As the weather turns and starts to get cooler, our alkalising strategy really must follow same.

Many people become ‘cold’ in their body, old challenges start to flare again and old joint problems may resurface. There are plenty of soup recipes in the Alkaline Recipes section that you may like, personally I love Cauli and Broccoli soup with a courgette, ever so simple and very quick to make, and seriously delicious.

A few handy hints and tips would be good at this stage.

Tea

Its great to keep drinking warm teas, or if you do not drink tea, to introduce it.  As tea is warm as it enters the body it will also warm you up. Great if you are a ‘cold’ person.

The kinds of tea that are good to drink are nettle (with lemon), dandelion, and horsetail.  They are both great bowel eliminators and if you have your tea weak, will help everything move through nicely. Steep a little longer for a stronger response. These are also blood cleansers and purifiers. If you have been feeling  a little blocked or bloated, these teas will get you on your way again

Warming Up

Whilst a more alkaline diet is practical in warmer countries, it becomes more difficult in cold and damp countries.  Teas above are a great saviour, but what do you do when you just really get ‘cold’ and can’t warm up?   If you are mostly alkalising and still drinking your greens you will know what I mean.  What you do, is eat something. Anything. Your body is telling you it doesn’t have enough fuel to burn to keep you warm.  Have some carrots with hummus, or steam some sweet potato and chopped avocado.  You should warm up pretty quick after that.

Sauna’s are great, if you have access to one, failing that,  a hot bath/shower will also warm you up and alleviate aches and pains.

Another great one is chilli and cayenne on your food and in your lemon water.

Water Intake

As it gets colder we tend to want to drink less water, but we actually need the same amount of water during colder months.  Have more of your water in tea if you find it hard to drink, and normal water at room temperature. You can also add a bit of warm water to your greens so that its easier to drink.

Warm Food

Its ok to have warm food, so investing in a good steamer is a prudent action.  Steam your greens til they are slightly sweating and then add some oils afterwards. Sweet potato is another good one, and of course, fish steaks are also great for some solid fuel.  You may prefer warmed millet or spelt pasta and you can lightly grill your veges as well.

Most times, just the small addition of warm water to juices and greens makes a considerable difference to your experience.

Skin Brushing

Its very important to keep up your skin brushing in winter because your skin still has a job to do. And that job is to release 25% of your toxins per day. As your skin will be covered, skin brushing ensures that it can still breathe. Many people get topical eczema in cooler months because they are covered up. The eczema appears on the skin that is not covered, usually hands and face.

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Alkaline coloured beetroots…how fantastic.  ..	Alkaline coloured radishes. The darker they are the more peppery they get.
Herbs, dichon and radishes  ..	Alkaline winter spinach is delicious
Coloured carrots look and taste fantastic  ..	Beetroot tops make for an amazing sautee or lightly steamed. Use like you would spinach or Swiss Chard, absolutely delicious