In Chinese medicine, summer is associated with the Fire element, vibrant energy, and the Heart and Small Intestine meridians. It's a time for expansion, lightness, warmth, and outdoor activities. To support your body during this season, consider incorporating the following principles and foods into your diet:
1. Embrace Foods with cool nature
Enjoy fruits and vegetables that have cooling properties to combat the summer heat. Watermelon, cucumber, leafy greens, and mung beans are excellent choices. These foods can help clear heat, promote hydration, and support overall well-being.
2. Balance with Bitterness
Incorporate bitter foods like bitter melon, kale, arugula, and dandelion greens into your meals. Bitter flavors can help cool the body, aid digestion, and detoxify, promoting a balanced internal environment.
3. Herbal Tea for Hydration
During the hot summer months, it's crucial to stay hydrated. Opt for herbal teas like chrysanthemum or mint tea, coconut water, or infused water with cucumber and lemon. Hydration is key to maintaining energy levels, supporting organ function, and promoting glowing skin.
4. Enjoy Light and Refreshing Meals
Choose light, easy-to-digest meals during summer. Salads, raw foods, and steamed dishes are ideal options. Avoid heavy, greasy foods that can weigh you down and lead to sluggishness.
5. Share therapeutic soup with family and friends
Winter Melon and Barley Soup
Ingredients:
300g winter melon, peeled and cut into chunks
50g barley
10 red dates
1 small piece of dried tangerine peel (optional)
1-2 slices of ginger
1 liter of water
Salt to taste
Preparation:
Rinse the barley and soak it in water for about 30 minutes.
Rinse the red dates and remove the pits.
If using dried tangerine peel, soak it in water until soft, then scrape off the white pith to reduce bitterness.
Peel and cut the winter melon into chunks.
Cook:
In a pot, bring the water to a boil.
Add the soaked barley, ginger slices, and tangerine peel (if using). Boil for about 10 minutes.
Add the winter melon chunks and red dates.
Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 40-50 minutes until all the ingredients are tender.
Season and Serve:
Add salt to taste.
Serve the soup warm or at room temperature. It can be enjoyed as a light meal or a refreshing beverage during hot summer days.
Benefits:
Winter Melon: Cooling and hydrating, helps clear heat and promotes urination.
Barley: Strengthens the spleen and stomach, promotes digestion, and has a cooling effect.
Red Dates: Nourish the blood and calm the mind.
Ginger: Helps balance the cooling ingredients, supports digestion, and prevents dampness.
Lotus Root and Pork Soup
Ingredients:
300g lotus root, peeled and sliced
200g lean pork, cut into chunks
10 red dates
2 dried figs (optional)
1 small piece of dried tangerine peel (optional)
1 liter of water
Salt to taste
Preparation:
Rinse the lotus root slices.
Rinse the pork chunks and blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes to remove impurities, then drain.
Rinse the red dates and remove the pits.
If using dried tangerine peel, soak it in water until soft, then scrape off the white pith to reduce bitterness.
Cook :
In a pot, bring the water to a boil.
Add the blanched pork chunks, red dates, dried figs (if using), and tangerine peel (if using).
Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 1 hour.
Add the lotus root slices and continue to simmer for another 30-40 minutes until the lotus root is tender.
Season and Serve:
Add salt to taste.
Serve warm.
Benefits:
Lotus Root: Cooling, helps invigorate the blood, and promote digestion.
Pork: Nourishing and helps strengthen the body.
6. Practice Mindful Eating
Slow down and savor your meals. Mindful eating enhances digestion, allows you to appreciate the flavors and textures of your food, and fosters a deeper connection with your body's nutritional needs.
By incorporating these seasonal health tips informed by Chinese medicine wisdom, you can optimize your well-being and vitality during the summer months. Embrace the unique qualities of each season and adjust your lifestyle to harmonize with nature's rhythms. Let this summer be a time of nourishment, balance, and flourishing wellness.
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