Food As Medicine
Chinese Medicine believes that there are five elements, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The elements are of direct influence of Nature. They are correlated to the seasons. In a well balanced state, Nature has all of the seasons within and each is distinct. In this state, nature flourishes and feeds itself. We are similar to nature in that we too possess all of the elements within us and in a healthy state have a flow within us that coicides with that of the seasons. The five elements simply bring our awareness to nature and bring us closer to our truest self. Chinese Medicine uses the concepts of the five elements as a foundation for healing through food, herbs, acupuncture & body work.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
Chinese Nutrition offers us a way to use food and drink, something that we consume every day as a huge asset to healing our body and achieivng our optimal health. We use aspects of hot and cold, internal and external, deficient and excess, & yin and yang to guide us toward diagnostic differentiaion. This provides information about one's state of being and allow us to offer the most nourishing food to our body at any given time. Food can provide the foundation These differentiations provide an opportunity for healing that is specific to you. And in the future, provides the self awareness and actualization for one to utilize their knowledge of their body in relation to food to heal. In the pages ahead, you'll learn about each element, it's season and what it means to you. You'll also come to know the correspondences, daily practices and general nutrition notes that support you in getting closer to your relationship with nature and YOU. Chinese Nutrition is all about balance, make gradual changes that align with what feels right for YOUR body.
When we evolve our views on nutrition from a Chinese Nutrition perspective, we start to think more about the energy of the food and how this nurtures us. Here are some seasonal journal questions related to food energetics.
What foods make you feel whole and nourished both inside and out?
What foods provide you with long term energy? How does that energy feel in your body?
What foods make you feel both grounded and energized?
What foods support you emotionally?
What rituals around food make you feel best?