We have all experienced the correlation between certain foods and a body temperature reaction.

Beads of sweat and a bright red face due to one-upping your Thai food date on the spice level scale?

Certain foods are considered warming and others refreshing. The practice of foods having warming and cooling affects on the body comes from ancient Chinese medicine and the belief of the yin and the yang. Cooling foods are very cleansing and relieve our blood of toxins calming our yin. Warming foods are believed to raise the energy of the organs improving blood circulation and counteracting the feeling of being cold balancing our yang. Cold hands, cold feet, sore joints, tiredness and fluid tension are just a few common symptoms of winter we seek relief from.

For those of us that tend to run cold, using foods that warm us from within by naturally creating a cozy feeling inside is a great way to take the chill off. As a health and wellness coach, I do a lot of research on food and how it can be used to treat all types of areas of our lives. With winter upon us, I’ve put together a quick list of my favorites and some easy ways to incorporate them into your diet.

1. Cinnamon: Add a dash to your oatmeal, tea, breakfast smoothie or even coffee.

2. Walnuts: Great on salads or in a trail mix with dried fruit and some carob chips.

2. Quinoa: Delicious and nutritious substitute for traditional pasta or rice.

3. Pumpkin/squash: Puree with garlic, ginger and coconut milk for the perfect soup!

4. Onions, Greens and chives:  Can be added to raw salad, cooked into sauces or brushed on chicken and fish with a touch of olive oil.

5. Peaches, raspberries, nectarines and cherries:  All considered warming fruits that can be enjoyed straight from nature or mixed with warm oatmeal.

6. Ginger and spearmint: Make any hot tea have an extra core warming effect, also used for  cleansing the palate.

7. Red wine at dinner or coffee in the morning: In moderation, are ideal bookend  beverages to start and end your day with.

‘Tis the season to be warm and be well!

Angela Melissa Diaz is a self-proclaimed  ecofashionista and thrift store/vintage clothing junkie. She’s writing for the ecofashion and wellness sections of elephant as well as bringing her social butterfly skills to the social media team. If you cannot get in touch with her via any forms of technology, she’s on her yoga mat flowing through vinyasas at 90 plus degrees or studying for her certification in health and wellness counseling. She hopes to save the world from bad food choices and stagnant lifestyles while reminding everyone to breathe and laugh as much as possible. You can reach her at [email protected]

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Ed: Kate B.

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