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GET
READY, WINTERS COMING
We start this mini series on Chinese
medicine and living according to the
seasons with Winter, winter will soon be
upon us in all its fury and splendour.
Chinese medicine emphasizes striking a
balance in lifestyle activities, this
includes the food we eat, the sleep we
get, the amount of exercise we do, our
delicate equilibrium between work and
play, and psychological and emotional
factors. To assist us in striking this
balance the Chinese believe that
changing and modifying our lifestyles
according to the seasons can be the key
to a long and healthy life.
During the winter months all things in
nature wither, hide, return home, and
enter a resting period, just as lakes
and rivers freeze and snow falls. This
is a time when yin (the forces of
darkness and conservation) dominates
yang (the force of light and serenity).
Therefore, one should refrain from
overusing the yang energy.
Unfortunately, for many of us that’s all
we do, over use our yang energy. We work
and play 24/7. Our lifestyles are
fast-paced. We live by our mobile
phones, satellite TV, computers, the
internet and we eat on the run. This is
when everything slows down and is the
time for storage, which means wrapping
up and taking it easy to avoid problems
with kidney energy.
Lets take a look at how we can apply
these ancient words of wisdom to our
daily lives.
Sleep One should retire early and get up
with the sunrise, which is later in the
winter. You may find it harder to get up
in the morning if you do not allow for a
longer nights sleep. If you have time
during the day take a short 20 minute
nap in the afternoon.
DIET:
Good news on the eating front - winter
is the time to tuck in.
Autumn, for example, is a good time for
loading up on warmer, heavier foods in
preparation for the winter.
This
is not the time to be consuming cold,
and uncooked foods such as salads and
dressings. Consume meals hot in
temperature. Concentrate on hot natured
foods as well. Hot natured foods include
lamb, pork, garlic, and peanuts. Alcohol
consumed in moderation fits the winter
season well. Hot grain cereals in the
morning, heartier vegetables such as
winter squash, winter peas, broccoli,
sweet potatoes and yams. Prepare soups
such as vegetable, chicken and bean.
Lean beef stews are good too. Find ways
to include cinnamon, cloves, oregano and
Chinese white pepper in your foods.
Winter corresponds to the kidneys,
urinary bladder, bones, marrow and ears.
The element, which relates to winter is
water. Adhering to these practices will
keep the kidney energy strong. Eat well
to store energy but cut back and or
avoid mucus producing foods such as
dairy and fats. Stay away from unnatural
and processed foods. Eat more fibre.
Certain fruits are no longer in season
so there is a natural tendency to lessen
there intake. Recommended fruits are
apples, pears, pineapple and citrus.
In winter, the focus is on storing up
energy, rest and meditation.
Beneficial
warming foods include whole grains,
cooked squashes and other root
vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Perhaps all that
indulgence at Christmas is not so bad!
Emotions In the winter, the natural
tendency is to direct our energy inward.
We tend to gather and store. Rest and
sleep will prepare us for the burst of
energy the spring will bring. According
to Chinese medicine, fear and fright are
the emotions of the kidney organ system.
Too much will cause injury to the kidney
organ system. This may be a good time to
spend some time with the family doing
indoor activities.
Exercise
Suitable and continuous physical
exercises can strengthen the
constitution of human body, regulate the
vitality of human being and improve the
body's physical and mental health.
Continue to get exercise but don't
overexert yourself. Walking and
cardiovascular activities in moderation
are good to do.
One should choose the types of exercises
according to one's physical condition
and interest,Yoga,
Tai chi and Qigong exercises are highly
recommended.
Some
will be glad to know that this is the
time to slow down on the aerobics and
the hi impact work-out.
Always stretch before doing any physical
exercise. The key here is consistency.
Keep in mind that some exercise, however
little, is better than no exercise. If
you're worried about the few pounds you
put on over the holidays, don't panic as
it is natural to add body fat in the
winter months. Those of you who are
already considered over weight should
continue with moderate exercise and
balanced eating for weight loss.
According to traditional Chinese
medicine theory, cold is a pathogenic
factor, which can invade the body to
cause disease. When outdoors and indoors
in some instances, dress in layers. Keep
your whole body warm including your
head, neck, hands and feet. If you tend
to have cold and flu like symptoms
during the winter months see your
traditional Chinese medicine
practitioner at the Phoenix Chinese
Medical Centre. There you will find
herbal soups to help boost the immune
system. Combination herbal medicine and
acupuncture work well to treat colds and
flu.
"When it's cool out, we need to add more
fuel to the furnace"
WRAP UP:
Chinese doctors reckon people in the UK do not wear
enough in the winter. Take the eastern
advice - everyone there wears long-johns
to conserve Jing.
Something to tickle your taste
budes!!!
Hot and spicy Malaysian recipe for cold
days
Recipe: Curry Laksa/Curry Mee,
Adated from
Kuali.com
Ingredients:
600g shelled cockles/bloody clams
(optional), 500g prawns, steamed and
shelled; use the heads to sweeten the
stock by liquidising them with 500ml
water, 3 to 4 pieces soaked cuttlefish,
200g fried soya bean cubes/tow pok
(halved or quartered), 300g shredded,
cooked chicken meat, 500g blanched bean
sprouts, 600g blanched yellow noodles,
300g blanched vermicelli/rice sticks,
1kg grated coconut, mixed with 4 litres
water and squeezed for the coconut milk
to be used as main stock/sandtan.
Seasoning:
4 tbsp salt or to taste, 1 1/2 tbsp rock
sugar, 1/2 tbsp MSG (optional)
Spices (finely ground):
100g shallots, 25g garlic, 3 tbsp
coriander seeds, 4 tbsp chilli paste, 2
tbsp sliced lemon grass, 10 peppercorns,
1/2 tbsp belacan (Malaysian shrimp
paste) granules
Chili oil: 110g chili
paste. 25g garlic, pounded, 175ml to
200ml oil
Method:
Heat 1/2 cup oil to saute the spices
till fragrant. Add in salt, rock sugar
and 500ml general santan and bring to a
low boil till sugar dissolves. Add in
the rest of the coconut milk, tow pok.
When soup comes to a boil, add prawn
stock and seasoning, then bring to just
boiling point. Remove from fire and use
stock as a soup for the yellow noodles
and vermicelli. (Should the gravy or
stock curdle, strain it.)
For the chili oil: Saute garlic and
chili paste in oil until the chili
disintegrates and oil floats to the
surface. (Use this to garnish when
serving.)
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