Spring is in the air! April is a month of new beginnings and the time for spring cleaning. Crack open the windows, let the fresh air in, and clean out those winter cobwebs! As we begin to focus on spring cleaning and preparation for the summer, many of us feel the urge to purge (a little rhyme for ya) and to clean not just our homes, but our bodies and minds as well. Here are some tips for spring cleaning your whole life:
- Open those windows! Nothing says spring, quite like letting stale air out of your house and fresh air in. Get in the mindset to let go of the old and to make room for the new.
- Get. Rid. Of. Stuff. Remember these words. Don't keep anything that you don't need, haven't used in the last year, and don't think you'll be using in the next year. Clean out your desk, your inbox, your basement, your cupboards—fridge—closet. Give usable objects away to a charity, a friend, or a thrift store. This process is easier said than done so start with baby steps to avoid overwhelming yourself. Make a game plan over a few days or weeks to start in one place and eventually cover every base. It might end up being a lot of work, but the results will be both empowering and liberating.
- Meditation/yoga. These are likely to be the best methods for clearing out the cluttered corners of your mind. Both practices promote a positive emotional state, calmness, anxiety reduction, and centeredness. They will also be helpful to your spring cleaning process, allowing you to stay present, not become overwhelmed, and remember what's important (maybe not that old dress that hasn't seen the light of day since 1993 or that email you've been saving for years from an ex-love). Yoga also tacks on the added benefits of stretching, strengthening, and promoting healthy circulation and digestive function. Which brings us to our next tip…
- Start a new exercise regime. Did your New Year's resolution to be more active get pushed to the wayside? Now is a perfect time to get motivated again. Don't get down on yourself for breaking your resolution, it happens to all of us at one point or another. Just try again! The only failure is not to try. Detox your body with exercise and nutritious, clean food.
- Switch out your toxic household cleaners for more natural alternatives. This can be a big step towards a cleaner environment, not just for the planet, but for your home and your body.
- Get outside! We're locked up indoors all winter with little sun exposure or fresh air. Get some exercise outdoors, and your mind will feel even more clear.
April 22 is Earth Day and Market Organics will have deals on cleaning supplies the entire month!
Oral health month
Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol sweetener that is found in various fruits and vegetables, such as berries, oats and mushrooms, as well as fibrous material, such as cornhusks, sugarcane and birch trees. It is a sweet sugar with 33% less calories. Xylitol is absorbed more slowly than sugar and has a lower glycemic index rating so it's better for diabetics as it does not cause such a spike in the blood sugar. Not only that, but it's proven to show a reduction in and prevention of tooth decay. We have several products with xylitol as their sweetener and also sell it on its own so ask an employee for details. We're also getting some of Xyla's great new sauces in the store that are sweetened with xylitol. Just in time for spring!