The ONE Food for January
Hello 2018!
I’m so glad that during the last week of 2017 I carved out time and energy to reflect on lessons learned. There were lessons related to relationships, lessons on integrity with my calendar, on journeying down the growth-path and of course health-related lessons.
Last year more than any prior, eating, drinking, moving and sleeping with the seasons transformed how I feel in my body, mind and emotions.
Last year more than any prior, I shared with this community how to apply the wisdom of the circadian rhythms to our modern lives. The feedback I received about people feeling more joyful, more relaxed, more energized, more connected, more comfortable, more confident...well, it made me tear up more than once.
This year, one way I’m going to keep the ball rolling for both you and me is to write about one seasonally appropriate food per month to incorporate into our meals.
For January, that food is ginger.
Spices count too of course!
Ginger is one of those roots grown in really warm climates that is phenomenal for us in the winter. It’s actually known in Ayurveda as a universal spice, in part because it benefits our bodies in so many ways.
Here are a few of those ways:
Ginger increases our digestive fire. Why is that important? I explain why in this video.
It is anti-inflammatory, meaning it helps with everything from joint pain & arthritic issues to lowering your risk of cancer.
It helps the body eliminate acid more quickly and protects against heartburn.
It serves as an antioxidant, meaning it prevents damage to your cells.
It decreases nausea...more effectively and more safely than dramamine.
You can even apply it topically to your skin to treat burns and prevent mosquito bites (though not necessarily in January!).
So, this month (and really all winter long), I encourage you to think about ginger as part of your daily diet!
Here are some ideas on how:
Sip ginger tea between meals.
Slice fresh ginger into dime size pieces. Lay the pieces out on a plate, sprinkle with lemon and GOOD salt (I use celtic grey salt) and chew on one or two pieces about 20 minutes before sitting down to your meals. *I make a weekly batch and store it in an airtight container in my refrigerator.
When preparing a meal, add a little ginger to the spices you’re already using.
So there you have it. The first of 12 installments this year to help you heal through eating with the seasons.
bon appetit!
- Michel
