In the traditional solar terms culture of China, the end of the dog days marks the conclusion of the three hottest weeks. Although it is now on the edge of late summer and early autumn, the residual heat remains, and the heat is still intense. At this time, many customs and practices are passed down in the community, aimed at adjusting diet and behavior to achieve the goals of dispelling summer heat and promoting physical and mental well-being. Today, at the end of the dog days, we follow ancient teachings with the traditional approach of “eating 4 dishes and doing 3 things” to wish for health and safety during this period, symbolizing that the days ahead will be even better and more favorable.
### Eat 4 Dishes
**First Dish: Clear Stewed Duck Soup**
During the end of the dog days, the human body is susceptible to the invasion of summer heat, and internal dampness is relatively heavy. Old duck, having a sweet and cool taste, is rich in protein and various vitamins, and has the effects of nourishing yin, supplementing deficiency, clearing heat, and benefiting dampness. Clear stewed duck soup not only has a clear soup color and delicious flavor but also effectively eliminates summer heat from the body and nourishes the internal organs. When preparing, choose an old duck over a year old, paired with warming ingredients such as goji berries and red dates, and slow-cook for hours until the duck meat is tender and the soup is amber, creating an unforgettable delicacy during the end of the dog days.
**Second Dish: Mung Bean and Lily Soup**
Mung beans, known as the “first bean of summer,” have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and promoting diuresis. Lily helps moisten the lungs, relieve cough, and calm the mind. The combination of these two, when cooked into mung bean and lily soup, not only tastes sweet and refreshing but also effectively alleviates the irritability and discomfort during the end of the dog days. When cooking, soak the mung beans for several hours, then combine them with thoroughly washed rice in the pot. When the mung beans bloom, add lily slices and continue simmering until the soup thickens and the rice is soft. One bowl calms and refreshes, providing a cooling relief from the heat.
**Third Dish: Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup**
Lotus root has a sweet and cool nature, rich in dietary fiber and various trace elements, which helps strengthen the spleen and stimulate appetite while clearing heat and generating fluids. Stewed with pork ribs, it preserves the deliciousness of the ribs and incorporates the fragrance of lotus root, resulting in a nutrition-rich home-style soup. Consuming this during the end of the dog days replenishes the moisture and nutrients lost through sweating and promotes digestion, enhancing physical strength. When stewing, use fresh lotus root and pork ribs, adding ginger slices to remove fishy odors and enhance fragrance, slow-cook until the meat is tender and the lotus root is powdery, with rich soup, leaving a lingering taste.
**Fourth Dish: Stir-Fried Bitter Melon with Eggs**
Bitter melon, although bitter in taste, is an excellent food for clearing heat and dispelling summer heat. It is rich in bitter melon glycosides and bitter principles, effectively enhancing appetite and promoting digestion. Stir-frying it with eggs not only neutralizes the bitterness but also adds fragrance to the dish. This dish is simple to make, colorful, and rich in flavor, making it a refreshing addition to the dining table during the end of the dog days. When stir-frying, first slice the bitter melon and blanch it to remove bitterness, then quickly stir-fry it with beaten eggs, adding a little salt and seasoning for flavor.
### Do 3 Things
**First Thing: Build up for Winter with Moderate Nourishment**
After the end of the dog days, as the weather gradually cools, there is a custom of “building up for winter,” which involves appropriately increasing nutrient intake to prepare for the upcoming autumn and winter seasons.
