Diet
What Should I Eat to be Healthy
What to eat and what not to Eat: The Chinese Medicine Way to Healthy, Enjoyable Eating.
What should I eat to be healthy? That is a question I believe a lot of people are asking these days. If you are noticing signs of aging, are overweight, are considered obese, underweight, have diabetes, heart disease, auto-immune disorder, cancer, or you just plain want to stay healthy, you might be wondering which diet therapy is best for you.
I believe that a whole foods diet based mostly on plants, while taking into account individual needs, without all the processed foods, is the way to go. This is not a new way of eating, rather it is based on ancient Chinese Medical philosophy. The ancient way to eat for modern people.
In addition, mindfulness while eating plays an important part. One should eat in a calm and relaxed manner without rushing. Avoid stressful interactions during a meal, including television and reading. Be sure to always chew food thoroughly. Avoid overeating, or excessive fasting.
Foods to avoid are excessive raw, cold foods, iced drinks, excessive dairy, oily, greasy, fried foods, refined sugar, processed white flour products, excessive meat consumption, and excessive alcohol intake.
The process of digestion, and general nutritional requirements are the same, thus there are general guidelines to follow for a healthy spleen-Qi (chi)-digestive system. However, some people may have slightly different needs depending on their body type, lifestyle, climate, culture, or pattern of disharmony.
The general guidelines for a healthy spleen-Qi digestion will be explained in the next post. Stay tuned…
Foods for the Winter Season
Everybody knows that food is what gives our bodies the energy we need to survive. But not everybody is aware that certain foods should be consumed during specific times of the year. In areas like the Midwest, where fruits and vegetables are harder to keep on hand when the weather becomes colder, this principle is followed a little more closely. But in areas like Hawaii and Southern California, where fresh fruits and vegetables are always available and the climate is more moderate, people sometimes forget to eat according to the seasons. continue reading
Nutrition for Heart Health OM Nutrition & Hypertension
Oriental medicine (OM) nutrition combines ancient wisdom with modern science. OM nutrition is a holistic approach, which aims to balance all five flavors within most meals with one or two flavors being emphasized for therapeutic purposes. OM nutrition for a hypertension emphasizes bitter flavors, sour flavors and energetically-cooling foods.
OM theory states the bitter flavor benefits the heart in moderation but an excess is harmful as it has a drying effect; for example, coffee is bitter. In moderation coffee acts as vasodilator increasing circulation but in excess it can raise blood pressure and has a diuretic effect. Modern scientific research has discovered while the human genome has 25 bitter taste receptors 12 of these are expressed in the human heart. continue reading
7 Ways to Communicate Healthy Habits to Your Kids
As the school year kicks back into gear so should the healthy habits that you and your children have before practiced. Notice how I said “practiced,” because we all know during the summer-vacation months we tend to indulge a little. Maybe you have had one too many backyard barbecues, or three too many trips to the favorite ice cream shop down the street. Whatever your summer vice may be don’t worry about it, you can regain those healthy habits from before and introduce them into your children’s lives! continue reading
Natural Ways to Up Your Game
In addition to using acupuncture and other forms of traditional Chinese medicine, there are other ways athletes seek to up their game. One of the simplest ways to increase performance is by watching what you are consuming. You ever heard the saying you are what you eat? Chances are you have, if not, well I am glad that now you have, because there could not be a truer statement. continue reading
