Traditionally, the cooler months of the year offered people the opportunity for rest and reflection. After all their hard work of harvesting and preparing food for storage over the more barren months of winter, it was time to sit around the fire , enjoy what bounty had been gathered and tell stories before preparation for Spring planting and hunting began the whole cycle again. In the Southern Hemisphere winter approacheth and temperatures are dropping.
These days though, no matter what the temperature is outside we tend to stay busy. So all of us, but especially active women need to incorporate these times of rest, renewal and reflection into our lives more regularly.
Cyclic awareness is like a circulatory system, with an ebb and flow, a rhythm of it’s own. As it changes, we need to change with it. For example, we need to be aware of seasonal changes and how these affect our bodies and the delicate balance of our overall wellbeing. Competing in a triathlon in the dead of winter for instance is a totally different ballgame to doing it in the heat of summer! And even those of us who are simply trying to get through the day need to take steps to ensure that we support and nourish ourselves in the way our bodies minds and spirits need it according to our outer environment.
However these changes don’t have to be threatening or difficult. They can be as simple as following our own instinctive desire to eat salads in summer, and more warming, heartier foods in winter.
One food that’s particularly appropriate for this time of year - let me be honest, it’s a personal favorite of mine too!- and a great addition to a healthy lifestyle in all it’s many forms is GINGER.
I was thrilled when I discovered all the health giving properties of ginger, because I love it anyway and I’m now even more keen to make it an integral part of my diet.
Ginger has powerful anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties making it a perfect tonic for general well-being. It is reputed to lower bad cholesterol and support heart and circulatory system health. Traditionally used for travel sickness, morning sickness and any kind of nausea, it has recently been discovered that ginger contains a protein digesting enzyme called zingibain which is similar to that found in papaya.
However, according to some experts ginger contains about 180 times more of this enzyme than papaya and is significantly lower on the GI index so the” old wives remedy” which has advocated the use of ginger as a digestive aid has been well and truly proven.
Ginger is also useful when we have colds and coughs, to remove stuffiness and soothe and calm inflamed mucus membranes. Ginger essential oil, diluted appropriately in a carrier or base oil makes a warm, soothing and anti-inflammatory rub for stiffness and/or rheumatic discomfort, as well as menstrual aches and pains. If you have irregular periods or are late, drinking ginger tea is said to help. As a flower essence, ginger releases anger, irritation, frustration and subconscious trauma.
Ginger is a wonderful addition to fresh juice. My current personal favourite blend is apple, beet, ginger and lemon. Fresh ginger is excellent grated and added to fruitcakes, and if you ever see a pumpkin and ginger cake recipe, give it a try- you won’t regret it.
We all know of ginger’s affinity with Asian and Indian cooking such as stir-fries and curries, and it makes a wonderful cordial base when a chunk is mixed in a blender with a few lemons and honey to taste. Strain and bottle- then add this syrup to soda, cold or hot water, or add to other herbal tea infusions for an extra kick.
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