Authenticity in Diet

One thing that appeals to me, personally, about Chinese medicine is its dietary theory. It does not proclaim any particular food or eating style as “bad.” The only foods that are problem foods are the ones that exacerbate your ailments. The Chinese believe that each type of food has a different temperature and therapeutic property. There are books written about the therapeutic affects of every meat, vegetable, grain, bean, milk, seed, and fruit in the Chinese diet. It can be hard to apply these principles to American cuisine! There is no guide to tell us the therapeutic affects of eating pizza, barbecue sauce, or doughnuts. 

Part of that has to do with the fact that none of these things are really “food.” They are highly processed, commercial products that are sold for human consumption. While I enjoy them as much as anyone else, I have to admit that they lack something very important: Authenticity. 

Good eating habits boil down to a pretty simple eating philosophy. Eat less “crap.” Eat more “food.”

“CRAP”

Carbonated Drinks: Sodas have been shown to reduce bone density in people who drink 

     them. Fizzy water is still okay.

Refined Sugars: Cause rapid blood sugar spikes that wreak havoc on the body, and are 

     a major contributor to the sharp rise in our nation's diabetes rates.

Artificial colors & sweeteners: These are chemicals that are made in labs, and there is a 

     lot of research showing that artificial colors are linked to hyperactivity and artificial 

     sweeteners can be carcenogenic.

Processed Foods: are low in nutritionaldensity and high in dyes, preservatives, starches,

     and/or fats. They also leave your body dissatisfied, causing you to eat more!

“FOOD”

Fruits and Vegetables: the healthiest food on the planet. They are high in micronutrients, 

     macronutrients, and disease-fighting antioxidants.

Organic lean meats: are high in protein but low in fat and toxins.

Omega's are essential for brain health, and can boost heart health and lower triglycerides.

Drink Water! It flushes the body of toxins, and nourishes every cell in the body. 

    Since we are made of 70% water, it is the best thing for us!

                                       

FINDING BALANCE

The basis of all Chinese medical theory is the concept of balance. Optimal balance is represented by the Yin Yang, a symbol that balances light and dark, rest and activity.
In Chinese medicine, if something is too warm, we cool it. If something is too wet, we dry it. Ultimately, the practitioner hopes to restore balance to the body and bring it back to homeostasis. The human body is magnificently designed to cleanse, power, and mend itself on a continuous basis. If we become imbalanced in some way, usually due to our lifestyle, our body begins to function less efficiently. Many Americans are like a car that has gone a long time without an oil change or a tune-up. They spend the majority of their time pushing themselves, and then crash.

By taking the steps to correct the imbalances in your life, you can avoid many of the complications that come with long-term misuse. How can you find balance in your everyday life? Take simple steps, make small realistic changes, and be patient with yourself! There is no right or wrong way to live, but by following some simple steps you can live a more optimally!

• Take stock of your routine: we all have daily habits which affect our health overall. Take a moment to jot down what you spend your time on everyday. Driving, sitting, working, running errands. See what types of activities occupy most of your time and consider whether or not they lean too far in one direction. Make a commitment to schedule in times/activities that will lean you back toward center. For example, if you sprint out of bed in the morning and immediately check emails, then spend your day at a high-stress job, you are likely exhausted at the end of the day. After taking stock, you may realize that the majority of your time is spent in full-throttle, and you could choose to schedule in some down-time. Could you listen to relaxing music during your commute? Perhaps eating a picnic lunch outside, rather than working through your lunch, could help balance your day. Could you schedule a few evenings a week where you turn off your phone or computer and go for a walk instead? Schedule in some self-care time to get some exercise, spend time with loved ones, or eat a good meal. Try to find ways in which the majority of your time is not dominated by one single type of activity.
• Find natural gaps: Most people that I talk to complain about not having enough hours in the day to get things done, particularly when they are faced with adding self-care to their routine. With so many deadlines and obligations, how can anyone find the time to meditate or exercise? I have found it helpful to find the “natural gaps.” Instead of checking your email first thing in the morning, take a few minutes to center yourself instead. You could start your day by choosing to feel grateful, and imagining the accomplishments you will achieve. If you have a few minutes of down time at work, instead of checking your Facebook, you could do some stretches. You can take a few deep belly breaths when you are stopped at a stoplight. At bed time, you can mentally make a list of 5 things you are grateful for, and fall asleep happy.

We will never be perfect, but we can all make small changes that point us in a better direction!