iced tea – Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc https://drsaritaelizabeth.com Tue, 03 Jan 2023 17:00:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/favicon-36x36.png iced tea – Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc https://drsaritaelizabeth.com 32 32 Earth: How sweet it is https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/earth-how-sweet-it-is/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=earth-how-sweet-it-is Tue, 03 Jan 2023 17:00:03 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=3576 Continue reading →]]> Did you know that historically the apple was the standard for the taste of sweet? We’ve come a long (not so healthy) way from those days. I love to substitute applesauce in recipes for cakes and pies to create the taste of sweet in healthier ways. Last year, I also perfected a sweet potato pie with just three ingredients: sweet potatoes, butter and coconut. just bake, mash and combine into a nut pie shell. What are your sweet tricks?

Sweetness is associated with the Earth Element.

Although a touch of sweetness can stimulate the spleen and pancreas, indulging in too much sweet food and drink can cause digestive issues and decrease energy levels. The primary dietary tip for this transitional time of year is to avoid sugars and sugary foods; however, local (raw) honey in small amounts nourishes the spleen, emanating the golden color of the season. 

All vegetables and fruits in earth tone colors benefit the Earth element.

Supplement the diet with squash, carrots, dates, figs, peaches, pears, sweet potatoes as alternatives to unhealthy refined sugars and sweets. Picking fruit and vegetables perfectly ripe from the tree, vine, bush or ground gifts our bodies the most perfect form for consumption.  So grow your own fruits and vegetables or frequent your local farmer’s markets!  Consider shopping for smaller quantities more frequently during this season of abundance.

It is important to avoid foods that cause dampness in the body like dairy and fried foods. I know we Southerners love our iced sweet tea, but cold foods and beverages, especially putting ice in drinks and ice cream, shock the spleen causing digestive issues. Room temperature water is best or constitutionally corrective herbal teas or infused waters cooled in the refrigerator if you must. Remember to chew your food well and eat slowly to support the spleen!

More thorough chewing releases and magnifies the taste of the season, sweet.

This is the ideal time to nurture your Earth energy with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Also try yoga postures for your spleen and stomach as demonstrated here.  

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