You can feel it, can’t you? Spring is sitting on our back wall, softly beckoning us to step outside more.
I am definitely feeling that bit brighter - my spirit is responding to those signs of spring but my body still seems content to walk with one foot in the ‘winter rhythm’ – my natural pace is, well, not exactly 100 mph yet! More like 40... 50 on a sunny day?!! But that’s how it should be. The spring equinox hasn’t quite arrived so we are still technically in winter and it’s still cold out there in the mornings. I feel a bit like Badger from Wind in the Willows peeping out of his burrow after a long winter hibernating, squinting because my eyes are sensitive to such a new sensation – the sunshine!
I have always been someone whose blood sugar levels are sensitive. I am built to eat little and often and that’s how I thrive. You may be differently built or thrive on a different kind of eating habit but for me, elevenses and tea-time (along with normal meal-times) are non-negotiable! And I usually prefer something sweeter rather than savoury. This is where my love of muffins and cakes come into play...
I don’t want to live a life without muffins or cake snacks! I tried that when I was younger – the whole ‘all or nothing thing’ – and it made me miserable.
Constantly denying yourself is toxic on a mental and cellular level.
I really don’t believe that you should EVER be living a life where you are consciously denying yourself something that you take great pleasure in – even if you are trying to lose some lockdown weight or undertake a bit of a spring clean! Life is tough enough without making it even more gruelling for yourself!
But now that spring is calling to us and we start to move a little more, we should be mindful of adjusting our diet so that it can support us – we are going to be springing forward and upwards but we do not want to feel that we are having to ‘give up’ certain foods to achieve this. No we do not!
REMEMBER... REPLACE - DON’T DENY!
I’m going to be replacing my winter fruit cake recipes with lighter versions that will help put more ‘spring in my step’ – sorry, couldn’t help myself! So below is a favourite of mine for you to try...
This Protein-Rich Banana Bread is incredibly light and packed with nut butters – great for a post spring-workout or a snack at any time of the day.
Replacing white flour with gluten-free flour like rice flour will help avoid any bloating and ‘heaviness’ which is usually associated with cake or breads. Even if you tolerate gluten it’s good to mix it up with non-gluten products – variety is the spice of life!
And the No.1 thing I’d recommend you to do right now in order for you to prepare your body for the great ‘push’ of cleansing spring time is:
PROPERLY HYDRATE!
“don’t teach me to suck eggs” I hear you say... I promise I’m not. But there are ways of effectively hydrating which you just don’t get taught in school! Please do head over here to learn more:
Here's to brighter days and more sunshine to wherever you are!
Natasha x
PS. If you are thinking of really sorting your health out a bit more and need some one-to-one guidance, check out what my clients say here: www.treatyourselfnutrition.co.uk I always offer a free non-obligation preliminary chat x
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