Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring festival, this tradition is not only celebrated in China but also in countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, and Indonesia.

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In  Chinese  culture,  this  joyful  festival  is  a  way  to  be  together  with family and friends, and to enjoy traditions that bring good luck and prosperity.

Bring Balance To The Way You Eat 

A great way to attract these positive vibrations is to bring Yin and Yang into our gut. With so  many  restaurants  around  the  world  offering “authentic” Chinese meals, there is no doubt Chinese cuisine is one of the most popular in the  world.  However,  not  known  to  many,  Chinese  cuisine  contains  a unique element  called Chinese  Medicinal  Cuisine. This food  therapy  is  an ancient  art passed down and practiced from generation to generation. The preparation of a meal  is  practiced  by  the  use  of  old  traditions  and  techniques. The  belief is  that each  ingredient,  vegetable,  herb,  and  spice  is  believed  to restore  health  and cure pain or diseases.

The main principle of Chinese Medicinal Cuisine is to bring Yin and Yang to the way  we  eat.    Yin  foods  are  moist,  fresh,  and  watery,  such  as  raw  vegetables, fruits,  alcohol,  smoothies,  soups,  and  sugars  (dry  fruits). On  the  other hand, Yang foods are dry and cooked, such as meat, eggs, poultry, and cooked grains. Protein foods are mostly Yang, while most carbohydrates are Yin. The method of cooking  is  also  a  criteria  in  determining whether  a  food  is considered  Yin  or Yang.

When  we  balance  the  way  we  eat,  our  chi,  or  energy,  flows  smoothly  in  our body,  making  all  our  organs function  properly.  Good  chi  also  provides  us  with great energy, and helps us keep our weight in check. It is believed that when we get sick, it means that we are out of balance.

That  being  said,  here  are  simple  ways  of  balancing  what  we eat  this  Chinese New Year:

1. Prepare At Home

Nothing  beats  food  that  is  prepared  and  cooked  from  the  heart.  If  you  have the  time  to  cook  and  an  ability  to  buy  genuine  Chinese  ingredients,  then  skip going to a Chinese restaurant for this once-a-year event.

Have   you   ever   heard   of   Chinese   Restaurant   Syndrome?   Most   Chinese restaurants use  a  flavor enhancer  called  monosodium  glutamate, that  causes symptoms such as a headaches, sweating and chest pain.

2. Include Medicinal Herbs

Chinese  medicinal  herbs  contain  amazing  positive  health  benefits.  Be  sure  to add these to your Chinese New Year menu. Drink green or herbal teas before or after your heavy meal to improve digestion.

3. Healthy Carbohydrates – Vegetables 

Chinese  cuisine  treats  vegetables  as  dishes.  A  meal  with  a  good  deal of vegetables helps prevent obesity, and a good source of numerous nutrients and minerals such as potassium and Vitamin A.

Make sure to prepare plenty of vegetable dishes in your celebration, and do not think of  it  only  as  a  side  dish. Replace  your  noodles  with  veggies,  and  choose brown rice instead of white rice.

4. Limit Or Stop Using Sodium

Chinese  food  is  notorious  for  containing  a  high  amount  of  sodium,  from  the use  of  soy  sauce in  every  Chinese  meal.  In fact, one  tablespoon  of  soy  sauce contains 1,005 milligrams of sodium.

If preparing at home, choose low sodium versions of soy sauce, and when eating out ask the chef to reduce the sauce in your meals.

5. Apply Traditional Chinese Medicine Principles

For us to fully enjoy our Chinese New Year meal, let’s also look at how we eat by following these Chinese traditions:

• Eat naturally and keep away from eating processed foods

• Consume more vegetables and fruits

• Chew the food well

• Eat slowly

• Savor the taste

Experience Traditional Exercise

Now that we are done with the food, let’s go to another activity – exercise. One of the  oldest  and  most  popular  Chinese  workouts,  Tai  Chi  Chuan,  also called  Tai Chi,  is  a  slow  and  empowering  activity  that  you  can  practice  while celebrating Chinese New Year.

Tai Chi is a form of martial arts first originating in the 13th century China. It uses deep breathing and relaxation to help reduce stress, as it promotes inner peace and calm. Furthermore, it also improves balance and increases muscle strength.

Reasons to practice Tai Chi:

• It’s not competitive

• Injuries are low

• No pressure, as you can do it at your own pace

• Less stressful, as movements are low-impact and gentle

• You can do it anywhere, anytime

• It’s a great way to understand Yin and Yang Chinese philosophy

Let’s welcome the Chinese new year with joy and balance your food, exercise, self-care,  and  life  as  a  whole.  We  at  R.A.W  Inside  Out  would  like to  wish everyone a happy and a prosperous Chinese New Year!

Gong Xi Fi Cai!

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