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Se<strong>as</strong>onal Harmony 季 节 的 和 谐By Ell<strong>as</strong>ara KlingDiet Therapy is one of the healing modalitiesof Chinese medicine. Diet Therapy isapplied not only <strong>to</strong> alleviate ailments, but isutilized for day-<strong>to</strong>-day living. Choosing foodsthat are fresh, unadulterated, follow the patternsof nature, and are appropriate for yourindividual state at that time, are b<strong>as</strong>ic generalcriteria for everyone at all times. Thechoice of foods for supporting one’s healthusing the principles of Chinese medicine neednot be exotic, nor cost a great deal. Rather,local, se<strong>as</strong>onal foods are utilized <strong>to</strong> addressout of balance conditions, and/or <strong>to</strong> reinforce/augmentthe health that one h<strong>as</strong> obtained.It h<strong>as</strong> long been unders<strong>to</strong>od by Chinesemedicine that the correct daily diet canprevent dis-e<strong>as</strong>e, prolong life, strengthen thebody/mind.Diet Therapy utilizes the principles of yin/yang; hot/cold; dry/damp; calming/stimulating; internal/external; color, t<strong>as</strong>te;relationship <strong>to</strong> the organ systems; the fiveelements; cooking techniques; and muchmore. Even though that seems <strong>to</strong> be a complexlist, it is possible <strong>to</strong> incorporate thismethod of considering food in<strong>to</strong> one’s dailylife with a little attention, practice, someguidance, and by following one’s intuition.Five Element Theory is an excellent place <strong>to</strong>start. For a person who is practicing somemethod of energy cultivation (qigong/taiji/yoga/meditation, for example) or receivingtreatments from a TCM doc<strong>to</strong>r or acupuncturist,then paying attention <strong>to</strong> diet can be ofsignificant support <strong>to</strong> these activities, and canbe viewed <strong>as</strong> an extension of them. Viewingfood from the framework of Five ElementTheory is quite different than the usual westernfood lists. Foods are categorized by se<strong>as</strong>on,t<strong>as</strong>te and flavor along with the organsystem that they support. Foods are meant<strong>to</strong> be appetizing through aroma, visually andt<strong>as</strong>te. Preferably, foods are combined indishes <strong>to</strong> enhance each other and help <strong>to</strong>bring about greater health balance. In theseways, even simple meals can add healthbenefit.Consider these ide<strong>as</strong>: Each item we ingesth<strong>as</strong> its own level of life force available <strong>to</strong>us - clearly, the fresher the food, the greaterthe vibrant energy. Each food item also h<strong>as</strong>its own distinct message within its energypattern. It h<strong>as</strong> its own level of consciousness.When we eat some food, we are literally takingin<strong>to</strong> ourselves a form of energy and incorporatingthat energy in<strong>to</strong> the fabric of ourphysical body. From this point of view, everytime we eat it is potentially an act of healing.We give our body/mind/spirit powerful messagesthrough the choices that we make regardingour diet. What would it be like foryou <strong>to</strong> choose your foods for just one daykeeping in mind this idea? How would thatchange your choices? What changes wouldyou make? How would that affect how youfeel? Perhaps, you would like <strong>to</strong> challengeJune-July 2013 <strong>Yang</strong>-<strong>Sheng</strong> (Nurturing Life) 55

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