SEASONAL RECEPIES
Chinese medicine teaches us to live in harmony with the seasons.
According to Chinese medicine theory, there are 5 seasons- winter, spring, summer, late summer and fall. It is important to change your habits as the season change in order to create more balance between our bodies and our external environments.
The principle of harmony between what we eat and the season is based on hundreds of years of practical experience. Chinese nutritional therapy is an important component of Chinese medicine and truly believes that you are what you eat. The food that we consume has a profound effect on the body, affecting our health and well-being. Foods become part of the body after being consumed affecting us internally and the weather and environment have an effect on us externally.
Chinese dietary philosophy suggests that you embrace native and locally grown foods that are organic, chemical-free and seasonal. According to TCM the thing about the modern diet that is most unhealthy is that we have access to foods year-round regardless of the season and that are grown unnaturally with pesticides. Nature intended us to eat food seasonally.
Eating natural foods that are grown in the current season is what are bodies are designed for and prefer.
WINTER RECIPES TO SUPPORT THE KIDNEYS
Winter in TCM is associated with the kidneys, which hold our body’s most basic and fundamental energy. It is believed that by harmonizing oneself with the seasons you can stay healthier and prevent disease.
In the winter months, the body needs warming foods like soup made with hearty vegetables and rich stocks cooked with animal bones are best.
Cooking should be for longer periods, using low heat and less water. This infuses food with heat that helps keep the body warm in the cold winter months.
SPRING RECIPES TO SUPPORT THE LIVER
Spring in TCM is associated with the Liver, which is associated with the movement of Qi throughout the body. It is believed that a balanced liver also means balanced emotions and phyical health.
In the spring months, the body needs to start moving and sweating more. Being more active and spending more time outside can be great ways to strengthen the liver
This is the time to cook lighter and eat lighter. Cooking methods include more steaming and stir-frying. Also, eat more greens. Greens have been shown to be very beneficial for helping the liver do its job, detoxifying the blood.