# Record Summer Life Moments #
On July 15th, the beginning of the hottest period in summer, everyone has experienced the scorching heat and humidity during the three dog days. If you are in a room without air conditioning, your short sleeves are almost wet all day long. After our bodies absorb the moisture, in winter, we often feel a chilly back and the bedsheets not warm enough at night. Therefore, we need to learn to take care of ourselves in daily life.
In summer, especially during the dog days, it is beneficial to soak your feet in hot water before bathing at night. Foot soaking can help expel the cold from the body, and from my own experience last year, doing this throughout the summer had a significant effect. I hope it can help you too.
During the dog days, apart from the high temperatures and humidity, many uncomfortable symptoms in our bodies are often food-related. With the hot temperatures during this period, reduced appetite is common, and people tend to enjoy cold drinks, ice cream, watermelon, and other cooling foods, which also carry a cooling effect. You might have heard of a folk saying, “treat winter diseases in summer, regulate yang during the dog days.” This saying has two meanings: firstly, the high temperatures during the dog days often help us expel accumulated cold or dampness from the body, secondly, having some warm-natured foods during this period can enhance one’s constitution, expel dampness, and reinforce yang energy, effectively regulating our bodies during the dog days.
### First Three Things to Do in the Dog Days ###
The dog days commonly experience high temperatures, and the humid environment can disturb our bodies with “dampness.” There is a popular saying, “eat radishes in winter and ginger in summer.” In the following sections, common daily activities that can help expel dampness during the dog days will be discussed.
1. Stay hydrated by drinking water, preferably warm water. Throughout the 40 days of the dog days, you should avoid cold beverages, ice plum soup, and popsicles, and instead consume warm water. Drinking warm water can aid in detoxification, as it raises body temperature leading to sweating, which helps release toxins.
2. Develop a habit of afternoon naps during the dog days. With long daytime periods and short nights, taking a nap during the dog days can improve sleep quality, boost immune resistance, and aid the body in expelling dampness.
3. Before bathing at night, soak your feet. This practice is crucial even during the hot dog days. With increased dampness in the body during summer, foot soaking can help regulate blood circulation. Soak your feet for about 20 minutes daily, and it is recommended to have a slight sweat on your forehead.
### Six Types of Foods to Drive Away Cold During the Dog Days ###
1. Crucian Carp:
– Rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, Crucian Carp is a nutritious fish. It has effects such as tonifying the spleen, removing dampness, improving appetite, promoting blood circulation, and warmth. Consuming Crucian Carp during the dog days can help in the digestion process due to low appetite, and most importantly, it can expel internal coldness.
Recipe: Crucian Carp and Tofu Soup
Ingredients: Crucian Carp, Tofu, Ginger, Salt, Cooking Oil, Pork Lard, White Pepper
Method:
1. Clean the Crucian Carp, remove the fishy smell as much as possible, and cut it into pieces.
2. Heat the cooking oil and pork lard in a pot, then pan-fry the fish until golden brown on both sides.
3. Add ginger and spring onions, stew for 10 minutes until the fish broth turns milky.
4. Add tofu, simmer for 30 minutes over low heat, season with salt and white pepper before turning off the heat, and let it sit for 3 minutes.
2. Lamb:
– Rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, Lamb can provide sufficient nutrients to the body, increase your immune system, and help expel internal dampness during the dog days.
Recipe: Clear Lamb Soup
Ingredients: Lamb leg meat, Lamb ribs, White Radish, Ginger Slices, Spring Onions, Black Pepper, Salt
3. Millet:
– Millet can help expel excess dampness from the body during the dog days, maintain a good appetite, and provide energy to keep you energetic.
Recipe: Red Date Sweet Potato Millet Congee
Ingredients: Millet, Sweet Potato, Red Dates, Rock Sugar
4. Black Beans:
– Black beans have the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, resisting oxidation, delaying aging, and providing abundant nutrition to the body, allowing you to maintain a beautiful appearance even through the dog days. Recipes: Black Bean and Black Sesame Soy Milk
5. Red Beans:
– Red beans can help eliminate excess internal dampness, reduce swelling, and provide relief from the summer heat.
Recipe: Red Bean Congee
Ingredients: Red Beans, Rock Sugar, Rice
6. Pig Stomach:
– Pig stomach aids in digestion, enhances the digestive function, and is helpful in maintaining a balance of warmth even during hot periods.
Recipe: Stir-Fried Pig Stomach
Ingredients: Pork, Small Red Peppers, Bell Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Ginger, Soy Sauce, Salt, Sugar, Cooking Oil, Bean Paste
These food choices cater to different preferences, ensuring a balance of nutrition during the dog days. Remember to incorporate them wisely and enjoy a healthy summer.
