top of page

-20 Windchill?! How to stay warm, cozy and balanced with Traditional Chinese Medicine!


A girl holding a mug of hot tea and reading a book while wearing warm cozy socks and sitting on a soft blanket as it snows outside.
Embrace that cozy winter energy. Take some time to slow down and focus on you!

As the temperature drops, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emphasizes harmonizing with the season to maintain balance and well-being. Winter is associated with the element of Water and the Kidneys, which are considered the source of vitality. Strengthening your Kidney energy, conserving warmth, and aligning your lifestyle with nature are key principles to stay healthy during this season.


TCM Tips for Cold Climates:

  1. Stay Warm: Protect your body from cold winds by wearing layers. It is especially important to cover your head, neck, feet, and lower back. These areas are crucial for maintaining Kidney warmth. For my fellow cozy sock collectors – never let anyone tell you that you have too many socks!

  2. Eat Warm, Nourishing Foods: Incorporate warming ingredients like ginger, cinnamon, and garlic, and avoid excessively cold or raw foods that can strain your digestive energy.

  3. Drink Warm Beverages: Chai lovers – this one’s for you!  Sip herbal teas like ginger and goji berry tea to enhance circulation and nourish your energy.

  4. Rest and Reflect: Winter is a time for restoration. Sleep more, reduce physical overexertion, and focus on introspection and mindfulness. Meditation and free journaling are great ways to do this. Grab a pen and paper and write down whatever comes to mind, even if it is just a string of words that don’t form an actual sentence. Look for a pattern in the words and see if maybe those words are signaling to you that it is time to either focus on something or release something from your life.

  5. Support Kidney Health: Incorporate foods like black beans, walnuts, and seaweed, which, in TCM, are believed to strengthen the Kidneys.


The takeaway: We often feel a deep craving for a slow, warm, intentional lifestyle during the winter. There is a reason for that! That cozy winter energy is deeply ingrained in us because it is beneficial to our health to align our food and lifestyle choices with the seasons. Embrace that energy and allow yourself to slow down a bit this time of year. Maybe use it as a period of reflection and planning so when that yang energy of spring and summer comes, you’re ready to take action!

 

As always, if you would like some support to stay warm, cozy and balanced this time of year, book online or give us a call! Our providers are always ready to support you in any way we can! In the meantime, give this cozy winter recipe a try!


 

Recipe: Warming Lamb and Ginger Stew

This dish is perfect for cold climates as it nourishes your body and enhances circulation. The ingredients are all TCM favorites for warming and boosting your qi!


Ingredients:

  • 500g lamb, cubed

  • 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, sliced

  • 2 green onions, chopped

  • 2 carrots, diced

  • 6 dried jujube dates

  • 1 tbsp goji berries

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp rice wine

  • Water to cover

Instructions:

  1. Brown lamb in a pot with a little oil.

  2. Add ginger, green onions, carrots, jujube dates, and goji berries.

  3. Season with soy sauce and rice wine.

  4. Cover with water and simmer for 1.5–2 hours until tender.

This hearty stew warms you from the inside and supports TCM Kidney energy, making it ideal for winter. Enjoy in harmony with nature’s rhythm!

Comentarios


bottom of page