Mind Body Week DC starts tomorrow with a Research Conference, where experts from around the country, will come and speak on evidence based mind body therapies for chronic pain at the Civic Center in Silver Spring. I will be there and I hope to see you too. Let me know if you are interested in coming to this or the other weekend events. See the lineup of speakers here: http://themindfulnesscenter.businesscatalyst.com/mind-body-week/speakers.html

What’s a perfect strategy to lower chronic pain? https://carpediemwellness.org/ Begin by lowering inflammation and toxicity in the body. What’s the best way to avoid spring allergies? Heal the gastrointestinal tract and lower inflammation in the body by doing a spring cleanse. Just as your yard needs a spring clean up, so does your body, mind and spirit after our long winter hibernation. One of my first and favorite clients, who had had 9 surgeries in a little more than a decade, told me for the first time that she felt like her body was healing from the inside out.

I like to start by sharing with you my flexible smoothie recipe. Increasing greens in your diet lowers inflammation and helps to clear up the skin from toxins stored in our tissues. Spring greens, like arugula and watercress are especially chelating; they draw the toxins stored in fat cells and help with elimination. Make sure you’ve also included healthy fats in your smoothie. Remember my mantra that “Fat does not make you fat! Sugar makes you fat!” So let’s ditch the sweet processed and artificial sugars and bring in some whole healthy foods that are so prevalent at your local farmers market. Why not visit a new one this weekend, get some greens and experiment with your own green smoothie recipe? Or sauté your greens with garlic and onion, throw in a poached egg and enjoy the beautiful green spring!

Smoothie Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
Two Handfuls of Greens
Favorite fruits: berries, bananas, mango, etc
More optional choices: nuts or nut butter, whole fat plain yoghurt, avocado, coconut, protein powder
Add ice cubes or water depending on taste

Directions:
Be playful. Let children choose and make themselves.
Put all ingredients in a blender, blend and taste and add what seems to be “missing”.
Drink and enjoy a substantial drink that will help add essential greens, proteins, amino acids, essential vitamins and minerals and stick with you throughout the morning! 

Why Worry about Greens?

These essential vegetables are missing from the Standard American Diet (SAD).

• They aid in emotional stability and creativity.
• Help fight depression, clear congestion and help keep skin free of blemishes!
• They are high in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, and a powerhouse for Vitamins A, C, E, and K. They are also full of fiber, folic acid, chlorophyll, micronutrients & phytochemicals

Carpe Diem!
Lisa