We’ve discussed the end of summer, back to school, meal planning and getting back into normal routine. What we have yet to cover is how to reboot your system and get your healthy lifestyle back on track after several weeks of lounging, eating, sleeping in and over-indulging. Needless to say, it’s not unusual if your body is feeling a little lethargic and sluggish, and struggling with the daily routines that typically start at 6am.

Though I personally am not a fan of anything drastic, I do agree that what you put into your body makes a world of difference, making the solution quite simple.  If overindulging makes you feel tired, then it’s safe to assume that healthy eating will have the opposite effect.  Now I’m not suggesting that you go on any extreme diets, start a juice cleanse, starve or work out for 2 hours a day.  I’m simply saying that a few minor changes will make significant improvements to how you’re feeling right now, and in turn make settling back into your daily routine so much more bearable.

We all have our ways, but here’s what I typically add to my shopping list during this time:

• Greens; I’m not a big green salad eater at all. In fact, whenever I opt for a salad, I usually go for something very hearty and substantial that’s filled with grains, legumes and lots of protein.  When trying to get out of bad habits however, I make an extra conscious effort to add more leafy greens to my meals, like spinach, arugula, lettuce and kale. Simply chop them up as fine as you’d like, and add them to your salads, smoothies or stir fries.  It’s a great way to add more nutrients to your diet.
• Hibiscus tea; great for reducing inflammation, balancing out your sugar levels and aiding digestion. I typically brew a cup of hibiscus tea with a stick of cinnamon overnight, and drink is cold in the morning.  An excellent start to my day, and I find that when I do this, I don’t even need my coffee.
• Lemons & lime; in the event that I should be out of hibiscus, I substitute with warm water and the juice of either 1 lemon or 2 limes. I also tend to add them to my salad dressings, drizzle them over proteins and use them to season my meals. Not only do they add excellent flavour to pretty much anything, they’re also great for flushing out toxins.
• Blueberries; great antioxidants and strong anti-inflammatory components. I normally add them to my smoothie, granola, peanut butter sandwich, or just eat them as they are.  Any which way you choose to enjoy them is up to you, as they are always delicious.
• Ginger; another strong anti-inflammatory ingredient and great for both the immune system and digestive tract. Add it to teas, smoothies, curries and stir fries for a nice zingy flavour and to give your body a much-needed boost.
• Garlic; a natural anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory agent that aids the immune system in helping the body fight off viruses and bacteria. Add this to pretty much any savoury dish, as it is sure to add amazing flavour whilst also being good for you.
• Turmeric; check out the Why We Love Turmeric blog post for this.

• Water; last, but certainly not least! Make sure you hit that daily 8 glass target! There really is no better way to flush out toxins and reboot your entire system. Not only that, but you’ll look and feel great!

To feel inspired, check out our light meals, salads and soup options on yufeed.  And please share with us any useful tips on how you like to reset after summer!