, which is the allure, I am sure. However, at what cost?
The quick shed of weight or a “detox” might be a focus when the average Joeline is living a less then healthy lifestyle, but the true focus should be that we need to move with the seasons and find a way to support ourselves by gently cleansing with each new one at hand. Think about it as the need for your car to have its periodic oil change. You may take better care of your car then your own body.
By taking time to listen to our bodies, we can get the same affect as the “oil change” light on the dashboard reminding us to take some time out of our busy lives to “lubricate,” “refuel,” and prepare our bodies for the upcoming season. The easy markers are the naturally occurring solstices and equinoxes planned by Momma Nature.
Naturally Fortified is taking this to the next level and we are focusing on a group seasonal cleanse series through the Refresher Course and the first one happens to start as Market Days ends and the favorite of all the seasons begins to fade away.
Here are some great tips for you to focus on a seasonal cleanse and prepare yourself for the often brutal seasons which lie ahead:
Why a seasonal cleanse? The obvious reason to eat and cleanse seasonally is that we get the highest nutrient content when we eat local and in season. Our farmer’s markets of Chicago give you a great example of what is currently in season and these are the most nutritious and delicious things to focus on throughout each.
Do you frequent the abundant farmer’s markets? If yes, then you see that, while your shopping list may include asparagus, the region you live in may not have that particular product thriving at that time.
It is often advised that a simple summer cleanse for the average Joey may just be a focus on this seasonal eating and adding a week of raw local, organic foods to bombard your body with the most nutritious foods available while ridding yourself of overly processed foods, sugar and crap.
Five millennia can’t be wrong. As a Health Coach, I have studied over 100 dietary theories, and seasonal cleansing comes up in many of them including macrobiotic and Ayurvedic. Both of these include a natural food ‘reboot’ for the system that helps you to prepare yourself for the next season.
None is more apparent then Winter into Spring, where, if you have been eating seasonally in the Midwest during the Winter, you know there are no local fresh fruits or few vegetables available and we rely mostly on root vegetables and meats. Spring begins the bounty of fresh vegetables. Does your “foodtuition” begin to kick in here and say, “I need to rid my body of all this heavy food in my system and get it ready for all this amazing fresh and local produce?” Well, it should.
Much is the same for leaving Summer and entering Autumn. August is by far the most abundant harvest time of the the year in the Midwest, including the best produce from many of the finest local farms (a few of our faves are fat blossom farm and Spence Farm), and what better time to flood your body with total health in preparation for fall and winter.
Accountability. A big word that means we often do not look out for ourselves. Such a pity, but a reality, no less. By grouping-up with like-minded peeps, we no longer can hide and cheat our way to poor health.
Often finding one other person who is up for the challenge of a cleanse is all we need. In our daily lives we often default to our sometimes poor choices. Finding a friend, a group from your office or your homies to take on a seasonal cleanse adds this accountability to your cause.
By using the buddy system or finding a group, often we can transcend the barriers we erect for ourselves and see that a cleanse is no longer a challenge, but an answer to finding your path to total health.
Naturally Fortified is growing its Refresher Course to three separate courses: Group Kale started on Aug. 5th, 12th and 19th at 11 a.m. Group Chia on Aug. 12th, 19th and 26th at noon. Group Quinoa on Aug. 19th, 26th and Sept. 2nd at 1 p.m. All groups meet at Urban Orchard (with member’s discounts for day-of purchases at Urban Orchard) and include meal plans, recipes, shopping guides, guest lecturers and personal trainers for exercise advice and complimentary one-on-one first time training. Additional discounts for groups of five or more. Get healthy, get involved, and get yourself back onto your path to total health. Private message Chip Allman to get signed-up.
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