7 Seasonal Shifts for Spring

"The harvest of the whole year depends on what you sow in the Springtime" 

-Chinese Proverb

The Tao of Wellness explains that our body is naturally made to cleanse itself.  However, with diet, environmental toxins and stressors, and a fast-paced lifestyle, this natural ability can become compromised.  Exposure to harmful toxins (Japan come to mind?), pesticides, antibiotics, and mercury in food are just a few examples of immune system compromisers.  Some common symptoms of disruption are fatigue, weight gain, allergies, frequent colds/infections, joint pain/muscle weakness, digestive issues (constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, acid reflux), acne and skin infections.

Practitioners of Chinese Medicine appreciate the impact that seasons have on our bodies.  Most of us naturally shift our activities, food and lifestyle according to the seasons (in winter: more stews/soups, and rest, in summer: more salads/raw food, and activity).  It is interesting when you actually become aware of these subtle shifts and are able to use them as a platform to maximize your health and well-being.  You feel better overall because you are working with nature to eat, live, and play seasonally.  (For example, asthma and lung problems peak in the fall....similar to the fact that in Chinese Medicine the Lungs correspond to the Fall Season?) 

Here are some helpful hints to maximize Spring and set the tone for the upcoming months...

1) Move, Move, Move: During the Spring time all living things begin to grow.  It is a time of longer days and warmer weather.  If you don't have a normal exercise routine...Start one! Exercise heats the body to cool the mind.  Go for a bike ride, run, hike, or take up a dance or yoga class.  BTW...one of the reasons I love yoga so much is because you literally open and stretch all the channels/meridians in your body.  It's incredible to actually feel energy move through your body in places that were tight and stuck.  Plus you get the added benefit of meditation where you can't help but focus on your breath and where you are right now.  For those of you not into yoga, find out what works for you and gets you to that place of "I feel AMAZING."

2) Eat for Life:  Feed your body with abundant nutrients and eliminate foods that contain harmful substances.  Personally I'm not a huge fan of cleanses, except the kind that encourage clean eating (whole grains, fruit, vegetables, lost of greens).  I understand the concept of a cleanse, the idea that you need a boost in the right direction, especially if you're used to In-and-Out every day.  However, diet is a lifestyle, and is something you do and participate in every day of your life.  Chinese medicine is all about balance, which is why consistently giving your body healthy food over time is more beneficial than a 10-day crash course of lemon juice and cayenne pepper.  Stick to the tried and true method of farm-to-fork....if it doesn't come out of the ground, don't eat it. 

3) Cleanse Your Closet:  Ever heard of the 80-20 rule? Basically it means we wear 20% of our clothes...80% of the time.  (It's fun because you can apply that rule to anything in your life...food, friends, places you go).  In feng shui having a clean and uncluttered home translates into having a clean and uncluttered mind and well-being.  In Chinese tradition a crowded and mostly unused closet impedes the proper flow of Chi, or energy.  One of my friends has a great rule...he only buys a new item of a clothing when he gives one away.  This is a great way to keep your spending and hoarding at bay, while creating some good karma by giving to those in need.  Added bonus: use the characteristics of different colors to attract the energy you want to receive from each day.

* Red: A vibrant red is an active color that brings about wealth

* Black: Money and income, emotional protection and power

* White: poise, purity, combined with gold/silver to promote a calm atmosphere

* Tan/Beige: Calm, balances yin and yang

* Purple: Is the color of wisdom, promotes spirituality

* Yellow: Concentration, Cheerful energy,

* Orange: Organization, Creative energy

* Green/Blue: Inner calm, stress reducers, great health (the color of my office!) 

4) Adjust your Sleep Cycle: Go to bed when night comes and wake up early with the sun.  Your mental and physical activities should reflect the weather....active, alive, and open.  Luckily the days are getting longer which naturally entices us to stay up a bit later.  It is best for your overall health to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.  Your body likes routine and accountability....

5) Seasonal Acupuncture:  People always ask me if they should get acupuncture even if they aren't in pain and nothing is wrong with them.  The answer is YES!  If everything is feeling amazing...you are not stressed, sleep great, digestion is great, have no muscle tightness, no headaches, no PMS, no mood swings then you fall under the following category of "Maintenance"  (Let's be honest...how many of us can actually fit into this category?)  But for argument sake....if you are a maintenance candidate..the minimum number of treatments you should get is 4..at the change of the seasons.  The changes in season, especially in SoCal, are subtle sometimes but are definitely apparent.  A seasonal acupuncture treatment can boost your immunity and settle your nervous system.  It's like getting an oil change...after a certain amount of miles, even though your car will still run, it runs better after a check-in.  

6) Balance your Liver system: The Liver/Gallbladder system corresponds to Springtime, where the energy of the season reflects the energy of the organ system (it should be expansive and free-flowing).  'Stagnant' Liver energy leads to muscle cramps, irritability/frustration, 'flare ups' of any kind, and cramps/PMS to name a few.  In Western medicine the liver cleanses the blood by recycling unwanted chemicals in the body and distributes toxins to the organ of elimination during the process of circulation.  Stay away from too much alcohol, (which in Chinese medicine is considered 'damp-heat') that can stagnate liver energy even more.  Get some exercise, express yourself in healthy ways, and get a Chinese herbal consultation.  A favorite formula I have that I use for many PMS patients to balance Liver and Spleen energy (cramps, irritability, breast tenderness, digestive discomfort) is called Xiao Yao San...or Free Wanderer Formula.  (Actually the Herbal Pharmacy I use labels it as "Happy Day"...because it does just that).  It can and is most useful if used long-term.  

7) Featured Recipe: George's on the Cove is one of my favorite restaurants for the incredible ocean view and the fresh local ingredients.  I love the inspiration of a well-made meal and I often try to recreate it at home.  Last week I had the grilled salmon over a bed of sauteed garlic spinach with a tangerine vinaigrette.  The vinaigrette was incredible...(I couldn't find Trey's recipe but the following is Bobby Flay's...equally as good)

Tangerine Vinaigrette: 

2 cups tangerine juice 

1 cup orange juice 

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped red onion 

2 cloves garlic coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon ancho chili powder 

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon chipotle puree

3/4 cup olive oil 

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Place tangerine juice and orange juice in a small saucepan and cook until reduced to 1/4 cup. Place  syrup, red wine vinegar, onion, garlic, chile powder, honey and chipotle in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Sauteed Spinach:

2 cups fresh spinach

1 clove garlic, coaresly chopped

Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper to Taste

Place garlic in pan with olive oil and lightly brown.  Add spinach for 1-2 minutes and salt and pepper to taste.

Grilled Salmon:

1 salmon filet

Olive Oil

Lemon Juice

Salt and Pepper, Red Pepper flakes

Marinade salmon in olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes

Grill for 3-5 minutes each side

"The harvest of the whole year depends on what you sow in the Springtime" 

-Chinese Proverb