Spring is here, and with it comes fresh fruits and vegetables designed to help our bodies naturally detox. This season is when everything starts to come back to life. Each of the fruits and vegetables we find in this season are nutrient dense as well as hydrating. The winter season tends to leave toxins that build up in our system from reduced movement. Luckily, the spring season is jam-packed with detoxifying foods that help cleanse our system to make room for the upcoming seasons. For the record, just like in all aspects of life, there is a reason for every season, and it is important to eat seasonally.

The Reason For The Season

Did you know that each season brings with it a different selection of fruits and vegetables? Each of these foods actually helps us reap each season’s benefits. For example, during the spring months foods, are higher in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This is due to the fact that our bodies need to purge all the excess toxins that have built up over the long winter months. When we choose to eat seasonally, it allows our bodies to go through similar changes that our environment experiences during each season. These foods are actually high concentrations of the vitamins and minerals we need to get through each season with an added advantage. For example, spring foods are high in vitamin C and zinc to keep your immune system up. In comparison, each winter month is all about foods that help you feel full longer. The following are my favorite top five fruits available in March.

Loving Lemons

The health benefits of lemon might be attributed to its vitamin C content. It can help improve skin health, promote weight loss, and may act as a breath freshener. Lemons may also help with dental problems, throat infections, and high blood pressure. These citrus fruits can also be used in skin and hair care. Lemon may also help to strengthen your immune system. Lemon juice might help you manage your blood pressure with long-term use. Drinking warm water with lemon and honey in the morning is said to aid your weight loss efforts. While that might or might not work for you, a research study on mice confirmed that polyphenols could suppress body weight gain and fat accumulation.

Lemon can be used in cleaning teeth. While most remedies will advocate using lemon and baking soda, try and avoid it as it may lead to dental erosion. The safest way is to choose a toothpaste containing this fruit as one of the ingredients. If you are keen to use lemon or its juice for oral care, it is best to consult with a medical expert before trying out anything new. Lemon juice, being a natural antiseptic medicine, may also be able to cure problems related to the skin. The juice contains vitamin C; therefore, it can be applied to reduce the pain of sunburns and bee stings. It is also good for acne and eczema. Lemon juice may assist in relieving respiratory problems and breathing problems, such as its ability to soothe a person suffering from asthma.

Amazing Apples

Apples are not only great at getting you up, and on your way, they are perfect for aiding in weight loss and management. Apples are high in fiber which aids in digestion and helps keep you feeling full longer. The fiber in apples also helps lower the risk of heart disease and aids in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Apples are also low in calories and high in water content which helps the body naturally detox and, thus, removes excess weight that can be stored toxins. When our bodies come into contact with something they either do not recognize or consider an enemy, they encase it in fat as a form of protection. During detoxing, our bodies force out these fat-encased toxins, resulting in a lower number on the scale.

Apples are great for your brain activity. They contain high levels of boron, which stimulates the brain’s electrical activity and increases mental alertness. Apples also help to produce Dopamine in the body, which helps to improve: memory, mood (feelings of joy or bliss), motivation, and focus. Apples may not be rich in calcium, but their high levels of boron make it a great food to prevent osteoporosis and strengthen bones. A 2006 study published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine found that quercetin (one of the antioxidants found abundantly in apples) was one of two compounds that helped reduce cellular death caused by oxidation and inflammation of neurons. Once again, this highlights what makes apples so desirable in daily nutrition.

Outrageous Oranges

Oranges are famous due to their natural sweetness, the many different types available, and the diversity of uses. For example, a person can consume them in juices and marmalades, eat them whole, or use the zested peel to add a tangy flavor to cakes and desserts. This popular citrus fruit is mainly known for its vitamin C content. However, oranges contain a range of other plant compounds and antioxidants that may reduce inflammation and work against disease. As an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C, oranges may help combat the formation of free radicals that cause cancer. Although an adequate vitamin C intake is necessary and very beneficial, the amount a person would need for the desired therapeutic effect on cancer is more than they could realistically consume.

Oranges contain no sodium, which helps keep a person below their daily limit. On the other hand, a cup of orange juice can boost daily potassium intake by 14%. Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure. However, increasing potassium intake may be just as crucial for reducing a person’s risk of high blood pressure as it can help support the relaxation and opening of blood vessels.

Super Strawberries

Strawberries are high in vitamin C, which is excellent for boosting your immune system. They are high in antioxidants making them ideal for anti-aging. Strawberries also contain ellagic acid, which prevents collagen breakdown and reduces wrinkles. They are high in anti-inflammatory properties, which lower blood pressure and heart health. They are high in fiber, making them ideal for weight loss, detoxing, and digestive health. Strawberries contain high levels of manganese, which improves mood and lowers stress levels. They are also great for your teeth and bones; they can even help whiten your teeth! Strawberries can prevent your skin from sunburn and improve hair, skin, and nail health. They improve brain function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease. Strawberries are also great for aiding in hormone regulation and supporting a healthy pregnancy. These berries are more than just sweet. 

Killer Kumquats

Kumquat contains a rich source of limonene, which has proven to the depletion of gallstones in up to 75% of the cases. The high fiber content of kumquat makes it perfect if you’re trying to lose some extra pounds. The high fiber makes your stomach walls stretch. Kumquats are an excellent source of such fibers that can aid the digestive process. Not just this, but it can effectively clear out your colon and small intestine by doing so. It helps prevent stool retention, constipation, and colitis. Like most citrus fruits, Kumquats can provide a large proportion of RDA (Recommended daily intake) for vitamin C. It can boost skin cell regeneration and give your skin a cleaner, brighter look. Kumquats are regarded as being loaded with Phyto-nutrients, a bulk of vitamins, dietary cellulose fibers, and natural pigments, all essential to your body for proper function.

Strawberry Coconut Milk Cake

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Serves 10

• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla
• 1/4 cup coconut full-fat milk
• 1/2 cup vegan butter
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/4 cup vegan sour cream
• 14 ounce fresh strawberries

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Treat a 9-10 inch spring form pan with a non-stick option of choice. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Once mixed, set aside. Cream the sugar and butter together for 3-4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and add the vanilla. Stir in the sour cream and milk. Once blended, mix in the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t over-mix it. Fold in the berries and pour the batter into the pan topping it with sugar. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the center no longer jiggles or a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack completely.

Citrus Smash

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 1

• 1 blood orange zest and juice
• 1/2 lime juice
• 1 tsp fresh ginger paste
• 3 mint leaves
• 2 Tbsp pomegranate juice
• 1 Tbsp date syrup
• 8 ounces sparkling water

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients in a glass. Stir well and add ice. For an adult version, add 2 ounces of vodka.

Lemon Cheesecake Mousse

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 2

• 1 cup coconut cream
• 8 ounces vegan cream cheese
• 1 tsp pure vanilla
• 1/2 cup powdered coconut sugar

Directions:

In a medium bowl, whip the cream until it forms stiff peaks. Using another bowl, beat cream cheese and lemon curd together until smooth. Stir the vanilla and powdered sugar, mixing until just combined. Fold in the whipped cream until just incorporated. Pipe into dishes, refrigerate for 2-4 hours and serve with berries of choice.

Cherry Cheesecake Bars

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Serves 18

Base and Topping

• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/3 cup date sugar
• 1/2 cup cold vegan butter

Cheesecake Filling

• 8 ounce vegan cream cheese
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 3 tsp pure vanilla
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 21 ounce cherry pie filling
• 1 large egg

Directions:

In a food processor, pulse together the flour, date sugar, and butter until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 a cup of batter to go over the top. Press the remaining batter into a greased or parchment-lined 8×8-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool while preparing the filling. Cream together the cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth. Beat in the egg. Spread the mixture over the crust and spoon the cherries over the top. Sprinkle the reserved batter over the top and bake at 325 for 20-30 minutes or until the cheesecake is set at the center. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting.

Get Started Today

Keeping your body free of toxins and free radicals is necessary to maintain a healthy life and a healthy mind. You can add tons of foods to your regular diet to help your body with its critical detoxifying processes. If you are looking for a safe and all-natural way to detox your body at home, be sure to check out my Balancing Abundance Program. Because detoxing is so essential and realistically, everyone should be doing it on at least a seasonal basis, I have put together a program to help you do just that. Here’s the thing, I know working with me one-on-one can seem challenging to get into (due to limited space), and I wanted to be able to give everyone an additional solution that has no limits. You deserve to be happy, healthy, and successful at everything you do, so here are some recipes to help set you up for success!

 Need A Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. We all have to deal with our health daily, and it shows when we don’t feel our best. If you are tired of just making it through your day, you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you need help, I am always here to do that. Even if it is something as small as acting as a sounding board, do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!