This year’s dog days seems to be more difficult to endure than previous years, but fortunately time always flies by. The 40-day extended “dog days” is coming to an end. It is now the time of End of Heat, with a noticeable coolness in the morning and afternoon, marking the official arrival of autumn.
With the change of seasons and significant climate variations, our bodies automatically adjust, leading to some discomfort such as autumn fatigue and dry skin, all part of the adaptation process. To smoothly transition through autumn, it’s essential to start adjusting early in early autumn, from diet to daily routines, remembering “Eat 3 things, Drink 2 things, Avoid 2 things”, aligning with the season, nurturing in a systematic way, and smoothly sailing through autumn.
Eat 3 things
Chicken Meat
Chicken meat is a highly nutritious type of meat, with a mild nature suitable for all seasons. It is rich in high-quality protein, low in fat, low in calories, and easy to digest, making it suitable for the elderly and children. After the end of the dog days, one can consume chicken meat 1-2 times a week, aiding in tonifying deficiency, invigorating the spleen, and strengthening tendons and bones.
Recommended cooking method: Stewed Chicken with Potatoes
1. Cut the chicken into pieces, remove impurities, then put it in a pot with water to boil. After boiling, remove and wash off any foam.
2. Heat oil in a pan, add the chicken pieces, stir-fry on high heat until golden brown, add soy sauce, spring onions, ginger, rock sugar, stir well, then add water and simmer for twenty minutes.
3. Cut a large potato into chunks, peel and clean it, then cut a green pepper into small pieces.
4. First, add the potatoes to the pan, add a pinch of salt, stir-fry with chicken pieces, continue cooking for another ten minutes, then add green pepper, a little hot pepper, stir-fry on high heat, then immediately serve.
Lotus Root
Among the four seasons, autumn lotus root is the sweetest and most nourishing, not to be missed. It has a crispy texture, appetizing and refreshing. It is rich in protein, riboflavin, niacin, ash, calcium, iron, phosphorus, etc. It helps tonify Qi and blood, clear heat, moisturize the spleen, and generate body fluids.
Recommended cooking method: Lotus Root Meat Patty
1. First, prepare some pork, clean it, mince into large granules.
2. Peel and clean the lotus root, chop into large pieces, then grind it in a meat grinder.
3. Add spring onions, ginger, thirteen spices, soy sauce, salt to the minced meat, mix well to absorb the flavors.
4. Mix the minced lotus root with the pork, adjust the taste, then shape into patties, sprinkle sesame seeds on the surface. Heat a griddle with oil, then cook the patties over medium heat until fully cooked.
Lettuce
During early autumn, when the weather is cool and dry, green vegetables like lettuce should not be neglected. Lettuce has a crisp texture, very refreshing. It is rich in chlorophyll, Vitamin C, beta-carotene, magnesium, zinc, calcium, etc., aiding in clearing heat, aiding sleep, and protecting eyesight.
Recommended cooking method: Stir-fried Lettuce with Mushrooms
1. Pluck the lettuce leaves, wash them twice, soak them in alkaline water for a while, then rinse again and drain.
2. Clean a few fresh mushrooms, cut into large pieces, boil in boiling water for three minutes until cooked through, then drain.
3. Heat oil in a pan, sauté garlic until fragrant, add soy sauce, oyster sauce, stir well.
4. Sauté the mushrooms until partially cooked, then add the lettuce, a bit of salt, stir-fry over high heat until slightly tender, then plate immediately.
Drink 2 things
Pear Soup
As the autumn wind rises and dryness sets in after the dog days, the weather becomes drier. It’s time for pear soup. Pear is a natural lung-moistening food, containing abundant water, Vitamin C, sugars, potassium, copper, selenium, contributes to moistening the lungs, relieving cough, promoting bowel movements, detoxification. In autumn, pears can be paired with various ingredients to make soup.
Recommended cooking method: Hawthorn Pear Soup
1. Prepare 1-2 pears, peel and core, cut into small pieces.
2. Wash but do not peel the hawthorns, clean carefully, remove the pits.
3. Put both into a pot, add drinking water, rock sugar, bring to a boil, continue cooking for twenty minutes. Sweet and refreshing, quench thirst.
Chrysanthemum Tea
Many people enjoy tea, with various types suitable for different seasons. In early autumn, characterized by dry heat, it’s ideal to drink chrysanthemum tea. It has a pleasant fragrance, moistening, and clearing, aiding in clearing heat, protecting the liver, relieving eye fatigue. When drinking chrysanthemum tea, it’s best to consume it warm to avoid any discomfort when it cools down.
Avoid 2 things
Avoid keeping windows closed
During the dog days, the climate is hot and humid, indoor air, beddings, and clothes are prone to dampness and bacteria growth. After the dog days, it’s advisable to open the windows, let in fresh dry air, wash beddings thoroughly, air out autumn clothes to prevent any issues.
Avoid excessive physical activity
In the hot weather of summer, people tend to avoid excessive physical activities. After the dog days, as the weather cools, it’s good to prepare for autumn and winter with more moderate exercise routines. However, it’s important to gradually increase physical activity according to individual fitness levels, avoiding excessive strain, energy depletion, and maintaining overall health.
This article is an original creation by Jasmine’s Gourmet Journal, sharing knowledge is valuable, strictly prohibit plagiarism or unauthorized copying. Feel free to like, bookmark, and share! Thank you for your support!
