Summer Diet: Transitioning from Fire to Earth

Yin-Yang Philosophy

Without fully understanding the Universal Concept of Yin-Yang, I think we are all internally aware of these bi-polar forces existing around us in our natural world. 

I am naturally drawn to these forces due to my interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. The Principals of Yin-Yang are easily understood and can be applied to our daily lives in order to maintain Balance within our Minds, Bodies and Souls. Understanding and being aware of these forces helps us simplify and unify our lifestyles with our understanding of the concepts of Active (Yang) and Passive (Yin). Consider the Yin-Yang pairs in the chart below.

            Examples of Yin-Yang Pairs
 
               Yang                        Yin      
              Active                    Passive   
             Heaven                    Earth      
             Function                Substance
             Outside                    Inside
              Mind                       Body
           Masculine              Feminine
              Light                        Dark
              Time                       Space
              Heat *                     Cold *
          Energy of              Blood, body
          the blood           fluids and tissues
        Excess * and           Deficiency* and
     acute conditions   chronic conditions
      Exterior* and            Interior* and
Superficial imbalances  deep imbalances
          Expansion                 Contraction
 
           From Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

If you would like to further investigate standard Chinese Yin-Yang theories, or if you would like to learn more about medical diets or herbal systems used over thousands of years, I Highly recommend "Healing with Whole Foods". It's a 750 page reference guide to a plethora of health conditions including Candida, Toxins, Parasites, Diseases, Stomach conditions, Blood Disorders such as Anemia, and it also discusses various diet plans, cleanses, Food Combining and more.

With that said, we just entered into August (one of my favourite months of the year!) and our energy systems will be approaching a new phase as we move from Early Summer (Fire/Yang) to Late Summer (Earth/Yin). In order to Unify with this change,  shifting your lifestyle and diet according to the following recommendations will help your body adjust and maintain balance! 

​                   Summer (Fire Element)

 
Express: Expansion, growth, lightness, outward activity, brightness and creativity
 
Routine: Wake early, spend time under the sun for nourishment, the outside world enlivens us
 
Food/Diet: Bright coloured summer fruits and veg that are pleasing to the eye. Cook lightly; Sautee at high heat for short period of time; steam quickly.
 
Tips:
 
-Encourage Heat: Drink hot beverages, take hot showers to induce sweating (cools the body)
 
-Avoid excess Cold: Summer heat mixed with cold food weakens the digestive organs. Iced drinks/ice cream contracts the stomach and stops digestion.
 
-Seek cool atmospheres: Patios, Picnics and choose cooling foods (not Cold) such as Salads, Fruit (apples, watermelon, lemon/lime), Cucumber and leaf tea such as Chamomile.
 
-Avoid Heavy Foods on Hot days: Meats, eggs, excesses of Nuts, seeds and grains.

​           Late Summer (Earth Element)

 
Express: Tranquility, Simplicity, Effortless, Dreaming, Inward, Reflective
 
Routine: Wake naturally, Meditate, Breathing practices.
 
Food/Diet: Think harmonizing foods such as Mildly sweet foods, yellow or golden in colour, corn, carrot, soybeans, squash, potatoes, string beans, soft greens, tofu, sweet potatoes, rice, chestnuts, apricots. Prepared simply with minimum seasoning.
 
Tips:
 
-Season transitions are a good time for short renewing and purifying practices
 
-Avoid  complicated dishes that combines multiple foods
 
-Avoid rigid mental/physical conditions during this time

A Delicious Late Summer Meal

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Tofu Stir Fry with Brown Rice, Walnuts and Soft Veggies


                                                                                     Long Live Summer! - Am xo