There is an old proverb that says "The absence of illness is not yet wellness."  How many of us wake up in the morning and say "I don't feel sick so I must be well."  In America we do not practice wellness; we practice illness.  When you visit the doctor, do you go because you are healthy, or do you go because you are sick?  When was the last time anyone helped you improve your health?  Your answer is most likely, "Not since my last pediatric checkup."  

This may seem harsh, but the simple truth is that there is far more money in illness than in health, and in maintaining health.   We have the finest trauma centers and life-saving critical-care methods in the world; why is it that "minor" illnesses are increasing at such dramatic rates?  Obesity has evolved into an epidemic, Type II Diabetes has tripled in the last 15 years, and far too many youngsters are using inhalers for breathing disorders!  If this isn't bad enough, consider that children are suffering from broken bones at an alarming rate, and osteoporosis is now a common household word.

When did we stop practicing wellness as a way of life and start practicing illness?  In my opinion, it started in the 1950's with the chemical revolution.  Our parents were told the average life expectancy would be at least 100 years by the turn of the century, thanks largely to the drugs under development.  They said we did not need to worry about our health-our health insurance would pay our doctors, who would keep us healthy with the new drugs and procedures they were inventing.  Unfortunately people trusted the advertisements and turned over their health to "the system."  By the 90's we discovered we needed to take control of our own health; unfortunately, we found we were out of practice.  Previous generations had one advantage-they had Grandma, who had generational knowledge passed down to her.  So what do we do now?

We go back to nature and follow the principals of "eating in season."  Before we had big well-lit, clean, and shiny grocery stores we ate only what was in season.  Currently we eat anything we want anytime we want it.  We might think this is a good thing, but is it good for us?  A Chilean peach may taste good in January, but is eating summer energy-food good for you in the winter?

If you look at foods coming into their seasons, you will see that in early spring the first available foods are "cleansing foods"-foods like spring onions, which clean the blood; or even dandelions, which clean the liver and digestive system, after a winter of eating heavy foods.

Americans are the only people who put herbicides on their lawns to kill the dandelions-and then go to the health-food store to buy them back.  Other early spring foods include deep greens and fiber-rich vegetables for cleansing.  First summer foods include fruits, which add energy for longer days of activity.  As we move further through summer, fruits coming in contain more sugar for even more energy; and they also increase in mineral content.  Fish also becomes abundant in the summer for protein energy.  In late summer, the "high-activity foods" arrive-like the peach-high in sugar energy; but the autumn foods also begin to show.  Consider the yellow squash rich in minerals and antioxidants to help us prepare for fall and winter.  These are just a few examples of what it means to "eat in season." 

The idea is that if you eat foods naturally-as they become available in season-you will maintain your energy at its highest level, both physically and mentally.  In the winter, eat a 12- oz. steak with all the trimmings, and then go for a 5-mile bike ride.  In the summer, eat a spinach salad with sprouts, avocado slices, and some pineapple; then take the bike ride.  This same idea applies year-round:  light energy foods in the summer, heavy substantial foods in the winter.  Remember that early spring foods are fiber-rich detoxifying foods.  After a winter of lower activity levels and staying indoors, the body needs a good cleaning.  Prepare your body for the fun and busy summer days ahead-raise your energy levels by following nature.

For more health related articles, please visit our website www.detoxologie.com

Namaste,

Ask Kelley