Lighten Up This Spring

My favourite way to welcome spring is to lighten up my eating habits. As the weather gets warmer, as more local vegetables become available and as I spend more time outside, I crave lighter, colder, more refreshing meals. I am still just as hungry, and eat pretty much the same amount of food. However I choose to make some simple substitutions for foods that I would have typically eaten over the winter months. Instead of the soups, stews and grains that warmed me in the winter, I opt for more green leafy vegetables, salads, smoothies, raw soups and juices. This not only results in simpler meals to prepare but I also feel lighter, more rejuvenated and more energized. As I get more in tune with my body, I realize it needs less starchy food and more water based foods during the spring and summer months.

Let me share with you my 5 ways to lighten up my load this spring:

I start adding in more salads. Whether for lunch or dinner, I just grab a big bowl and fill it up with fresh local greens. I also think about choosing colourful vegetables, and different textures and flavours to make the meal more enticing.

I drink my dinner. This isn’t ideal all the time. But some nights when I get home and don’t feel like making a meal or eating a heavy dinner, I just pull out my blender and make a yummy blended cold soup. I like to use treats like avocado to thicken it up and make it more filling.

I change the ratios on my plate. This is the easiest way to lighten up while sparing my body extra calories. I opt to change the ratios on my plate. For example, instead of taking an extra serving of grain, I might add more veggies, either steamed or fresh. That way I am spending most of my time munching on fiber and getting in good nutrients.

I use vegetables in place of grains. It’s always fun finding alternatives to pasta and whole grains. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my quinoa and brown rice pasta. But in the spring, I often find myself opting for veggie versions. For instance, I grind up cauliflower instead of rice or use kelp and zucchini noodles for basic dishes or pasta recipes. Once I have these as a base, I can put any dressing or sauce on them and I don’t even notice the difference, apart from feeling lighter and getting full on fiber instead of starch.

I make juice. I find that this is the easiest way to start lightening up  in the spring. Whether I have my juice as part of breakfast, lunch or dinner, making a tall glass of vegetable juice is an easy way to load up on nutrients instead of calories.

With the days lengthening, I feel lighter already! I find myself eating lighter too. I find I no longer desire the warming, heavy foods of winter. I reach for foods like green vegetables that will hydrate and refresh me. Try it – you might just find it revitalizes you too.

 

Green Avocado Cucumber Soup

Ingredients:

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped

2 large ripe avocados

½ cup spinach or kale

2 green onions, roughly chopped

2 apples (crisp and tart apples like granny smith)

2-1/2 cups coconut milk or coconut water

2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Parsley for garnish

Optional additions: garlic, ginger, cayenne, dill

Instructions:

1. In a blender, process all ingredients until smooth. Chill until ready to serve and garnish with fresh herbs.

This article was originally written for Chatelaine.