January 21th, 2012, "Severe Cold", the 6th small Winter season,last small season of the year, arrives

      In 2012, the season of "Severe Cold" arrives on January 21st. Celestial longitude: 300 degree. For some of the seasonal information please read this article from last year.

      Here are some additional information:     
      During this cold season, many people often have cold hand and feet, and very sensitive to cold. In most cases this is a normal reaction our body has. But if the symptoms remains or become more and more severe, then it requires our attention. According to TCM theory these are due to low Yang energy in the body. Yang energy is like the sun that warms every organ and system, when Yang energy is low it can cause many pathological conditions such as bad digestion, low metabolism, swollen, early aging of cells and organs, and lassitude. We have been talking about how to protect and preserve Yang energy in the past seasons, here are just several more tips for the last season, coldest time of the year, and for the coming new year:

1. Spiritual and mental cultivation is very important. Be temperate in all the emotions is a very effective way to preserve the Yang energy. Extreme emotions harm not only the Yang energy but also the spirit and vitality.
2. Many cold symptoms we feel during the winter are often rooted from the summer. Keep in mind to try to avoid cold air, such as air conditioner, in the summer. And in the winter time try to do more sun bath.
3. "Movement raises the Yang energy”. Moderate exercise all year round is the ultimate way to preserve the Yang energy. But again, during this cold winter season, do mild exercise only and do not sweat too much.
4. Eat the Yang food such as rice, flour, beans, lamb, beef, chive, ginger, fennel, dates, apple and orange to support.

      We have been talking about winter nourishing for the past seasons, and now it’s time to make change from high nutrient food to light food, to prepare our body for the spring. Spring nourishing is known as “light and mild nourishing”. Therefore we should start add more fresh and light food into our meal to make the transition from high protein to high fiber for our stomach smoothly. White radish and Chinese cabbage (napa) are still the best choice. Mix them with some meat or high protein food to balance their coolness.

    Chinese new year day is January 23rd this year, it's the year of the dragon. Dumplings are a must have food for the tradition. Not only because it symbolizes good fortune for the new year, but also provides good nutrient combinations. 

     Best wishes for everyone! May good luck, good health and cheer be with everyone all year round!

January 6th, 2012, "Moderate Cold", the 5th small Winter season arrives

    In 2012, the season of "Moderate Cold" arrives on January 6th, same as last year. Celestial longitude: 285 degree. For some of the seasonal information please read this article from last year.
    

    Here are some additional information:

    As the temperature keeps dropping, it may affect our stomach sometime. Remember the stomach system being the foundation, here are some tips for keeping it strong and healthy:

1. Avoid raw, cold, thick and spicy food. The stomach is an interesting organ. It can fight so hard like a warrior, but can also be hurt like a fragile baby. So the way to make it work like a warrior is to protect it as it is a fragile baby. During these cold seasons cold and raw food can be more harmful together with the low temperature, and it can cause abnormal contraction of the stomach. Especially for breakfast, eat warm and eat enough. On the other hand, too much thick and spicy food may cause inflammation. 
2. Eat on a regular basis. These days, so many people have to work so hard. So often when we got carried away by the busy schedule we have compromised by rushing or even skip a decent meal. In a long run this will cause severe or even permanent damage to the stomach. Especially in the winter time as the stomach is already under risk of being harmed easily, if we don’t eat regularly it can cause abnormal secretion of the gastric acid therefore add more burden to the stomach. If you really won’t have a regular meal time, at least break down your meal into several smaller portions (maybe 5-6) and eat them on a regular time basis. 
3. More “soft”, less “hard”. Many of us may have experienced, when our stomach seems to be sensitive, if we eat “hard” food like raw vegetable, red meat or lots fish, it make our stomach sicker. This means if we want to take extra care of the stomach, eat more “soft” food like porridge, noodle soup, or other liquid food. Do more steam, boil, braise and stew, but less deep fry for cooking. 
4. Choose the right food for the stomach. To warm the stomach, choose millet, sticky rice, lam, old ginger, black bean and dates. If you feel over-acid or gastric reflux, avoid too much sodium, corn starch, chive, bean product, thick meat soup, dairy and other acid food. If you are low in gastric acid, do the opposite way.

    Although outside is cold, we often lock ourselves in the “sealed” house. Here are some suggestions for maintaining a dynamic balance between inside and outside:

1. Let the fresh air in. If your room or your house is very well sealed and very warm, at least open the window for a little bit every morning and evening to exchange the air. This will not only keep the indoor air fresh, but also helps you to maintain a energy balance with the nature in the winter.
2. Do not make the indoor temperature too high. If your heath condition is normal and do not require extra heat, keep the indoor temperature no higher than 20 Celsius or 68 Fahrenheit. Greater temperature difference can make us catch cold easier. 
3. Maintain the right indoor humidity. Indoor heating system often causes dryer condition at the same time. Some easy methods to add moisture include placing a big bowl or bucket of water in the room near the heater, or some small plant (not too much plant as they consume oxygen just like we do) and make sure to water them often. Another common method is to use electrical humidifier, but this can be tricky. For example, if it takes only one hour for the humidifier to add enough humidity to the air around us, after this hour the air will be too humid then even cause fluid related issues. But plants are alive, they can adjust the humidity instead of force it. If you really need to use the electrical humidifier, then pay attention to turn it and don’t let it run all the time. If you are already harmed by the indoor dryness and you are sure that your symptoms are caused by it, use some food remedies we talked about for the fall season to treat yourself.

December 21st-22nd, 2011, "Winter Solstice", the 4th small Winter season arrives

      In 2011, the season of "Winter Solstice" occurs at 5:30:01am UTC on December 22nd, that is 12:30:01am December 22nd Eastern time and 9:30:01pm December 21st Pacific time. Celestial longitude: 270 degree. For some of the seasonal information please read this article from last year.

      Here are some additional information.

      So how do we nourish the precious newborn Yang energy? Actually, if we follow our energy’s own movement without interfering it, it will automatically appear, grow and take care of itself. Therefore the basic rule of nourishing the Yang energy is not to overuse it.

1. Less physical workout, stay calm. Even if you are very active, try to do less during this season. 
2. Try to go to bed earlier. This is not a new topic. But if you are not able to go to bed early, at least try to do less physical and mental activities. And definitely do not stay up overnight. Also, try to get up later as well. Ideally don’t get up until sunrise. On the other hand, some people may have hard time stay awake during winter time. According TCM theory, this can be the sign of low in Yang energy. Yang energy is like sunlight, only when the earth has enough sunlight, will there be life. Same thing for our body, if the Yang is low, then other life activities will be low as well. This is why normal sleep and rest is very important.
3. Let the sunlight warm your back. As sunlight is the main Yang energy source and the back is the Yang side of the body. 

      Here are the food remedy recommendations for different group:

1. For those who are low in Qi, signs include weak limbs, low voice, and easy to sweat: Eat food that are warm, include chestnut, carrot, beef, lamb, sea cucumber, shrimp, chive, black date, hazelnut, and walnut. 
2. For those who are low in Blood, signs include pale face, dizziness, palpitation, insomnia, and tinnitus: Eat food that nourish the blood, include longan, white wood fungus, duck, lily, and Chinese yam. 
3. If you are healthy and balanced, then simply stay balanced, and eat food that are balanced in energy as well such as pork, egg and bean product. 

      But don’t forget, at this moment our Yang energy is as young as a newborn baby. We cannot force it to grow fast, therefore don't over nourish but find your own energy rhythm and follow it.

      During the Yin-est time of the year, those who are low in Yang energy, especially middle-aged person and seniors need more care than usual. We talk about senior often, and here we will give more suggestions to the middle-aged. This is an in-between generation who needs to take care both the upper and lower generation. They live under more pressure, meanwhile their physical body and energy starts to wane. Therefore, how to live through the middle-age years has become more important to our senior life quality and longevity.

1. Cultivate the “spirit” and treasure the “heart”: Stay optimistic, don’t force life or constantly worry about personal gain and losses. Use the brain and body reasonably, and live a balanced life between active and dynamic. Learn to appreciate others, get a positive hobby such as music, reading, or art work outside the daily job. Also pay reasonable attention to your personal appearance. Look younger makes you feel younger.
2. Don’t over use the body: Although may be still in great shape, but you have to face the reality that your body is different from 20 years ago. Start to adjust yourself into a new life style that fits your physical age. 
3. Heath does not consist with intemperance. Not abstinency, but control, be the master of your own body. 
4. Food wise, follow the rules of “3 more and 3 less”: More protein, more vitamin and more fiber. Less sugar, less fat and less sodium. Eat regular amount of food at regular time.

      Again, depends on which time zone are you in, rest well on this day. If you are in day light when the solstice moment occurs, at least pull out one hour at this moment for yourself to just rest or meditate, give your new born Yang energy a easy transitional time to grow healthy into a fresh year.

December 7th, 2011. "Heavy Snow", the 3rd small winter season arrives

     In 2011, the season of "Heavy Snow" arrives on December 7th, same as last year. Celestial longitude: 255 degree. For some of the seasonal information please read this article from last year.
     
      As the outside temperature gets lower, we naturally wear more to keep us warm, but meanwhile, we also make the indoor temperature much higher. This can cause our body “fired-up”, in TCM this means symptoms like dry mouth, oral gum, skin breakout, constipation and sore throat. These are all caused by the harmful heat, but in TCM this heat is categorized differently as “excessive-heat” and “weak-heat”.

      “Excessive-heat” is the result of our energy loses its balance because of too much Yang energy, whereas “weak-heat” is the result of our energy loses its balance because of not enough Yin energy. Apparently, since the cause is different, they need to be treated differently. Usually if you feel very weak and tired while you are having the “fire” symptoms, you have the “weak-heat”. In that case, follow the rules of nourishing the Yin energy. For both kinds of “fire”, the same rule is to eat less or no hot and spicy food. White radish and Chinese cabbage (napa) are the ideal food to take.

       Drinking water is another essential and effective way to nourishing the Yin energy and reducing the “fire” in the body. Because every individual is different, there should not be a fixed amount of water we have to drink each day. But besides the water you drink when you are thirsty, it is recommended to drink some water during these time periods of the day particularly:

      1. When you wake up, for moisturizing the intestine.
      2. Around 5pm, for nourishing the kidneys Yin energy. 
      3. Around 9pm, for nourishing the heart Yin energy.

     I have mentioned and recommended white radish many times, here are just some information of why it is the great choice for this season:

1. White radish contains great amount of Vitamin C, it will help us to remove the body “waste” and improve the metabolism. It also contains lots of enzyme that absorbs the starch, helps with digestion and prevents stomachache and ulcer.
2. Radish has the natural spicy taste and natural anti-inflammatory function. Radish juice and its smell can help with sinus. Simply dip a Q-tip or a small cotton ball into the radish juice and put it inside of your nose for 5 minutes, 2-3 times per day.
3. For those who are going to celebrate the holiday with lots alcohol, radish is also one of the best food remedy for treating hangover. Peel the skin and eat it raw is the way.
4. Radish skin is good “pain killer”. For those who has joint or muscle pain, you can gather the radish skin then wrap them with a large piece of gauze, heat it up then place them at where your pain is.

      This is also the season when we start to get some strong wind. Two major diseases that usually related to the wind in some ways are rubella and urticaria. Although they are caused by different reason but they are both contagious and in a way connected with wind. Therefore, not only make sure you are dressed warm enough, but also “wind-proof” enough. Neck is the area where often got overlooked. A nice and warm scarf is just as important as anything else that keeps you warm. Many respiratory issues often start from the throat area. Use a long scarf to cover the neck, front and back of the chest area, where the lungs are, as well.

When "snow" meets "summer".

      As we are entering the season of "light snow", we are also entering the 6th section of the year, just a reminder if you have not read this article regarding the energy pattern of this year: 


      6th section (late November to late January 2012): Main energy is "cold water",guest energy is "young fire". Insects will not hibernate, water won't freeze, weather appears to be warmer and it can be another warm winter. People will also feel comfortable and will not get sick easy. But some may get too "excited" and not dress or behave accordingly.These people need to be very careful about getting the flu caused by the warmth (as the virus is hanging out around us in the nice weather as well). Eat more food that can put down the "heat", the best one is balsam pear （bitter cucumber）.


      Noticing the guest energy for the 2nd half of the year is also "young fire", therefore we are under influence of one "cold water" and two "young fire". As I have been feeling more south and east wind in the WNY area recently, we also had a rain storm on the "light snow" day, from the east. These are all signs of the guest energy "heat" is affecting us. And in general this applies to most of the temperate zone in northern hemisphere. Heat is the right and good energy pattern in the summer and spring, but if it shows up unexpected we need to be smart about it and act accordingly.


      The heart and the liver systems are two main "victims" of this strong guest energy pattern. Instead of resting and allowing the kidney doing the "storing" job, the liver and heart will get "excited". Our energy can "leak" out easy, and our lungs may gets too hot. This is when we catch the cold that caused by the warmth. Sounds crazy but this is the kind of cold or flu we catch usually in early spring or summer time. Signs are often sore throat ,yellow phlegm or nasal mucus, and red tongue fur.


      To prevent that. First make sure to maintain a calm mind, don't be affected too much by the weather change, even sometimes it seems to be a "good" change. Then eat less or no hot and spicy food, instead eat some foods that I recommended for fall seasons. I know some of you guys love outdoor exercises, but make sure do NOT force it when there is a windy day, no matter where is the wind come from and what's the temperature is.

November 23rd, 2011, "Light Snow", the 2nd small winter season arrives

      In 2011, the season of "Light Snow" arrives on November 23rd. Celestial longitude: 240 degree. For some of the seasonal information please read this article from last year.

      As the weather is not too cold yet, many of us would not realize that it’s time to wear hat and scarf to protect our head and neck area. Head is called the “meeting area of hundreds of Yang energy”, in TCM. Our body heat “leaks” out from the head, and without the right protect of the head, our body is like a thermos water bottle without the cap. Therefore when going out, make sure to protect the head area, especially for seniors.

      The word “spirit”, which I have mentioned in various articles, is a direct literal translation of the Chinese character “神”, which may has many other meanings depends on the context. Here it refers to out mental and emotional activities. Most of our physical activities during metabolism requires regulations from our “spirits”, therefore makes our “spirits” easily “over-worked”. The best way to nourish and rest the “spirits” is to be calm and find the peace of your “heart” (mind). When the “heart” is at peace, our “spirits” are clear and in order, this will make our physical activities (blood and energy circulation) smooth and not being bothered or interfered by external harmful factors, so we are healthy. The theory is that simple. When comes to actual actions, it really depends on the individuals, but here some basic rules we all should follow:

1. Less desire. Desires, especially selfish desires toward things like money, fame and other external material, are root of so many harmful emotions such as frustration, anger, jealous, hatred, disappointment, desperation, etc. These emotions are causes of most of our physical problems. We all should learn how to “detach” from those unnecessary “goals” and “ wishes”, stop competing and comparing with others, realize what the true value of life is, try to understand the reality of gaining and losing, and appreciate what we have. Keep in mind that often our happiness is in others’ eyes. 
2. Learn to concentrate and be the master of our own mind. This colorful world takes our “spirits” away often. Lack of concentration has become so “popular”. How many times we actually realize our own existence? Do things that keep your occupied with your own minds, and do activities that require concentration to remove the harmful emotions and mental activities, so the right “spirits” will stay in your “heart”. 
3. Simply, make yourself happy. Easy to say, and not hard to do. Stop reading dramatic novels or depressing news. Instead pick up a funny movie and enjoy that.

      

      Here are also some tips for daily life not only for this small season, but also the entire winter season:

1. Cold water to wash the face. In cold days, our capillary vessel in the face contracts more. Using hot water to wash the face will open these capillary vessels. This will make us feel warm and comfortable, but when the heat is gone, these vessels will close again. The repetitive of “open-close” and speed up the aging process of the skin. 20 Celsius (68 Fahrenheit) is the ideal temperature. Do that in the morning, it will clear our mind, increases blood circulation in the face and nose area, protect us from catching cold and make the skin more flexible. 
2. Warm water to brush the teeth. Oral mucosa is very sensitive to temperature. Extreme water temperature will harm gum and teeth in a long run. Using water same as our body temperature to wash the mouth and brush teeth is recommended. 
3. Hot water to bath the feet. This is an old topic and I have talked about it for many times. Too many benefits to mention. (Please check my other articles for detail). 

      Winter is the kidney season, besides those I have mentioned in previous articles, take more foods that nourish kidney in general include black sesame, seaweed, black rice, black bean, black wood fungus, all other black color foods, whole grain bread, spinach, mushroom, fermented food.

      Dry season has ended and now we are entering the 1st “cold season”, so the basic rule is clear, stay warm and balanced.

November 8th, 2011, "winter commences", the 1st small Winter season arrives

       In 2011, the season of "winter commences" arrives on November 8th. Celestial longitude: 225 degree. For some of the seasonal information please read this article from last year.
  
      Winter is the season when Yang energy starts to sink and hide, and Yin energy starts to rise and dominate. As part of the universe, our body energy will do the same. How well do we preserve our energy determines how good will our health condition be in the following spring. So in order to merge into the universal energy, we need to follow the rule of “close” and “store” to protect the Yang energy and nourish the Yin energy, so our energy can “born” and “rise” again next spring without any problems.


       In Chinese traditional folk culture, the day of "winter commences" is the best time to “intake” or eat great stuff for a day in plain saying. People believe that to eat the best you can in this day can benefit you for the entire winter. Because when we enter the cold winter, our metabolism will slow down and our body “burn” less energy. Therefore the nourishing food can be processed into human energy and stored in our body. The extra energy we store will strengthen our fundamental energy and immune system. Also, high energy food can be balanced by the cold energy of winter thus cause less or no “fire” issue. The “winter commences” day is considered as the transitional moment between Yin and Yang energy. This is the day when our body can process and absorb easy, therefore the “winter nourishing” starts from the “winter commences” day. But in reality we need to be smart about the "intake". We often see people eat a lot of things that considered "nourishing", but get ill from them instead. Because just like everything else, there are basics “rules” for winter nourishing as well. In general, before we start the high energy food, we need to prepare our digestion system. Without the healthy digestion system, you will become a victim of a common concept as “too-weak-to-nourish”. If you have been following our seasonal health tips for a while then you should be ready. Otherwise, drink some hot soup that made of meat, and some millet soup as the “lead” of the winter nourishing process. 


According o TCM theory, there are four aspects can be nourished:

1. Qi-nourishing: This is for people who are low in Qi. Symptoms include short breath, sweat easy after simple movements, low voice, drowsiness, cannot concentrate or focus. Food remedies for these people include rice, sticky rice, peanut, Chinese yam, jujube, carrot, soy milk and chicken.
2. Blood-nourishing: This is for people who are low in blood (quality and quantity). Symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, heart-throb, insomnia, face shows yellow and earthy color, pale lips, and period issues for women. Food remedies for these people include animal liver, longan, lychee, mulberry, black wood fungus, spinach, carrot, pork, and fish.
3. Yang-nourishing: This is for people who are low in Yang energy. Symptoms include cold hands and feet (always), very low in cold tolerance, lower back soreness, getting up often during sleep to urinate, weak and low in sexual desire and functions. Food remedies for these people include lamb, shrimp, deer meat, walnut, chive, goji berry (lycii), and eel.
4. Yin-nourishing: This is for people who are low in Yin energy. Symptoms include red and warm cheeks, hot palms and sole centers, night sweat, afternoon low fever, increase of leukorrhea for women. Food remedies for these people include white and black wood fungus, pear, milk, egg, grape, napa.

      Here please be informed that the food mentioned above are just recommendations, you must choose wisely according to your own health condition. For those who are healthy and strong, excessive nourishing can cause negative effects such as dry mouth and nose bleed. For those who have cold, fever or coughing symptoms, make sure to treat these issues before even considering additional nourishing. For senior, be extra careful on foods that are high in fat, cholesterol, carbohydrate and stay with mild food. Also, for TCM, the term nourishing usually means “to add”. However, people today usually are not low in nutrients, but off balanced. Using food remedies to adjust the nutrient balance can be done all year round. So for winter nourish, the basic principle is to balance, follow the rules of “nourishing the Yin energy”, “do not disturb the Yang energy”, “add what you are low in, and warm up the body”. Make sure the “targets” are clear and you must remember, more does NOT equal to good. Before you take anything new to you, consult your doctor or dietitian to make sure the food will not cause any issues for you. 


      Besides eating enough fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits, the main directions for winter food in northern areas (cold areas) are high energy food, also known as “warm-nourishing”. The purpose is to add more Yang energy to prevent cold related symptoms. Eat food such as walnut, large jujube, longan, animal liver, eel, sea shrimp, potato, beef and lamb (lamb is my personal favor all year round, although for sure it works the best in cold season); On the other hand, in southern areas (warmer areas) it is better to take foods that are fresh, clear, mild and warm, also known as “mild nourishing”. "Mild nourishing” has two meanings, one is to use foods that are not too hot or too cold to nourish, such as brown rice, corn, fruit, vegetable, bean, napa, pork, chicken, duck and fish; It also means to use foods that nourish both Qi and Yin, or both Yang and Yin energy such as Chinese yam, honey, and goji berry. Also, another main factor in the southern area is high humidity mixed with heat. Observe your tongue fur to identify, as “yellow fur” indicates you are high in heat, and “thick white fur” indicates you are high in fluid (humidity). When seeing either of these symptoms, do NOT do food nourishing, instead go do some physical exercise to sweat the body to release the excessive heat and humidity.  For High land or mountain areas, since there is less rain and the air tends to be dryer, use “lite nourishing” food that are mild, cool, and moistening such as radish, white gourd, millet, apple, pear and rock sugar. No matter where you are , it is always safe and effective to eat foods that are grown locally.
   
  We have been talking about “intake”, now you can probably guess that what we should avoid is the opposite of it, “release” or over-use. Again, the key of winter is “storing” or “hide”, so here are some daily life tips we also need to follow:

1. Basic rule, do not make yourself too tired in any way, including working, playing and thinking,
2. Avoid heavy exercise and work, and try not to sweat too much,
3. Wear the right clothes according to day to day weather,
4. Drink (alcohol) less and reduce sexual activities,
5. Avoid detail orientated works (brain-hands works) such as typing, gaming, long driving, carving, knitting, etc. to rest the brain,
6. Follow the rule of “3-more, 3-less”, that’s more sleep, more calming, more peace, and less dysphoria, less shouting, less anger.

      Do not make your room temperature to high, if you sweat indoor, when you step out, there is a higher chance for you to catch a cold because your skin (pores) were wide open. In general this means to maintain a reasonable temperature difference between inside and outside, and do not “surprise” your body. This is especially important for seniors. Common cold and flu may not be server issues themselves, but they can lead to other fatal illness like ammonia, asthma and bronchitis. In general, use cool water to wash face and hot water to bath the feet is a method to maintain a good immune system for seniors and everyone else in the winter. Also, protect your back. TCM sees the back (Bladder meridian) as the main Yang energy section, and it is the “shield” of the body. If the back is harmed by cold, Yang energy is damage then many cold related symptoms may appear. So besides wear the right clothes to cover the back, when there is a sunny day, “bath” your back in the sun, this will help with strengthening our Yang energy and keep us warm and healthy in the cold days.