A dessert that strengthens your lungs, boosts immunity, and supports healing

Every once in a while, a recipe does more than taste good.

It comforts.
It nourishes.
And—when chosen with intention—it supports your health in a meaningful way.

Today I’m sharing one of my favorite "Dessert with a Purpose"

Yes—this is a dessert. (But you really could eat it for breakfast if you wanted to!)

And yes–it's designed to strengthen your lungs and support your immune system.

👉(The recipe is waiting for you at the bottom of the page.)

Why Pears? A Teaching Moment 🍐

In Chinese Medicine, each acupuncture pathway is connected to:

• physical symptoms

• internal organ function

• emotional health

These systems are never separate.

Today’s focus is the Lung pathway.

The lungs govern breathing and immunity—but emotionally, they are deeply connected to grief. When someone experiences a loss, especially within the last year, the Lung pathway often becomes vulnerable. That’s when we see more colds, lingering coughs, fatigue, and emotional heaviness—particularly during fall and winter.

And this is where pears come in.

According to Chinese Medicine, pears are considered a medicinal superfood for the lungs. Simple. Gentle. Powerful.

This humble fruit helps you:

1. Strengthen the Lung pathway

2. Boost the immune system

3. Support the healthy processing of grief

That’s three health-building benefits… from dessert.

Now that is my kind of medicine.

When Strengthening the Lungs Matters Most

While fall and winter are peak seasons for lung support, grief and immune depletion don’t follow a calendar.

You may especially benefit from lung support if you notice:

• Fatigue or low energy

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing or asthma

• Frequent colds or slow recovery

• A weakened immune system

• Feelings of grief, sadness, or emotional heaviness

There is no quick fix for grief. And there shouldn’t be.

But there are ways to gently support the body while the heart does its work.

Warm foods. Rest. Acupuncture. And yes—intentional nourishment like this recipe.

Why This Recipe Becomes a Seasonal Favorite

This dish tastes like harvest heaven and fits beautifully into so many moments:

• A cozy winter dessert

• A sweet topping over cottage cheese for breakfast

• A surprising addition to a holiday charcuterie board

• A comforting treat during times of loss or stress

At our house, leftover baked pears are often sliced up and shared at gatherings—and they disappear every time. YUM.

🍐 Dr. Kimberly’s Infamous Baked Pears

Ingredients

• 4 pears, cut in half

• Butter — ½ pat per pear half

• Cinnamon — a light sprinkle

• Honey — a gentle drizzle

• Pecans — one crumbled pecan half per pear

Instructions

1. Cut pears in half

2. Scoop out the seed portion

3. Place pears cut-side up in a baking dish

4. Add butter, honey, cinnamon, and pecans

5. Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes

Your kitchen will smell amazing—and that’s part of the therapy.

Optional Variations

• Substitute 1 teaspoon brown sugar for honey

• Swap pears for apples (which support the Large Intestine pathway)

• Keep it simple—warm fruit and cinnamon alone are still nourishing

Food doesn’t replace treatment.

But when chosen intentionally, it becomes supportive, grounding, and healing in a way the body understands.

I hope this recipe finds its way into your home—during the holidays, during cold season, or during a tender chapter of life when your lungs (and heart) need a little extra care.

Cheers,

~Dr. Kimberly