Wellness Magazine - Tao of Wellness

FROM THE TAO OF NUTRITIONBY DR. MAO & CATHY MCNEASEOnce we understand the traditionalChinese view of the body, thebasics of Chinese Five Elementtheory, the five organ systems and theircorrelation to the five tastes, we can chooseto eat for health and healing. The physicalsensation of taste has importance and significancein traditional Chinese medicine. InTCM, taste is classified into five flavors:sour, sweet, bitter, pungent and salt.In TCM theory when we eat, sour is said to be absorbed by the Liver and Gall Bladder;bitter by the Heart and Small Intestines; sweet by the Spleen and Stomach; pungent bythe Lungs and Large Intestines; and salt by the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder.Foods and herbs with different energies and tastes are a very important consideration inthe choice of a Chinese family’s meals. For example, if a person has digestive difficulties,they are said to have a weakness of Spleen and Stomach. Thus Chinese cookery utilizesslightly sweet foods, such as yam or winter squash, to correct weakness in theSpleen/Stomach organ system.The Tao of Nutrition contains a fascinating introduction to TCM theory, the energeticsand tastes of foods, healing various conditions with foods, and even refreshing recipesfor clean eating and healthy living.• Keep meals simple.• Mealtime needs to be relaxingand pleasant.• Digestion begins in the mouth,take time to chew.• Serve foods neither too hotnor too cold.The Five TastesTips for Healthy Eating• Cook in water rather than oil.• Prepare foods whole when possible.• Cleanse fruit & veggies thoroughlyin salted water.• Preferred utensils are glass,earthenware or stainless steel.• Eat locally. Eat a wide variety of foods.• Eat seasonally; mother nature knowswhat’s best for us.• Lightly cook most vegetables.• Stop eating before becoming full.• Eat at least three hours beforegoing to bed.• Make breakfast very nutritious.• Eat nuts and seeds as fresh as possible.• Soak beans prior to cooking.• Smaller beans are easier to digestthan large ones.• Avoid highly processed foods.• Consider seaweed as a sourceof minerals.• Avoid fried food, coffee, ice creamand excessive sugar.Recipe from The Tao of NutritionTHE FASTEST CEREAL GRAINCOUSCOUSPour 1 cup boiling water over ¾ cupcouscous. Let sit for 5 minutes, covered.Garnish with scallions and cilantro.(SERVES 2 - 4)Variations:• Omit scallions and cilantro, and adda grated apple, ¼ raisins and a pinchof cinnamon.• Add steamed peanuts.• Add ½ cup grated carrots and apinch of ginger.THE TAO OFNUTRITIONNewly refreshed andreprinted with dozensof entries…one of ourlong-time best sellersBTAON $19.95101 VEGETARIANDELIGHTSFrom exotic feasts tonutritious everyday meals;includes herb and flowersB101 $15.95CHINESEVEGETARIANDELIGHTSBy Lily ChuangDao and Mao's motherpresents beautifulvegetarian dishesBVEG $7.50AVAILABLE ATthe Tao of Wellness Healing Center,at www.taoofwellness.com and atthe Yo San University bookstore800.578.9526.w w w. t a o o f w e l l n e s s . c o m | 1 7