Summer to Autumn transition 2024-The Wellness of Balance newsletter from Red Tree Wellness Inc

The Wellness of Balance 

Autumn to Winter transition 2024 News and Tips

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Fall-Winter transition
• Favourite of the season
• Seasonal Health tips

Hello,

Can you feel it? The change in weather as we transition to a new phase. It’s October, another Earth month in the Chinese lunisolar calendar, which is a transition month between Seasons. Earth months are times to be aware of how the past couple months of that season has gone, and what changes you’d like to make for the next seasonal months. Earth is also symbolized by a Mountain in Chinese metaphysics, which is perfect for visualising contemplation and wisdom as you retreat to a mountain and get closer to accessing the wisdom of Spirit. What are you appreciative of over the past season of Metal & Autumn, and how would you like to journey over the next season of Water & Winter?

In the second week of November, the season of Water & Winter will begin in the Chinese lunisolar calendar. This is a cold weather trend and also means it is a time of slowdown, renourishment, refilling our cup, and restoration. Nature slows down, so should we. Slowing down is normal at this time and in doing so, we are more in alignment with the change in light and seasons of being quiet and nourishing. If we try to forcibly initiate our Yang (active and warming) Qi when there is lack of that assistance in natural law, a being must go against the flow and need to use more of our reserves to overcome what’s not naturally available. However, this is a time that the reserves should be filled up. It’s ok to sleep longer, and you should be –  how does it feel to wake up before sunlight and force yourself out of bed, rather than wake up with the sunlight? There’s no Yang warming Qi to help you rise, so you need to tap into your reserves to generate that Qi. Living in the world we are now, we have societal expectations and schedules we are committed to adhere to. However, I’m reminding you that you still have a choice within this. Take the opportunity when you can, like on the weekends, to slow down and sleep-in more, socialize less and nourish yourself.

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The next in my series of favourite travel items for health, is something you likely would always have in your luggage (and home). Socks! Yup, that’s right, but more than that, do you have a pair of loose, comfy socks? The type that comes up above your ankles, but isn’t too tight. For some, this may be your cosy slipper socks. For others, maybe just an older pair. Here’s how you can use it for your immunity and sleep.

Next time you are feeling like you are fighting something (e.g. that sore or funny swollen or tight feeling in your throat and maybe body aches), wear these loose comfy socks overnight while you sleep. That will help keep your Yang Qi warm which is the core immunity fighting energy in our body. This Yang Qi is cultivated and circulated in the Foot Yin channels, especially the Kidney organ channel system. At night, these channels need to rejuvenate and restore our resources (Yin and Blood) for the next day and Yang Qi normally quiets down. However, if one is fighting a pathogen, your body needs to use extra Yang Qi. By keeping you feet warm, you allow your body to have better access to this warming Yang Qi which is now contained and absorbed by the feet, and not have the body expend and generate it by itself. If your feet get too warm in the middle of the night, just kick off the socks. IF you are really sick, it’s likely you’ll need the socks on all night. If you tend to have trouble sleeping at night, especially if you feel it is too cold, try wearing socks! Lastly, one of the biggest pearls I can give you, is that if you have tiger balm at home, put a dab on this point called KD 1 Yong Quan – Gushing Spring, to help wake up and stimulate the development of Yang Qi. Stomp that pathogen out of our body – literally!

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Seasonal Health Tips

Tips from Suzanne Williams, RAc, RTCMP

This slowing of life carries through to Chinese medicine nutrition, which focuses on eating foods that addresses common seasonal ailments. The fall is a time to transition from BBQ and high heat cooking to low and slow soups, stews and braises. In Chinese medicine, cooking food for a longer time at lower temperatures creates hearty meals that supply the energy we need to stay warm through the cooler fall months. The best foods to consume at this time of year are dried foods, grains, seeds, squash and root vegetables – notice that these are very seasonally appropriate and available foods too!

During the fall and winter, my slow cooker rarely goes into the cupboard, as I am constantly making warming and earthy soups and stews to support my digestive health and keep me nourished through the cooling trend of fall. One of my favourite ways to take advantage of the slow cooker is to make bean-based dishes that require time to cook, but little attention. Here is the recipe for an energy sustaining soup that I often had while living in the cold climate of northern China. It is a flexible and forgiving recipe that can be adapted to what you have on hand – any beans and any type of hard squash will do, and feel free to add other proteins or vegetables to it. The world is your slow cooker!

Squash and Bean Soup

Ingredients:

•       1 medium kabocha or other firm squash
•       250 g of dried beans and/or legumes – adzuki, chickpeas or navy beans are great for this time of year, but any dried beans you like will do. It’s best to use two or more varieties of beans.
•       2.5-5 litres of water or stock of your choice
•       5 dried shiitake or other dried mushrooms
•       2.5-3cm piece of fresh ginger root, thinly sliced
•       Salt and white pepper, to taste

Cooking instructions:

•       Soak the beans/legumes and dried mushrooms in water for at least five hours or overnight. Drain and rinse with fresh water.
•       Just before you are ready to cook, prepare the kabocha by washing its outer skin, cutting it in half, seeding it and then slicing it into medium to large pieces. Leave skin on.
•       Place water or stock, pumpkin, beans/legumes, mushrooms, ginger root and a pinch each of salt and white pepper in slow cooker.

·       Cook on high for 4-5 hours for a lighter soup and 6-8 hours for thicker, more stew-like soup.

 

Tips from Dr. Kathleen Dang, ND

Try digestive enzymes this Fall!

This time of the year is rich in traditions and holidays that come with delicious foods and beverages and also extra calories. This can bring on bloating, gas, and bowel movement changes! You don’t have to wait for something to be wrong to start taking digestive enzymes. Thinking of this as being kind to your digestion and to give your tummy a break from all the hard work it does for us!

For a more custom plan, and to address individual health conditions and medications, come in and see me for a Naturopathic consultation for more detailed information.

But for more broad advice, that most people can benefit from, I recommend something simple. Choose a digestive enzyme, one that is complete, that helps the body break down carbs, fats and proteins. Look for enzyme content like lipase, protease and amylase. Take 1-2 capsules at the start or during your meal. You can find this supplement easily at your health food store or online. There are options for vegan/vegetarian enzymes as well.

Happy Fall everyone!

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Final Clinic FYI’s:

• We have in stock a bunch of our favourite bee propolis products! This builds our Wei-Defensive immunity Qi which is why we love it. We have throat sprays for kids and adults, and lozenges with added benefits of Zinc, Vitamin C, peppermint or elderberry! In addition,we have Raw Honey with Royal Jelly (good to top up our core resources called “Jing” and our Wei-Defensieve Qi) and Bee Pollen (good to regenerate our Jing-resources).
• You can order many retail items from our online e-shop. Herbal items that have an NPN number from Health Canada, is a retail item and can be ordered online and shipped direct to your home!
• Remember to check out our YouTube Channel for video tips – https://www.youtube.com/c/RedTreeWellnessCa

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Wishing you a restorative Fall & Winter.

Yours in good health,

Dr. Sonia F. Tan, DAOM (DAOM degree), RTCMP, and the Red Tree Wellness team of Dr. Kathleen Dang, ND, RAc & Suzanne Williams, MBA, RTCMP