Fall Hiking & Stone Barns

Yesterday was an incredible day. Fall finally arrived, and since it was my day off I went for a 7+ mile hike on the Appalachian Trail in Harriman-Bear Mountain State Park, not too far from the city. I found the hike in a great book called 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of New York City. This book appears to be a great tool to facilitate getting out of the city and not having to drive to far to delve into nature. I only saw 5 people all day on the trail (2 through-hikers, even) and hiked to a peak that provided an overlook of the Hudson river and also revealed a skyline of NYC in the far distance. It was like looking like a cartoon interpretation Gotham. Eerily beautiful.

In Chinese medicine, the spleen is ascribed to earth, is associated with digestion and the formation of new qi & blood (which help our body remain in health and activity day-to-day). Hiking through the woods on the earth is important for the strength of the spleen and can be useful at many times of the year when you need to recharge and step outside of the city. It is important for city folk like ourselves to step back out into the true, real world of nature in many capacities, and this time of the year is a wonderful time for hiking in the Hudson valley.

Another way to charge the spleen is through consumption of seasonal foods which are described in detail here in an article that I wrote. This philosophy is honestly in full swing at Blue Hill at Stone Barns located right near Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow. At Stone Barns there is an operating farm, educational center, and a mind-blowing restaurant. They utilize most of the food from the farm in the restaurant, and the preparation is outstanding and sure fills the revitalized spleen that is looking for some tasty food after a day of hard work on the trail.

Remember to hike wearing layers. You will get hot, then cold, then hot, etc. from all the stopping, starting, going uphill, downhill, in the shade, sun...

Get out there!

Posted by: Michael Pingicer, M.S., L.Ac.

Aiyana Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs