Spring Energy Cleanse

In my last post I talked a bit about Spring Cleansing! I thought I would follow up with a few more ideas and recipes to support your journey.


Walking Meditation:      

How many times do you set out for a stroll, brisk or slow, and you find yourself caught up up in your head.  Thinking about bills, work, or some other issue that comes up for you.
Try taking a walk in a beautiful, quiet place. Makes this walk a Meditation in Motion. Focus on your breath, each step and the beauty that surrounds you. We can find beauty in anything when we let go of our preconceptions. 
While you are on your walk find a place to sit. Make yourself comfortable and fill your lungs with fresh air, inhaling through your nostrils. Filling you up with beautiful healing golden energy.Then release the breath, and as you slowly release the breath through your mouth imagine all your worries, cares, and fears leaving your mind and body. Continue this relaxing breath for 3 minutes to 21 minutes. You will find your own comfort zone. This isn't a challenge so it should never be forced.


YOGA:
 Salutation to the Sun

The Sun Salutation is recommended for yoga practitioners of all ages and especially for those that cannot dedicate a lot of time to their yoga routine.  The reason this pose is highly appreciated is because it involves most of the muscle groups, as well as the respiratory system.

This pose is in fact a sequence of twelve yoga positions, linked by a flowing motion and accompanied by five deep, special breaths.  Each position contributes to stretching a different part of the body and a different muscle group.  It also helps expand and contract the chest to regulate breathing.

Specialists and trainers recommend this exercise for the daily routine because it can contribute to spinal and joint flexibility.

The first of the twelve poses requires a standing position with the feet together.  The palms should be in the praying position in front of the chest.  All weight should be evenly distributed.  After accomplishing these things, exhale strongly.

While inhaling push the arms up keeping the legs straight and the neck relaxed.

Exhale while bending the body forward and pressing the palms down and trying to place the fingertips in line with the toes.

Inhale while bringing a leg back and placing it on the floor.  Arch the back and lift the chin.

Bring the other leg back and try to support the weight on the hands and toes.  Keep the chin down and retain the breath, while performing this move.

Exhale while lowering the knees and forehead.  Keep the hips up and be certain the toes are curled under.

Lower the hips while inhaling and point the toes while bending back as far as possible.  The shoulder should be kept down and the legs together.

Curl the toes under while exhaling and raise the hips.  This will leave the body in a V position.  Push the heels and head down while keeping the shoulders back.

Inhale and step forward and place one leg between the hands.  Keep the chin up and rest the other knee on the floor.

Bring the other leg forward and bend down from the waist keeping the palms on the floor and exhale.

Inhale, while stretching the arms forward, then up and then back over the head and try to slowly bend back.

Return to the upright position, while exhaling and bring the arms to the sides. 

Do not strain or force any part of this flow. This is your salute to the sun, done in your way with joy, gentleness and self compassion.

RECIPES:

Gazpacho:

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:
5 Ripe Tomatoes
1 tsp Sea Salt 

1/4 cup Cilantro

1/2 Red Bell Pepper
2 tsp Agave Nectar 

1/8 cup Yellow Onion
1/2 cup Water
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1/8 cup Lemon Juice

1/8 cup Lime Juice
1/8 tsp Chili Powder  or 1/4 Jalapeno Pepper
2 Cloves Garlic

Puree in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl and add:

Medium Diced:
1 large Avocado
1 seeded Cucumber

 Finely Diced:
1 cup  Celery
1/4 cup Red Onion
1/2 cup Red Bell Pepper 


*Garnish with Cilantro Leaves and or Edible Flowers

Living Marinated Vegetables:

Serves 6 to 8

Vegetables:

1 Head of Broccoli-remove florets, peel and thinly slice stems

1 head of Cauliflower-remove florets from stem 

2 Carrots-thinly slice on the diagonal

1 Red Onion-sliced in thin half moons

1 Summer Squash-sliced in half length wise then into thin half moons

1 Red Bell Pepper-cored and sliced thin length wise 

Marinade:

2/3 cup of your best Extra Virgin, First Cold Pressed Olive Oil

2 cloves of Garlic crushed and finely minced 

1/3 cup of Lemon Juice or Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 cup of Fresh Herbs finely minced (Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage. Italian Parsley)

1 tsp Sea Salt or Himalayan Pink Salt
Pinch of Chili Flakes

Preparation:

Place all cut Vegetables  in a large bowl 

Blend together all Marinade Ingredients

Pour Over Vegetables and toss well

Cover bowl and place in refrigerator for 1hour

Toss well again and place back in refrigerator for another hour

Repeat this process again and Serve or you can make this the evening before for Lunch

Raw Slaw

serves 6 to 8

1 Large Head of Green Cabbage sliced finely
2 Large Carrots Sliced on a diagonal and cut into fine Matchsticks

Place these ingredients into a large glass bowl with 1Tbl. of Sea Salt
Massage the salt into the vegetables, you will see that they begin to sweat
Cover with a plate and a weight leave for 20 minutes, then drain
You may rinse with water to remove salty flavor
 
In a separate bowl place:
1/2 Med.Head of Red Cabbage sliced finely, massage and marinated with 3 Tbl. of Umeboshi Vinegar, let it sit for 15 minutes then lightly rinse and drain


In one additional bowl place:
1 Med.Red Onion sliced finely, massage  and marinate with 1Tbl. of Umeboshi Vinegar, let sit for 15 minutes then lightly rinse and drain


I like to squeeze all the excess liquid from the vegetables in an impeccably clean tea towel
Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl with 3Tbl. of Olive Oil, 2Tbl. of Apple Cider Vinegar, 2tsp. of Agave Nectar and 2Tbl. of finely minced Italian Parsley
Garnish with Black Sesame Seeds

I hope you enjoy these ideas and recipes and that they nourish your body & soul.
Blessings to you Always!


*Before following this or any other diet plan seek the approval of your Physician