Summer is finally here, a season filled with abundant energy, long days and sunshine. To start off the season we attended Nancy's (our receptionist) wedding on June 20 to Ricardo Segura who is the son of Lynn Segura a partner in my office for the past twenty years. A joyful occasion to begin the summer season. Huge fun was had by all!
The beginning of summer is a time for renewal and healing, a time to release sadness, fear and the pains from your life. In ancient times, it was considered a time of fullness of life, worldly blessing and celebration. As a yang season, energy moves up and out with expansion, growth and creativity. Creativity could simply mean our body doing what it does to keep us alive and our heart reaching out to connect with the world around us.
The beginning of summer is a time for renewal and healing, a time to release sadness, fear and the pains from your life. In ancient times, it was considered a time of fullness of life, worldly blessing and celebration. As a yang season, energy moves up and out with expansion, growth and creativity. Creativity could simply mean our body doing what it does to keep us alive and our heart reaching out to connect with the world around us.
The element in summer is fire, the color is red, the organ is the heart and the emotion, joy! In Chinese medicine, the mind is linked to the heart and therefore our memory, thoughts, emotional well-being, and consciousness are also attributed to the heart and fire element. Nourishing and calming our spirits help us to realize our life's greatest potential as we find joy in the pleasant and invigorating weather. In order to remain in harmony with the environment of summer:
- Wake up earlier in the morning.
- Go to bed later in the evening
- Rest at midday.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Refrain from anger; keep calm and even-tempered.
- Pace yourself when working outdoors, exercising or just having fun.
The warm weather and long days promote energy and activity as well as an abundance of fresh veggies and deliciously juicy fruits, so it’s beneficial to eat a variety of what nature provides for us. While eating foods that provide energy and vitality is important, cooling foods help us balance excessive heat in the body which is common in the summer months. Some symptoms of excess heat are profuse sweating, parched mouth and throat, constipation, and heart palpitations.
Bitter flavors are cooling, descending and contracting. It helps to reduce excess heat and dries and drains dampness. It can ease inflammation and infections as well as encourages bowel movement. For the Heart, bitter clears heat and removes damp and mucus in the arteries, which helps lower blood pressure. The heat of summer is hard on the digestive system, so a diet of light and fresh food should be eaten. Heat producing foods should be eaten only in small amounts.
These fruits and vegetables will help your body adjust its temperature and protect you during the long, hot summer days:
- Watermelon
- Apricot
- Cantaloupe
- Lemon
- Peach
- Orange
- Asparagus
- Sprouts
- Bok choy
- Tomatoes
- Corn
- Cucumber
- White mushroom
- Snow peas
- Spinach
- Summer squash
- Seaweed
- Mung means
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Dill
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These ingredients should be eaten in small amount in the summer months:
- lamb
- longan
- dried longan
- lychee
- onion
- kale
- cinnamon
- stir fried peanuts
- fried foods
Here is a great recipe for Cold Chrysanthemum Tea to help quench thirst and keep you cool.
Be well and enjoy the abundance of the season!
Marti
Tassajara Zen Center where I do my anual volunteer work! A beautiful experience!
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