The Season of the Kidney

You're Getting Sleepy...

During the winter, it is natural to feel a little sleepier, slower, and possibly less motivated. It is the season of stillness and conservation. It's a period of hibernation and our time to rest, slow down, and revitalize our reserves. Winter is a great time of year to reflect on our health, replenish our energy, conserve our strength, and heal on a deeper level.

According to the traditional theories of the 5 elements, water is the element that is associated with winter and with the Kidneys, Bladder, and Adrenal Glands. Our Kidneys are extremely important organs that have various functions- the main one being that they store our inherited constitution. Consider it your body's internal battery.

According to Chinese Medicine, our internal Kidney batteries are powered up with a supply of energy that will carry and sustain each of us throughout our lives. This power supply is imparted to us from our parents, and provides us with the energy for all of our bodily functions.

It is believed that every action we take depletes energy from this power supply. Some people quickly deplete their reserves; others preserve it. The Kidneys' store of energy is finite, so if not protected, it will be easily wasted and eventually, when it becomes depleted, various symptoms and signs of disease may appear.

During the winter, it is important to conserve our battery reserves. Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter- rest, reflection, conservation, and storage. The "downtime" that winter provides gives us an opportunity to slow down, check in, take account as to how our lifestyle supports or detracts from our health, and to recharge our battery.

As for getting some exercise, it is always healthy to get some form daily, but during the winter months it is best to participate in gentler exercise, such as yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, swimming, walking, and other low impact sports. Save the extreme exertion for the spring and summer months.

Onion and Mustard Sauce

This is a warming sauce suitable for pouring over steamed vegetables and a simple grain.

2 onions, chopped

4 Tbs olive oil

2 1/2  Tbs spelt flour

2 cups vegetable stock

1 1/2 tsp tarragon

3 tsp mustard

Saute onions and olive oil until onions are soft and sweet. Stir in flour with the stock until dissolved. Add mustard and tarragon to onion mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally until sauce has thickened.