Welcome to the Year of the Dog!

In the West we calculate the seasons based on the sun, called the solar calendar; however, in the Chinese culture, the moon marks the seasons, and this system is referred to as the lunar calendar. According to the lunar calendar, spring begins this year on the February 4^th and continues its transition until March 21^st.

Eastern culture has long believed that our bodies have a direct relationship with nature. As the seasons change, we too experience these shifts that continually impact our bodies. This type of energy transition can create a disharmony within the body if its function is not well balanced.

This spring, the Universal energy is in a very unusual position. The energy of heaven and earth will pass closely together. What does this mean in terms of your health? Simply put, it's time to strengthen your digestive system. The digestive system will be the most vulnerable at this time because it is directly related to the earth energy. When the earth energy is strong, the stomach and spleen are able to work together to create a smooth flow of digestion. And remember, when TCM talks about digestion, it is in the broadest sense. It refers to not only the food you ingest, but also to what you digest in terms of what you look at, what you read, your thoughts, your emotions and your spirit. All these elements affect your balance as a whole being

To help build your energy for a healthy digestive system this spring, try to:

Eat your heaviest foods at breakfast or lunch
Eat fruits at lunch and vegetables at dinner
Eat dinner before 7:00 p.m.
Avoid drinking cold fluids and drink only when you are thirsty
Eat only cooked vegetables
Avoid fried and barbecued foods
Begin your workday with a two-minute meditation
Create a peaceful work area–buy some flowers!
Avoid combining work and mealtime
Let go of negative emotions
Enjoy yourself–honor the beauty within!

To further support your system through this time, we suggest you contact your TCM practitioner for a spring tune-up and include the following foods in your diet, selected for their healing essence:

plum tomatoes
peanuts
lotus seed and Chinese red dates (available at Chinese food stores)
papaya
red grapefruit
watermelon
cinnamon