December 2005 Issue
Dearest Readers,
As we move into wintertime, you may notice yourself longing for richly cooked foods, more animal foods and more downtime. These cravings are your body's natural way of adapting to the changes in season.
The colder weather, darker evenings and end of the growing season indicate that now is the time to turn inward. Humans, after all, are mammals and mammals have a tendency to hibernate in the winter. They go into battery-saving mode, a state not unlike meditation. But, oddly, Americans do the exact opposite.
Instead of slowing down and replenishing our energy, society is set up into burn the candle at both ends.
At Thanksgiving, Americans nationwide congregate, celebrate and overeat. Then we're into December with office parties, family get-togethers and social events that usually involve lots of eating and drinking. This leads to Christmas and more overeating, with a final blowout on New Year's Eve that entails even more eating and drinking. Then, in January and February, people feel worn out and depressed. There is a widespread outbreak of colds and flu. This is most likely people's exhausted immune system that cannot cope with the demands of winter, combined with the inappropriate food consumption mentioned above.
If you go to holiday parties, enjoy yourself, but be moderate with food and alcohol. Strive to get enough downtime. Slowing down and doing less gives you many more hours to spend with yourself and with loved ones. Eating homemade, food cooked with seasonal ingredients will strengthen your immunity and help prevent colds or flu. Another additional benefit of eating homemade food is that you will receive the nourishment that only food made by people who love you provides.
Wishing you a very happy and healthy holiday season!
Joshua Rosenthal,
MScEd
Founder and Director
