When I was a kid, I was fascinated by the animals and bright red calligraphy on the Chinese Zodiac paper placemats at our local Chinese restaurant.
I loved figuring out which animal each family member was based on their birth year.
It turns out I’m a Horse… and this is the Year of the Horse.
If you were born in 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, or 2002, the Chinese Zodiac describes you as lively, energetic, charming, and an adventurous free spirit.
Feeling called to explore, travel, or try something bold this year?
That Horse energy might be nudging you forward.
One of my favorite parts of Lunar New Year is the focus on lucky, nourishing foods:
Fish, dumplings, noodles, oranges, and a rice cake known as Nian Gao.
In Chinese dietary therapy, rice is considered sweet and is known to support digestive qi (energy).
Oranges help move “stuck” liver energy — think stress, frustration, and tension stored in the body, especially when the peel is brewed into tea.
Dumplings and noodles (often made from rice or wheat) also support digestive energy.
Fish symbolize prosperity and are traditionally associated with strengthening kidney energy aka your body’s “batteries.”
And red?
It’s everywhere.
Red represents prosperity, vitality, heart energy, and circulation, the pulse of life itself.
So if the traditional New Year didn’t quite go the way you hoped…
consider this your do-over.
Wear something red.
Cook a dish with a few of the foods above.
Set fresh intentions aligned with this lunar cycle.
With a new moon and solar eclipse energy in the mix, this is a powerful time for real change and transformation.
Happy Lunar New Year!
Here’s to health, adventure, and prosperity in 2026,
Dr. J
P.S. I’m offering new ways to work with me in 2026 and I’ll be talking about that at the end of my free workshop:
The Art of Staying in Your Sport, Hobby, and Being Epic-Adventure-Ready at Any Age
March 18th | 5:30 PM PST / 7:30 PM CST
Register to receive the free replay HERE.
