Happy May Day! Today marks the first day of May, historically a holiday of merry-making to celebrate brimming fertility and blooming life. If you’re like me, springtime brings about a strong desire for lightening up both inside and out. Time to clean out closets, redecorate, and freshen up the yard to make way for the lazy days of summer ahead.
Springtime is a popular time for dietary cleansing too, and for good reason – after a winter of hearty, comfort foods (not to mention the holidays of mini-eggs, chocolate bunnies and feasts) it feels great to simplify. Whether you go all out with juice fasts or think that you’d rather eat chocolate covered nails than restrict your diet, I’d like to suggest a gentle and conscious approach to a springtime cleanse.
- BE HONEST: What do you eat? What works about your diet and what could use some improvements? At my house, we are sugar addicts. There, I said it. I will hurt you if you try to take my chocolate chip cookie. My husband can eat 3 pounds of homemade granola in a week in between toast courses. Maybe you’ve got a thing for fast food or processed carbs. Diet Coke? Martinis and cigarettes? Now’s a great time to give your system a break from your vices, whatever they may be.
- KEEP IT SIMPLE: Don’t try biting off more than you can chew. Sure, I could just eat celery for a month, but why? I’m not aiming to be starving and nutrient deprived. Our goal: Freedom from the ups and downs of processed sugar, and maybe even dropping a few pounds of winter insulation. The plan: No sugar in May. And yes, that includes natural sugars like fruit, raw honey, maple syrup, and molasses. And no wine. (Yes, unfortunately there’s tons of sugar in wine.) We may throw in a couple of weeks of no grains too… I’ll keep you posted. If you’re drawn to a more restrictive cleanse, keep it shorter. Need more ideas? Read this article on Spring Cleansing Diets.
- HAVE FUN: This challenge is about lightening up, not torturing yourself. Find a buddy to keep you company. Blog about your springtime cleanse. Take up a new activity to fill the mind space and keep things interesting. Turn off your computer, and go outside. Frolic in the sun and relish in the sensual warmth of the spring!
Care to join us for a Sugar-Free May?
Well, you know what they say… happiness loves company. Follow Holistic Kid on Facebook and join the adventures of a month of lightening up – whatever that looks like for you. What are you giving up in the name of a fresh new spring? Let me know how it’s going for you, and we can share the moral support… and perhaps a nice green salad.
