Spring Cleaning

[Note:  The following to-do list is something that may seem like old news to you, but it's a list I am planning to give out to the patients I counsel at West Berkeley Clinic.  I thought you might find it helpful if you have a friend or family member in need of nutritional advice.  The information below can be a good place to start.]

Spring is the air and it's that time of the year again!  But spring cleaning isn't just about scrubbing the bathroom floors and re-organizing the clutter in the garage.  Use this time to get rid of some junk that's keeping you from feeling your best.  Eating pesticide-laden, overly processed foods puts a huge burden on the liver whose job it is to filter and detoxify everything we ingest.  Get ready for the summer months ahead by giving your refrigerator and pantry a facelift this spring. 

The Pantry:
The pantry is the area that usually needs the most work.  The food we keep in the pantry is often food that doesn't spoil but this isn't necessarily a good thing. 

• Throw away packaged foods that contain hydrogenated oils, preservatives, and sweeteners. 
• Toss out foods that have ingredients you can't pronounce. 

For example:  crackers, cookies, cereals, cake mix, and pasta.

Replace them with: canned tuna/salmon, nuts, steel-cut oats, natural peanut butter, gluten-free crackers, brown rice and dry beans. 

The Refrigerator:
The fridge can be a very spooky place.  It's a dark, cold place that seems to be a black hole for food.  Proceed with caution.

• Take everything out and purge anything that has exceeded its expiration date.   
• Take a close look at the food labels on all sauces, dressings and dips at get rid of any that contain high-fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils.  You may be surprised at what you find. 
• Toss out any moldy or stale produce.

Now that you have cleared up some space, fill your refrigerator with fresh food including eggs, lean meat, and lots of produce.  If you don't buy organic here's how you can remove the pesticides from you fruits and veggies:

Fill the sink with cold water plus a few drops of PURE castille soap (available at most health food stores).  Dip fruits and vegetables in the water, scrub with a brush/sponge and rinse.

Good luck and happy spring!