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SUMMERSummer is the most heart-centred, radiant time of year, the purposeful, dynamic energy of the Spring has softened and expanded into a show of beautiful blossoms.
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Summer and the Fire element
In Traditional Chinese medicine there are 4 meridians or energy channels that are linked to the Fire element, these are; the heart, the pericardium, the small intestine and the triple heater. The heart is considered to be the ‘supreme controller’ of the body, mind and spirit and must be treated with respect at all times just as you would respect a king ruling over his kingdom. When we have a shock, it is our heart that is affected and the disarray we feel is as a result of the king being temporarily knocked off his throne.
For the summer reboot we have used the metaphor of the hearth (heart(h)) and finding the ‘heart’ of our ‘home’.
☼ In the hearth we have the fire which represents our heart centre,
☼ this can be contained and made stronger by a wood burning stove which is like the pericardium which is the protective membrane around our physical heart. Just like with a wood burner we can open up to intensify the fire or we can close them down to stabilise the fire and concentrate it, different situations call for different intensities and ‘settings’
☼ the small intestine is about what fuel we are burning, what rubbish do we need to get rid of, fire is known as the separator of pure from impure
☼ the triple heater is the temperature system in ‘our home’ the central heating system, how the heat is distributed within us
Summer Eating ~ lightness and brightness
Broad Bean humous
250g broad beans, shelled weight
1 clove of garlic, skinned and roughly chopped
Half a teaspoon of cumin seeds
Half a teaspoon of ground paprika, smoked if you prefer
One tablespoon (or so) extra virgin olive oil
Handful of chives, finely chopped
Juice of half a lemon
Salt and pepper
Steam the broad beans for a couple of minutes until tender. Drain and place with the other ingredients to a blender or small food processor. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- There is a profusion of fullness and show; everything is on the surface. Energetically we are at the opposite point to winter when everything is hidden and deep. We need therefore to be eating foods that are leafy and ‘out there’ lots of spicy salad leaves garnished with peppery nasturtium flowers add real flare and summer drama.
- Eat lightly and drink more water; in the summer we naturally need less food because of the warmer weather and it feels natural to increase the amount of raw foods we eat. If this makes you feel cold try juicing instead or lightly steaming your daily veg!
- The warming, aromatic spices, such as ginger, garlic, chilli pepper, black pepper, are particularly beneficial right now. They bring heat into our systems, which can help stimulate a sluggish digestive system and promote sweating to cool the body. The flavour associated with summer is bitter and herbs such as: parsley; basil; marjoram and oregano, all which can be used non-sparingly to build up your fire energy.
Broad Bean humous
250g broad beans, shelled weight
1 clove of garlic, skinned and roughly chopped
Half a teaspoon of cumin seeds
Half a teaspoon of ground paprika, smoked if you prefer
One tablespoon (or so) extra virgin olive oil
Handful of chives, finely chopped
Juice of half a lemon
Salt and pepper
Steam the broad beans for a couple of minutes until tender. Drain and place with the other ingredients to a blender or small food processor. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Try these stretches that work the four fire meridians to get in touch with Summer
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