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Autumn Super Healthy Cooked Pears for Lung Health and a Glowing Complexion

Autumn in China is a time when people look to slow down and conserve our ‘Qi’, (Prana or our Yin Energies). We cook foods that in particular focus on our general health and wellbeing and get cosy; catching up with family over the dinner table.
In Chinese medicine, the lungs, being the highest organs are regarded as being extremely sensitive to heat and cold, and most vulnerable to injury. Transitioning from warm to cold environments, such as popping into and out of shops, or walking from your centrally heated home to the cold outdoors air, stresses and dries the lungs. This causes them discomfort that can lead to coughs, phlegm, bronchitis, asthma and other chest infections. When the lungs become stressed, cooled and dried; our skin becomes dry & flakey and our energies low, leading to fatigue and effecting our immunity.
A simple Chinese tradition for keeping internal warmth and moisture to remain healthy during the colder months is eating more white foods, such as Almonds, Pears, Yam, Lily Root, White Radish, Oats, Sugar Cane and Honey.
One of the best, and my particular favourite recipe, is cooked pears with honey which is easy to whip up in 15 minutes.
Autumn Cooked Pears & Honey cooking in the pan

Super Healthy Cooked Pears Recipe

  • Chop up 2-3 fresh pears (serves 3-4)
  • Add dates / Chinese dates or Sultanas
  • 500ml of water

 

Method

  • Boil in a pan with lid on a medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • The pears will release their juice in to the water as they boil creating a sweet sauce with their natural sugar, so there is no need to sweeten the desert.
  • Serve in a small bowl with a teaspoon of honey and enjoy this super healthy desert to keep your lungs strong and healthy in Autumn and Winter.

 

Quarter-Dog Pose to recharge your Qi energy

This yin yoga pose stimulates the Lung and Heart meridians as gentle pressure is placed across the shoulder joint and upper arms. Press into the fingers while doing this pose to stimulate the various points in each. Hold this pose on both sides for 3-5 minutes after a busy day to completely relax, and recharge your Qi energy. Come in to Child’s Pose to rest.

quarter-dog pose

Quarter-Dog Pose : Yin Yoga Pose to restore your Qi energy