It’s that time of year when we feel the natural itch to get rid of the heaviness of winter, clean the cobwebs out of the corners, and start fresh and new, just like nature.
Last month a large group of brave souls gathered to do my annual 7-day Liver Cleanse for some powerful internal detoxing. But the truth is, what you put in your body starts with what you keep in your pantry. When was the last time you took a look at what’s in yours?
One of the most gratifying things I’ve done with clients in the past is a pantry cleanse. It’s quite amazing the stuff we’ll find in there: spices dating back a decade, items way past their expiration date, rancid oil, and so much more:)
If you’re ready to take a deep dive into the depths of your pantry this spring, check out my…
Top tips for a successful pantry cleanse:
- Get three big garbage bags ready, because you’ll need them. One is for garbage, another is for recycling the containers after dumping out the food, and the third is for donated food items (food that’s still good but that you’re not going to eat). Even better is if you have a compost for produce that’s gone bad. Earth Day’s a great excuse to look into composting!
- Turn on music! This step is optional, but it makes it more fun and less stressful.
- Get ready to LET GO. Get rid of sentimentality, that olive oil you bought in Italy that’s no longer good, the gift from your dear friend that contains more sugar than you would need in one lifetime. Get rid of it!
- Items to throw out:
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- Everything past its expiration date.
- Everything with a colored dye in the ingredients.
- Anything with hydrogenated vegetable oil of any kind (trans fats).
- Anything with MSG (monosodium glutamate).
- Oils that have been open for more than a year (that’s being generous).
- If you intend on improving your diet, get rid of all the junk food (anything chemical or fake, trans fats, excessive sugar, refined flours).
- Anything that makes you groan out loud when you see it.
Throw it all out! Got it? It will feel so good, I promise. And if you’re extra ambitious, when you finish with the pantry, move on to the refrigerator.
The best reward? Afterwards, you’ll have plenty of room to go shopping for the fresh olive oil that you’ll be happy to cook with, the healthier sauces without chemicals that will taste better (and will be better for the environment), and the more natural ingredients that will make your body feel good.
While you’re at it, take this opportunity to reassess your household & kitchen products; shop for items with less packaging, non-chemical cleaning supplies, 100% recycled aluminum foil, If You Care parchment paper to bake with, etc. This will be better for both your body and the earth.
If you’d like further support and guidance through this process, feel free to contact me directly for a personal pantry cleanse at jaimesaginor@gmail.com.
In the meantime, happy spring cleaning!
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