{"id":1209,"date":"2011-03-14T12:52:30","date_gmt":"2011-03-14T16:52:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=1209"},"modified":"2011-12-07T01:10:25","modified_gmt":"2011-12-07T06:10:25","slug":"seasonal-harmony-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=1209","title":{"rendered":"Seasonal Harmony"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seasonal Harmony<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

By Ellasara Kling<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"seasonal<\/a>Spring is beginning. \u00a0It may not yet appear so with Winter snow storms still occurring, but it is beginning nonetheless. The first stirrings of the season are happening now. \u00a0The Universal has been shifting from the messages of sleeping, storing and gathering to awakening, reaching outward and then, later on, beginning the Spring time show with the appearance of buds and sprouts. The weather begins to warm and daylight is extended. Welcome changes, yet change is not always easy. One way we can help create an easy transition is to eat more of those foods which are lighter and in harmony with the season such as the foods that are listed below. \u00a0Giving our bodies a rest from the denser foods associated with Winter and choosing lighter fare, allows our body\u2019s energy to be in accord with the outward movement of Spring. It helps the Liver function to resonate peacefully with the season.<\/p>\n

This bursting forth of new energy promotes circulation, movement, free flow of emotions, new beginnings, creativity, and enthusiasm. The related emotion of the season is anger which is an outward flow of energy. Enjoy teas like the one described later in this article that help to clear Liver heat and soothe nervous irritability. This season is another opportunity to find ways to \u201cgive yourself a break\u201d and to be kind to ourselves and others. It\u2019s the beginning of Spring and we most want to engage in the freshness of life and enjoy all things!<\/p>\n

Some Foods That Harmonize With Spring\"seasonal<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Artichoke, Asparagus, Avocados Bamboo shoots, Basil, Bay leaf, Bean Curd (tofu) \u2013 use non GMO organic, Beef Liver, Bee Pollen, Blackberry, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccoli rabe, Buckwheat, Caraway, Carrots, Cashews, Celery, Chicken Chicken Liver, Chives, Chrysanthemums, Clams, Corn silk, Crab, Dandelion greens, Eggplant, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Green veggies in general, Green Bell Pepper, Kiwi, Lemon, Lime, Lotus, Mulberry, Milk thistle, Nettle Tea, Oats, Parsley, Pickles, Quail, Raspberry, Rosemary, Rosebuds, Rye, Safflower oil, Scallion, Spinach, Sprouts of all kinds, Vinegar (raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar has many uses), Watercress, Wild Rice, Zucchini<\/p>\n

RECIPES<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Spinach Soup w\/Snow Fungus<\/span><\/strong>
\nIngredients<\/strong>
\n2 bunches of fresh spinach
\n\u00bd cup of Snow fungus
\n2 beaten eggs
\n1-1\/2 qt light vegetable broth or chicken broth
\n2 thin slices of ginger
\n1 TB soy sauce
\n\u00bd tsp salt
\n1 tsp black pepper
\n4 oz tofu \u2013 cut in \u00bd\u201d cubes
\n2 TB toasted sesame oil
\nDirections<\/strong>
\nCarefully and thoroughly clean the spinach, remove the stems and cut leaves into 2\u201d pieces
\nSoak the Snow fungus in hot water and rinse a few times. Cut into small pieces
\nBring the broth to a simmer; add the snow fungus, soy sauce, ginger, salt and pepper \u2013 bring to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes, add the spinach, stir simmer until spinach begins to wilt
\nPour in the eggs slowly in a steady stream stirring the soup gently in one direction only
\nAdd the tofu and heat through.
\nServe and sprinkle a little sesame oil on top of each bowl.<\/p>\n

Scallion Pancakes<\/span><\/strong>
\nMakes 8 – 10 pancakes<\/p>\n

Ingredients:
\n<\/strong>2 1\/2 cups plain flour
\n2 teaspoons yeast (instant)
\n1 cup water
\n2 teaspoons oil
\n3 spring onions\/green onions\/scallions, washed and thinly diced<\/p>\n

oil to brush on pancakes
\nsalt to sprinkle on pancakes during frying
\nOil that can handle high heat for shallow pancake frying<\/p>\n

Directions:<\/strong>
\nMix together the first four ingredients until you have a ball, then cover with a clean cotton cloth and let it rise in a warm room for about 2 hours.\u00a0 The dough will be springy to the touch
\nWash and dice the spring onions.
\nFlour a surface and knead the dough.\u00a0 Cut the dough into thirds and knead some more until the dough is very smooth. Add extra flour if needed while kneading the dough.\u00a0Kneading too long or roughly will make the dough tough.
\nRoll the dough out into one flat piece approximately 1\/8 inch thick.
\nLightly brush the pancake with a little light oil, and sprinkle with the diced spring onions.
\nRoll up the pancake and cut into 8 – 10 pieces.
\nUsing your palm, flatten each piece and then roll it out to pancake size.
\nUsing oil like peanut oil which can handle high heat, heat the oil in a large skillet. You do not want to drown your pancakes in oil. This is not a deep fry, but a shallow fry of the pancakes until both sides are golden brown, Sprinkle with a little salt while frying.
\nServe whole or cut into wedges.\u00a0 Serve plain or with a dipping sauce.<\/p>\n

Basic Vegetable Stock I<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

12 cups of water
\n4 medium size carrots
\n4 celery stalks with leaves
\n6 scallion whites
\n2 cloves garlic- peeled
\n1\u201d of fresh ginger \u2013 peeled and sliced \u2013 but not chopped
\n1 small turnip – peeled
\n1\/2 cup flat parsley or cilantro \u2013 leaves only \u2013 no stems
\npeel of one tangerine
\nsalt and pepper to taste<\/p>\n

Clean all the vegetables very well and cut into large pieces. \u00a0Place in a stock pot with the water. \u00a0Cover and simmer for 1 to 1-1\/2 hours.<\/p>\n

Version A:<\/strong>
\nRemove all the vegetables and use the liquid or freeze in 2 cup portions for future use.<\/p>\n

Version B:<\/strong>
\nRemove all the vegetables and separate out the tangerine peel and ginger slices. \u00a0Put through a food processor or blender until smooth and liquid, adding more water as needed since the vegetable pulp will thicken the stock. \u00a0Again, you may reserve this in the freezer for future use.<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bean Sprouts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ingredients: <\/span><\/strong>
\n1 tablespoon walnut oil
\n1 clove garlic
\n1 TB ginger diced
\n3 scallion whites cut into thin rings
\n1-2 little red chilies – whole
\n1\/2 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
\n2 cups bean sprouts
\n3 scallions greens cut into 1-1\/2\u201c pieces
\n1 beaten egg (optional)
\n1 tsp Pure Sesame oil<\/p>\n

Directions: <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Wash and drain the bean sprouts
\nHeat the oil in a wok or heavy skillet.
\nAdd the garlic, ginger and scallion whites, saut\u00e9 lightly till whites are wilted.
\nAdd the vinegar and chilies\u2019 and stir
\nAdd the bean sprouts and stir-fry briefly till the sprouts are heated through. Add the scallion greens and toss.
\nIf using egg, add now and stir-fry another few seconds till the eggs have cooked.
\nDrizzle a little sesame oil over sprouts just before serving.<\/p>\n

TEAS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The aromatic fragrance of flower teas as they are brewed and poured automatically induces an instant relaxation response. That is their first healing benefit. The second can easily be the visual effect of the flower(s) in the teapot (especially if it is glass), cup or tall glass. And then, each flower imparts its unique medicinal qualities to the infusion. This tea is quite beautiful and sweetly scented. For each cup of tea<\/strong>, put together 5 white chrysanthemum flowers, 3 rose flowers, and 1 T honeysuckle flowers in a sachet. Place the sachet or loose flowers in a pot with 1-1\/4 cup of water for each \u201cflower group\u201d and bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1-1\/2 minutes. <\/em> Enjoy.<\/p>\n

According to TCM, this tea strengthens the liver function, clears heat, relieves toxicity, reduces liver and gall bladder inflammation, improves vision, improves appetite and relieves a dry throat.<\/p>\n

I originally found this tea recipe in Chinese Herb Cooking For Health. <\/em><\/p>\n

Health Topic: Stress<\/span><\/strong> Each person has a \"\"<\/a>different tolerance level and \u201cstressors\u201d vary from one person to another. Simply put, we each react to life\u2019s situations and circumstances uniquely. When we experience stress, our bodies respond to protect us. Short term, this can benefit us by giving us a boost of energy for a presentation, or the intense focus to solve an immediate problem, for example. However, chronic, long term stress that is not relieved causes damage to our systems. What damage is again particular to each person. For some people, it may manifest as graying hair, others may not be able to lose (or gain) weight. The list of the out of balance effects of long term stress is quite long and many say that unrelieved stress is the underlying cause of all out of balance situations. It\u2019s as if, with long term, unrelieved stressors that the body forgets how to shut it off by itself. This is where our practice (qigong, taiji, mediation, yoga, or other) is of the utmost benefit. How we use what we learn from our practice in our moment-to-moment, day-to-day can make a big difference in every area of our lives and especially how we deal with stressors. It\u2019s a process of integrating our practice into our lives so that the practice continues 24\/7. It continues when we are walking in the woods or down a city street, during our jobs, home life, etc. Everything in our lives becomes an integrated whole and is the reflection of our practice.<\/p>\n

Seasonal Self-massage: <\/span>Relieving Stress<\/strong>: \u00a0Think of a cat. \u00a0Picture this cat curled up on a rug in sunlight. \u00a0Peaceful. \u00a0It awakens. It uncurls and stretches its limbs, neck and tail. Arches its back and lets its head fall forward. It opens its mouth and stretches its jaws. It stretches every inch of its body in purposeful, gentle, graceful movements. Never straining or over doing. \u00a0Doing just enough. Then, it moseys on to its next cat event. This is a wonderful lesson in self-massage. \u00a0Simply stretching like a cat. Almost regardless of where we are, we can stretch out our arms from the tips of our nails to deep within the shoulder muscles; stretch our legs the same way, one by one if standing or both together if seated. Even just stretching our fingers and palms and flexing our feet and stretching our toes can feel so relaxing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>[Following the threads of her personal tapestry, Ellasara, a long-time student of Master Nan Lu, weaves her life around the exploration and sharing of self-healing through a variety of modalities, primarily focusing on food, common herbal plants, Qigong Meridian Therapy and Qigong for Women\u2019s Health. For comments, questions, consultations, ellasara00@gmail.com<\/a>]<\/address>\n
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