Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, we have arrived in December. With 2023 coming to an end, you may have some unfulfilled wishes. Let’s cherish this last month of the year and accomplish some goals to ensure a fulfilling conclusion to 2023.
As the year draws to a close, the cold air becomes more intense, with frequent rain and snow, and biting winds. Everyone wraps themselves up tightly, and the body enters a heat-retaining mode. Therefore, we need to consume more food to generate heat to resist the cold.
During this time, everyone’s appetite is likely to be robust, with cravings for stews and meat soups. Late-night takeout seems never-ending, and it feels like the stomach can never be full. However, with every meal, the quantity increases, which can overwhelm the spleen and stomach. If the spleen and stomach cannot handle the load and fail to digest the excess food, it can lead to food stagnation, which, if not addressed promptly, can easily generate heat.
Moreover, with various colds, flu, COVID-19, and mycoplasma pneumonia on the rise, food stagnation can obstruct the flow of qi and blood, weaken the vital energy, and increase the risk of infection. Children, whose organs are delicate and whose spleen and stomach are not fully developed, are particularly susceptible to food stagnation.
At this time, a bowl of light vegetarian soup acts as a refreshing stream, nourishing both body and mind. It is delicious without being greasy and does not add to the burden of the spleen and stomach. Even for those recovering from illness, drinking some can provide nutrition and aid in recovery. So, what kind of vegetarian soup is so remarkable? Let me share it with you.
Strengthening the Spleen and Moistening the Lungs Vegetarian Soup
Ingredients:
1 corn, ½ carrot, 150g of Huai yam (铁棍山药, tiě gùn shān yào), 6 chestnuts, 20 cashews, 5 water chestnuts (马蹄, mǎ tí)
Instructions:
1. Cut the corn into small sections;
2. Peel the carrot and cut it into chunks;
3. Peel the Huai yam and cut it into small sections;
4. Add all ingredients to a pot, add enough water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat for 1.5 hours;
5. Add a little salt for seasoning before serving.
Huai yam has a sweet taste and fragrant aroma, which can support the qi of the spleen and stomach. Its white color nourishes the lungs, thus replenishing the yin of the spleen and lungs, which helps to moisten the skin and nourish the muscles. It also nourishes the kidneys and replenishes essence; sufficient essence strengthens yin, brightens the eyes, and sharpens hearing.
It is recommended to use long, thin Huai yam; if you can find authentic Huai yam, that would be even better. This type of yam has firm flesh and low moisture content, so it won’t dissolve even after long cooking.
Chestnuts nourish the stomach and strengthen the spleen, benefiting the kidneys and strengthening the tendons. Their natural sweetness is also favored by the spleen and stomach, thus they can tonify the stomach and warm the spleen qi.
Cashews have a sweet flavor and neutral nature, with white kernels that are good for moistening the lungs and strengthening the spleen. The oil in the nuts also helps to moisten the intestines and relieve constipation.
Water chestnuts (马蹄, mǎ tí) are sweet and cold in nature, capable of clearing heat, transforming phlegm, generating fluids, and stimulating appetite, as well as aiding digestion and relieving intoxication.
In winter, the climate is dry, and indoor temperatures can be high. Spending too much time indoors or waking up can sometimes lead to dryness in the mouth and nose. At this time, water chestnuts can help clear heat and generate fluids, rescuing the body from a state of excess heat.
This soup is refreshing and delicious, filled with the fragrance of corn, and combines ingredients that tonify the spleen, moisten the lungs, nourish the kidneys, and generate fluids. The addition of nuts ensures nutritional balance, making it an excellent choice among vegetarian soups.
If you’ve been consuming rich and heavy foods and want to nourish your intestines and stomach, or if you’re concerned about your child experiencing food stagnation and want to offer a change in flavor, don’t forget that this soup can be a great option. A light taste can also be very nourishing!
Text, Editing, GIFs | Qianmeng
Image Sources | Baotu Network, authorized
