Winter has arrived!! After weeks of dryness, the rain is finally come. G-d had a sense of humor and decided to throw in few handfuls of strong winds. And I do mean strong. Especially when my caravan starts shaking left and right.
During these cold days, I naturally reach for a hot cup of tea to warm up. But as I am learning not all teas are made the same.
In Chinese Medicine, it's taught that each food carries a certain "temperature" that affects the body.
For example, when you eat a cucumber, it produces a cooling effect on the body. Which is great to eat during the hot summers. Well, each food can affect the temperature in your body. Hmmm...maybe even produce....wind? (I'm still learning...)
So, tea in it's most unprocessed form is actually cooling. And generally, you want to drink cooling teas in the summer and warming teas in the winter. Green tea falls in the catergory of a cooling tea, good for the summer; and black, roasted teas are best for winter.
I love concocting my own teas, and recently found lists of great warming ingredients that are fit for the cold, windy winter season.
Fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, rosemary, cardamon, anise, and sage will make for fantastic brews. Some you may want to boil or steep in hot water then strain.
I just had a brew of clove, ginger, and cinnamon tea.
Now, I'm going to pull out my heaviest blankets, scarves and socks. In this cold weather, it's very important to keep the neck and kidney area protected As they are vulnerable to the season change and store the body's immune system and life-energy. In fact, in Japan, they have a special scarf called a haramaki to protect the mid-section (kidney area).
So, welcome, high and mighty winds and rain. And please G-d, with Words of prayer and a lil' old Chinese wisdom, we can keep warm and healthy and greet G-d's winter in strength.
G-d bless!!!
Check it out:
http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/chinese-tea-and-health.html
http://rawgourmet.com/blog/winter-chills-craving-warm-food
http://www.naturalnews.com/027908_Chinese_Medicine_kidneys.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5281046.stm (Are teas dehydrating? Check it y'self)
