As your body awakens from its winter slumber to embrace the renewal of life, spring is the perfect time to revitalize your body. It is important to drink eight to ten glasses of purified water each day, exercise regularly, relax in an infrared sauna, spend time meditating and eat nutritious organic food. A diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables encourages the body to rid itself of stagnant toxins and welcomes invigorating energy. You can stimulate your senses and your appetite by selecting from the most colorful, crisp and crunchy of nature's nutrient-rich bounty. Contrary to what many believe, a “healthy” diet need not be boring and flavorless. Approached with a little imagination, a revitalizing diet can be full-flavored, well-textured and delicious.

When shopping for produce, support your health and the earth by selecting all organic products. Create juices, soups and salads with beets, carrots, lemon and fresh ginger root for their nutrients that support well being and purification. Beets are iron-rich and provide blood-building nutrients. Plus, their purple-red color visually enhances any recipe. Crunchy, sweet carrots supply vitamin A and brighten the mood with their uplifting orange color. Lemons are natural bacterial cleansers that support cleansing through the bowel, lymph and blood. Well known for alleviating nausea and gas, fresh ginger root enhances agni, the digestive fire. The aroma and spicy flavor of this natural antiseptic also adds zip to any dish, hot or cold.

Here is a great tasting dish to get you started.

Sunshine Salad (Serves 2 to 4)

2 medium-sized organic beets, scrubbed and shredded
4 organic carrots, scrubbed and shredded
½ cup organic raisins
½ cup organic walnuts
Juice of 1 small organic lemon
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely diced
Fresh organic watercress and spring baby greens
Organic orange wedges for garnish

1) Combine shredded beets, carrots, walnuts, raisins, lemon and ginger in a bowl and toss until mixed.
2) Arrange greens and watercress on luncheon plate and place a colorful
mound of the salad in the center.
3) Place orange wedges around the mound to create a vibrant sun!

Disclaimer: This column is for information only, and no part of its contents should be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, recommendation or endorsement by Caitlin Pendolino or Balanced Living Magazine, LLC. Always consult a physician before altering your diet.

Caitlin Kathleen Pendolino is a Certified Teacher of Integrative Yoga Therapy offering seminars on cleansing and purification. For more information, please call (440) 526-1251 or e-mail ShiningLight@Access4less.net.