A Nutrition Consultant explains the traditional Chinese medicine diet. Plus, learn how to balance your specific body's composition with food.
There's an old Taoist saying, “The human body is a microcosm of the universe.” Maybe there’s a deeper connection between our bodies and nature. Here are three tips—inspired by traditional Chinese methods—for how to take good care of your body.
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Feed your spleen and discover the way to health and happiness. Learn about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how your food choices affect your health.
As I've written extensively about, according to Chinese Medicine and Dietary theory, you want to keep your “middle burner” fire stoked by eating foods that will "tonify" and regulate your stomach and spleen, as these organs are greatly affected by diet as the stomach receives the food, the spleen transforms food into Qi and blood, improper food means insufficient raw material reaches the spleen causing Qi or blood deficiency. Before We Cook, Let's Talk Qi Qi is the central underlying principle in Chinese medicine and is believed to be a vital life force or energy flow of every living thing. Chinese medicine theory says that when Qi flows freely along the meridians, we are free from illness. But, and this is important, if one's Qi is blocked, pain will follow. We often think of this as physical pain, but when Qi becomes blocked, emotional aspects of our lives can become blocked too. When the Qi moves freely, our lives flow easily, we can adapt to change and are able to process difficulties. At the physical level this can mean that a body organ and its associated functions will become impeded which in turn can lead to frustration, anger or even reckless behavior. "Qi Stagnation" is most often emotional as feelings and creative impulses which we are unable to process can create blockage. At a physical level, Qi stagnation is aggravated by lack of movement. Movement, at any level of our being, is the key to working with stagnation. How Food Promotes Healthy Qi We can promote Qi circulation to some extent with the food we eat. Initial tips are not to overeat and not to consume too much heavy food at one time. Limiting sugar and stimulants as well as chewing your food thoroughly will also help. According to Chinese dietary therapy, selecting pungent ingredients such as onions and garlic will assist with dispersing Qi. Foods that tonify Qi tend to be sweet and warm such as the combination of carrots and onions. Carrots are considered a Qi tonic that nourish almost every system in the body but especially the liver, lungs and stomach. They can help to dispel toxins, move energy and treat indigestion. Garlic is the most pungent onion family member and will promote circulation and help to remove abdominal obstructions and stagnant food. Garlic eliminates toxins and promotes the growth of healthy intestinal flora. Onions, in addition to being a "warming foods", help to improve blood and Qi circulation. They detoxify and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antiviral properties. Thyme is a "warming herb" that helps with Qi circulation and indigestion while having both stimulant and relaxant properties so that it can regulate the system as needed. In this recipe we are combining the Qi and "spleen tonifying" carrots with the warming and detoxifying onions into a delicious soup that is both comforting and healing. Slightly caramelizing the onions adds a natural sweetness and grilling the carrots adds a welcome smokiness. This is a simple yet satisfying soup that you can choose to puree or leave as is. You may want to add additional ingredients, but I think simplicity is key to the success of this soup. Grilled Carrot and Caramelized Onion Soup Prep/cook time about 60 minutes Serving Size - About 8 Ingredients 3 Onions, medium, sliced 3 Cloves Garlic, minced 6 Carrots, medium sized, skin on 1 Teaspoon Thyme dried, or 3 Teaspoons fresh 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil 11/2-2 Quarts Vegetable Stock 1-2 Ounces Sherry vinegar, more or less to balance taste Sea Salt Fresh Cracked Pepper Directions Slice and caramelize the onions in a little olive oil. I like to have the heat on high for the early stages of the process and reduce the heat as the onions begin to cook down so they continue to nicely caramelize but do not burn. You can always add a splash or two of water if you see burning on the edges. You’ll want to keep an eye on these and stir occasionally with a wooden spoon, scraping the caramelization off the bottom and lower sides of pan using the moisture of the onions to assist with releasing the caramelization. I recommend a light caramelization and not to go too dark, similar to a French onion soup. Expect the onions to reduce down by about 75-80%. Add the garlic towards the end of the caramelization process and cook until soft. Cut carrots lengthwise and toss with a little of the sherry vinegar and olive oil (leaving the skin on) and grill over high heat until slightly charred. Dice the carrot and add to the caramelized onions along with the thyme and stock and bring to a simmer until carrots are tender. The soup can be enjoyed as is or you can puree it, for this batch I decided to puree about a quarter of it and stir it in with rest just to give it a thicker consistency. Adjust thickness with more stock or water. Now you can adjust and balance the soup with the acidity of vinegar, just a small amount will help to make the soup have a clean mouth feel and not be cloying or heavy and makes you want to take another taste! As always adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
It's also a great make-ahead lunch or dinner.
Radiant Shenti is your home for Asian and Shamanic healing traditions. With a vast video library of classes, you can enjoy qigong, yoga, meditation, acupressure massage, gua sha, and more.
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Whether you're deeply missing your weekly acupuncture appointment, or if you've always been curious about Chinese medicine, now is the time to stay home, stay safe, and learn more about this powerful medicine and how it can help you reach your health and wellness goals. Here are 5 ways you can learn more about Chinese medicine while you're quarantined this spring: 1. Learn More About Chinese Medicine Theory through Books or YouTube Are you spending more time than ever in front of screens? Put Netflix on pause and discover some of our favorite Chinese Medicine resources. Have you been wanting to try Qigong but aren't sure where to start? This Youtube video by DAO Practitioner Nick Loffree is not only designed for beginners, it also helps reduce stress. If books are more your thing, we love "The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life." 2. Dive into Chinese Nutritional Therapy Have you been feeling sluggish during quarantine? Damp foods like dairy, wheat, processed foods, and alcohol can wreak havoc on the body. The Middle Burner Diet by DAO Labs focuses on keeping the stomach and spleen at 100 degrees to optimize digestion while also promoting better sleep, mood, and energy (something we can all use a little bit more of right now!). Here are a few tips: Skip the row and cold foods Pass on foods that are overly "damp" (sorry friends, that means skip the alcohol and the sugar!) Pay attention to the physical temperature of your food and try to lightly cook all fruits and veggies Need some recipes to get you started? Co-Founder and Chief Culinary Office Travis Metzger creates recipes using Chinese nutritional therapy using common western ingredients. You can find them all here. 3. Incorporate Herbs in Your Wellness Routine Like acupuncture, Chinese herbs can address underlying imbalances that manifest in a variety of symptoms and complaints. In Chinese medicine, we rarely recommend consuming just one herb - they are often combined with multiple herbs chosen for the synergistic effects to boost the healing properties. Many of us are missing our acupuncture appointments as we "shelter in place", and are looking for ways to continue those incredible effects that we experience after acupuncture: better sleep, better mood, better digestion. Herbal formulas can help fill that void and keep your treatments going virtually. Looking for an herbal recommendation for your exact constitution? Connect with our team here. 4. Incorporate Chinese Medicine Inspired "Self-Care" Yang Shen, or the Chinese art of self healing, means to nurture life. This important concept teaches that the secret to long-lasting health and happiness doesn't mean extreme diets and impossible workouts -- it means implementing small daily tasks that are simple, pleasurable, and effortlessly fit into your routine. We're all under immense amounts of stress, so keep things simple and give yourself grace, with the end goal to live a happier, more simple life. Instead of reaching for that second scoop of ice cream, spend five minutes in a guided meditation, write in your journal, or walk barefoot in nature. 5. Turn to Acupressure Feeling anxious or nauseous? Apply firm pressure to "PC6", located about three finger breadths above the wrist on the inner forearm in between the two tendons. Acupuncturist Dr. Kara MoraMarco writes: "This is one of my favorite acupuncture/acupressure points to help with feelings of anxiety or any heart issues physically or emotionally. Nei Guan or Pericardium/PC6: Calms the heart and spirit, is good for anxiety, irritability, insomnia, or any heart related problem. Relaxes the chest and regulates the Qi. Is commonly used to help relieve nausea, upset stomach, motion sickness, carpal tunnel syndrome, and anxiety." Want to chat more about Chinese medicine and learn how it can help you not only survive but also thrive during this ongoing pandemic? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us with any questions or thoughts you may have, and the appropriate team member will get back to you. Say home, and stay healthy.
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Feed your spleen and discover the way to health and happiness. Learn about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how your food choices affect your health.
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