Given the knowledge that yin is cooling and yang is warming, it makes sense that these qualities in food and activities would benefit our ability to process food and fuel our bodies more efficiently.  This enhances our  ability to heal.

YIN Food and Activities

When a cooling pattern occurs (winter), warming aerobic exercise is essential.  Healing food choices include warm beef or lamb dishes, meat-based soups and stews, trout and wild salmon.  Vegetables include cooked root veggies, baked winger squash, onions, lightly cooked greens including broccoli, turnip greens, asparagus, and kale.  Nuts and seeds are warming as are cinnamon, garlic, ginger, and pepper.

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Yang Food and Activities

When a warming pattern occurs (summer), meditation, walks in nature, swimming, and yoga are ideal for balancing the agitating nature of a heat imbalance.  Cooling foods would include salads, cucumber, melons, pears, beans, sushi, and non-spicy foods.  Vegetables of all kinds are helpful whereas meats should be limited.

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Do you suffer from bloating, retention of fluids, puffy eyes, or shortness of breath?  Are you always chilled, over tired, and wanting a good day?

Modern nutrition is based on knowing the chemical composition of foods and the biochemical pathways of the body.  They are bunched into proteins, carbohydrates, and fats accordingly.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) looks at food and life quite differently.  It is based on the energy of the food, the season of year, and balance.  It  works very simply.  When a person is feeling cold, choosing food and drinks that are warming will help regain strength and vitality. A cold, raw salad won’t help them.  Contrarily, if a person is suffering from heat symptoms, choosing foods that are cooling will help.

The Theory of yin and Yang is a corner stone of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  The forces of Yin and Yang are energetic qualities that shape everything in the universe including our health.

The symbol of Yin and Yang is circle divided into two shapes each with it’s own shade of light or dark.  The dark side symbolizes the Yin as the light side symbolizes the Yang.  This carries through to nature.  Yin is on the shady side of the hill in the cool and damp while the Yang is in the sun in its warmth and dryness.  Night and winter are yin in nature while day and summer are Yang.

Different kinds of food and activates are recommended for both Ying and Yang. I’ll tell you more in my next post!