SPRING, THE LIVER AND THE WOOD ELEMENT
I can feel my body shifting and moving, a kind of restlessness emerging that wants to shake away the winter stagnancy, and with it my Liver is speaking louder!
Yes, it is that Liver time of year once again.
Spring, the Wood element, associated with the Liver and Gallbladder, the emotion of anger, the colour green and all its power of rebirth, inspiration, creativity and growth.
The liver governs the tendons and ligaments, opens out into the eyes, and deeply affects the nails. Signs of the liver being under pressure include stiffness in the body, pain under the right ribs, cracking nails and vertical ridges, weeping eyes (dry eyes), headaches on the sides of the head, a desire for sour tasting foods, and a general feeling of sluggishness.
As the energy of spring moves upwards and outwards, now is truly the time to nourish your Liver, to offer her a little respite, as she’s been working hard all winter to process the heavier foods and clean up the sludge.
One of the of the most effective ways to do this is to reduce your overall fat intake and implement a morning protocol free from dense proteins and RADICAL FATS - that is foods with the majority of their calories coming from fat, including animal foods, nuts and seeds, nut butters, dairy, eggs and oils (even healthy ones).
Why? Because the morning is the best time for the liver to do some deeper house cleaning.
Throughout the night, your liver has already been cleaning and sweeping, preparing the body for the toxins to be flushed out on waking. When you allow this process to continue by filling up with easy to digest fruits and greens in the morning, the liver can do the deeper cleaning uninterrupted. But as soon as dense fats and proteins are ingested, that deeper window of detoxification is halted.
Unbeknownst to most, a fat-free morning that is filled with minerals and glucose from fruits and greens is one of the most powerful steps you can take to optimise energy, turn health issues around, and to give your body and liver the boost that she needs.
For those of you panicking, please don't worry. You can still enjoy your fats and proteins but the invitation here to save them for later in the day.
So, for those of you who feel the call, perhaps take a little time throughout March and April to support the body with some gentle spring cleansing. Here are are some suggestions to get you started
Begin your day with 400ml (16oz) of lemon water (with optional raw honey & ginger)
Bring in 400ml celery juice on an empty stomach in the mornings (wait 30 mins before eating or drinking after taking celery)
Enjoy a smoothie breakfast filled with fruits and greens, adding spirulina and barley grass juice powder for extra protein and minerals, or bring in the heavy metal detox smoothie.
Snack on apples and dates before lunch if you need to snack to keep blood sugar balanced.
For those who are more advanced, extend the 'no fats' to 3pm, or even dinner time.
Implement one day per week to eating just fruits and vegetables, in all forms, with no radical fats or dense proteins.