FOODS THAT HEAL: SPRING EDITION

We are officially in Spring! Previously, I highlighted a few healing foods that were perfect for the Winter. So, why not follow it up with a Spring edition? While I love my root vegetables and the comforts of soup, Spring and Summer are my favorite months for food. Everything just seems to taste better because it's so fresh.  

There are so many nourishing foods that you can eat during the Spring. This season brings an abundance in light and fresh produce. Spring produce is known to reset the digestive system and help cleanse your body from the inside out. Here is a list of my favorite Spring foods and how to use them:

Arugula: 

Arugula is my favorite green. It naturally has a little bit of spice and adds more flavor to any dish you use it in. This green is a part of the cruciferous family. Pretty much Kale's cousin. Similar to other vegetables in the family, it is packed with nutrients. You may not know that adding arugula to your diet can help protect skin from UV rays. I had no idea! lol This is not a substitute for sunscreen, but we can always use the extra help!

So how do you use Arugula? I like to add arugula to salad and sandwiches. As you are making your salad or sandwiches, swap out some of the Romaine for Arugula. See our DAT Sandwich recipe for inspiration. You can also add arugula to pizza! Yes, pizza. Why not add a little healthy to your junk food?

Mint: 

I will be honest. My mint experience is limited to mojitos and mint chocolate chip ice cream. But, mint is not just meant for treats. Mint has so many benefits. One of which is helping to relieve stress. This green leaf has a natural calming aroma. This helps to relax the mind and body, resulting in less stress. 

After researching for this post, I think I will be incorporating more mint into my diet. Outside of the mojitos and ice cream, of course. Lol. I plan to use mint to make Iced Mint Peach Tea and Raspberry Mint smoothies. Stay tuned for the recipes!

Cherries:

I love, love cherries. I used to wait for cherries to be in seasonto get my fix. Until my older brother introduced me to Montgomery Dried Cherries. I told him I wanted to curve my Cherry Head candy habit, and he suggested this dried fruit alternative. They are now my favorite snack and hold me over until fresh cherries are in season. 

We all know that cherries are packed with antioxidants, but did you know that they are also known to help get your beauty sleep? That's right! Cherries are believed to have melatonin in them. Melatonin helps regulate sleep. If you don't experience heartburn while eating cherries, try eating a handful an hour or two before bed to get more restful beauty sleep. 

Avocados: 

Ah, avocados. You either love them, or you hate them. I love them – especially on my avocado toast topped with everything seasoning (or every-thang seasoning as Mama Paige calls it, lol). If you are like me, the buttery texture of the avocado is what rubbed me the wrong way at first. I got over this hump by making my own guacamole. If you are interested in avocados, I would recommend trying guacamole first. This way, you can control the texture (chunky v. smooth) and flavor of the avocado. 

Avocados are healthy fat. They are an easy swap for mayo on a sandwich or as a base of sauce or dressing. Besides being a healthy fat, avocados are also rich in vitamins E and C. All important things for healthy, glowing skin from the inside out. You can also use avocados in DIY hair or face masks for added hydration. 

There might be some items on this list that are already in your Spring rotation. If there are some you are not familiar with; I hope you give them a try! Not only are these items delicious and easy to incorporate into your meals (or drinks), they also help you glow from the inside out.