Xiaoman, one of the 24 solar terms in China, marks the deepening of summer, arriving between May 20 and 22 in the Gregorian calendar. At this time, the grains of summer crops such as barley and winter wheat in the north begin to be full, but they are not yet fully ripe, hence the name "Xiaoman". The ancients divided the solar terms by observing the growth and changes of crops, and Xiaoman is such a moment full of vitality and hope.
In traditional culture, Xiaoman means "things are so small", which is not only a description of the growth state of crops, but also implies the impartial, contented and happy life philosophy that life should pursue.
In some areas, there is a custom of worshipping the god of the car, hoping to pray for good weather through such rituals, ensuring smooth irrigation of farmland and good crops.
Because Xiaoman is an important period for raising silkworms, there will be a custom of praying for silkworm festivals in Jiangnan and other places, and every household will worship the silkworm god and pray for a good harvest of silkworm cocoons.
In the small full season, the weather is getting hotter and the humidity is aggravated, and the folk have the tradition of eating bitter vegetables, which can not only clear away heat and detoxify, but also help to adapt to seasonal changes and maintain good health.
Xiaoman is not only a solar term, but also a manifestation of a life attitude, reminding us to enjoy every moment of gradual fullness in life, and at the same time to know how to balance and contentment. On May 20th, Xiaoman, keep in mind the tradition: eat 3 things, avoid 3 things, follow the season, and the family will enter the summer in a healthy way!
"Eat 3 Things"
1. Red adzuki bean barley soup: This is a soup that is perfect for the small full season. Adzuki beans (red beans) and barley are both traditional spleen-strengthening and dampness ingredients, which can effectively help the body expel moisture in preparation for the upcoming wet summer. This soup is not only sweet, but also promotes digestion and strengthens physical fitness, and is a must-cook for many families during the small full season.
2. Wheat cakes: During the Xiaoman period, there is a custom of making wheat cakes in some areas, especially in places associated with the "sacrifice to the silkworm god". These cakes are usually made from rice flour or flour and are sometimes shaped to resemble silkworm cocoons as a prayer for a good harvest for silkworm farming. Eating wheat cakes is also one of the ways to celebrate and pray for blessings.
3. Bitter gourd: also known as "cold gourd", it is especially suitable for consumption in summer, because it can clear heat and reduce fire and increase appetite. Bitter melon is not only rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals, but also has good health benefits, which can help the body stay cool and prevent heat stroke in the hot summer.
Cold bitter gourd
1 bitter gourd; a few cloves of garlic (adjust according to personal taste); a small piece of ginger; millet pepper or dried chili pepper to taste; a pinch of peppercorns; Salt; light soy sauce; Vinegar; Sesame oil; Sugar; Sesame; Oyster sauce; a pinch of coriander; Agaric;
Wash the bitter gourd, cut it in half after removing the head and tail, dig out the middle of the gourd and seeds, and cut it into thin slices. Chop the garlic into minced garlic, mince the ginger, cut the millet pepper into rings, chop the green onion into chopped green onions, and cut the coriander into sections. If fungus is used, it needs to be soaked and blanched in advance.
Add enough water to the pot, bring to a boil over high heat, add a little salt and oil (oil can make the bitter gourd more bright green), and then blanch the bitter gourd slices quickly for about 30 seconds to 1 minute (adjust the time according to the thickness of the bitter gourd slices). Remove immediately after blanching and let cool in cold or ice water to keep the crisp and tender texture and keep the moisture dry.
In a small bowl, add minced garlic, minced ginger, dried chili pepper (or millet pepper), peppercorn noodles (if it is a whole peppercorn, you need to fry it until fragrant and then removed), white sesame seeds. Then heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a small pot until it smokes, and quickly pour it into a spice bowl to bring out the aroma. Then add light soy sauce, aged vinegar, oyster sauce (if using), salt to taste, a pinch of sugar (if you prefer a slightly sweet taste) and sesame oil, stirring well.
Put the cooled bitter gourd slices into a large bowl, add the previously prepared fungus (if you use), shredded onion (if you like), and coriander segments, then pour in the seasoned cold sauce, mix well, and let each bitter gourd slice be coated with seasoning. Put the mixed cold bitter gourd on a plate and serve on the table.
"Don't do 3 things"
1. Eat less raw and cold food: As the temperature rises, people tend to eat cold drinks or cold dishes to cool off, but excessive consumption of raw and cold food can easily damage the spleen, stomach and yang, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea and other digestive problems. Especially children and the elderly, whose digestive function is relatively weak, should avoid excessive consumption.
2. Avoid spicy and fatty: The dampness and heat are heavier in the small full season, and the human body is susceptible to the invasion of dampness. Spicy and fatty foods are easy to produce dampness and promote heat, exacerbate dampness in the body, cause or aggravate skin diseases such as eczema, rubella, etc., and may also lead to spleen and stomach dysfunction, indigestion, diarrhea and other symptoms.
3. Reduce the intake of moist and moist foods: For example, certain tropical fruits (such as mango, durian) or overly sweet foods may increase moisture in the body, which is not good for health. You should choose some foods that have the effects of clearing heat, relieving dampness, and strengthening the spleen, such as barley, red beans, winter melon, etc.
The diet of the small full season should focus on balance and avoid the excessive intake of the above-mentioned unsuitable foods, so as to protect the spleen and stomach, maintain the balance of yin and yang of the body, adapt to the climate characteristics of summer, and promote health. It is recommended to eat more light, easy-to-digest, heat-relieving heat, and dehumidifying ingredients, such as bitter gourd, cucumber, tomatoes, mung beans, etc.
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