Be the Best you Can Be During the Frigid Days of Winter

What’s Up in Winter?

From Alternatives Newsletter Winter 2008-2009

The winter season is the perfect time to focus on cleansing the kidney, bladder, adrenals and immune system, says Kathi Bratberg, RN, MS Holistic Nutrition at Alternatives.  “Winter is truly the time to hibernate, meditate and rest,” Bratberg noted.  Brisk walks and hikes?  Yes.  Caffeine and late nights?  No.  Read more about how to achieve optimal health and avoid the winter doldrums . . .

Be the Best you Can Be During the Frigid Days of Winter

The winter season is the perfect time to focus on cleansing the kidney, bladder, adrenals and immune system, says Kathi Bratberg, RN, MS Holistic Nutrition.  “Our winter program places attention on nurturing the kidneys, bladder, adrenal glands and immune system,” Bratberg said.

“The kidneys and bladder determine water and mineral, and acid/alkaline balance in the body by filtering the blood, making urine and eliminating unneeded substances from the body,” Bratberg said.

“Winter is truly the time to hibernate, meditate and rest,” Bratberg noted.  Brisk walks and hikes?  Yes.  Caffeine and late nights?  No.  “The old saying, ‘Early to Bed and Early to Rise,’ (but not too early), and eating a good breakfast really does apply in regaining kidney and adrenal energy in these winter months.  Our bodies really do need more time to dream in the winter.  Think about sitting by the fire and sipping hot tea, chicken stock or black bean soup.  It sounds simple, but measures such as always wearing a hat outdoors during the cold, and covering the neck and ears, relieves the body of that stress.” 

Find more about a two-week program that can help jump-start your system by contacting Alternatives: A Center for Conscious Health at 827-9450.  You’ll receive diet and supplement recommendations as well.  “The winter food plan is often the warmest, richest and heaviest of the season.  It has the most cooked foods, hot soups and teas to warm the body,” Bratberg said.