Seasonal foods, Natural Cycles
Seasonal foods help us follow nature's cycles. In the West, we have become disconnected from nature, because we eat packaged foods, the same foods year round. But nature has cycles that change throughout the year. Each season has a different energy. And so do we! Following the energy of the seasons keep you balanced. So here's the seasons and their foods: Summer: Summer is the time to eat light. In Chinese medicine, it's the time of the heart and joyful fun. We celebrate with summer camp and vacations. we enjoy gardens, flowers, butterflies, birds and bees. There is lots of activity and fun. Our diets can be salads, greens, smoothies, and less animal foods. It's too hot to cook much, so quick boil, steam, stir fry, or sprouting work well in summer. The seasonal foods in summer are basil, okra, figs, green beans, tomato, peaches, peppers, lettuce, plums, berries, avocados, fennel, corn, sprouts, cucumbers, red radish, summer squash. Any juicy fruit and veggies will keep you cool. For grains, the lighter quick cooking ones are good: bulghur, quinoa, millet, pasta, corn, and the lighter beans and peas: red lentils, mung beans, black eyed peas, green peas. Spices in small amounts cool you down by making you sweat! Be careful with ice cream and cold smoothies. chilled foods and drinks can dampen and weaken digestion. Fall: The leaves fall off the trees and it's time to release old stuff. In the fall we store energy and build immunity for the coming winter. The beta carotene foods, which help immunity, are good now: pumpkins, winter squash, kale, collards. Its also the time to breathe deeply, in Chinese healing its the time for the lungs. Let go, breath. Seasonal foods in fall are: apples, pears, brussel sprouts, winter squash, pumpkin, persimmons, garlic, carrots, kale, chard, broccoli, cauliflower. Oatmeal with cinnamon will warm you up and help you be grounded. Pungent foods like chilies, onions ginger and garlic can open up the lungs and sinuses, and help us circulate. Winter: Now is the time to rest and restore your energy. We can dream, cuddle with blankets, have warm chai tea, and nourish our roots. The organs associated with winter are the kidneys, where our vitality is stored in our "roots". its a time to reflect on life, think deeper, and rest. Seasonal foods in winter are roots: carrots, burdock parsnip, potato, beets, turnips, rutabagas, broccoli, dandelion root; also round cabbage, and seaweeds. We can enjoy more meats, bone stock, and seaweeds for protein and mineral, which help strengthen the kidneys. In Chinese medicine the kidneys are the source of yin and yang for the body, so resting and restoring them is important for overall health. Our culture does not rest enough! Cook at a low temperature for a long time keeps you warm, like stews and cooking in crock pots. Baking is good for vegetables, like winter squash, cauliflower, onions. Spring: Now we wake up! In spring, we lighten up, detox and support the liver. We see a green upward energy in nature and in us, too. We come up with new ideas, projects, love interest. We spring clean. The seasonal foods in spring are: sprouts, lemons, leafy greens, celery, radish, millet, parsley, dill, cilantro, asparagus, arugula, artichoke, watercress, dandelion greens, mustard greens, spinach, leeks scallions, bok choy, mint. We can steam and stir fry food with a lighter touch. Tip: If you put on some pounds in the winter, try eating some daikon radish, its a remedy to dissolve fat in the body! These food lists are for a temperate climate in North America. You can adjust them to your area. Find a farmers market and see what grows in your area. County extension offices may have lists of when to plant crops in your area. So even if you don't garden, you can follow the season of the garden. If you eat light in summer, your air conditioning bill will be less, since you will acclimate to the weather. In winter, eat roots and stews, and you will stay warm. Tomatoes and juice fruits in winter will leave you chilled! To everything there is a season. May you enjoy these seasonal foods. Here's some more articles you may enjoy: Return from seasonal foods to healthy foods lifestyle What are sustainable food choices? Fall vegie recipes with cauliflower, squash, apples, and walnuts
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