Winter Waterfall

Winter Solstice 2025

      Well Winter is upon us. It came suddenly - with no bearing in mind for the calendar marking the date and following tradition. Mother Nature seems to have a mind of her own these days.

   We had an early snow storm this year - which worries me - for if snow starts very early it is often a sign of things to come in the season. But as we know things don't necessarily seem to follow the seasons in the order they were given.

   No matter what it is now time for the solstice and all that the season brings. And as such we will be ending this year and ringing in a new year. Yet for once I hate to let this year go for it was a very magical year for me. Perhaps 2026 will be even better but one never knows.

   Thankfully the Sun has already started to set about a minute later already - something I watch for every year. And yet it's been so cloudy and stormy that darkness seems to fall even earlier!

   I've already started with the hot teas and soups - so warming and nourishing. It is important to consider nutrition in all the seasons but Winter especially it seems.

   Water is the element that goes with Winter. We even have water in our bodies which is important for functions like blood circulation which then carries heat thought out the body. As important is the lymphatic flow which helps to get rid of wastes and helps to also fight infections.

   The bladder and kidneys are the organs associated with the element of Water and the Winter season. the climate associated with Water is cold of course and the direction is north. Even tonight there is a strong northerly wind blowing - clearing out the storm of the last day or so. Why we even had threats of thunder! It's important not to get too cold and to stay warm and dry. It is a time to conserve energy and again there is the importance of nutrition, warmth and rest. There is nothing like curling up with a good book and a blanket with the wind howling outside like it does on a night like this.

   It is also a time of inner reflection - a kind of pause - moving from one universe of the past and into the future for as the sun gets stronger and the days lighter there is a sense of new beginnings. And of course together with water is the emotions so good to keep emotions in check. Excess emotions are never healthy. And the bladder is supposedly the storehouse of emotions so one would wonder about the cause of some bladder afflictions such as infections. And it is the kidneys that filter the blood and keep it clean. Everything in the human body is interconnected with everything else.

   Winter makes us turn inward, and in doing so it makes me appreciate the body I have. It also makes me think of how we should help and take care of each other. The other day I was in a doctor's office and there was an elderly patient who couldn't quite get their arm in the sleeve of the coat so I could not resist helping them to guide the hand in and get the coat on. It made my day.

   So wishing all of you well in this winter season.

Maery

Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice

The Hazy Sun of Winter

   The Winter Solstice is approaching. Already the darkness in early evening seems darker, all consuming. We retreat more indoors, slowing down, taking stock of the last year, and wondering where do we go to next. We are more inward, as the Fall fades into Winter and we have yet another time of transition for our health and well being.

   Winter is related to the element of Water, and so the organs associated with Winter are the bladder and kidneys. Although the kidneys are nourished by a colder climate, extreme coldness can be damaging or difficult, so it is important to keep warm. Warm soups and stews, layers of clothing, and a fireplace or place of warmth are ideal in Winter.

   The emotion which correlates to Winter is fear, while the senses affected are to due to with ears. Be careful to keep your head and ears warm, especially in cold winds, as the ears are more sensitive this time of year. The taste associated with Winter is salt - but remember to keep salt at a reasonable level, otherwise high blood pressure can result. The colors of winter are blue and black, which also remind us of water. 

   Despite the colder weather approaching, I still try to walk as much as possible, being outdoors, and getting some sunshine, even though the sun seems more hazy. Dressing warmly helps, as well as finding areas that are somewhat protected from the wind, for the wind makes things feel even colder. I have walked, in mid winter, in the mountains, with the trails covered with snow, and lots of ice everywhere. There is a quietness and stillness in the air. But on those walks they tend to be shorter and I retreat to the warmth indoors.

   And slowly, as we get through January here, the sun starts to set later in increments, as it makes its return. While indoors I get ready for plans for the Spring, when everything starts anew. Cycles, cycles, endless cycles of life.

 

Winter Approaches......

   We are quickly approaching the Winter Solstice. The above photo has ice beginning to form, and yet there are autumn leaves lining the stream as it travels down to the waterfall. Just barely, crystals of ice on a low hanging branch that dangles above the water, crystal clear, a sign of winter to come.

   After a few chilly blasts of weather, it hardly seems like winter is just about here. We awoke to ice covering the lawns this week, and I heard hail one night, as well as a hailstorm while out on the road at work.

   The days are shorter, yet the good news is that as of this week, at least here in the Northeast, the time of sunset has gone stationary. And starting next week, on December 13th, sunset will already be a minute later, as the sun begins to make its journey back.

   Winter is a time of reflection, of going inward, slowing down. It's always a good time to care of oneself and health needs, but even moreso now in the midst of a lingering pandemic. Use common sense one of my client physicians declared. Be safe and well. Take precautions, follow guidelines as best as one can. Get some rest, curl up with a good book or a good movie.

   Even though the weather has been turning colder, regardless of the season, life finds me trekking the mountains, forests, rivers, streams and beaches. The wind has been fierce these last few months, but still I trek when I can, connecting to nature, camera in hand, documenting the changes in light and color, the moods of nature, the animals that appear, from the snowy owls visiting from Canada, to the deer who finally venture out, and the same Peregine falcon who flies over the marsh. I am caught by the silvery reflections on the water's surface, the pounding of the ocean waves, the surfers who venture out in wet suits as the water grows progressively colder.

   And seeking warmth at times in hot soups and foods, baking experiments, hot teas, all brings comfort on the winter days to come.

   For a full description of health in the changing seasons, please refer to the past articles, outlining diet and tips for a healthy life.

   Be well friends

Maery

Snowy owl December 9, 2021

 

Winter Solstice Arrives

Winter Solstice 

Winter

   The days were growing noticeably shorter even in late

Gardiner's Bay and Gardiner's Island

August. But August found us in our cycle called Later Summer (in Chinese medicine and lore), and blending into Autumn. Now in December we should be in winter, with the Winter Solstice about to occur, each winter however has become so different, what I ask makes a time truly winter?



   Yes darkness comes earlier, and our energy retreats towards winter patterns. The rain and cold remind us that it is leaning more towards Winter, or when a storm approaches with high winds and a sharper chill to the air, we know freezing temperatures may soon be the norm.
   We have had our first snow fall, and it is only December 2nd. It came fast and furious but melted quickly the next day. Yet in many ways it felt like January. Walking in the snow while it was falling was like walking in a winter wonderland. Often when snow arrives in November or early December it can be a sign of a snowy winter!

   According to Chinese medicine, Winter is governed by the element of Water. We become introspective in Winter, and things go more dormant for a period of rest, in order to emerge again in the Spring. The trees have shed their leaves, plants wither and die and go to see, waiting for the next cycle.
   Water is essential to life. In our body, fluids like blood flowing are important, as well as the fluids in the lymph system, which help to process and eliminate waste so you can fight infections. There is also fluids like saliva, perspiration, tears and urine. Everything is flowing, and should be flowing. Water is part of the circulation system, perhaps like the oceans for the earth.

   The body organs that dominate in the Winter cycle are the bladder and kidneys. The climate associated with Winter and Water is cold, and the compass direction for Winter is the North.
   I have read that the kidneys are nourished by cold, but extreme cold and or wetness can weaken the kidneys. I think of the few times I have been in desert areas of the world, with such a compelling dryness, and remember what a different feeling when compared to humidity. I remember being in Colorado as well, in higher altitudes, and having the skin on my hands cracking from the dry air, which I was not used to, and coming home to breathe in moist air for my lungs. In Israel it is hot during the day, and then cold at night, and also dry. The wind also takes moisture out of your body there, so you must drink a great deal of water especially if you are outdoors. It was a harsh environment it seemed, which would put stress on our bodies and systems if we are not used to it, but we can always adapt. I know recently while visiting the local mountains, the Catskill area, it was 64 degrees in November, but there was a damp and biting wind and no sun and I was indeed chilled to the bone. You can think back to your own experiences with temperatures and conditions and remember how it felt, or be more conscious of this in the future.

   The taste that is associated with Winter is salt. Interestingly most water has salt in it, as well as our blood, and also of course the oceans. If you crave salt or dislike salt you may have a Water imbalance. If you eat too much salt, it creates a craving for water and can weaken the kidneys. Salt can also cause water retention and toxins to be held, so we can become easily toxic. Salt intake is also linked to high blood pressure. There will most likely be another whole article on salt, but best not to add it to food, and if you must use salt in cooking, use something more natural like sea salt, as table salt has alot of chemicals and additives, in addition to being bleached.

   The emotion of Winter is fear, whether it be anxiety, stress or any other emotion. Trembling is actually a water imbalance and is a release of fearful energy and tension. Think of the expression "paralyzed with fear" - fear can be a very powerful emotion, and can create blockages. Fear in some ways blocks many things, because it numbs you.

   The sound of Winter is groaning. Have you ever heard trees that grown in the wind during a storm? Their branches creak and groan. For people, the sound of a groan comes from deep within.

Some Considerations

   So what can you do to fortify yourself or flow with the ways of the Winter season?

Frozen

   Well first think about Water and emotions. Water can be calm, still or gentle, or stormy, and hard to contain. How do you feel when you become too emotional? We may feel drained, and we can easily become exhausted and run down. We also need to remember that our kidneys are a filter for the blood systems and also ridding the body of toxic waste and heavy metals. So we can eat well and cleanse, although Spring is technically the time for deep cleansing.

   Negativity can also be harmful, and must be eliminated from the body, believed to be processed out through the bladder. So it is important to be positive and have a good attitude, and using positive affirmations on a daily basis.

   Other suggestions that might help in the Winter season include things like massage, where it will work on the meridians associated with the kidney, for example, along the spine. Massage also helps to relieve tension and toxins. Yoga is also excellent, providing stretching, relaxation and reducing stress.

   With diet and nutrition, you would want to eat foods that provide a little more heat, eat a little heavier, but not too heavy. Everything should be in moderation. When you over eat at Thanksgiving you often feel heavy and bloated.
   Your diet for winter should include hot soups with plenty of fresh vegetables, and spices that warm like ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper. Small amounts of whole grains are good fuel in winter, like millet, buckwheat, brown rice with red or black beans or lentils. Remember do not add salt to your food, because there is already some salt in your food, and we do need some salt. Sea salt is the most natural. If you bathe in the ocean or take a mineral bath, the stored salts and toxins will be drawn out. Food will taste like real food without adding alot of salt. I gave up adding salt to my food, sometimes substituting with garlic or onion instead.

   It is also important to keep warm in the winter - sitting by the fire, or with a blanket and a hot herbal tea or soup. Eating more cooked warm foods as opposed to cold or raw in winter. 

   Before long the days will get longer and the sunshine brighter, bringing about another whole new cycle of rebirth to look forward to.

Water - the element of Winter

Stay warm,
Maery

(remember to always follow the advice of your health care professional when it comes to health, diet and exercise)

Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice Approaching

Winter

   The days were growing noticeably shorter even in late Aug

Gardiner's Bay and Gardiner's Island

 ust. But August found us in our cycle called Later Summer (in Chinese medicine and lore), and blending into Autumn. Now in December we should be in winter, with the Winter Solstice about to occur, each winter however has become so different, what I ask makes a time truly winter?
   Yes darkness comes earlier, and our energy retreats towards winter patterns. The rain and cold remind us that it is leaning more towards Winter, or when a storm approaches with high winds and a sharper chill to the air, we know freezing temperatures may soon be the norm.
   We have had our first snow fall, and it is only December 9th. It came fast and furious, yet it never covered the roads, melting instead. Yet in many ways it felt like January. Walking in the snow while it was falling was like walking in a winter wonderland.

   According to Chinese medicine, Winter is governed by the element of Water. We become introspective in Winter, and things go more dormant for a period of rest, in order to emerge again in the Spring. The trees have shed their leaves, plants wither and die and go to see, waiting for the next cycle.
   Water is essential to life. In our body, fluids like blood flowing are important, as well as the fluids in the lymph system, which help to process and eliminate waste so you can fight infections. There is also fluids like saliva, perspiration, tears and urine. Everything is flowing, and should be flowing. Water is part of the circulation system, perhaps like the oceans for the earth.

   The body organs that dominate in the Winter cycle are the bladder and kidneys. The climate associated with Winter and Water is cold, and the compass direction for Winter is the North.
   I have read that the kidneys are nourished by cold, but extreme cold and or wetness can weaken the kidneys. I think of the few times I have been in desert areas of the world, with such a compelling dryness, and remember what a different feeling when compared to humidity. I remember being in Colorado as well, in higher altitudes, and having the skin on my hands cracking from the dry air, which I was not used to, and coming home to breathe in moist air for my lungs. In Israel it is hot during the day, and then cold at night, and also dry. The wind also takes moisture out of your body there, so you must drink a great deal of water especially if you are outdoors. It was a harsh environment it seemed, which would put stress on our bodies and systems if we are not used to it, but we can always adapt. I know recently while visiting the local mountains, the Catskill area, it was 64 degrees in November, but there was a damp and biting wind and no sun and I was indeed chilled to the bone. You can think back to your own experiences with temperatures and conditions and remember how it felt, or be more conscious of this in the future.

   The taste that is associated with Winter is salt. Interestingly most water has salt in it, as well as our blood, and also of course the oceans. If you crave salt or dislike salt you may have a Water imbalance. If you eat too much salt, it creates a craving for water and can weaken the kidneys. Salt can also cause water retention and toxins to be held, so we can become easily toxic. Salt intake is also linked to high blood pressure. There will most likely be another whole article on salt, but best not to add it to food, and if you must use salt in cooking, use something more natural like sea salt, as table salt has alot of chemicals and additives, in addition to being bleached.

   The emotion of Winter is fear, whether it be anxiety, stress or any other emotion. Trembling is actually a water imbalance and is a release of fearful energy and tension. Think of the expression "paralyzed with fear" - fear can be a very powerful emotion, and can create blockages. Fear in some ways blocks many things, because it numbs you.

   The sound of Winter is groaning. Have you ever heard trees that grown in the wind during a storm? Their branches creak and groan. For people, the sound of a groan comes from deep within.

Some Considerations

   So what can you do to fortify yourself or flow with the ways of the Winter season?

   Well first think about Water and emotions. Water can be calm, still or gentle, or stormy, and hard to contain. How do you feel when you become too emotional? We may feel drained, and we can easily become exhausted and run down. We also need to remember that our kidneys are a filter for the blood systems and also ridding the body of toxic waste and heavy metals. So we can eat well and cleanse, although Spring is technically the time for deep cleansing.

   Negativity can also be harmful, and must be eliminated from the body, believed to be processed out through the bladder. So it is important to be positive and have a good attitude, and using positive affirmations on a daily basis.

   Other suggestions that might help in the Winter season include things like massage, where it will work on the meridians associated with the kidney, for example, along the spine. Massage also helps to relieve tension and toxins. Yoga is also excellent, providing stretching, relaxation and reducing stress.

   With diet and nutrition, you would want to eat foods that provide a little more heat, eat a little heavier, but not too heavy. Everything should be in moderation. When you over eat at Thanksgiving you often feel heavy and bloated.
   Your diet for winter should include hot soups with plenty of fresh vegetables, and spices that warm like ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper. Small amounts of whole grains are good fuel in winter, like millet, buckwheat, brown rice with red or black beans or lentils. Remember do not add salt to your food, because there is already some salt in your food, and we do need some salt. Sea salt is the most natural. If you bathe in the ocean or take a mineral bath, the stored salts and toxins will be drawn out. Food will taste like real food without adding alot of salt. I gave up adding salt to my food, sometimes substituting with garlic or onion instead.

   It is also important to keep warm in the winter - sitting by the fire, or with a blanket and a hot herbal tea or soup. Eating more cooked warm foods as opposed to cold or raw in winter. 

   Before long the days will get longer and the sunshine brighter, bringing about another whole new cycle of rebirth to look forward to.

Stay warm,
Maery

(remember to always follow the advice of your health care professional when it comes to health, diet and exercise)

2016
Dear Friends,
It is now just about an entire year since I began this blog in 2015.
I hope you have enjoyed all the articles, stories and photographs.
We are quickly approaching the season of Winter again, so below I have reposted the Winter article with the approach to the seasons and health.
Stay healthy throughout the holidays and Winter and be safe out there.
Soon, in another week, here in the Northern Hemisphere, sunset will start to come a bit later each day, so that by January it will no longer be so dark at 5 pm. Which can only mean the days are getting longer, the Sun begins its return, and Spring, don't forget, is not too far behind.
Winter is always a time for quiet contemplation, so make the best use of this season.
I only hope there is  not too much snow!
Granted here in the U.S. we are currently experiencing a drought. I did, during the most recent holiday, take some photos of water to celebrate water. Those I hope will be posted shortly.
Enjoy life and be healthy, for life is a precious commodity.
Maery



Staying Healthy

An Approach to Winter

   In the page "More About Natural Living", I mentioned writing about how the season affect us. Some of it will be observations and experiences through my own research, but also articles and the concept of the seasons through Chinese medicine. The references to Chinese medicine will include things such as the element associated with the season, as well as body organs, climate, taste, emotion, foods to include or avoid. These references are helpful and informative, however in addition to that, at some point I would like to have additional articles on how things like light and color and emotions and stress also affect us. Diet and nutrition are also important topics. So here at least is a beginning.

Winter

   The days were growing noticeably shorter even in late Aug

Gardiner's Bay and Gardiner's Island

 ust. But August found us in our cycle called Later Summer (in Chinese medicine and lore), and blending into Autumn. Now in December we should be in winter, with the Winter Solstice about to occur, even though mild temperatures here make us wonder if it is truly winter.
   Despite the temperatures, yes darkness comes earlier, and our energy retreats towards winter patterns. The rain and cold remind us that it is leaning more towards Winter, or when a storm approaches with high winds and a sharper chill to the air, we know freezing temperatures may soon be the norm.
   According to Chinese medicine, Winter is governed by the element of Water. We become introspective in Winter, and things go more dormant for a period of rest, in order to emerge again in the Spring. The trees have shed their leaves, plants wither and die and go to see, waiting for the next cycle.
   Water is essential to life. In our body, fluids like blood flowing are important, as well as the fluids in the lymph system, which help to process and eliminate waste so you can fight infections. There is also fluids like saliva, perspiration, tears and urine. Everything is flowing, and should be flowing. Water is part of the circulation system, perhaps like the oceans for the earth.

   The body organs that dominate in the Winter cycle are the bladder and kidneys. The climate associated with Winter and Water is cold, and the compass direction for Winter is the North.
   I have read that the kidneys are nourished by cold, but extreme cold and or wetness can weaken the kidneys. I think of the few times I have been in desert areas of the world, with such a compelling dryness, and remember what a different feeling when compared to humidity. I remember being in Colorado as well, in higher altitudes, and having the skin on my hands cracking from the dry air, which I was not used to, and coming home to breathe in moist air for my lungs. In Israel it is hot during the day, and then cold at night, and also dry. The wind also takes moisture out of your body there, so you must drink a great deal of water especially if you are outdoors. It was a harsh environment it seemed, which would put stress on our bodies and systems if we are not used to it, but we can always adapt. I know recently while visiting the local mountains, the Catskill area, it was 64 degrees in November, but there was a damp and biting wind and no sun and I was indeed chilled to the bone. You can think back to your own experiences with temperatures and conditions and remember how it felt, or be more conscious of this in the future.

   The taste that is associated with Winter is salt. Interestingly most water has salt in it, as well as our blood, and also of course the oceans. If you crave salt or dislike salt you may have a Water imbalance. If you eat too much salt, it creates a craving for water and can weaken the kidneys. Salt can also cause water retention and toxins to be held, so we can become easily toxic. Salt intake is also linked to high blood pressure. There will most likely be another whole article on salt, but best not to add it to food, and if you must use salt in cooking, use something more natural like sea salt, as table salt has alot of chemicals and additives, in addition to being bleached.

   The emotion of Winter is fear, whether it be anxiety, stress or any other emotion. Trembling is actually a water imbalance and is a release of fearful energy and tension. Think of the expression "paralyzed with fear" - fear can be a very powerful emotion, and can create blockages. Fear in some ways blocks many things, because it numbs you.

   The sound of Winter is groaning. Have you ever heard trees that grown in the wind during a storm? Their branches creak and groan. For people, the sound of a groan comes from deep within.

Some Considerations

   So what can you do to fortify yourself or flow with the ways of the Winter season?

   Well first think about Water and emotions. Water can be calm, still or gentle, or stormy, and hard to contain. How do you feel when you become too emotional? We may feel drained, and we can easily become exhausted and run down. We also need to remember that our kidneys are a filter for the blood systems and also ridding the body of toxic waste and heavy metals. So we can eat well and cleanse, although Spring is technically the time for deep cleansing.

   Negativity can also be harmful, and must be eliminated from the body, believed to be processed out through the bladder. So it is important to be positive and have a good attitude, and using positive affirmations on a daily basis.

   Other suggestions that might help in the Winter season include things like massage, where it will work on the meridians associated with the kidney, for example, along the spine. Massage also helps to relieve tension and toxins. Yoga is also excellent, providing stretching, relaxation and reducing stress.

   With diet and nutrition, you would want to eat foods that provide a little more heat, eat a little heavier, but not too heavy. Everything should be in moderation. When you over eat at Thanksgiving you often feel heavy and bloated.
   Your diet for winter should include hot soups with plenty of fresh vegetables, and spices that warm like ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper. Small amounts of whole grains are good fuel in winter, like millet, buckwheat, brown rice with red or black beans or lentils. Remember do not add salt to your food, because there is already some salt in your food, and we do need some salt. Sea salt is the most natural. If you bathe in the ocean or take a mineral bath, the stored salts and toxins will be drawn out. Food will taste like real food without adding alot of salt. I gave up adding salt to my food, sometimes substituting with garlic or onion instead.

   It is also important to keep warm in the winter - sitting by the fire, or with a blanket and a hot herbal tea or soup. Eating more cooked warm foods as opposed to cold or raw in winter. 

   Before long the days will get longer and the sunshine brighter, bringing about another whole new cycle of rebirth to look forward to.

Stay warm,
Maery

(remember to always follow the advice of your health care professional when it comes to health, diet and exercise)

Staying Healthy

An Approach to Winter

   In the page "More About Natural Living", I mentioned writing about how the season affect us. Some of it will be observations and experiences through my own research, but also articles and the concept of the seasons through Chinese medicine. The references to Chinese medicine will include things such as the element associated with the season, as well as body organs, climate, taste, emotion, foods to include or avoid. These references are helpful and informative, however in addition to that, at some point I would like to have additional articles on how things like light and color and emotions and stress also affect us. Diet and nutrition are also important topics. So here at least is a beginning.

Winter

   The days were growing noticeably shorter even in late Aug

Gardiner's Bay and Gardiner's Island

ust. But August found us in our cycle called Later Summer (in Chinese medicine and lore), and blending into Autumn. Now in December we should be in winter, with the Winter Solstice about to occur, even though mild temperatures here make us wonder if it is truly winter.
   Despite the temperatures, yes darkness comes earlier, and our energy retreats towards winter patterns. The rain and cold remind us that it is leaning more towards Winter, or when a storm approaches with high winds and a sharper chill to the air, we know freezing temperatures may soon be the norm.
   According to Chinese medicine, Winter is governed by the element of Water. We become introspective in Winter, and things go more dormant for a period of rest, in order to emerge again in the Spring. The trees have shed their leaves, plants wither and die and go to see, waiting for the next cycle.
   Water is essential to life. In our body, fluids like blood flowing are important, as well as the fluids in the lymph system, which help to process and eliminate waste so you can fight infections. There is also fluids like saliva, perspiration, tears and urine. Everything is flowing, and should be flowing. Water is part of the circulation system, perhaps like the oceans for the earth.

   The body organs that dominate in the Winter cycle are the bladder and kidneys. The climate associated with Winter and Water is cold, and the compass direction for Winter is the North.
   I have read that the kidneys are nourished by cold, but extreme cold and or wetness can weaken the kidneys. I think of the few times I have been in desert areas of the world, with such a compelling dryness, and remember what a different feeling when compared to humidity. I remember being in Colorado as well, in higher altitudes, and having the skin on my hands cracking from the dry air, which I was not used to, and coming home to breathe in moist air for my lungs. In Israel it is hot during the day, and then cold at night, and also dry. The wind also takes moisture out of your body there, so you must drink a great deal of water especially if you are outdoors. It was a harsh environment it seemed, which would put stress on our bodies and systems if we are not used to it, but we can always adapt. I know recently while visiting the local mountains, the Catskill area, it was 64 degrees in November, but there was a damp and biting wind and no sun and I was indeed chilled to the bone. You can think back to your own experiences with temperatures and conditions and remember how it felt, or be more conscious of this in the future.

   The taste that is associated with Winter is salt. Interestingly most water has salt in it, as well as our blood, and also of course the oceans. If you crave salt or dislike salt you may have a Water imbalance. If you eat too much salt, it creates a craving for water and can weaken the kidneys. Salt can also cause water retention and toxins to be held, so we can become easily toxic. Salt intake is also linked to high blood pressure. There will most likely be another whole article on salt, but best not to add it to food, and if you must use salt in cooking, use something more natural like sea salt, as table salt has alot of chemicals and additives, in addition to being bleached.

   The emotion of Winter is fear, whether it be anxiety, stress or any other emotion. Trembling is actually a water imbalance and is a release of fearful energy and tension. Think of the expression "paralyzed with fear" - fear can be a very powerful emotion, and can create blockages. Fear in some ways blocks many things, because it numbs you.

   The sound of Winter is groaning. Have you ever heard trees that grown in the wind during a storm? Their branches creak and groan. For people, the sound of a groan comes from deep within.

Some Considerations

   So what can you do to fortify yourself or flow with the ways of the Winter season?

   Well first think about Water and emotions. Water can be calm, still or gentle, or stormy, and hard to contain. How do you feel when you become too emotional? We may feel drained, and we can easily become exhausted and run down. We also need to remember that our kidneys are a filter for the blood systems and also ridding the body of toxic waste and heavy metals. So we can eat well and cleanse, although Spring is technically the time for deep cleansing.

   Negativity can also be harmful, and must be eliminated from the body, believed to be processed out through the bladder. So it is important to be positive and have a good attitude, and using positive affirmations on a daily basis.

   Other suggestions that might help in the Winter season include things like massage, where it will work on the meridians associated with the kidney, for example, along the spine. Massage also helps to relieve tension and toxins. Yoga is also excellent, providing stretching, relaxation and reducing stress.

   With diet and nutrition, you would want to eat foods that provide a little more heat, eat a little heavier, but not too heavy. Everything should be in moderation. When you over eat at Thanksgiving you often feel heavy and bloated.
   Your diet for winter should include hot soups with plenty of fresh vegetables, and spices that warm like ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper. Small amounts of whole grains are good fuel in winter, like millet, buckwheat, brown rice with red or black beans or lentils. Remember do not add salt to your food, because there is already some salt in your food, and we do need some salt. Sea salt is the most natural. If you bathe in the ocean or take a mineral bath, the stored salts and toxins will be drawn out. Food will taste like real food without adding alot of salt. I gave up adding salt to my food, sometimes substituting with garlic or onion instead.

   It is also important to keep warm in the winter - sitting by the fire, or with a blanket and a hot herbal tea or soup. Eating more cooked warm foods as opposed to cold or raw in winter. 

   Before long the days will get longer and the sunshine brighter, bringing about another whole new cycle of rebirth to look forward to.

Stay warm,
Maery

(remember to always follow the advice of your health care professional when it comes to health, diet and exercise)