Today marks the first day of winter and gee it came with a bang. Was pretty cold this morning and when my alarm went off early this morning getting out of my warm bed seemed absurd. There are blue skies and sunshine now on this wintery day which I love.
How do we support our bodies through the freezing cold winter days and nights?
In Chinese Medicine they talk about how foods affect our bodies with their warming and cooling properties. In summer we tend to crave salads and fruits ect because they are light and hydrating and cooling, in winter on the other hand we want to feel nourished and warmed. The trees lose their leaves, the energy is being pushed into the root system, this is why root vegetables are rich in nutrients at this time of year! This is the time to eat foods that warm your body such as soups, stews, brown rice, root vegetables, cups of tea, warm water with lemon.
Vegetables in Season in winter are often those found under ground such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, beetroot, turnips ect because the body moves inward to nourish and the same with the vegetables, the nourishment moves underground. These foods are also warming and dense so great for soups and stews. Also winter greens and mushrooms are in season!
Fruits in Season include citrus such as grapefruit, oranges, mandarines, lemons, kiwi fruit which is very clever considering in winter we need to support our bodies with vitamin C and these fruits are rich in vitamin C! (along with broccoli and brussel sprouts which are rich in vitamin C). Also apples and pears are great this time of year!
Spicy Winter : Its time to use those spices such as Garlic, Tumeric, Ginger, Onion, Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Chilli – they are warming, promote circulation, anti-inflammatory, fight infections
Hearty Winter Snack : Turnip & Sweet Potato Chips
– Cut into sticks, cover with olive oil or coconut oil (did you know that coconut is great for killing nasty bacteria in our bodies!), sea salt, pepper (can add any herbs you like such as rosemary, thyme (which are great for circulation and immunity) or any spices such as paprika, chill, cumin ect), can also add a clove of garlic to infuse the oil. Cook on high in the oven until golden and crispy on the outside! Can be eaten alone, dipped into Hummus, used as a side for a meal! Done! and YUM!
See some of my previous posts to support yourself this Winter!
IMMUNITY : https://alycekate.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/immunity/
THRIVING : https://alycekate.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/371/#more-371
BRAVE WINTER HEALTH : https://alycekate.wordpress.com/2014/09/16/for-the-brave/
HAYFEVER : https://alycekate.wordpress.com/2014/09/16/hayfever/
HYDRATION : https://alycekate.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/water/
VITAMIN D : https://alycekate.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/sunshine/
WHOLENESS.WONDER.WELLBEING 