Spring Cleaning as a Pathway To Good Health

by Laurie Richardone

Spring cleaning doesn’t necessarily have to point to completing arduous chores around the house. However, it is benefcial to give a deep cleaning to our living environment as it makes room for a fresh new outlook, and new experiences to come through our door. In addition to letting our home know we appreciate it. Let’s pay a little more attention to our physical and mental health and “spring clean” our wellness this season.

Our bodies and the way we connect to the world around us are a complex and sensitive ego system. Like good soil is necessary for a fourishing garden, good self care is necessary for a vibrant healthy body each season. You may fnd that resolutions made in springtime are easier to follow than the ones you try to implement in the cold, bitter winter months. We look forward to opening the windows, allowing a warm breeze to permeate through the house, and brushing us with fresh air, to clear out the cobwebs of winter.

Each Spring is an opportunity to turn to the natural world to reconnect with body, mind and soul, so we can be more connected to nature, and ourselves. For those of us fortunate to live in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, living close to nature has the power to transcend many thought induced obstacles in our life. Personally, embarking on a journey of seasonal living has been one of the most nourishing and transformational experiences. As the days lengthen and the temperatures rise, it awakens in us a compulsion to start anew, a feeling that necessitates a clean slate for the bountiful seasons ahead.

If you want to pay your health and well-being a little extra attention this spring, but don’t know where to start, here are some tips to get you started.

• Keep physically active - Put on a favorite tune and get moving. Cleaning can be a real workout.Te physical benefts include a healthy heart and body due to this consistent, low-intensity activity.

• Protect your immune system - Seasonal allergies aren’t the only thing causing that snife. Dust and pet dander usually build up over the colder months when there’s less chance for air circulation. A deep dive into spring cleaning helps to air out your home, preventing potential respiratory issues. Start the morning with a 10 oz glass of warm fltered water with half a lemon: It helps get your digestive system moving without overloading it.

• Improve focus and mood - Looking to get out of your winter funk? A little bit of spring cleaning helps clear mental space and promotes positivity. It’s a great way to relieve stress by increasing the likelihood of a positive attitude and forward-thinking mindset.

Wishing you a joyful Spring season~Laurie

If you are a curious person or cook, join me on my Podcast ~ a taste for all seasons. Listen to the latest episode~Our Tird Act In Life~All shows on LaurieRichardone.com ~ or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Now Available Online Cooking Class Series @LaurieRichardone.com/oferings. Tese courses will open seasonal new opportunities in your kitchen.

Laurie Richardone is an inspirational seasonal chef and certifed health coach. To work with Laurie, visit LaurieRichardone.com

Crispy Tofu with Charred Spring Onions

An easy favorful weeknight dinner. Tofu is a great source of plant protein. You can pair this dish with any greens you like, using the same method.

Serves 4

2 blocks of frm tofu

¼ cup arrowroot four

1 tsp. sea salt ground pepper to taste

1 bunch scallions, sliced down the middle

1 tsp. ginger, grated

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp. coconut oil, to saute the tofu

2 tbsp. toasted sesame oil, for fnish

½ cup cilantro, chopped

1 lime, juiced

½ cup toasted peanuts

Method ~ Slice each block of tofu in three slices. Lay slices on paper towels to remove all moisture. Then cut small or medium size cubes. In a large bowl add arrowroot , salt and pepper. Toss the tofu cubes in arrowroot to cover all cubes.

In a large nonstick or cast iron pan, Sauté the cubes in coconut oil, until browned on all sides. Lay the tofu cubes out on paper towels to remove any excess oil.

In the same pan, sauté scallions, ginger, and garlic until charred. Add the sauteed tofu back to the pan, and shake the pan gently to coat . Squeeze lime, over the tofu, chopped cilantro, toasted sesame oil, and toasted peanuts.

Serve in shallow bowls.

Laurie Richardone is a seasonal gluten free chef and certifed health coach. To work with Laurie, visit LaurieRichardone.com