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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Wendy, do you have any nice healthy recipes? Is there such a thing as TCM recipes … or is that just plain old healthy Chinese Food?