This post is a brief reminder on the importance of the Fall Seasonal transition. I want to thank author and Nutritionist Paul Pitchford from his seminal text Healing with Whole Foods (3rd edition, North Atlantic Books) for the inspiration and much of the information in this post.
From Pitchford:
“Late Summer, a short and relatively unrecognized “season,” is approximately the last month of summer and the middle of the Chinese year (which begins in February). It is the point of transition from yang to yin, between the expansive growth phases of spring and summer and the inward, cooler, more mysterious fall and winter seasons.”
We are fast approaching a pivotal period in the calendar: The two-weeks surrounding the Fall Equinox. During one-week prior and one-week after (Sept 15- 28), the Earth element dominates and seasonal time slows. It is the most appropriate time to prepare your body for the heart of the Fall season, which proceeds this important seasonal junction.
This seasonal transition period is a good time for a short “mono-diet” or fasting/ cleansing diet. My favorite food for this purpose is kitchari, an Indian soup with a thick consistency composed of mung beans, rice, vegetables, and spices (recipe below). Congee (Asian rice porridge) is also a supreme food to restore balance in the digestive system.
Scaling back the complexity of your diet and going simple serves to “bring one to center” during these seasonal transitions. Taking the time to lovingly prepare your food is also a healing act that has profound effects on your nervous system and mind during this period.
‘The center’ of your body during this Earth time especially centers on your stomach, pancreas, and spleen, all located in a ‘band’ in the middle of your body. Some signs that you might have some deficiency in this spleen-pancreas axis include:
- Chronic tiredness
- Compulsive, “stuck” behavior that prevents your personal growth
- Weak digestion, incl. possibly nausea and bloating
- Poor appetite
- Loose stools
Eating a more simple, easy to digest diet during this time will help harmonize these organs.
You can stop reading here and catch the recipes at the end. Or, if you’d like to go a bit deeper, I present to you: The little clinical catch to this rebalancing.
There’s a little tyrant that is created within our bodies over time or can also be contracted externally. This pathogen is called “damp” or “dampness”.
Dampness is considered a pathogen in Chinese Medicine that can invade the digestive tract, joints, and subtle acupuncture channels. In fact, any part of the body can be affected by damp (think edema of the ankles or limbs) and is a common cause of problems in the heart and lungs.
When damp invades the spleen-pancreas axis (“the center”), feelings of heaviness in the body and in the head can occur, as well as a lack of appetite and a thick coating on the tongue. And when there’s dampness, it’s best to treat the center concurrently with damp-reducing foods and herbal remedies for best outcomes.
Ridding the body of dampness can take some time clinically, though is totally doable and just takes some consistency. Exercise is an important component of this process, as is a diet rich in un-processed foods. Herbal remedies are very helpful in this pathology. I’m happy to discuss this with you in an appointment if you’d like.
So, in sum, as we enter this period of a seasonal transition, especially between Sept 15- 28, clean up your diet a bit: Eat warm, easy to digest foods made in-house with love and attention. Kitchari and Congee are fantastic foods for your digestion during this time, as are foods like minestrone soup (homemade or from Kitchen Doula), sweet potato or pumpkin soups, or steamed veggie salads with baked chicken. Include herbs like cilantro, thyme, and oregano in your meals for anti-bacterial and damp-reducing actions.
If you are a visual learner, here’s a wonderful intro video to make kitchari.
Here’s a recipe; you can also add a Tbsp of vegetarian or chicken bouillon or use broth for the liquid (I have many more secret tweaks– we can discuss at an appointment).
