(NaturalHealth365) Millions of us suffer during the wintertime from the cold and bitter winter, which can create challenges when it comes to enjoying fresh food. For example, I realize that when it gets cold, many people find it more appealing to eat a hot meal versus a raw salad and a liter of fresh juice.

But, I have good news for you!

You don’t have to grab for those hot, devitalizing meals and suffer from lethargy, digestive issues as well as losing your motivation to keep your body moving during these colder months any longer.

How to avoid unnecessary weight gain and wintertime blues

Our biggest challenge during the wintertime is that we want to eat hot foods, which is quite normal, but unfortunately, we tend to overeat, or eat too many cooked foods, eventually grabbing the other foods that are comfort foods as well – like pastries, cakes, cookies and coffee.

This is primarily why we pack on too many unwanted pounds!

I urge you to try to avoid this mistake by eating less cooked foods and more whole food salads for your afternoon or evening meal. One of my secrets is to drink 1 liter of fresh vegetable juice with all your cooked meals.

This will enhance your body’s ability to digest the heavier foods and deliver more energy to you so that you can get to the gym, or continue to stay active during these darker and colder times of the year.

Don’t believe everything you hear about fresh, organic juice

Most conventionally-trained dieticians and doctors will tell you to never drink liquids with your meals, but this is different. All fresh juices are rich in enzymes, which is the missing link in foods that are heated over 118 degrees.

By drinking fresh juices with cooked meals, it automatically enhances digestion because these juices are rich in enzymes that will help you digest heavier meals – which are completely devoid of enzymes.

Here are 3 “secrets” to help you feel great this winter…

Secret #1:

Always try to drink 24 to 32 ounces of fresh veggie juices with your meals. (see recipe below). Do not make fresh fruit juices and eat cooked foods. Vegetable juices are the best way to use this technique.

Secret #2:

Cut your cooked food intake in half and add a large salad to your meal.

Secret #3:

There are certain spices we can add into our juices that will warm up our stomach as soon as we consume them that also help with good digestion as well.

Fresh herbs:

1. Fresh. Basil
2. Tarragon
3. Chives
4. Cilantro
5. Chervil
6. Mint
7. Roots, peppers and citrus

In addition, you may want to add:

1. Fresh jalapeno or other hot peppers
2. Fresh turmeric
3. Fresh garlic
4. Onion or red, white or green scallions
5. Lime and/or lemon
6. Fresh ginger root
7. Fresh horseradish root

You can actually soak these ingredients in purified water overnight and, in the morning, process them through your slow juicer – but in very small pieces or in small batches.  Plus, you may want to try some cinnamon stick, cardamon seeds, allspice, anise seeds or mustard seeds.

Depending on what kind of juicer you have this is feasible.  But remember – you must alternate between the spices and other foods you are juicing. You can also use these soaked spices on some vertical slow juicers such as the new Tribest Slowstart Vertical Slow Juicer.

Note: Most all centrifugal juicers cannot use this technique, so please do not try it.  I recommend picking one ingredient (mentioned above) from each section and add your favorite vegetables or fruits as your base for the juice tonic.

One of my favorite wintertime recipes: The “Warm It Up” tonic

In your juicer, place the following (organic) ingredients: (serves 2 people)

• 10 carrots
• 8 ribs of celery
• 1 red bell pepper (use about 15 seeds from the inside)
• 1/2 inch (soaked for 10 hours beforehand) cinnamon stick
• 1/2 inch fresh ginger root
• 3 cups (packed) parsley or cilantro
• 2 apples (not recommended for diabetics), but you can substitute the apples with 1 large cucumber

Note: Do not blend this tonic in your blender. It’s specifically designed for digestion, and because you’re eating food with it, you’ll be getting enough fiber.  And, of course, choose organic produce – always!

This is spicy and delicious! It’s very high in beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A), so this will be excellent for your eyes and immune system as well as good to clean out bad bacteria/pathogens in your gut. Plus, let’s not forget, it’s highly alkalizing as well.

If you want to cut down on the spicy kick – just use less pepper seeds.

You’ll notice a big difference once you incorporate these techniques and your body will love you for it once we reach springtime. Stay warm and defeat those wintertime blues – naturally!

About the author: Linda Kordich Loveday was married to Jay Kordich, world renown health educator and the “Father of Juicing.”  She is the co-author of their book, Live Foods Live Bodies and teaches throughout the world on the ‘Powers of the Gentle Art of Foods and Juices.’  For more information about Linda Kordich Loveday – visit: www.JayKordich.com