Bellbottom Article

 The following article initially appeared in the April 2011 edition of Bellbottom - a Coffs Coast magazine celebrating and supporting the local creative arts scene.

Thanks to Bellbottom editor Maggie Quirk for permission to reproduce the article here.

Locally grown seasonal food - its good medicine!

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, good health relies on living in harmony with the seasons. This includes adapting our clothing, behaviours and eating patterns. Aligning ourselves to the seasons can help to protect us from infections, aches, pains, and upsetting emotions.

In Australia, we find ourselves intuitively aligning with ancient philosophy by eating root vegetable soup and ‘hibernating’ in Winter. Summer finds us enjoying salads and socialising.

Food grown locally is one of the simplest ways to stay healthy. Local food is like a medicine; imbibed with the nutrients needed to see you through the different characteristics of each season.  eg. Mushrooms grow in damp weather and according to Chinese medicine have a drying quality which is ideal to harmonise us with Bellingen’s climate.

The following dish is an Autumnal staple in China, and the ingredients can be sourced locally in this season. The soup builds milk supply in nursing mothers and is useful for rectifying oedema and fluid retention. Papaya can encourage bowel movement and treats some types of rheumatism.

Freshwater fish with papaya

Serves 2

200g whole freshwater fish fillets

300g papaya, skin removed (between firm and ripe is best for this recipe)

Cut papaya into pieces of similar size to the fish pieces. Place fish and papaya into a saucepan and cover with water at double the height of the ingredients. Gently simmer until the now milky liquid, is reduced by half. Serve in a bowl with rice.

Recipe courtesy of Food for the Seasons - Professor Wong (Red Dog Books)