本周三立夏來(lái)臨。立夏是第七個(gè)節(jié)氣，預(yù)示著未來(lái)幾月高溫的日子。此時(shí)的農(nóng)作物會(huì)快速生長(zhǎng)，我國(guó)南方時(shí)有陣雨或雷雨天氣。
This past Wednesday marked the beginning of lixia. The term heralds the arrival of summer when hot weather becomes the norm. It is also a time when crops grow faster, and more rains and thunderstorms are expected in the south of China.
上海民間有“立夏胸前掛蛋”的習(xí)俗，大人在立夏之日將一對(duì)煮雞蛋套在手工編織的大紅兜里掛在孩子脖子上。人們通常還要在立夏時(shí)稱體重并祈求身體健康。迎接立夏的食物包括肉、大米、大豆、竹筍還有就是咸鴨蛋了。GT稍后介紹的食譜有鯽魚湯、筍炒肉、龍眼蓮子粥和山楂麥芽飲，尤其適合夏天要保持身材的朋友。
In Shanghai, there are some old customary ways to welcome in the first day of lixia. For example, some children still wear hand-knitted red string bags with one or two boiled eggs inside them around their neck. Also, people would traditionally check their weight, and pray for good health. They would also eat meat, rice, beans, bamboo shoots and preserved duck eggs on this day. The Global Times has collected a few recipes that are easy to cook at home and are ideal for keeping in shape during lixia.
This past Wednesday marked the beginning of lixia, (literally ''build up to summer'') the seventh period in the traditional Chinese agricultural solar system. The term, which usually starts on May 5 or 6, heralds the arrival of summer when hot weather becomes the norm. It is also a time when crops grow faster, and more rains and thunderstorms are expected in the south of China.
In Shanghai, there are some old customary ways to welcome in the first day of lixia. For example, some children still wear hand-knitted red string bags with one or two boiled eggs inside them around their neck. Also, people would traditionally check their weight, and pray for good health. They would also eat meat, rice, beans, bamboo shoots and preserved duck eggs on this day.
Climatic changes
With the sweltering summer days, the human body needs to adjust to sudden climatic changes. During lixia, both the heart and digestion begin to slow down which can result in common aliments such as headaches, insomnia, dehydration and anorexia.
Accordingly, a light, low-fat diet is recommended by nutritionists during lixia. Porridge is an ideal dish that can be consumed for either breakfast or dinner. Lotus leaves and mung beans make a good complement to porridge for their efficacy in cooling down and hydrating the human body, as well as in relieving the burden on the spleen and stomach. Oily and spicy foods should be avoided for the whole of the summer, according to nutritionists.
While the suggested diet for this time of year may seem bland, it is nevertheless important to consume nutritious foods to stay healthy during lixia. Vegetables rich in vitamins including tomatoes, green peppers, Chinese watermelons, cucumbers, besides ''cold'' fruits by nature like watermelons, peaches and plums, are all highly recommended. Protein-rich eggs, fish, lean meat and beans are also on the shortlist for best summer eats.
The Global Times has collected a few recipes that are easy to cook at home and are ideal for keeping in shape during lixia.
Crucian carp soup
Ingredients: 200 grams crucian carp, 20 grams astragalus membranaceus (huangqi, a herb available at medicinal stores), ginger slices and scallion to taste
Method
Wash the crucian carp and remove its organs
Wash the huangqi and cut it into slices
Put the huangqi slices into a pot, add water and boil for 30 minutes
Put the crucian carp into the pot and boil and simmer for another 30 minutes
Wash the ginger slices and scallion and add them into the soup
Add some salt and MSG to taste, and serve
Sautéed bamboo shoots with shredded meat
Ingredients: 400 grams lean pork, 100 grams bamboo shoots, 50 grams Chinese wolfberries
Method:
Wash the lean pork and dice the meat
Clean and slice the bamboo shoots
Pour some oil into a frying pan and heat for a couple of minutes
Put the shredded meat and the sliced bamboo shoots into the pan and sauté for about 10 minutes
Add the Chinese wolfberries and stir all the ingredients together for about five minutes
Add some cooking wine, rock sugar, soy sauce, salt and MSG to taste, and serve
Longan and lotus seeds porridge
Ingredients: 25 grams longan, 50 grams lotus seeds, 100 grams rice
Method:
Wash the longan, the lotus seeds and the rice
Put everything into a pot and add some water
Put the lid on the pot and boil
Simmer and stew for about 30 minutes
Add some rock sugar to taste, and serve
Hawthorn and malt drink
Ingredients: 15 grams hawthorn, 30 grams malt, 15 grams radix pseudostellariae (taizi shen), 10 grams lophatherum gracile (dan zhuye, two kinds of herb both available at medicinal stores)
Method:
Wash all the ingredients and put them into a pot
Add some water into the pot and boil for about 15 minutes
Add some rock sugar to taste
Extract the juice and drink
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