Summer is almost here, did you do your spring cleaning?

Here in Newport Beach, CA the anticipation of summer comes with June gloom. The heavy marine layer that clings to the coast for most of the day can seem to some gloomy but I think it is quite beautiful with the think gray sky and coolness to the air. This heavy marine layer all day also makes me want to stay inside and finish my spring cleaning. Have you cleaned out your kitchen and personal mental space? 

Don't leave your kitchen behind in the wake of Spring cleaning! 
First step: Out with the old! Check expiration dates on packaged and bottled items - like that sesame oil you've used once the last year! Nonperishables are not immune to the test of time. Toss out any spices and herbs that are older than 3 years. They lose their flavor and nutritional value after time, but they are not harmful if old. 
Next: Clean! Harsh chemicals are not suitable for food storage. Instead use a natural mix of water (2 cups), white vinegar (1/2 cup), and lemon essential oil (10-20 drops). Spray it on your cabinets and fridge, let sit for 5 minutes and then wipe! It will smell great and bring a drop of that spring sunshine into your kitchen.
Finally: Replace the old with the new! Make sure to label and organize spices so that they are accessible. If they go in a drawer, label the cap for easier access. 
Last but not least, enjoy the spring. Spring cleaning is an opportunity to review and evaluate your food habits from the last year. Clearing out the old makes room for the new! Check the WHE website for great recipes or hire a WHE chef to come cook for you each week!   See how we can help at http://www.wholehealtheveryday.com/
 
Spring Cleaning is Not Just For the House
After sorting through the kitchen, take a moment to think about tidying up your mind. When your house is cluttered it impedes upon your ability to get stuff done. Isn't it the same with your mind? We've all said "I have too much on my mind" or "I was up all night with my mind racing". Mental space is just as important as physical space for our whole health. That feeling of walking down the street in the warm Spring sun? Imagine feeling that in your mind. Breath, fresh air, clarity. Tris Throp from The Chopra Center website wrote an outstanding article about why Spring cleaning your mind is essential for your health and how to do it. In short the 10 steps are:
 
1. Sit comfortably upright
2. Close your eyes and breathe slow and deep
3. Think of any ideas or thoughts that are no longer useful to you
4. Try to remember the original purpose of those thoughts, are they still relevant?
5. Remember its purpose and the wisdom it has given you
6. Imagine the thought dissolving or erasing it
7. The space it has left behind is not empty, connect with it and imagine its potential
8. Invite a new thought or intention into the space
9. Bring the new thought forward and imagine planting it like a seed
10. Then, let it go. Trust the universe and take a few breaths