Preparing for the Solstice ☀️
And what I get to cross off on the 50 before 50 list!
Summer Solstice is just a couple of days away (Thursday, June 20), and we’re celebrating amidst a heat wave here in Central Ohio under the Friday Strawberry Full Moon. 🌕🍓
Are you ready for the transition?
Let me put on my Chinese medicine hat for a moment:
In Chinese medicine, we’re moving into the season of Yang within Yang: when the weather is hottest, days are longest, and nature is in full bloom.
If you are health-conscious, it’s crucial to balance the intense Yang energy with Yin practices. This can involve prioritizing calming activities (e.g., yoga, walking, or swimming instead of running or HIIT in the heat), wearing loose and light clothing, and enjoying cooling foods.
Some suggestions for seasonal cooling fruits, vegetables, and grains include watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, berries, celery, spinach, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, mung beans, barley, millet, mint, cilantro, and dandelion greens.
In addition, following the wonderful Japanese concept of Hara Hachi Bu is highly recommended during this time of year. It roughly translates to eating until you are 80% full. Doing so helps optimize our digestion, allowing us to feel energized, light, and vital.
Easier said than done, you say? You are not wrong! What I try to do is leave a few bites on my plate or avoid going for second or third helpings. Being mindful and in the moment comes in handy here!
How do you plan to celebrate the longest day of the year?
I am excited to cross off one of the “50 new things before 50”: practicing 108 Sun Salutations!
If you want to join me (in spirit), I plan to do it early in the morning on Thursday, June 20, as we welcome Summer. I am going to have this video on as I am terrible at keeping count!
Let me know if you want to partake - it will take less than an hour and we will feel so very alive and aligned within.
Sending you cooling Qi this week,
xoxo
Kit
P.S. One more hat to put on, if you will allow me, the Mother’s hat.
Wear sunscreen!
Don’t be out and about during the hottest part of the day!
Hydrate!
Change your bed sheets and get off technology whenever you can. 😆