Yin / Yang and the Seasons

In Chinese thought, the two great opposite but complementary forces known as Yin and Yang are the dual principles of nature.

The symbol to represent Yin and Yang is shown here. It is most often used as the symbol for Taoism and also for Tai Chi.

The dark color represents Yin and The light represents Yang.

YIN is represented as earth, negative, absorbing , dark, passive, cold, wet, and feminine

YANG is represented as heaven, positive, bright, active, dry, hot and masculine.

As you can see one color is contained with in the other. -

Although separate one can not thrive without the other. Balance. There is a constant opposing force in our universe. The sun rises and then the moon comes up. It is day and then night. If our world become only male or female dominated, the race would in after only one generation. Man and women, or, yin and yang must exist. With out it no new (birth) existence would occur. Just as the seasons change and life and death occur.

As the universe maintains it’s natural balance , so must we maintain our human natural balance .

Too much of one thing and not enough of something else will likely disrupt the natural flow of our lives in some way, and thus take a toll on our well being.

The winter is the YIN time of year.

Foods that nourish and balance the body in the cold, dry, winter season are the sweet, sour and salty tastes. Warm foods are ideal, as long as they are not deep-fried and are cooked with easy-to-digest oils such as ghee or olive oil. Avoid cold or ice-cold foods, as cold foods and drinks douse the digestive fire and decreases immunity.

In winter we want to eat :

• food with a stronger, more concentrated quality
• round vegetables, pickles, root vegetables, etc.
• more miso, shoyu, oil, and salt
• heavier grains such as millet, buckwheat, fried rice, etc.

Listen to your cravings - there is a reason for them! In the winter, with fewer sunny hours, your stored serotonin (the "feel-good" brain chemical) starts to decline. Your cravings for carbohydrate-loaded “comfort foods” are your body's cries for more serotonin. But be careful when choosing carbohydrates to boost serotonin! Opt for nutritious whole grains and choose high-quality carbs such as sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and squashes.

Work seasonal produce such as pomegranates ,cranberries, citrus fruits, purple grapes, and orange root vegetables into your meals. You'll not only add color to your plate, you'll pack in some serious nutrition punch.

There are plenty of cool season crops - like broccoli, cabbages, and cooking greens - and root vegetables to see us through the colder days of winter. And don't forget: citrus fruits are at their best in winter. Oranges and tangerines, Meyer lemons and ruby grapefruit all come into season to brighten dark winter nights.

Expose yourself to sunlight as much as you can. In absence of sun light sitting near fire place is very helpful. Vitamin D supplement can be helpful or Light Therapy.

Avoid repeated washing of face. This washes off natural oils from our skin and makes the skin dry, scaly and wrinkled .. Apply moisturizer lotion if you feel dryness on skin.

Consume well balanced good nutritious food, exercise three times a week and sleep well to keep up natural resistance. Avoid direct contact with those who have colds and wash your hands frequently

Despite numerous claims you may have heard, no diet remedy or supplement has scientifically proved effective at preventing cold and flu. However, studies have shown that 1,000 mg of Vitamin C supplements may make your cold milder and shorten it by half a day. In addition, there's a promising perk for Yogurt lovers! A German study found that probiotics (as found in yogurt with active culture) may shorten your cold episode by almost two days. So keep on eating those "friendly" bugs!