Follow Me to Wellness: Spring Wellness Guide, Season 4

Follow Me on Health: Spring Wellness Guide, Part 4

As spring awakens all of life, various diseases and sources of infection also begin to make their presence felt. For spring wellness, our goal is to embrace the benefits and avoid the harms. For instance, with the windy spring weather, when we're hiking or engaging in other outdoor activities, we shouldn't head directly into the wind, as this can easily expose our bodies to harm.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that the liver governs the storage of blood. We can think of the human body as a company; the time between 11 PM and 3 AM is the liver and gallbladder meridian period. This means the liver should be resting and sleeping during this time. But if you force it to work without providing overtime pay, the liver will become upset. The most direct sign of this is red bloodshot eyes. Therefore, ensuring sufficient sleep during this period allows the blood to return to the liver and nourish it. Only then can you feel energetic and full of vitality every day.

Chinese culinary culture is vast and profound. In Cantonese cuisine, there's a principle of "using shapes to supplement shapes," which actually has some merit. First, let's recommend some common ways to eat animal liver. Come this way.

Heart and Liver Treasures: Liver Edition

Follow Me on Health: Goji Pig Liver and Spinach Porridge>>>

Reason for Recommendation: Pig liver is rich in "zinc," which promotes bone growth and is an excellent remedy for nourishing qi and blood. It can also help prevent and treat eye problems such as blurred vision, dry eyes, night blindness, and redness. Therefore, it's especially suitable to eat in the spring. Spinach promotes pancreatic secretion and aids digestion, thereby indirectly reducing the burden on the liver. Goji berries tonify the kidneys, generate essence, nourish the liver, and improve vision. These three ingredients together are simply a masterpiece.

Follow Me on Health: Soy-Braised Pig Liver>>>

Reason for Recommendation: We won't elaborate on the benefits of pig liver. Instead, let's talk about water bamboo. It's rich in vitamins that help sober up and can thus be an excellent remedy for alcohol intoxication. Furthermore, water bamboo contains a good amount of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, which is very beneficial for the liver. However, a word of caution: people with a weak spleen should consume it with caution, as an overly strong liver function can have a more pronounced inhibitory effect on the spleen. Also, when stewing pig's trotters with water bamboo and rice pith, it's best to keep the seasonings light. This dish has a milk-boosting effect and is worth a try for new mothers.

Follow Me on Health: Scallion-Fried Pig Liver>>>

Reason for Recommendation: In the north, the scallions from Zhangqiu, Shandong, are truly magnificent (though that might be a slight exaggeration). But eating scallions in the spring is especially good. In ancient terms, it's said to "open the orifices." I just recalled a little remedy: when you have a stuffy nose from a cold, gently inserting a piece of white scallion into your nose will provide instant relief, like speeding down a highway (I'm not trying to be dramatic). Getting back to the point, when white scallion meets pig liver, it's a fresh, tender, and delicious combination, full of flavor. As a typical northerner, I have to bow down before this culinary masterpiece and highly recommend it!

Tip: After reading these three recipes, you might notice a pattern. The first one leans towards southern-style congee and soups (though that might seem a bit of a stretch; I'll provide an authentic version next time). The second is a fusion of north and south, using water bamboo, a southern ingredient, with the northern technique of soy-braising. Here's a small suggestion from me: you can use a mixture of brown sugar and white sugar in a 4:6 ratio. If you don't have cooking wine at home, you can use a high-proof liquor (or even Shaoxing wine). Remember, it's best to add the sugar in stages. The first time is to let the ingredients absorb the flavor, and the second time is to make the sauce richer. If you don't like a strong flavor or aren't confident about the ratio, you can thicken the sauce at the end with a cornstarch slurry.

Fragrant and Flavorful: Toon (Chinese Cedar) Edition

Follow Me on Health: Toon and Egg Scramble>>>

Reason for Recommendation: This dish has the effects of nourishing yin, moistening dryness, and beautifying the skin. It is suitable for conditions such as consumptive coughing with blood, red eyes, malnutrition, and alopecia areata. For healthy individuals, it can enhance the body's ability to resist disease. Additionally, eggs are rich in protein, so it's quite good to eat a bit more of them in the spring. Furthermore, this article also includes a red bean porridge. Red beans have the effect of detoxifying and beautifying the skin. In a future article, I will recommend a detoxifying and beautifying dish featuring red beans, and I hope you will like it.

Follow Me on Health: Toon Tofu>>>

Reason for Recommendation: At first glance, this reminds me of the phrase "pure and innocent." The tender tofu paired with the light flavor of toon, creating a crisp sound when bitten, I believe no one would find this vulgar or uncultured, because this is precisely the taste we're after. Tofu is high in protein and low in fat, can lower blood pressure and blood lipids, making it an especially suitable ingredient for middle-aged and elderly friends and for ladies who love beauty. This dish uses minimal seasoning, preserving the original, authentic flavor of the ingredients. It's a truly wonderful combination of nutritious, healthy, convenient, and quick. Give it a try!

Follow Me on Health: Two Ways to Eat Toon>>>

Reason for Recommendation: Cold-dressed toon is fresh and crisp, while deep-fried toon is fragrant, crispy, and delicious. But you shouldn't overindulge in good things. The recommendation for this dish is clearly influenced by my personal experience. I come from the countryside, and there were many toon trees behind my house. When I was a child, I loved picking toon buds. Whenever I picked a lot, I would feel an incredible sense of fulfillment. Oh, toon buds, toon buds, cold-dressed today, fried tomorrow, and what if there's still more? I'll mail them to my aunt! Ha, a little poem I just made up, just to add a little something to this joyful spring season!

Tip: Toon also has medicinal properties and is used to treat external colds, rheumatic pain, stomachaches, and dysentery. Therefore, it has a good regulatory effect on the body. It's also rich in vitamin C and carotene, making it a great choice for girls who rely on carrots and tomatoes for weight loss. A new year, a new outlook, let's change up the flavors! But remember, everything in moderation. Don't overindulge, or you'll go too far. I hope this unique ingredient brings you a "full spring of fragrance." A reminder for some: people who are sensitive to allergies can try eating a small amount. If an allergic reaction occurs, stop eating it immediately.

Authentic Beijing Flavor: Beijing Snacks Edition

Talking About Food in the Capital: Aiwo'ai (Rice Cakes with Sweet Fillings)>>>

Reason for Recommendation: In the "Zhong Zhi Zhi" by the Ming Dynasty eunuch Liu Ruoyu, it says: "Glutinous rice with sesame is made into a cool cake, then formed into balls with fillings to become 'wo wo,' which is the ancient 'bu luo jia'." Another feature of this Aiwo'ai is that it brings together melon seeds, raisins, walnuts, and sesame seeds. The nutritional value of these ingredients, if we were to list them all, would be a very long story, covering various trace elements, and more. So this is an old Beijing snack that is both nutritious and delicious, and quite sophisticated. To truly appreciate its subtleties, you'll have to make it yourself.

Talking About Food in the Capital: Guotie (Pan-Fried Dumplings)>>>

Reason for Recommendation: Old Beijing guotie is exquisitely made and wonderfully flavored. The ingredients can be varied, allowing for flexible combinations based on seasonal and local produce. Today's version uses yellow chives, which are rich in protein and minerals, and have effects such as strengthening the stomach, refreshing the mind, stopping sweat, tonifying the kidneys and yang, and securing essence. You can refer to the ingredient ratio in this recipe to easily make authentic-tasting Beijing-style guotie at home.

Food Talk in the Capital: Wondouhuang (Pea Jelly)>>>

Reason for Recommendation: At the temple fairs during the Spring Festival, the light yellow, delicate, and pure-colored treat is pea jelly. Legend has it that it was improved by the imperial kitchen of the Qing Dynasty based on the folk "small jujube and coarse pea jelly." The benefits of eating plain-cooked peas include relieving dry mouth and being good for people with weak qi and blood. In our cooking, we can use it as an ingredient or for garnish. This version uses white peas, which are higher in protein, making it a great nourishing food for the spring. These authentic old Beijing dishes are sure to bring you a wonderful surprise.

Tip: The stories of old Beijing are long and storied, and its snacks are full of character, with countless tales waiting to be savored by later generations. Sometimes, after hearing and seeing more, we can't help but notice the deep charm that old Beijing brings us. These three old Beijing snacks are perfect for savoring slowly in the spring. Whether for a nutritious breakfast or a homemade dessert, they are an excellent choice. I believe this spring will be full of vibrant life because of this unique Beijing flavor.

Special Feature:

I've seen many friends sharing the articles I've written, which makes me very happy. It's a joy to share good things with everyone. However, it's a bit much when the images are altered messily and the text is jumbled and misaligned. Perhaps it's a happy thing for you, but it might not be for everyone.

Now, let me share a few "lazy person's wellness tips" for spring. Many people might not be very interested in cooking, so now I'll introduce a few common acupressure points for spring wellness. You can press them during your tea break, after a meal, or before bed.

1. Xingjian (Liver 2) Point

Its location is on the webbing between the big toe and the second toe. Why this point? In spring, liver fire is旺盛 (prosperous), and many people experience toothaches, swollen cheeks, mouth sores, or nosebleeds. This indicates you need to "extinguish the fire." This point is a "fire point." The liver belongs to the element Wood, and Wood generates Fire, so we need to press or rub it more often. It's like a thief who just wants to steal something, only to find their target is a police station, and thus, they return empty-handed.

2. Taichong (Liver 3) Point

Moving up from the Xingjian point, it's the depression before the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones. Most people feel a tenderness when they press this point, and it's beneficial to press it regularly. This point is the source point of the Liver Meridian. Therefore, when a person is angry and has a lot of "fire," this area will definitely react. In the spring, it's best to stay happy and not get angry, and your body will naturally be in good health.

3. Neiguan (Pericardium 6) Point

Located 2 cun above the wrist crease (a common saying is that four fingers equal three cun, and three fingers equal two cun), in the central depression. Many people consider it a "spirit point," but its main function is to replenish qi and blood, and to calm the mind and beautify the complexion. Every spring, many middle-aged and elderly friends experience a situation where they can't eat or sleep well. At this time, pressing this point frequently can be very helpful for sleep. Also, whether young or old, some people may experience sudden pain in the chest or to the right of the chest. Rubbing this area firmly while relaxing the whole body and slowly rotating the wrist clockwise is quite effective. I have personally experienced this. Also, in the spring, especially for the elderly, it's appropriate to take a short nap.

Although it is early spring, I have written down everything I could think of, just to give everyone a reminder to prevent problems before they arise. Otherwise, when the time comes and you find you lack knowledge, it will be too late.

That's all for "Follow Me on Health: Spring Wellness Guide, Part 4." If you have any good suggestions, please let us know. We have many shortcomings and hope you will give us your feedback. If you find any mistakes, we hope you will correct them. Let's learn about wellness and practice wellness together. Wishing everyone health and longevity.

For more exciting content and more delicious food, all are on Food World. We hope to gain your recognition and for you to pay a little more attention to us. We look forward to meeting you in the next issue, and we won't be disappointed!

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