What I’m eating, and why:
In TCM food therapy (shi liao), we eat seasonally and constitutionally.
Meals in shi liao are similar to that of the Canadian food guide: throughout the year there is an emphasis on unprocessed foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and various proteins.
In fall, as the days shorten and become cooler the qi of our body begins to move inward; the weather outside and inside also becomes drier (hello, forced air heating!)
Shi liao emphasizes the sour flavour, which helps our qi contract, as well as moistening foods to prevent and reduce the length of lung and bronchial illnesses.
The following is a sample of some foods I have been enjoying lately! They may not suit your tastes, and that can be information about your TCM constitution type.
While these are fairly balanced meals from a shi liao perspective, it emphasizes moistening, so people who feel dry (skin, hair, stools) might most appreciate it. People who have a lot of “dampness” (loose stools, thick tongue coating, dislike of damp weather) may not like it as much. Each sections includes suggestions to make the meal less damp.
Remember to eat for your constitution first!
Breakfast: Oatmeal with plums, peaches, almonds and milk.
TCM thinking: Cooking food with water increases moisture. Oatmeal tonifies qi and blood. Plums and peaches both have sour flavour and are moistening.
Modifications: People with dampness may not like eating watery grain dishes like oatmeal or congee, milk, or juicy fruits. Modifications include: cooking with ginger or cardamon, and substituting blueberries in for plums and peaches, and using a milk alternative like oat or almond milk.
Lunch: Soft boiled egg with steamed kale salad, sauerkraut, and whole grain bread.
TCM thinking: eggs build blood and are moistening, wheat is considered moistening, and kale tonifies qi and blood; dressing it with a bit of lemon and olive oil makes it more moist and adds a little of the sour flavour. Fermented food benefit the gut.
Modifications: People with dampness often really don’t like eggs. If this is you, consider scrambling it in a teflon pan (no oil) and adding in some aromatic herbs like basil, oregano, or scallions. You can also substitute rye bread for whole wheat.
Dinner: stir-fried tofu and cabbage, served with brown rice.
TCM thinking: tofu, cabbage, and brown rice are all special as they benefit our stomach by being both qi tonics (more energy) and yin tonics (more fluids), which is what the stomach desires.
Modifications: baking the dish, or adding a little cayenne would make it warmer and a bit drier.
I hope you enjoyed this! If you’re interested in learning more, I offer TCM food therapy and lifestyle consultation, both in person and online. Book in here.