The yin & yang diet & food for thought

When we eat, let us reflect that we have come from food which has come from nature by the order of the infinite universe, and let us be grateful for all that we have been given.

When we meet people, let us see them as brothers and sisters and remember that we have all come from the infinite universe through our parents and ancestors, and let us pray as one with all of humanity for universal love and peace on earth.

When we see the sun and moon, the sky and stars, mountains and rivers, seas and forests, fields and valleys, birds and animals, and all the wonders of nature, let us remember that we have come with them all from the infinite universe. Let us be thankful for our environment on earth, and live in harmony with all that surrounds us.

When we see farms and villages, towns and cities, arts and cultures, societies and civilizations, and all the works of man, let us recall that our creativity has come from the infinite universe and has passed from generation to generation and spread over the entire earth. Let us be grateful for our birth on this planet with intelligence and wisdom, and let us vow with all to realize endlessly our eternal dream of One Peaceful World through health, freedom, love and justice.

Having come from being within, and going towards infinity, may our endless dream be eternally realized upon this earth, may our unconditional dedication perpetually serve for the creation of love and peace, and may our heartfelt thankfulness be devoted universally to every object, person and being.

So go the very absorbing words of Michio Kushi, advocate of macrobiotics, which is really more than just a diet (actually, it’s a philosophy which changes the lives of people who change from an unhealthy fatty diet to a healthy diet with less fat and more fiber). Which brings us to the yin and yang diet, as we prepare to welcome the Chinese New Year (the Year of the Water Goat, which, hopefully, will not get our goat) on Saturday, Feb.1. According to the Chinese, yin and yang are two opposite elements – symbolized by fire and water – which co-exist in our bodies. It is believed that striking a balance in our system can spell the difference between health and illness. The key word here is balance. Eating too little or too much can create an imbalance in our system. By eating little, one produces insufficient blood and ki (energy) to nourish the body. On the other hand, overeating clogs the system and disrupts the movement of the ki. Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?

Take this other hot tip: Consider the temperature of the food that you eat – energetically and physically. According to the macrobiotics philosophy, food that is too hot will damage the digestive system (stomach/intestines). On the other hand, food that is too cold will have an adverse effect on the middle burner fire (stomach/spleen). Even in hot weather, one should not eat too much frozen or cold foods as they are bad for the middle burner. Cooked foods are believed to maintain the life-force of the middle burner. Chew food well (a wise old man said that when we eat, we must take our time – chew and smile, chew and smile, and chew on and chew forth) and eat in moderation.

Here are more simmering tips and bits of food wisdom from macrobiotics crusaders Marcea and Daniel Weber:

• If you live in a warm or hot climate, keep flours, beans, seeds, grains, etc. refrigerated. Likewise, keep veggies and fruits, especially if they’re organically grown, in a cool place. Wrap greens in newspaper and refrigerate to keep them fresh (keeping them in plastic bags encourages molds as moisture collects in the bag).

• Refrigerate oils and use as quickly as possible. If you buy oil in bulk, change the container as the quantity decreases to prevent an excessive amount of oxygen from accumulating in the container and mixing with the oil.

• Keep teas, herbs and spices covered in a cool, dry place, away from light.

• To store leftovers, use containers made of glass, stainless steel or ceramic.

• Make sure that the cookware you choose is the most suitable type for your purposes. Stainless steel, cast iron, glass (which, however does not distribute heat evenly), porcelain or earthenware are most suitable for everyday use. Do not use aluminum, teflon or any other nonstick coated cookware. Aluminum is absorbed into the food, while nonstick or plastic coatings are easily chipped, and the pieces can get mixed into the food. Use wooden utensils, which are durable and less likely to impart any taste into the food.

• Wooden cutting boards are the best surfaces for doing any kind of cutting work – whether it be vegetables, spices or fish.

•Deep-fry foods (use pure safflower or corn oil) as quickly as possible to preserve their freshness and nutrients. Drain deep-fried foods on absorbent paper and serve immediately. If there’s any leftover food, reheat before eating, as eating cold fried foods is bad for digestion.

• There are many pros and cons to this, but foods cooked in a microwave oven seem dead, lacking vitality or life force (as the food uses its own energy to break itself down). One doctor even warns that even very low levels of exposure to microwave radiation, such as you might get from using the microwave at home, can have serious health effects.

Eat, drink and be healthy! Kung Hei Fat Choy!