29/09/2019
Eat these 15 foods in Autumn (avoid these 9) 🍲
Autumn is the season of the Metal element and the lungs.
In Chinese Medicine, the lungs are the "tender organ" because they are the uppermost organ in the body (besides the brain of course). This makes the lungs especially susceptible to wind and cold.
Wind in Chinese Medicine is often what brings in “pathogenic Qi)” that creates illness. In ancient times, they didn’t have terms like bacteria or virus, so it was called “wind” because these diseases were brought into the body by an invisible force.
So in Autumn, especially as the weather gets cooler and damper, it can be helpful to warm up the interior of the body and limit the cooling energy that we take in through food. Limit or avoid these cooling foods.
These are nine foods can create dampness and cool the body. Avoid if you are susceptible to these conditions:
Uncultured dairy products like cold milk, cream, etc.
Cucumbers (small amounts is good if consumed with warm food or if it’s warm outside)
Watermelon (small amounts is good if consumed with warm food or if it’s warm outside)
Cold drinks with ice (especially sodas, energy drinks, and soft drinks)
Raw foods (including salads, instead opt for cooked or roasted vegetables) (small amounts is good if consumed with warm food or if it’s warm outside)
Noodles, if made from white floor. Use whole grains or soba.
Potatoes
White Bread
Sugar
Why avoid foods that create moisture or dampness in the body?
Most of these foods promote the production of phlegm (mucus) by your body. Your spleen controls digestion and if these foods are consumed in excess, will create phlegm and dampness. If your digestion can’t handle the dampness, it will send it to the lungs, which creates phlegm and congestion in the sinuses.
That’s why some people eat a bowl of ice cream at night and wake up in the morning with sinus congestion and phlegm.
Because Autumn is a time of unstable or "transitionary" Qi, having too much phlegm in your lungs makes it much more difficult for you to breathe... and much harder for your body to transition with the energy of the season.
If you have healthy energy in your lungs, it will begin to travel downwards. Your energy will feel grounded and "rooted."
If you have unbalanced energy in your lungs, it will travel upwards, and you will develop a cough.
To help keep the energy in your lungs balanced and stable make sure you get enough sleep, dress appropriately for the weather, and lots of root veggies and warm soups.
In Autumn, eat these foods to support your lungs and Metal element:
Pumpkin
Sweet potatoes
Parsnips
Kelp / Seaweed
Horseradish
Pine Nuts
Garlic
Winter squashes
Onions
Fermented foods (including yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, tempeh)
Walnuts
Chestnuts
Apples
Dark, leafy winter greens such as kale, chard, mustard greens, etc.
Warming soups and stews
The "rule of thumb" is to eat with the seasons: if it naturally ripens in the season, it's probably a good thing to eat. Of course, listen to your own body and what makes you feel good or not.
Now, getting enough sleep and eating healthy food is the foundation of a healthy energy system and a healthy body.
To fortify yourself and store Qi for Winter, make sure you supplement your routine with Qi Gong and movement. This keeps your body energized, fit, and healthy (which is especially helpful during the stressful holiday season).
In the Qi Gong for Fall workshop Lee taught last year, he shares a simple Qi Gong routine to "super-boost" the Qi-strengthening energy of the foods listed here... invigorate the metal element in your body... and help you unblock and release any grief you may be experiencing right now.
You can get the Qi Gong for Fall workshop on our website for $97 whenever you want, or…
You can get 25% at checkout before September 27th.
To get the Qi Gong for Fall workshop for 25% off, click here: https://qigo.ng/fall-workshop-sale-092619
To a warm Autumn 🍁🍂
The Holden QiGong Team
