earth: late summer nourishment

21 Sept

Here on our farm and throughout most of Europe, we suffered a massive drought this past summer. There was a time where it actually elicited a heartache watching endless weeks of heat waves arrive while the few possibilities for forecasted rain nearly always dissipated by the time the clouds reached our land. Our sheep suffered (a lot). Some of our fruit trees also struggled. The tomatoes, however, were mostly happy. We swam often to beat the heat, and I took a lot of long hikes through the cool of the forest. As with all things, I try my best to find a balance of perspectives so that I can see both the benefits and downfalls. We had plenty of both and I will never look at rain the same way!

Some recent good news for the soil, the plants and animals: for the last month or so, it has rained more regularly with some cloudy late summer/early fall days bringing fresh reminders that being cool in a hoodie is still indeed possible.

It has also been harvest time, and that means kilos of apples, pears, zwetschgen (oval plums beloved by the Swiss- pronounced in local Züridüütsch as Zwätschga), grapes, tomatoes and cucumbers for us this year. Wow, we have been busy!

So busy (also, hello three Western-Med Pathology exams in September!) that I missed sharing any tips about Earth season… We are already clearly moving into the full Metal of Autumn as we approach the equinox this week, however I want to take a moment to give homage to this most important of seasons and elements and what it means for our minds. bodies and spirits while we all attempt (in our own unique ways) some sense of balance or homeostasis.

Earth relates to the Spleen and Stomach in Chinese Medicine. This is essentially our digestive capacity, our ability to take in, transform nutrition, absorb what is useful, discard what is waste.

Of course this clearly relates to food and what and how we eat. It also relates to what we take in through our senses, what we digest in our mind and hearts. I will write a bit more about that in a separate post. For now, we focus on the practical applications of food and nutrition primarily.

Below I share some simple ideas for porridge and a simple way to transform inherently cooling Cucumbers into digestive friendly pickles!

Basic Principles:

spleen loves warm and sweet, unhurried, fully present
earth and spleen relate to our intelligence and attention
earth is a time of transformation and transition, including the inner stability and flexibility needed to navigate transitional periods
trust and honesty strengthen the earth element, distrust and lying (to ourselves or others) injure our ability to digest and transform (nourishment, ideas, creativity)

Some simple practices, remedies and recipes for tending to our Earth element and digestion:

Try to eat with a sense of peace and relaxation around your meal. Eat and pay attention to the food, the color, the flavors while you are eating. Try to avoid working, screens, even reading or writing while eating. Especially try to avoid intense emotions at mealtimes, as this can injure your digestive fire.
In Chinese Medicine, breakfast is the most important meal as it coincides with the peak activity of spleen and stomach (between 7 and 11 am). A warm breakfast porridge can be especially beneficial to the energy and health of your digestion.
Try to avoid raw and cold foods, especially as the days get cooler and especially if you tend to have digestive issues.
Naturally Sweet foods and herbs (think on the natural sweetness of grains and root vegetables, winter squash, fruit in moderation, licorice root, goji berry.) tonify and nourish the Spleen, while bitter foods and herbs dispel dampness (a primary cause of tummy troubles in Chinese medicine). Dairy and highly concentrated sugars can damage spleen, so moderation is (always) key.
Picking and fermenting foods can enhance their digestibility. The sourness also benefits Liver/Wood, which can have an impact on digestion as well.
Earth represents transitional times, so it is a good time to reflect on where you have been and where you are headed and adjust your thoughts and actions according to what you observe.
Get outside to move a bit at least once a day.
Take time to practice some simple breathwork: 5-10 minutes a day (more is great, but start with something attainable), focusing on deeper breaths into the belly. This massages all the internal organs and allows for more free flow in the channels and meridians. It is especially wonderful before or after eating.
In meditation and reflective practices, you can examine where distrust may be arising, where you are holding on too tight.
- Below are two different porridges
  - First is Oats made with the freshest fruits of the season. The natural sweetness of the oatmeal doesn’t really need more sugar - especially with fruit added - but a little maple syrup or honey can be an extra special addition.
  - Second is a savory Rice Congee made with soy sauce and a soft boiled eggYou can make porridge with almost any grain, but oats, millet and rice are my favorites. (Hafter, Hirse, Reis)
    - Oats + double the amount of water or plant milk (i.e. 1 cup oats to 2 cups water/nut milk)
    - Bring to a boil and then simmer until it reaches your desired consistency. You can always add more water or nut milk
    - Add warming, digestive enhancing spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger depending on your taste and feeling. Ginger is quite warm so is not recommended for those with signs of excessive heat (those who easily sweat, tend toward redness in the face, inner feeling of heat, skin outbreaks)
    - Serve with fruits of the season for a special treat, or I like to also skip the extra sugar and eat with coconut flakes, chia seeds or black sesame seeds for protein and fiber. Black sesame seeds are one I will come back to in Winter, Kidney season.
    - Enjoy in peace or with your loved ones at the breakfast table.