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Health & Fitness

Freshen up your diet and exercise routine

Freshen up your diet and exercise routine. With spring in bloom think about a spring cleaning for your health not just your home.

By: Healthy Palate

Spring is here.  Days are finally getting longer, the temperatures are beginning to warm up, and many of us start organizing and cleaning our homes. But spring cleaning is not just for your home anymore! it’s just as important for us to clean and brighten up other parts of our lives.

Even, if that New Year’s resolution did not work out. For the majority of us it lasted about a week, maybe two.  Fear not, here it is spring, time for another resolution of sorts, more of a renewal, a freshening up. In my humble opinion spring is a better time to rekindle your diet and workout routine. Restart that spark inside of you, supercharge your health and boost your energy.  So, forget about the old New Year’s Resolution and kick off the spring season feeling rejuvenated, happy and healthy.

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Start by cleaning out your pantry. Begin this process by sorting through your cabinets and tossing out anything that’s expired. Yes, things in your pantry do have an expiration date!  Spices, canned foods, baking supplies, nuts, cereal and even grains. Out with the old and in with the new. 

You may find that you slipped into bad habits over the winter, now’s the time to break them and start fresh. Go through your pantry and throw away any items that you feel are holding you down whether it’s sugar, caffeine, or wheat–and replace them with healthy staples like herbs, spices, whole grains, oils, and teas.

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Seasonal produce is becoming plentiful.  Now that you’ve gotten rid of all the expired items or foods that might slow you down, it’s time to stock up on lots of fresh seasonal produce. Artichokes, peas (garden, snap, and snow) apricots, asparagus, rhubarb, mint and basil are examples of some delicious spring produce that you’ll begin to see in at the local farmers market. Strawberries are another delicious and healthy spring treat are coming into season and are sweet, juicy and just plain yummy. Loaded with Vitamin C, strawberries are the perfect sweet snack during the warmer months.

Switch up your fitness routine or get into one. Spring cleaning your lifestyle is not just making over your pantry and fridge. Do you want to boost your energy and health?  Spring is a great time to start to include exercise into your routine.  Let’s face it the major reason so many people fail to meet their health and wellness goals in January is because the days are cold and short.  Spring is so inviting with warm weather and longer days it gives us the chance to get moving outside and enjoy nature.  Try choosing a form of physical activity you enjoy, you’re more likely to make it a natural part of daily life.

If you’re tired of your same old gym routine, switch things up.  Get involved in a team sport, go for walks outside with friends, or try some fun new workouts.

Enjoy the Spring season, it’s the best time of year to become alive again.

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