Three Treasures to Eat During the Dog Days of Summer: Beat the Heat and Stay Healthy! Are You Eating Them Right? - organic products for acne-prone skin

Three Treasures to Eat During the Dog Days of Summer: Beat the Heat and Stay Healthy! Are You Eating Them Right?The sweltering summer heat can be unbearable, with high temperatures and humidity leaving you feeling exhausted and with no appetite. Many people suffer from the discomforts of "summer heat"

Three Treasures to Eat During the Dog Days of Summer: Beat the Heat and Stay Healthy! Are You Eating Them Right?

The sweltering summer heat can be unbearable, with high temperatures and humidity leaving you feeling exhausted and with no appetite. Many people suffer from the discomforts of "summer heat". Our elders often advise, "Eat three treasures during the Dog Days, and you'll be free from summer heat troubles." But what exactly are these "three treasures"? And how should you consume them to truly "relieve summer heat, invigorate the body, and nourish health"? Don't worry, we'll unveil the secrets of the "Three Treasures of the Dog Days" today, so you can conquer summer heat with ease!

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The "Three Treasures" of the Dog Days: Nourishment, Health, and Heat Relief

It's said, "Cold in the Nine Winters, hot in the Three Dog Days", with the beginning of the Dog Days starting on July 15th each year. This signifies the hottest, most humid period of the entire year. In this high temperature and humid environment, our bodies are prone to experiencing symptoms of "summer heat", such as loss of appetite, indigestion, fatigue, irritability, and a general feeling of discomfort. During the Dog Days, our diet should focus on replenishing nutrients and hydration. We should avoid cold foods and instead prioritize those that dispel cold and remove dampness. The "Three Treasures" our elders refer to are the perfect dietary choices tailored to the characteristics of the Dog Days!

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Treasure 1: Ginger - Dispels Cold and Dampness, Warms Body and Mind

Ginger enjoys the saying, "Eat radish in winter, ginger in summer, no need to see the doctor." In summer, we tend to consume cold drinks and use air conditioning, increasing internal cold and dampness. Ginger, with its warm and pungent nature, effectively helps the body expel cold and dampness, enhancing immunity.

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The Nutritional Value of Ginger:

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The gingerol and ginger oil found in ginger have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, blood circulation-promoting, and immune-boosting properties. Additionally, ginger stimulates gastric juice secretion, aiding digestion, removing internal dampness, and alleviating symptoms of indigestion and loss of appetite.

Recommended Recipe: Sweet and Sour Ginger Slices

Ingredients:

• Young ginger, 500 grams

• Salt, to taste

• White vinegar, 200 ml

• White sugar, 200 grams

Instructions:

1. Wash young ginger thoroughly. You can keep the skin on, as ginger peel has stronger medicinal properties, but you can remove it according to personal preference.

2. Slice ginger thinly, add salt, and mix well. Marinate for about 20 minutes. The longer the marination time, the more flavorful it becomes, and it also reduces the ginger's spiciness.

3. Rinse the marinated ginger slices with cold water, squeeze out excess water, and remove the spiciness.

4. Place the ginger slices in a glass container, add white sugar, and pour in white vinegar, ensuring that the vinegar covers the ginger slices.

5. Seal and marinate for one day before consumption. The longer the marination time, the more flavorful it becomes.

Tips:

• The ratio of white vinegar to sugar is 1:1, but you can adjust it to your taste.

• Sweet and sour ginger slices can be enjoyed on their own, as a cold dish, or as a side dish. They offer a tangy, sweet flavor that stimulates appetite and invigorates the spleen.

• Eating ginger in the morning is as good as drinking ginseng soup.

Treasure 2: Soybeans - Abundant Nutrition, Strengthens the Body

Soybeans, known as the "King of Beans," are rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, possessing exceptional nutritional value that is easily absorbed by the body. They provide ample energy to alleviate fatigue, boost immunity, and help us resist the invasion of summer pathogens.

Nutritional Value of Soybeans:

• High Protein: Soybeans boast a protein content exceeding 35%, surpassing even beef and pork. Moreover, this protein is readily absorbed by the body.

• High Fiber: Soybeans are rich in dietary fiber, promoting intestinal peristalsis, aiding digestion, and preventing constipation.

• Abundant Vitamins and Minerals: Soybeans contain ample vitamin B complex, vitamin E, iron, zinc, calcium, and other elements beneficial to human health.

Recommended Recipe: Soybeans and Pork Trotter Stew

Ingredients:

• Pork Trotter, 1 piece

• Soybeans, as needed

• Scallions, ginger, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, angelica, all to taste

• Dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, cooking wine, rock sugar, all to taste

Instructions:

1. Soak the pork trotter in cold water, then wash it clean, removing any impurities from the crevices.

2. Soak soybeans in water for about 2 hours to allow them to expand.

3. Add a suitable amount of water to a pot, blanch the pork trotter in cold water, and simmer for about 10 minutes after the water boils.

4. Drain the pork trotter and pat it dry. Peel and slice the scallions, ginger, and garlic. Prepare the seasoning sauce and wash the loose spices like peppercorns.

5. Place all ingredients in a pressure cooker, pour in the seasoning sauce, add a little salt according to personal taste, and add some boiling water.

6. Choose the "Bean/Tendon" function on the pressure cooker and set the time to 1 hour.

7. Once the time is up, you can take it out and serve.

Tips:

• Pork trotter and soybeans are packed with collagen and vegetable protein, respectively. Consuming them together helps replenish nutrition and enhance physical well-being.

• Feel free to add other ingredients to the stew based on your preferences, such as potatoes, yam, lotus root, etc.

• The stewed pork trotter can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated for consumption, resulting in a better texture.

Treasure 3: Mung Bean Sprouts - Clears Heat and Detoxifies, Promotes Diuresis and Removes Dampness

Mung bean sprouts, with their sweet taste and cool nature, have the therapeutic effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting diuresis and removing dampness. They are excellent for eliminating internal dampness, making them particularly suitable for the hot and humid Three Dog Days.

Nutritional Value of Mung Bean Sprouts:

• Clears Heat and Detoxifies: Mung bean sprouts are rich in vitamin C, vitamin B complex, and various minerals, effectively clearing heat and detoxifying, alleviating symptoms of summer irritability, dry mouth, and throat irritation.

• Promotes Diuresis and Removes Dampness: Mung bean sprouts possess diuretic properties, aiding in the excretion of excess water from the body, mitigating swelling and edema caused by damp-heat.

• Replenishes Nutrition: Mung bean sprouts are abundant in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, providing the body with essential nutrients and boosting overall health.

Recommended Recipe: Mung Bean Sprouts Stir-fried with Chives

Ingredients:

• Mung Bean Sprouts, 300 grams

• Chives, 50 grams

• Oil, peppercorns, scallions, light soy sauce, all to taste

Instructions:

1. Wash mung bean sprouts thoroughly. Soak chives in diluted salt water for about 10 minutes, then wash them repeatedly and cut them into segments.

2. Heat oil in a pan and saut peppercorns until fragrant. Remove the peppercorns and stir-fry scallions until aromatic.

3. Add mung bean sprouts and stir-fry quickly over high heat for a few times until they change color.

4. Add chives and stir-fry quickly over high heat for a few times.

5. Season with light soy sauce and salt, and serve.

Tips:

• Stir-fry mung bean sprouts and chives quickly over high heat to avoid browning and affecting the texture.

• Feel free to add other ingredients according to your taste, such as carrots, mushrooms, etc.

• Mung bean sprouts stir-fried with chives is light and refreshing, suitable for summer consumption. It stimulates appetite, invigorates the spleen, cleanses the gut, and clears heat.

Dietary Tips for the Dog Days:

• Drink Plenty of Water: The high temperatures in summer cause rapid water loss from the body. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to prevent heatstroke.

• Limit Cold Drinks: While cold drinks may provide temporary relief, they can damage the spleen and stomach, leading to digestive discomfort. Keep consumption in moderation.

• Enjoy Melon Fruits: Watermelon, cucumber, winter melon, and other melon