The weather is beginning to cool down....lets touch on the importance of doing what you can to maintain equilibrium within your body during winter.
Yin/Yang: Two halves that mutually form the wholeness of Qi (energy). The mixing of the two energies makes life possible. When life-force energy is proportionally balanced between Yin and Yang, it flows smoothly, maintaining and promoting a good state of physical and emotional health.
In the cooler (yin) months, depending on your constitution, you may need to implement some specific foods, supplements & treatments to maintain equilibrium.
Winter is definitely not the time to consume too many cooling foods. They can slow down metabolism (which is already slow because of the cold weather!) and cause a variety of unwanted symptoms.
Headaches
Lower back pain
Anxiety
Joint pain
Urinary retention/frequent urination
Fatigue
Vertigo
High blood pressure
Cooking, warms the energetics of food, so focusing on soups, stews, and casseroles is a great start, your body will thank you. Fruit can also be poached or stewed and vegetables can be sufficiently steamed. Combining small amounts of warm food with the cold can balance the yin yang too, such as adding a little warm wasabi to help digest the coldness of sushi.
Here’s some examples of the types of foods you can include in your diet if you need more warmth in the cooler months;
Herbs including basil, chives, coriander, dill, fennel, parsley and rosemary.
Spices including anise, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, black pepper.
Vegetables that are steamed or cooked and include plenty of onion, leeks, parsnips, capsicums, spring onion, garlic.
Other – fruits are better dried or cooked, nuts, honey, oats, quinoa, seeds & wild rice
Eating to help balance your yin and yang combined with regular Acupuncture treatments and often specific supplements or herbs is super beneficial for your immune system and keeping your body regulated to its natural rhythms...Yin/Yang.
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