Time to clear out: Spring Clean

Time of year to clear out a bit? Spring is the moment we come out of hibernation, throw off the winter layers and start to feel the energy of the sun again.

It is the moment to take a break from heavy foods and lighten up a bit. The season is filled with bitter green leaves (rocket, mustard leaves, dandelion and sorrel), with fibrous asparagus and then soon with brightly coloured berries.

Simplify your food to just simple fruits and vegetables, lots of water and whole grains (brown rice, quinoa).

Boost yourself with green leaves – the food most lacking in modern, western diets. Green leaves are highly alkaline and boost our livers to get rid of toxins – something needed for city dwellers. They are high calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, vitamins A, C, E and K and loaded with fibre, folate and chlorophyll. In short they have it all and these early bitter Spring leaves are the best!

Without much energy going toward digestion, more energy is available to the rest of your body and mind. You can usually feel it within a couple of days and it can also bring improved immune function and better digestion.

It might also be the right moment to get rid of some clutter – take some old books to Pele Mele or a book sharing centre, clothes to Petits Rien, do one of the many brocantes that arrive on the Brussels streets.

And never a better moment to make a decision to boost your metabolism and immunity by walking or cycling to work and leaving the car behind.