Squash soup with spices to boost energy in winter

Feeling weary, sluggish and low? Does this time of year make you want to duvet dive and make it all go away? Rhi Hepple offers a naturopathic guide on how to stay positive and boost your energy through this cold weather

Energetically winter is slow and heavy – but in fact there is a whole lot we can do to naturally nourish ourselves at this time of year. The Chinese system of medicine believes this is the time to work on nourishing your kidneys and bladder. Not only is this supportive in helping us get rid of toxins but it also helps support us through stress. The kidneys and bladder are a storehouse for our core energy that we rely on in times of need (but actually tap into far more frequently than we should with our busy, hectic lifestyles).

Tips to boost your energy in winter

  • Spices for the season are ginger, chilli, cinnamon and turmeric which are all warming and energising so use generously in your cooking.
  • Some good nutritional kidney supports are nettles, seaweeds, beetroot, cranberries, red cabbage and blueberries.
  • Ensure your diet is not too cold and choose warming foods so as not to deplete the kidney energy. If you like fresh juices then add ginger or turmeric to warm it up. Ensure you have something warm with your salads such as adding roasted butternut squash or sweet potatoes, or drink a cup of nettle tea alongside your salad.
  • Plant your seeds ready to bloom for spring by including lots of seeds in your diet such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, linseed, chia seeds and so on. These are lovely sprinkled over salads, stir fries and rice dishes to add texture but are also rich in nutrients.
  • Stimulate the lymphatic system to prevent stagnation to avoid colds and bugs and support the immune system. Try daily dry body brushing (work up the body with your circulation by moving up from your feet towards the heart, down your arms and down your chest and upper back), or hot and cold showering and hot tubbing.
  • Enjoy a good massage to get the lymph moving, especially using warming oils. For more information on The Hub’s selection of massages click here.
  • Warm up your kidneys by massaging the lower back gently with your fists or sitting with a hot water bottle over your lower back.

 

For further help on improving your diet and to boost your energy with naturopathic nutrition through winter, head on and book an appointment with Rhi

 

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