The Great Cold marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Today we welcome the Great Cold, the last solar term of winter, signifying the coldest time of the year. At this time, the cold is extreme, and the earth is frozen. Health preservation requires "storing heat to ward off the cold and nourishing kidney qi." The diet should be warm and nourishing, with the addition of spicy ingredients to promote blood circulation, preparing for the arrival of spring.

Recommended seasonal vegetables and recipes for the Great Cold:

Snow peas: Rich in protein and vitamin B1, they help maintain the body's energy metabolism and combat winter fatigue. Their dietary fiber and vitamin C can enhance immunity and prevent the invasion of cold pathogens.

Vegan recipes: Stir-fried snow peas with oyster mushrooms and wood ear fungus; Stir-fried snow peas with cashews and lily bulbs; Stir-fried snow peas with ginger juice and vegetarian ham.

Cherry radishes are rich in anthocyanins and vitamin C, which can fight oxidation, enhance blood vessel elasticity, and improve peripheral circulation in winter. Their pungent components can promote digestion and warm the spleen and stomach; eaten raw, they are crisp and refreshing.

Vegan Recipes: Plum-pickled cherry radishes, Cherry radish and lemon slice salad

Celery is rich in potassium and apigenin, which can help regulate blood pressure and promote water balance in the body. Its unique aromatic alcohols can soothe tension, and its fiber helps with bowel movements in winter.

Vegan recipes: Celery stir-fried with vegetarian shrimp, Celery stir-fried with wood ear fungus and dried tofu.

During the Great Cold season, we dispel the last chill with warm vegetarian food, patiently awaiting the earth's return to spring and the rebirth of all things.