Spring Clean Your Life

The practice of ‘spring cleaning’ your home can be traced back to ancient times, when everything in the house would be cleaned before religious occasions. After the long winter, the spring weather would allow doors and windows to be opened to let fresh air in without freezing its inhabitants!

Thankfully, modern cleaning products and household gadgets mean that we can maintain clean, tidy homes all year round. However, it’s still a great idea to give your house a thorough top-to-toe blitz once a year – and spring is the perfect opportunity!

Throughout life, we naturally accumulate all sorts of possessions that end up being shoved into cupboards, never to see the light of day again. All those unwanted Christmas gifts and clothes that no longer fit us, along with sentimental items that we feel obliged to keep forever.  Although it’s nice to keep memories, sometimes it’s time to face reality and admit that it’s time to let go. After all, will you ever wear that mini-dress again? Would you re-read all those old novels? If you haven’t used it in years, it’s unlikely you ever will!

Clearing out your cupboards can be immensely therapeutic – once you start, you might find you can’t stop! Sell all those unwanted items on eBay and you’ll be surprised how much money you can make from items lying around in your loft or garage.

Spring cleaning is not just about creating space – it’s important to regularly give your house a deep clean to remove accumulated dirt and germs. Freshen up your carpets with Spot Shot carpet cleaner to give your floors a face lift.

Make over your bathroom with Tilex spray to remove unsightly mold. Disinfect dingy toilets with Clorox toilet bowl cleaner and clog removing gel. A cleaner, fresher bathroom will instantly lift your spirits and encourage you to continue your spring cleaning throughout the rest of your home. While you’re in a cleaning mood, give your car the once-over with Armor All protectant.

Stock up on detergent and make the most of the dry weather by washing those cushion covers and curtains. These can accumulate dust but are often difficult to wash and dry during the winter. Choose a dry, windy day and hang your washing outdoors for a lovely fresh finish.

Spring is also a good time to fix those pesky jobs around the house. With a Helping Hand screwdriver you can cross all those little jobs off your to-do list.

Once you have finished scrubbing and polishing your house to perfection, ensure it stays smelling fresh with Febreze scented oil refills that alternate fragrances throughout the day, so you won’t get used to the same perfume. Keeping a fragrant atmosphere is especially important if you have dogs – visiting guests will love to be welcomed into a home that smells clean and fresh.

When you eat fruits and vegetables that are in season they tend to be fresh and local. Because they are fresh and local, buying seasonal produce can offer a ton of  benefits, including better flavor, more nutrients, reduced cost and less environmental burden. Apple picking and pumpkin farm hay rides can be more than just a fun thing to do with friends and family… bring home the goods and start eating with the season!

Apples (approx. 80 calories)- Nutrients found in apples can help prevent spikes in blood sugar and reduce risk of a variety of chronic diseases. Apples also contain flavonoids and enzymes, which aid in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars. Your blood sugar level is likely to be more stable after eating when these enzymes are inhibited. The fibers and antioxidants in apples also reduce inflammation related to cardiovascular disease, asthma, and cancer.

Pumpkin, butternut and acorn squash (90-130 calories per serving) – rich in beta-carotene and potassium, as well as fiber, niacin, and iron.

Parsnips (102 calories per serving) – Parsnips are fat-free, cholesterol-free, very low in sodium, and a good source of vitamin C, folate, and fiber.

Cranberries (51 calories per serving)- Fresh cranberries are at their peak from October through December. Cranberries are full of antioxidants, which protects cells from damage by unstable molecules called free radicals. and are a great source of vitamin C.

Cauliflower (30 calories per serving) – Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate. It is a very good source of vitamin B5, potassium, dietary fiber, manganese, and molybdenum, as well as a good source of protein, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, and iron.

Brussels Sprouts (38  calories per serving): Brussels contain high levels of Vitamin K, folate and iron. They are a good choice for an alkaline diet, as a food that decreases the amount of acid in the body.

OTHER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:

artichoke, almonds, bell peppers, beet, beet greens, broccolini, carrots, chestnuts, chard, corn, eggplant, fennel, garlic, leeks, limes, pears, plums, pomegranate, parsnip, potatoes (maincrop), radishes, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and wild mushrooms.

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