The holidays aren’t over yet! January 31st marks the Chinese New Year celebration. In China, a 15-day celebration will be held to ring in a new lunar year. Chinese tradition has assigned each year a specific animal to represent the tone of the upcoming year – 2014 is the year of the horse. Like the horse, this year is anticipated to be fast and full of entertainment. The nature of decisions and opportunities that will present are anticipated to be swift and abrupt. Horses are extremely intelligent animals, but require training and encouragement from people to move forward with tasks. How does this apply to your goals for 2014? Are there changes you can make to “unbridle” your creative side? Is there someone in your life who may be a good leader for you to follow for a particularly challenging feat ahead? Remember, you may also be this person for someone else.
If you were born in one of the following years, then you are thought to be a horse and the characteristics of this year are within your personality: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1954, 1942, 1930, 1918, 1906.
During a Chinese New Year celebration, children and unmarried, unemployed young adults are given “Hong Bao” which are red envelopes full of money. (Chinese New Year is sounding pretty good now!) Red is a symbol of luck and abundance in Chinese culture. Offering Hong Bao is a way to set the tone for the individual’s wealth for the year.
Traditional food is homemade for the occasion and include dishes such as:
8 Treasures Rice – contains rice, walnuts, dry fruit, raisins, sweet bean paste, dates and almonds
Chicken, duck, fish and pork
“Song Gao” – a sweet cake made of ground rice
A sweet dessert soup made of fruit added to hot water and a thickening agent
How does this compare to your traditional holiday dishes? Isn’t it refreshing to know that holidays can still be enjoyed and celebrated without 12 cups of sugar, 11 sticks of butter and 10 canned products full of BPA!
Continue making the right choices for your body and mind in 2014. I wish you wellness and happiness in the upcoming year.
**Drop-in stress reduction treatments are still being offered! These are 20-30 minute, non-private treatments and are offered only to existing Acupuncture patients.
