As the village's development progressed and ecological concepts gradually permeated every corner of life, Lin Yue became increasingly aware that guiding villagers to embrace a healthy life in this unique ecological environment was a key piece of the puzzle for achieving comprehensive and sustainable development of the village.
As dawn broke, the soft sunlight bathed the village's blue-tiled roofs and white walls, casting a golden veil over the entire village. Lin Yue arrived early at the small square in the center of the village, where many villagers had already gathered. Some were leisurely strolling, while others were stretching and doing simple morning exercises. A warm smile spread across Lin Yue's face. She saw the villagers' yearning and pursuit of a healthy life, and she also saw the direction she should strive for.
Lin Yue's first thought was to utilize the village's abundant natural ingredients to promote health and wellness concepts. She organized the village women into a "Natural Health and Wellness Food Group." These women were all skilled cooks, and under Lin Yue's guidance, they began to delve into the treasure trove of ingredients found in the village's fields and forests. In spring, wild vegetables covering the mountains and fields became delicacies on the table. For example, the women picked tender shepherd's purse, washed it, and made shepherd's purse dumplings. The refreshing taste seemed to encapsulate the entirety of spring within the dumplings. According to nutritionists, shepherd's purse is rich in various vitamins and minerals and has effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, and improving eyesight. Aunt Li from the village said with a smile, "These wild vegetables used to be used to feed pigs. I never imagined they would become such a good thing for health. Eating the shepherd's purse dumplings I made myself makes me feel so happy, and I feel even more energetic."
In summer, wild mushrooms in the mountains are a delicious gift from nature. Women carefully move through the woods, picking various mushrooms such as shiitake, wood ear, and porcini. These mushrooms are cooked into mushroom soup, and their rich aroma fills the entire village. From a medical perspective, mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides, which can enhance the body's immunity and prevent disease. Data shows that villagers who regularly eat mushrooms have a 30% lower incidence of influenza during flu season compared to those who don't.
In autumn, the village orchards are laden with fruit. Apples, pears, and persimmons hang heavily from the branches. These fruits are not only delicious but also rich in nutrients such as vitamin C and fiber. Lin Yue organized a "Fruit Health Festival," where villagers shared fruits from their own orchards, and everyone learned together how to make fruit salads, dried fruit, and fruit wine. The village children enjoyed the activities and learned about the health benefits of fruit. For example, one apple can provide about half of the daily requirement of vitamin C, and eating apples regularly helps lower cholesterol and protect cardiovascular health.
In the practice of nourishing the body with natural ingredients, traditional cooking techniques and modern nutritional science have been cleverly combined. Take the village's traditional stew as an example. Previously, it was simply a matter of boiling ingredients together for a rich flavor. Now, under Lin Yue's guidance, women have begun to improve the recipe based on modern nutritional science. For instance, when stewing old hens, they add nourishing Chinese medicinal herbs such as goji berries, red dates, and astragalus. Goji berries are rich in vitamins and minerals, nourishing the liver and kidneys and improving eyesight; red dates replenish blood and improve complexion; and astragalus enhances immunity. This combination preserves the flavor of traditional stews while enhancing their nutritional value. Furthermore, when preparing vegetable dishes, traditional stir-frying methods may lead to the loss of some nutrients. Now, women use blanching followed by cold salad or steaming to minimize nutrient loss. For example, in a cold spinach salad, the spinach is first blanched to remove oxalic acid, then mixed with minced garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and other seasonings, resulting in a delicious and healthy dish that retains the vitamins, iron, and other nutrients in the spinach to the greatest extent possible.
Besides dietary health practices, Lin Yue also strongly advocates for outdoor health activities. She personally planned several hiking routes suitable for villagers of different ages, which traverse the village's fields, forests, and streams. On weekends, villagers hike together along these routes, enjoying the different scenery of each season. In spring, the route is lined with golden rapeseed fields and vibrant peach blossoms; in summer, lush green trees provide shade, and cool streams accompany the hikers; in autumn, golden rice paddies and fiery red maple leaves create a breathtaking scene; and in winter, the snow-covered mountains offer a unique charm.
Outdoor health activities have had a positive and far-reaching impact on promoting social relationships among villagers. Previously, although the villagers lived in the same village, they were all busy with farming, and interaction between neighbors was limited. Since the hiking activities began, the situation has changed significantly. For example, Mr. Zhang, an elderly man in the village, had difficulty walking. During a hiking activity, a young man named Xiao Wang offered to help him, telling him about the village's happenings along the way and carrying his water bottle. From then on, Mr. Zhang and Xiao Wang's family became closer. Mr. Zhang would share his years of farming experience with Xiao Wang, and Xiao Wang would often help Mr. Zhang with heavy chores. On another occasion, a group of women discovered a rare herb during a hike. They gathered to discuss its effects and uses, and an experienced woman named Sister Zhao explained it in detail, even taking them to her home to see some herb specimens she had collected. This experience further strengthened the bonds between the women; they often exchanged health knowledge and anecdotes, greatly enhancing the village's cohesion.
Lin Yue's promotion of healthy living and ecological environmental concepts was not without its challenges and encountered external interference. Some commercial tourism developers, eyeing the village's ecological resources, attempted large-scale commercial development, a model that could disrupt the village's original ecological balance and tranquil living environment. Lin Yue resolutely resisted the temptation of this overly commercialized tourism development. She organized a village meeting to analyze in detail the potential negative impacts of excessive commercial development, such as environmental pollution, ecological damage, and disruption to villagers' lives. She stated, "Our village is beautiful because of its pristine environment. If we allow a large influx of tourists to build high-rise buildings and commercial facilities, our green mountains and clear waters will be gone, and our healthy living will be out of the question." Under Lin Yue's leadership, the villagers united and rejected unreasonable commercial development projects.
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