What's this?
Beginning of Winter is the nineteenth of the twenty-four solar terms, the first solar term of winter, usually on November 7 or 8 every year.
"Li" is the beginning, and "winter" is the end - meaning that all things are collected, and winter has officially begun. From this day forward, the daylight hours become shorter and shorter, and the temperatures become lower and lower.
Why is it important?
The beginning of winter is the "winter ceremony" for the Chinese.
Traditional Chinese medicine talks about "winter storage" - winter is the season for storing essence, energy and spirit. All things are hidden, and people must also hide. It's not about hiding, it's about taking the energy into your body and releasing it in the next spring.
Therefore, the dietary theme of Beginning of Winter is: supplementation. But it's not a blind supplement, it's a "warm supplement".
Northerners eat dumplings at the beginning of winter - because dumplings are shaped like ears, eating dumplings will keep your ears from freezing in the winter. Southerners eat glutinous rice balls and mutton to keep them warm during the winter.
How to do it?
The dietary keywords for the Beginning of Winter are: warming, nourishing, and high in calories.
What to eat?
- Mutton - the first tonic in winter, warm and warm
- Beef - replenishes qi and blood, strengthens the body
- Chicken - warm and tonic but not irritating
- Black sesame seeds - nourish the kidneys and black hair
- Black beans - nourish the kidneys and strengthen the body
- Walnuts - nourishes the brain and warms the kidneys
- Red dates - nourish blood and Qi
- Radish - "Eat radish in winter and eat ginger in summer", it can help digestion and balance the greasiness of meat.
- Cabbage, potatoes – stock up on vegetables for the winter
How to eat?
- Breakfast: black sesame paste, red date porridge, hot to go out
- Lunch: You can officially eat mutton, either stewed or boiled
- Dinner: Don’t be too late, don’t be too full, give the spleen and stomach time to rest
- Drink soup: bone soup, chicken soup, add some wolfberry and red dates
Life Adjustments
- Go to bed early and get up late - follow the sun and wait until the sun comes out before getting up
- Reduce sweating activities and switch to indoor activities
- Make foot soaking a daily routine, add some mugwort leaves or ginger
- Protect three parts: neck, ankles, and belly button
When?
November 7 or 8 every year. At this time, the heating season has entered in the north, and thick clothes have begun to be worn in the south.
Where?
The whole country celebrates Beginning of Winter, but in different ways:
- North: Eat dumplings, stock up on cabbage, pickle sauerkraut
- South: Eat glutinous rice balls, eat mutton, and make rice wine
- No matter the north or the south, "Cat Winter" has begun
One sentence summary
> The beginning of winter is not for you to hide, but for you to hide your energy - wait until spring comes, and then sprout properly.