WHAT'S YOUR SEASON?

One of the fundamental principles from Chinese medicine (and other humoral medicine systems) is that foods offer energetic properties beyond just calories and macronutrients like carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Foods impart a specific energy to the body when eaten – one that has been described as a "thermal nature" or thermal energy. According to humoral dietary theory, foods can have a warming, cooling, or neutral effect on the body. Hot peppers are one of the more obvious

For some, the shorter daylight hours and the long, dark nights of fall and winter also coincide with a dip in mood known as the "winter blues." The winter blues may in fact be a mild form of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a condition characterized by recurring depression in the fall and winter months and improvement during the summer. (There is also a summer type of SAD that coincides with depressive moods during the summer months, but is less common). In addition to de

A great exercise routine to boost yang in Winter body types is High-Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT. Consisting of short, high-intensity bursts of exercise, HIIT is an alternative to continuous or steady-state aerobic activity. HIIT workouts typically involve intervals of 30 seconds to several minutes of intense exercise at 80-95% of maximum heart rate, separated by equal or longer amounts of recovery time at 40-45% of maximum heart rate. These work and recovery periods

This quick recipe is ideal for a weeknight meal since it can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. The beef, fennel, onion, garlic and ginger help to warm up the body for cold winter nights. Fennel adds a hint of spice and mild licorice flavor, but it doesn’t overpower the palate. This recipe can be served with steamed rice or other whole grains. Serves 2 to 3 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 8 ounces beef sirloin, cut into 1/4-inch strips 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 cup sliced ye

Brassica vegetables are some of the hardiest crops out there, able to tolerate cold temperatures and grow throughout the winter months. Examples of brassica vegetables include cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, bok choy, turnips, and collards. Also known as cruciferous vegetables, brassica vegetables are part of the mustard family. They are a diverse group of vegetables taken from different parts of the plant, i.e. leaves, stalks, stems, flowers

For many of us, this time of year can be a stressful period filled with end-of-the-year work deadlines, holiday parties, shopping for gifts, and travel. If you’re busy rushing to-and-fro and feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to remember that winter is also the season of deepest yin. In the balance between yin and yang, yin represents the darker, cooler, softer, and slower side of the equation. It is a time of quiet, peace, stillness, and internal reflection. The next time so