Winter Foods
Winter is the season when we can feel the most vulnerable, insecure, and lacking in motivation.
Foods that can make us feel supported, warm, and secure are buckwheat, oats, soba noodles, miso soup, adzuki beans, roots, greens, and salty condiments.
By adding the above foods to your diet, you’ll feel more self-confident and less stressed, retain your sense of humour, and have a greater sense of balance and stability.
Winter Cooking
With the seasonal change from autumn to winter, we tend towards longer cooking methods, that include stronger soups, sautéed vegetables, casseroles, and baked dishes.
A little more oil, seasoning, condiments like gomasio, and sea salt (only used in cooking) are appropriate as they warm the body.
Vegetables are cut into larger chunks for longer cooking, while buckwheat, along with fried rice and soba noodles are the grains most appropriate at this time.
Shiatsu Point Therapy for Constipation
Shiatsu can be used to offer symptomatic relief from a number of ailments as well serving as a means for maintaining your general health and wellbeing.
Stomach meridian point 25 (ST 25) is located three finger-widths to the side of the navel.
It can be used for symptomatic relief of constipation.
Shiatsu Point Therapy Technique
Using either your thumb or middle finger, apply pressure until you feel the soreness in the point.
Taking deep breaths and maintaining the pressure breathe slowly in and out of the point until you feel the soreness and tension disappear.
Please note:
The above technique is for symptomatic relief only If symptoms persist please consult a qualified shiatsu therapist for a full treatment.
You can find more points at our shiatsu blog page.
Sweet Rice Loaf
- 3/4 cup sweet rice
- 1/2 cup rice flour
- 1/2 cup maize meal
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
- pinch of sea salt
Cook rice in 1 1/2 cups of water for 40 minutes or until water is absorbed.
Dry roast pumpkin seeds until light brown and add all ingredients to cooked rice, mixing well. If consistency is too dry add a little extra water so that a moist dough is formed.
Oil a baking dish, place dough in dish and cover with aluminium foil.
Bake for 3/4 hour at 200C (375F) uncovering the loaf for the last 10 minutes to let it brown.
Serve with unsweetened jam or apple spread.
Serves 4.
Yoga Pose for Winter – Standing Pose
This pose builds up strength in the legs, straightens the spine and supports the back.
- Stand straight, with the arms by your side, feet together with big toes touching, and the heels slightly apart.
- Head straight, tuck the chin in and visualise a string pulling you up from the crown of the head towards the ceiling.
- Inhale and raise the arms up. Exhale while relaxing the shoulders.
- Hold the position while you inhale, then bring the arms down as you exhale.
Repeat 3 times.
Bach Flower Remedy – Gentian
Gentian can be taken when we are feeling doubtful, discouraged or even depressed about something specific.
Suffering a minor setback during convalescence or expressing pessimism about life is also an indication that Gentian may be required.
Spiritually, Gentian can help when there is an issue about lack of faith or trust in ourselves.
It can also be very supportive for anyone involved in a separation, divorce, death of a loved one or pet. Having to uproot or move house especially for old people can be eased with Gentian.
General dosage is 4 – 5 drops under the tongue at least 3 times a day, or whenever feeling discouraged, doubtful or depressed
Gentian pic reproduced by permission of the Bach Centre www.bachcentre.com –
Aromatherapy Essential Oil for Indigestion, Constipation & Diarrhoea
Orange can provide symptomatic relief from indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, insomnia and chronic fatigue.
Essential Oils Application
Bath: Use 10-15 drops in a tub of water and soak in it for 15 minutes.
Massage: Blend between 1% and 3% of essential oil with a carrier oil of your choice such as jojoba, almond, peach, apricot, soyabean, sesame, or vegetable oils.
please note:
do not apply pure essential oils directly to skin (except for Lavender) and never take any essential oils internally.
Inhalation: Place a few drops of essential oil in an oil burner or small bowl of boiling water to freshen the air and create a special atmosphere.
Compress: Add 5 drops of essential oil to 200 mls of warm water. Place cloth in the water then wring out and lay over affected area for a few minutes.