We all know the feeling... Too much stuffing, turkey and pie. It can still be a celebration without being a tax on your digestion and your health. Here are some easy recipes you can include in your Thanksgiving line-up to ease your digestion and benefit your energy after your big meal: 1. Try Hawthorne Berry Chutney instead of cranberry sauce. Hawthorne berries have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands to years to support healthy digestion. They are called "Shan Zha, 山楂" in Chinese. These little tart berries taste a lot like cranberries, but with potent health effects. They have actions similar to ACE Inhibitors, and reduce blood pressure. They have also been found in studies to reduce elevated LDL cholesterol. They taste great, ease digestion and support cardiovascular health! Quite the condiment! Your best bet is to get them from someone who has a tree. But if none is available, you can also buy them in the International District of any major city. Ingredients: 2 cups of fresh or dried hawthorne berries 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup water 1 T apple cider vinegar ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves-to taste
2. Make a Traditional Indian Kitchari While it may not sound like a traditional Thanksgiving dish, Kitchari fits very well with the typical Thanksgiving line-up. It contains a lot of aromatic spices like ginger, cinnamon, fennel, and cloves that work well with the rest of the meal. It is an unusual starch in that rather than slowing down digestion and making you feel full, it actually lightens and supports healthy digestion. Kitchari is made from 2 basic ingredients: basmati rice and ming beans, with lots of herbs and spices added in. The aromatic spices aid digestion, reduce cramping pain and Ingredients: 1/2 cup basmati rice 1 cup mung beans (yellow or green) 6 cups of water 2 thick slices of ginger 1/2 tsp coriander 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp mustard seed 1/2 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp fennel seeds salt to taste 2 tsp ghee, butter or olive oil
3. Try a Digestion Supporting Tea
Thanksgiving doesn't have to spell pain and bloating. I hope these suggestions let you enjoy the holidays more. I'd love to hear how they go!
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Kieran Jones MTCM L.Ac.I'm Kieran, clinician and owner of Cotati Community Acupuncture. I'm an acupuncturist, herbalist, and functional medicine practitioner for the past 14 years. I have a deep curiosity in health, biology, culture, medicine, history, and a healthy obsession with the pursuit of the perfect state of health. Archives
July 2024
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