If you live above the 30th parallel in the northern hemisphere, we are beginning the southern run of the sun. This means that the days grow shorter and the sun beams become less intense. We transition from a yang dominated environment to a yin dominated environment. Thus we must adjust our diet accordingly if we wish to stay balanced. We need to restrict our use of tropical fruits and vegetables and depend more on the vegetables that can winter over in storage. These are the squashes, pumpkins, root vegetables, and ground vegetables. Now is the time to pickle those cucumbers and cabbages so that you have sauerkraut all winter long. If you eat fruit in the winter, we recommend that you eat fruit that grows in your area, smaller, more compact fruit like blueberries and raspberries, cranberries, etc.
In winter we eat more of these foods lightly cooked, especially fruit. Since the winter is a yin dominated environment, we limit our intake of extreme yin foods such as ice cream, alcohol, iced drinks, and refined sugar in general, substituting northern sugars like maple syrup and rice syrup. One can also use apple butter as a sweetener in many recipes.
In addition, we eat less of the yin grains and beans (larger, more expanded like corn and large beans) and transition to small compact beans like adzuki beans and black beans, and grains like oats and millet and in northern regions, short grain brown rice. These grains and beans are very warming in the winter and help to keep us balanced.
Too much liquid can also be unbalancing in the winter and although we eat more sodium in the winter, it is best to watch the sodium level so as not to over react. An umeboshi plum taken in warm water once per week can keep you energized and your vitality strong.
Given these strategies, you should be able to balance the yin dominated winter and emerge in spring without the need to discharge through the winter season.
Have a beautiful transition.
Thanks for reading.
In winter we eat more of these foods lightly cooked, especially fruit. Since the winter is a yin dominated environment, we limit our intake of extreme yin foods such as ice cream, alcohol, iced drinks, and refined sugar in general, substituting northern sugars like maple syrup and rice syrup. One can also use apple butter as a sweetener in many recipes.
In addition, we eat less of the yin grains and beans (larger, more expanded like corn and large beans) and transition to small compact beans like adzuki beans and black beans, and grains like oats and millet and in northern regions, short grain brown rice. These grains and beans are very warming in the winter and help to keep us balanced.
Too much liquid can also be unbalancing in the winter and although we eat more sodium in the winter, it is best to watch the sodium level so as not to over react. An umeboshi plum taken in warm water once per week can keep you energized and your vitality strong.
Given these strategies, you should be able to balance the yin dominated winter and emerge in spring without the need to discharge through the winter season.
Have a beautiful transition.
Thanks for reading.
No comments:
Post a Comment