On March 5th, when the sun reached 345 degrees in the Yellow Meridian, the third solar term of spring, the Awakening of Insects, arrived as scheduled. Jingzhe is a grand awakening between heaven and earth. At the beginning of spring thunder, dormant insects wake up, mountains and rivers thaw, and plants sprout new - all things shake off lazily in the thunder, and stretch their vitality in the drizzle. The silence of the entire winter was shattered by this spring thunder, turning into a lush spring atmosphere covering the mountains and fields. Spring dryness is easy to rise, protecting the liver and strengthening the spleen. "A burst of floral rain and a few sounds of stinging thunder. ”At the time of awakening, the yang energy rises, the temperature warms up, spring thunder begins to ring, and all things are full of vitality. At this time, the temperature in most parts of China has risen to above 0 degrees Celsius, with temperatures in Jiangnan, Southwest, and South China reaching 8-15 degrees Celsius, creating a harmonious spring scene. During the Awakening of Insects season, the temperature fluctuates greatly, and there is a saying in folk culture called "spring cover", which reminds people not to take off their winter clothes too early to prevent catching a cold. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that at this time, we should follow the characteristics of yang qi generation and the beginning of all things, and pay attention to protecting the liver and strengthening the spleen. Wu Yan, deputy chief physician of the ophthalmology department of Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, reminds us that as the weather gradually becomes dry, the human body is prone to symptoms such as dry mouth and tongue, discomfort in the throat, cough, etc., which are mostly related to insufficient lung yin and endogenous spring dryness. Sweet and juicy pears are the seasonal best products for moistening the lungs and generating fluids. During the Awakening of Insects season, there is a folk custom of eating pears, and the saying 'Awakening of Insects and eating pears can keep away from illness' is widely spread. The homophone between "pear" and "li" represents people's desire for pests to stay away from crops, diseases to stay away from themselves, and bad luck to stay away from their homes, as well as the concept of nourishing and maintaining health in spring. According to Wu Yan's introduction, traditional Chinese medicine believes that pears have a cold nature and a sweet taste. They enter the lungs and stomach meridians and have the effects of moistening the lungs, cooling the heart, reducing phlegm and fire, nourishing yin and clearing heat. Raw food can clear the heat in the six viscera, while cooked food can nourish the yin in the five viscera. Both the Ming Dynasty's "Food Materia Medica" and Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica" recorded that pears can moisten dryness, produce fluids, relieve dryness, cough, sore throat, and other common discomforts in spring. However, pears are cold in nature, and those with spleen and stomach deficiency should not eat more. People often cook and stew them with Sichuan shellfish, rock sugar, etc. to ease the cold, which leads to nourishing delicacies such as Sichuan shellfish snow pear lean meat soup. "The diet of stinging insects is delicate, moist and nourishing. Chuanbei Xueli lean meat soup is a very suitable dietary therapy, which can nourish the lungs and yin, moisten dryness and promote fluid production, and conform to the spirit of spring. ”Wu Yan introduced that this soup is mainly made of pear, Sichuan scallop, and lean meat, paired with goji berries, ginger slices, honey and other ingredients. It is a combination of cold and warm ingredients, nourishing without dryness. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that Chuanbei has a sweet and cold nature, which can moisten the lungs, relieve cough, reduce phlegm, and clear heat; Lean meat can nourish the middle and qi, nourish yin and moisten dryness. When combined with Sichuan scallops and pears, it can not only clear heat and moisten dryness, but also nourish the spleen and stomach, and assist in promoting positive qi. In addition, goji berries nourish the liver and improve vision, helping to alleviate the common dryness of the eyes in spring; Ginger slices can warm the middle and dispel coldness, promote the circulation of qi and blood, neutralize the coldness of pears and Sichuan clams, and help the spleen and stomach to transform and dispel spring coldness; Honey moistens the lungs and relieves cough, enhancing the moisturizing effect and improving dry mouth and throat. These ingredients complement each other in terms of cold and warm, which can not only moisturize the lungs, eliminate dryness, strengthen the spleen and stomach, but also nourish the liver and kidneys. They can effectively alleviate common physical discomfort in spring and help people regulate and enter spring smoothly. Wei Zheng, a famous politician at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, used a cup of pear soup to nourish Ankang. He said that "if you listen at all, you will be bright; if you listen at all, you will be dark" and "water can carry a boat, you can also capsize it". Few people know that he has a good story with Chuanbei Xueli. According to legend, Wei Zheng's mother had been coughing and wheezing for a long time. The doctor prescribed a medicine containing Fritillaria cocos and almonds, but the old lady refused to take it because she found it bitter. Just as his mother wanted to eat snow pear, but could not eat it raw because of tooth loss, Wei Zheng carefully boiled the pear into juice, mixed the decoction with the pear juice, added some sugar, and slowly boiled it until it became thick and creamy. After taking it, my mother found it sweet and delicious, and she really liked it. So Wei Zheng gave his mother this pear paste every day, and soon after, her coughing and wheezing gradually improved. Legend has it that this is the origin of pear paste. Later, on the basis of the pear paste, people added lean meat and steamed it together to make it more smooth and warm. It gradually evolved into this homely Sichuan shellfish snow pear lean meat soup. "The key to making Sichuan shellfish snow pear lean meat soup lies in the selection of materials and steaming. ”Wu Yan introduced that snow pear is the best pear with thin, juicy skin and better drying effect. It is recommended to retain the peel to lock in more nutrition; The dosage of Fritillaria thunbergii should be small, 3 to 5 grams is sufficient, and it is more conducive to the precipitation of effective ingredients after being finely ground; Pork tenderloin is recommended for lean meat, which is tender, nourishing and not greasy; Paired with two or three slices of ginger to remove fishy smell and enhance freshness, a few goji berries to add sweetness and color, and seasoned with a little salt and pepper, this is a refreshing, balanced, and nourishing seasonal soup. When making, first wash snow pear, cut a piece from the top transversely as a "pear cover", and then dig out the core with a small spoon to make a hollow pear cup for use. Cut lean meat into thin slices or small pieces, marinate with ginger slices, salt, and pepper for more than ten minutes to remove fishy smell and enhance flavor. Next, spread the prepared Sichuan scallop powder and wolfberry on the bottom of the pear cup, then fill in the marinated lean meat, gently press it, and cover with a pear lid. After the water in the steamer boils, put it in a pear cup and steam slowly over low heat for 40 to 60 minutes until the pear flesh is soft and tender, and the lean meat is fully cooked. After serving, you can add a small amount of salt or honey according to your personal taste, and consume it while it is hot for warmth and nourishment. If you are in a hurry, you can also try a simple method. For example, snow pear is stewed with Sichuan fritillary rock sugar. Peel and cut the pears into pieces. Add 1g of Sichuan fritillary powder, ginger slices, rock sugar and a small amount of water, and stew them for 30 minutes; For example, when stewing pears with lily and lean meat, the pear pieces are stewed with lily and a small amount of lean meat for 40 minutes. Lily has the effect of moistening the lungs and calming the mind, and its properties are more peaceful, especially suitable for the elderly and children. Regardless of which method is chosen, it is important to note that pears should be juicy, Sichuan scallops should be few, the heat should be moderate, and the taste should be clear. Freshly selected ingredients, clean processing, pre marinated lean meat to remove fishy smell, and combined with slow steaming over low heat, can make a bowl of pear soup that is clear, flavorful, nourishing, and not greasy. This soup is suitable for people with cough, dry throat, and low phlegm, as well as those with loss of appetite and indigestion; For people who overuse their eyes and often feel dry and dizzy, it can also have a good regulating effect. ”Wu Yan reminds the following groups of people to consume with caution: those with weak and cold constitution, those who are prone to cold hands and feet, and those who frequently experience diarrhea. Due to the cold nature of pears, Sichuan clams, and honey, it may exacerbate discomfort. It is recommended to reduce the dosage or increase ginger appropriately; For people with heavy dampness in the body, cold dampness in the spleen and stomach, often accompanied by bloating and sticky stools, the dosage of Sichuan scallops and pears can be reduced, and tangerine peel and hawthorn can be added as appropriate to strengthen the spleen and dispel dampness. Honey can be replaced with a small amount of white sugar or omitted directly; People with allergies should avoid consuming any of the ingredients or adjust the formula under the guidance of a doctor if they are allergic to any of them. In addition to the Sichuan shellfish snow pear lean meat soup, in the wake of the sting season, there are also many traditional food customs that symbolize good luck. The most representative of these is the customs of "deworming, eliminating pests, and praying for health" in various regions. Many places in the north have a tradition of stir frying soybeans, corn, and peanuts. The iron pot is heated, and the ingredients are added to the pot with a crackling sound, just like the pests in the stir fried fields. After stir frying, the whole family shares the food, commonly known as "eating stir fried insects", symbolizing driving away pests and ensuring a bountiful harvest. Wu Yan introduced that stir fried fragrant grains can invigorate the spleen and stimulate appetite, relieve spring fatigue, and help the spleen and stomach function. Lvdagur (Glutinous Rice Rolls with Sweet Bean Flour) was popular in old Beijing before and after the sting. Yellow rice flour wrapped in bean paste, rolling inside the soybean flour, borrowing the word 'roll', symbolizing rolling away bad luck and bringing good fortune, as well as the wish to suppress pests and protect health; The locals also steam "lazy dragons" by wrapping them with meat filling rolls and steaming them until cooked. Eating the lazy dragon is like "eating the lazy worm", reminding people that spring plowing has arrived and they should pick up their spirits and work hard. There is a custom of waking up insects and eating taro in southern Jiangxi, western Fujian and other places. Taro has a hairy appearance and resembles a small insect. The locals use its shape to symbolize that eating taro is like eating pests, praying that crops will not be affected by pests and grow safely. From a health perspective, taro has a flat and sweet taste, which can invigorate the spleen and stomach, moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements. It is suitable for family consumption. The Jiangnan region prefers warm fermented glutinous rice or spring wine. Eating a bowl can dispel the lingering cold of early spring and also accumulate energy for the upcoming spring plowing. As for the spring chives loved by people from all over the country, they are also a seasonal delicacy on the Jingzhe dining table. Leeks are born in spring, full of yang energy, warm and appetizing, promote qi circulation and blood circulation, which is in line with the way of nourishing yang in spring. A fresh and crispy bite is the authentic nourishment of spring. From the Sichuan shellfish snow pear lean meat soup to the local food customs, the sting diet contains the wisdom of the ancients to keep healthy in time: fresh and moist without cold, warm and nourishing without dry heat, protect the liver and spleen, support yang, help the human body conform to the natural rhythm, and enter the spring smoothly and healthily. (New Society)