The Start of Winter solar term has arrived, signaling the onset of the cold winter season. It's time to start nourishing your body through proper nutrition, otherwise, the cold may easily invade your system and lead to illness. For this reason, it's recommended to focus on daily dietary health practices, such as consuming medicinal soups. So, what medicinal soups are good for nourishing health during the Start of Winter? Here are a few recommended options for those looking to nourish themselves this winter.
What to Eat for Winter Solstice Wellness
Medicinal Dish 1: Sea Cucumber and Pigeon Egg Soup
Ingredients: 150g pigeon eggs, 25g each of sea cucumber and goji berries, appropriate amounts of ginger slices and scallions.
Cooking Method:
1. Prepare the pigeon eggs by washing them thoroughly. Place them in a pot with water and simmer until cooked. Peel off the shells and set aside.
3. Rinse the pot, dry it thoroughly, then add a small amount of oil. Stir-fry the minced ginger and scallions until fragrant. Pour in an appropriate amount of water, add the sliced sea cucumber, and bring to a boil.
4. Add the shelled pigeon eggs to the boiling water. Continue boiling over high heat for several minutes. Add the washed goji berries and simmer over low heat for a few minutes.
5. Before removing from heat, season with salt and a small amount of MSG. Taste for saltiness before serving.
Medicinal Benefits: This soup nourishes the liver and kidneys, replenishes vital energy, and moisturizes the skin.
Health-Promoting Medicinal Dish 2: Lamb and Astragalus Soup
Ingredients: 280g lamb, 150g carrots, 3g each of astragalus and angelica root, appropriate amounts of ginger slices and scallion segments.
Cooking Method:
1. Rinse the lamb, cut into small cubes, and set aside. Wash the carrots and slice into rounds 2-3mm thick.
2. Rinse the astragalus, angelica, ginger slices, and scallion segments and set aside.
3. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch the lamb cubes for 1-2 minutes, then remove and rinse thoroughly. Discard the water and clean the pot.
3. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch the lamb cubes for 1-2 minutes, then remove and rinse thoroughly. Discard the blanching water and rinse the pot. Refill with fresh water, add all prepared ingredients, and bring to a vigorous boil.
4. Once boiling, add cooking wine and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
4. Finally, once the ingredients are tender, add a pinch of salt before serving.
Medicinal Benefits: This soup fortifies the body's foundation, boosts qi, and nourishes blood. It is ideal for those with weakness, pale complexions, or seeking to improve their overall appearance.
Dietary Considerations for the Start of Winter
1. Focus on Nourishing Supplements
As temperatures drop significantly with the Start of Winter, timely nourishment is essential to prevent illness. However, supplementation requires method—allowing your digestive system time to adjust beforehand. Avoid sudden, excessive intake, which can overwhelm the stomach.For instance, begin with soups like red date and peanut soup or beef broth. 2. Increase Warm Porridge Intake As temperatures drop, staying warm is crucial to prevent colds and illnesses. During winter, it's advisable to consume more warm porridge. This practice not only warms the body but also provides essential nutrients—a win-win solution. There are numerous porridge options available,offering multiple choices. Consider wheat porridge to nourish the heart and reduce dryness, sesame porridge to enrich essence and nourish yin, or radish porridge to aid digestion and clear phlegm.
Beyond these points, remember to limit seafood consumption in winter. As cold-natured foods, excessive intake can accumulate cold energy internally, hindering warmth retention and potentially harming health.Additionally, limit high-fat and high-sugar foods. Otherwise, you'll not only feel colder but also gain weight, making weight loss harder later.