KITCHEN TOOLBOX: Spring Grocery Shopping List
Spring is all about detoxification
It is the season to focus on regaining energy and restoring the radiance lost in the winter season.
Replenish your mind, body, and spirit and get ready to bloom from the inside out by beginning with your diet.
WELCOME IN KAPHA SEASON
According to Ayurveda, beauty begins in the gut... with how we choose to nourish and feed our bodies. Ideally, our foods should be nourishing and reflect a sense of energy and life. In the Ayurvedic tradition, Spring is considered a "cold and wet" season associated with the qualities of Kapha dosha. To balance these qualities, focus on foods with the opposite qualities by choosing foods that are predominately dry, light and warm. An excess of kapha qualities can lead to cold, cough, allergies, congestion, flu, fatigue, inflammation, and weight gain which are all common conditions we find ourselves in during this transitional season.
HONOR THE TRANSITION FROM DARK TO LIGHT
The transition from winter to spring, and spring to summer is all about detoxification, restoration from the inside out, moving from the dark season to more light filled days. Detoxification is about internal cleansing with a focus on the digestive system and its key organs: the liver, gallbladder and intestinal tract. The Spring harvest brings us naturally detoxifying foods. Look for fresh produce at your local farmer's market like fresh leafy greens and other seasonal produce supportive of your health and beauty. Cook your produce by steaming, lightly sautéing, baking, or lightly roasting. Eat as fresh as possible and avoid over cooking your food! Avoid greasy, sugary, or heavy foods that will weigh you down and keep you from elevating yourself into the season ahead.
SUPPORT YOUR OPTIMAL HEALTH + WELLNESS
Adjust your portions and consider adding or excluding ingredients according to your own constitution and needs. Opt for eggs, fruit salads or pea protein smoothies for breakfast depending on your needs. Enjoy a hearty soup or a large fresh salad for lunch. Try a medley of seasonal vegetables sautéed in olive oil or ghee over a bed of brown rice for dinner and remember to drink enough fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of filtered water, or start your day with a mug of warm lemon water. Add ginger tea or a pure green juice to your daily rituals to flush the body. To further support your internal cleansing, add tongue scraping or oil pulling to your daily hygiene routine. To support healthy elimination, concentrate on abdominal self-massage. Relax tension and anxiety that can accompany change by soaking in a warm epsom bath.
SPRING GROCERY SHOPPING LIST
FRUITS + VEGGIES
lemon
cherries
apples
berries
strawberries
pineapple
apricots
grapefruit
kiwi
bananas
avocado
cucumber
carrots
mushroom
onion
zucchini
radish
GREENS
artichoke
asparagus
green beans
peas
sprouts
watercress
arugula
spinach
kale
chard
bok choy
sugar snap peas
broccoli
celery
HERBS + SPICES
mint
tulsi
turmeric
ginger
oregano
cilantro
garlic
fennel
dandelion greens
lemongrass
STAPLES
eggs
miso/ vegetable broth
rice milk
brown rice
olive oil
pea protein powder
lentils
garbanzo beans
olives
dried fruit
granola
raw honey
sparkling water (non-carbonated)
coconut water
* This is just a suggestion of what you might stock up on for spring. Adjust to fit your particular needs :) For meal plans and dietary recommendations consult a certified dietitian or nutritionist.