Winter doesn't officially start until December 21 but chilly weather seems to be coming earlier this winter and with it come the major challenges of staying warm and healthy. In this article I aim to give you a game plan to achieve just that. Some of the information is pure common sense, while some is likely new information. So read carefully, follow the pointers and you will surely ride out this winter much more successfully than before.
Our beginning step on this journey is temperature. In Chinese medicine it is well known that cold slows down energy flow and leads to congestion in both energy and bodily processes and fluids. Consequently it is important to keep your temperature well regulated. Interestingly enough, one of the best ways to do so is not to manipulate the thermostat but rather to work to maintain you inner thermostat.
To achieve that one of the most important things to do is to stay well hydrated. This is so important for optimal circulation, which in turn keeps you as warm as possible. When you are poorly hydrated, your blood becomes sluggish and is a poorer conductor of heat. Unfortunately in the wintertime we tend to get more dehydrated, thus ultimately exacerbating the ability to stay warm. So one big rule is to always stay well hydrated with pure filtered water. I personally use a Berkey water filter and have done so for 10 years. I would not be without it. Another bad habit in the winter- time is our tendency to avoid raw foods and salads. This means less fiber intake and a tendency to constipation. Adequate water intake will remedy this somewhat but the two work in concert with one another. Also fiber tends to help lower negative cholesterol which itself slows circulation.
Staying well nourished, especially with nutrient dense foods, fuels the body and enables it to maintain a more optimal metabolism. One food that is particularly good at boosting metabolism is coconut and a convenient way to get that is our coconut milk powder. Foods that are in season that are also warming in nature are all the orange colored foods such as pumpkin, persimmons etc…
Hot drinks are also a great way to stay warm and nothing seems to do it better for me that a combo of the cocoa mojo and the coconut milk powder. I mix 1 tablespoon of the cocoa mojo and 2 of the coconut milk powder in a blender with about 10 oz of pure water. I then pour this into a pan and warm it up. It is an antioxidant rich, low glycemic drink with metabolism enhancing effects. The best thing though is that it tastes warm, creamy and delicious. Herbal teas are a great thing to use this winter too.
One great warming tea that also boosts circulation is ginger tea. Take a slice the size of a quarter in diameter and about 1/8- ¼ inch thick, bring it to a boil in 10 oz of water and then simmer for 15 minutes. You can of course double or triple these measurements and make enough for the whole day. Ginger in some traditions ginger is considered a Universal medicine. Ginger is great for indigestion, nausea, flatulence and motion sickness. It will help reduce cramping and vomiting due to the flu. Externally ginger can also be used to help relieve pain and drunk as a tea it is also an anti-inflammatory. Winter-wise it improves warmth and circulation to the extremities and helps keep you warm.
Some of the obvious warming techniques are to get more aerobic exercise, layer well with your clothes and take warm baths and showers. Exercise is essential to improve your circulation, so forego the couch and take more walks. Put on some music and dance with your kids or your honey. If you do have to watch TV, watch some comedy, since laughter also improves circulation.
When it comes to keeping you healthy this winter, warmth is vey important as is circulation. Enjoy the suggestions above and consider gifting some of the Enerhealth products to family and friends this year. What is also key is keeping your immune system strong. Many of you have written or called to tell us that since you began taking Enerfood, you no longer get colds. So I think since we can observe that Enerfood keeps toxins moving out and nutrients in, it definitely will help you stay well this winter. Taking it with the coconut milk powder also helps greatly, since it also enhances immune activity. If you desire extra protection, or if you have a compromised immune system, order and take the Daily Immune Support and have some EchinOsha on hand in case you do come down with something.
All in all if you follow these suggestions, your chance of getting through the winter sickness and cold free is much, much higher. So have a warm and healthy winter!