"A Heart Healthy Diet in Chinese Medicine Activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System and Strengthens"

In Chinese medicine, each major organ is represented by a season. Since the Heart is a fire organ, SUMMER IS HEART TIME. It's about heat, get it? So, I'm also talking about eating for the seasons, too.

Red is the colour of fire. So choose more red coloured fruits and vegetables.

Summer is when there is tremendous growth, activity, and creativity. There are lots of garden fresh fruits and vegetables. So for a heart healthy diet, take advantage of all these fresh foods during the summer.

During warm weather, cooking methods are quick and light. Summer is about heat, so now is a good time to add some spice to your food.

On the other hand, serve more cooling foods, if your constitution allows it. That is, you don't suffer from unusual feelings of coldness. Raw vegetables such as salads are great at this time of the year. Tofu is a cooling food and appropriate for summer. Raw fruit is also very good at this time of year. You are choosing lighter fare.

Leave the heavy dense proteins out in the heat of Summer. Summer time is the time to really lighten up in all ways. I know this is in contradiction to barbeque season, but at least keep your meat in small proportions and pile up on the vegetables, especially the deep leafy greens.

Avoid other heavy foods such as too many nuts, seeds, and grains. Eating too many of these foods will make you feel sluggish at this time of the year.

So in warm weather or tropical climes, eat light and cool.

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