Traditional Chinese medicine says aligning your diet with the seasons is one of the best ways to stay healthy. Mother Nature provides exactly what we need to be healthy. Paying attention to the fruits, vegetables and herbs that grow during different seasons in the region where you live is a great way to incorporate the philosophies of traditional Chinese medicine into your own life and access greater healing.
In the spring, TCM suggests eating cooling foods to balance out the effect of warmer temperatures outside.
TCM also suggests taking the time to be mindful about the environment and energy around you when you eat. If you are stressed out or rushing when you eat, that will affect how your body is able to process the nutrients you’re consuming. Breathe deeply, chew well and take the time to digest your food.
For more spring in your step, here are four specific foods that can support your health and wellbeing this spring.
Lemon: In traditional Chinese medicine, the organ associated with spring is the liver and the flavor associated with the liver is sour. Sour foods, like lemons, help flush toxins from the liver. Adding fresh lemon to a cup of warm water each morning is a great, simple, practice that will do wonders for your liver.
Greens: Fresh leafy greens are most plentiful during the spring, and eating them is associated with cleansing and building. The bright green color of leaves comes from chlorophyll, which is a wonderful healing agent. Any greens, but especially those darker in color, like spinach or wild greens such as dandelion greens, are very beneficial.
Asparagus: Asparagus is a finicky plant with a short growing season: spring. Make a point to catch this plant powerhouse. Asparagus is full of vitamins A, C and K as well as folate and fiber. According to TCM, asparagus builds the nourishing fluids in the body, meaning it soothes irritation and helps fertility. It also promotes healthy lungs, clearing congestion and conditions like bronchitis.
Fruits and vegetables: In general, spring is the time of year when more fruits and vegetables become available locally. Peruse your local farmer’s market or take note of any produce in the grocery store that’s labeled “local.” Incorporate these items into your diet in abundance!
Try incorporating these foods and cleansing principles with this delicious spring salad!
Asparagus, snap pea and quinoa salad
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cup fresh snap peas, strings removed and cut into small diagonals
- 1 bunch asparagus, cut into small diagonals
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- Fresh mixed greens
- Sliced avocado
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Boil two cups of water in a small pan. Add the quinoa and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
- Bring another pot of water to a boil and add the asparagus. Cook the asparagus in the boiling water for 1-2 minutes until just tender. Quickly drain in a colander and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, mix the quinoa, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the garlic and cilantro. Then, mix in the snap peas, asparagus and chickpeas. Serve over the mixed greens and top with sliced avocado.
Dawa za jadi za Kichina zinasema kwamba kuelekeza chakula chako kulingana na majira ni mojawapo ya njia bora za kukaa na afya. Mama Asili hutoa kile tunachohitaji ili tuwe na afya. Kuangalia matunda, mboga na mimea ambayo hukua wakati tofauti katika eneo unaloishi ni njia nzuri ya kuingiza falsafa za dawa ya jadi ya Kichina katika maisha yako mwenyewe na kupata uponyaji mkubwa. Katika majira ya kuchipua, TCM inapendekeza kula vyakula baridi ili kusawazisha athari ya joto la nje. TCM pia inashauri kuchukua muda wa kuwa makini kuhusu mazingira na nishati karibu na wewe wakati wewe kula. Ikiwa unafadhaika au unaharakisha wakati wa kula, hiyo itaathiri jinsi mwili wako unavyoweza kusindika virutubisho unavyotumia. Pumua kwa kina, kutafuna vizuri na kuchukua muda wa kumeng'enya chakula chako. Kwa ajili ya majira ya kuchipua, hapa ni baadhi ya vyakula ambavyo vinaweza kusaidia afya yako. Katika dawa za jadi za Kichina, sehemu ya mwili inayohusishwa na majira ya kuchipua ni ini, na ladha inayohusishwa na ini ni ya chumvi. Vyakula vyenye chumvi, kama vile ndimu, husaidia kuondoa sumu kutoka kwenye ini. Kuongeza limao safi kwenye kikombe cha maji ya joto kila asubuhi ni mazoezi mazuri na rahisi ambayo yatatengeneza maajabu kwa ini lako. Mimea ya kijani kibichi ni ya kawaida wakati wa majira ya kuchipua, na kula yao ni muhimu kwa ajili ya afya na afya. Rangi ya kijani-kibichi ya majani hutokana na klorofili, ambayo ni dawa nzuri sana ya kuponya. Mimea ya kijani kibichi, hasa ya rangi nyeusi kama vile spinach na dandelion, ni muhimu sana. Asparagus: Asparagus ni mmea wenye kukata tamaa na msimu mfupi wa kukua: majira ya kuchipua. Fanya uhakika wa kukamata hii mmea nguvu. Asparagus ina vitamini A, C na K pamoja na folati na nyuzi. Kulingana na TCM, asparagus huongeza mafuta ya mwili, ambayo inamaanisha inatuliza uchungu na kusaidia uzazi. Pia huendeleza afya ya mapafu, kuondoa msongamano wa damu na hali kama vile bronchitis. Kwa kawaida, majira ya kuchipua ni wakati wa mwaka ambapo matunda na mboga nyingi hupatikana katika eneo hilo. Chunguza soko la mkulima wa eneo lako au angalia bidhaa yoyote katika duka la vyakula iliyoandikwa "ya eneo lako". Jaribu kuingiza vyakula hivi na kanuni za kusafisha katika saladi hii nzuri ya majira ya kuchipua! Asparagus, quinoa, na asparagus - 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus, 1 kikombe cha asparagus. Kuongeza quinoa na kuoka kwa dakika 15-20 mpaka maji yanafyonzwa. Fluff na uma. - Leta sufuria nyingine ya maji kwa kuchemsha na kuongeza asparagus. Kuoka asparagus katika maji ya kuchemsha kwa dakika 1 hadi 2 hadi iwe laini. Futa haraka katika colander na kuosha kwa maji baridi. - Katika bakuli kubwa, kuchanganya quinoa, maji ya limao, mafuta ya zeituni, chumvi na pilipili. Ongeza vitunguu na cilantro. Kisha, changanya maharagwe, matango, na maharagwe. Tumia juu ya mboga mchanganyiko na juu na avocado sliced.