Raw New England Community - ND Corner

Dr. Geffin M. Falken, ND

As the winter months approach in New England, raw foodists have a challenging time ahead of them.  Raw foods, by their own temperature and energy, are cold foods.  Maintaining adequate body temperatures when the world outside of us is deeply cold, takes planning and careful food preparations.  Knowing which foods will energetically warm you, is the place to start. 

There are a large number of warming spices that can be added to foods, to make them more warming to the body.  These include:  cumin, cayenne, black pepper, chili pepper, cinnamon, green cardamom seed, nutmeg, clove, fennel and allspice.  When paired with foods that have warming properties, you have a recipe for success and warmth all in one meal!  Dark green leafy veggies and black sesame seeds are two foods that will increase the warmth in your body, when eaten during the winter months.  Maintaining a strong immune system will also contribute to the ability to maintain warmth.  Foods that enhance immune function include:  maitake mushroom, shiitake mushrooms, bitter melon, artichoke, yellow or orange squashes, fruits and vegetables.  These all have direct immune-modulating properties or are nourishing to the immune system itself. 

Another strategy for warmth this winter is to eat foods are room temperature and to use a dehydrator to concentrate those warming properties that already exist in foods.  A simple soup of vegetable broth, maitake or shiitake mushrooms, bitter melon and Swiss chard can build quite a bit of immunity for the flu season ahead. 

Look in this space in the future for recipes to build muscle strength, immune function and mental clarity.  Be well and stay warm, inside and out.

Dr. Geffin M. Falken, Director

The Marcelline J. Swem Healing Arts Center

1073 Hancock St./ Suite 103

Quincy, MA 02169

gfalken@gmail.com

www.drgeffinfalken.com

617-689-3392 voice

617-689-3385 fax