Why should you pay attention to what's in season?
Our personal habitat has changed from mostly outdoors to more indoors over the decades, and so our awareness of the seasons has changed as well. Since produce is now available to us all year long, we don’t think about which foods are in season. But our bodies are affected either way.
Oriental medicine uses natural cycles of a day, a year and a lifetime to diagnose, support and improve health. And when we work with cycles (seasons), life flows more easily.
In the northeast, during the Fall, if we eat in season (squash, apples, potatoes, heavier meats, etc.) our bodies adapt better to the changes in temperature, sunshine, and sleep. These foods usually have higher fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients , higher fat content and higher fiber to provide for the scarcer months ahead.
In the winter, stews, soups, baked desserts are warming and are meant to fatten us up a little. It is normal and beneficial to gain a few pounds. Stored or cellared foods may be higher in salt or sugar as part of the preserving process.
In the Spring, detoxifying plants are in season and are good at cleaning up what was done to the body in the winter. The higher temperatures outside help the asparagus, artichoke, lettuces, onions, beans and herbs to detoxify the body and start to shed the extra pounds. This is why weight loss and cleansing programs are best done in the Spring.
Summertime brings fresh berries, high water-content fruit and more salad-type vegetables. Water from plants cool us off in a better way, allowing us to sweat out toxins in the heat. More time in the sun helps our bodies to repair and rejuvenate the soul. Fasting is best done in the hot sunny summer months when the environment is working to support your cleansing goals.
So instead of stressing over holiday food, focus on high quality, organic, locally grown, seasonally appropriate ingredients! It might feel easier and more natural to live by the season.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Comments