Eating for the seasons

Each meal is an opportunity to heal, and Balance is the key to health.

Eating for the seasons

You and seasonal adjustments

* Consider your environment, not just the date on the       calendar and be conscious of your body’s reaction to changing seasons.

* If you have continuing health problems for a particular season, make adjustments to your eating and lifestyle habits 1-2 seasons prior to the “problem” season.

* Remember inappropriate seasonal diet and lifestyle choices may have consequences all year.

* Minimize extreme and sudden changes in temperature from inside to outside. Keeping in mind the level you set your AC and Heat at to minimize drastic changes. Be especially careful when running outside for just a moment.

* Eating locally is one of the best ways to stay healthy. Local produce has adjusted to its surrounding climate and our bodies have evolved to follow that trend. So seek out available produce seasonally.

Winters effect on your body

* This is the time for storage, so don’t be afraid to pack on a few extra pounds. There is a reason for this change, which naturally occurs.

* It is a natural response to the onset of cold that we slow down a bit, conserving our energy and replenishing our reserves.

* Exhaustion in the winter months is particularly harmful.  Your body takes longer restore its reserves, the effects of which may continue to be felt in the year to come.

* This is the time to be sure to get to bed early, try to get a minimum of 8hrs of sleep.  We evolved following the patterns of the sun.  With the shorter days of winter your body will require more sleep.

* In Chinese medicine diet should focus on warm long cooked foods that are nutrient rich and heavy. Appropriate foods include rich warm foods such as soup or stew and casseroles.

* This is also the time of year to eat a little more salty flavored foods such as seaweed, miso and tamari for strengthening the Kidney.

Winter foods

* Warming foods for winter: Lamb, Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Salmon, Walnuts, Chestnuts, Black beans, Black sesame seeds, Oats, Quinoa, Parsnips, Cherries, Dried fruits stewed with warming spices, Winter squash.

Healthy winter recipe

* 1 c. rice (white, brown, sweet, basmati) 5-10 c. water (depending on how thick or thin you want the dish to be) Cook for about 4-6 hours on a low flame or overnight in a crock pot. The finished congee could be mildly seasoned to taste with sea salt, miso, or honey.

Neighborhood Acupuncture & Healing Arts 

Healthy Living From the Inside Out