Summer Should Get a Speeding Ticket

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Here we are, in the middle of September. Autumn does not officially begin until September 22, but, if you’re like me, summer “feels” over once we’re past Labor Day and the kids are back in school.

Paul Pitchford, author of  “Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Tradition”  discusses many strategies for eating for the seasons.  In it, he refers to the period of time we are currently in as “late summer”

Late Summer is a short period of time that spans from the last month of summer into the fall. The change is subtle and, other than the business of post summer activities, oftentimes goes unnoticed. This is a time when the yang nature of summer (vitality, light, abundance) starts to shift slowly to the yin nature of fall (darker, quieter, more reflective). We may notice the obvious changes of shorter days and the more subtle changes of the leaves just starting to change.

Chinese Medicine offers great advice for healthful living and post summer eating. Since this is considered a transition time, it is a great time to eat foods in transition as well.

• It is a good time to transition from the extreme cooling foods of summer (cooling veggies such as cucumbers and lettuce) to sweet foods, yellow foods and foods that support our digestion. These include squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes and other warming vegetables.
• Start to limit the amount of cold and raw foods (such as smoothies, ice cream, raw salads) typically eaten in abundance during the summer. As the cold temperatures emerge, it is important to begin to preserve the digestion. We may notice during this time that eating too many cold foods upsets our stomach and causes digestive disturbances such as looser stools, gas and bloating.
•  It is also a time to reassess how we eat. Are we eating on the run, eating fast, and grabbing what is convenient. In the transition from summer to fall we may want to consider packing a lunch, starting to cook more at home and begin the process of slowing down that accompanies fall into winter.
• Seasonal changes are thought of as a time of purification in many cultures. It is a good time to consider eating small amounts of grains and/or vegetables and fruit.

There are changes with every season. There are changes within our body at every season. Honoring both the cycle of nature and the cycle of our body puts us in a special rhythm promotes good prevention, health and wellness.  

Julie Silver, MSW, L Ac. is president and founder of Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, Inc., and a NCCAOM board-certified acupuncturist.

Julie Silver, MSW, L Ac. is president and founder of Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, Inc., and a NCCAOM board-certified acupuncturist.