Ailments & Conditions, Recipes, All Things Chinese Medicine and Lifestyle Blog Posts
Pad Thai is popular because it tastes great! Here’s Michelle Bridges’ healthy homemade take on what’s often a rather greasy and fatty restaurant choice. Instead, this nutritious version can easily be converted into a vegetarian or allergy friendly meal, and a quick weeknight favourite for both adults and kids. Serves 4 Ingredients: 200g dried rice-stick noodles 300g
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Basil is a wonderful herb to eat in summer as it is cooling and drying. The combination of tomatoes, olives and vinegar in this recipe encourages energy down and enhances the cooling effect. Ingredients: 3 cups basil leaves, torn in half black pepper 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 500g cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup black
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Parsley is a wonderful herb to eat in summer because of its detoxifying qualities. Eating parsley is a fantastic way to naturally fight the germs that thrive in the warmth of summer. Parsley is also useful in removing damp heat, easing urinary tract infections, clearing ear infections and even helps to get rid of bad
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Tabouli is one of our favourite salads and a delicious accompaniment to almost any meat or meal. Tabouli is traditionally made from cracked wheat in the form of cous cous or bulghur, but can just as easily be made with wheat and gluten free alternatives such as quinoa or millet. Wheat is cool, sweet, strengthening and calming
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Finally we can wake and shake off the dregs of the cold damp winter. The arrival of spring brings warmer temperatures and less frost, the trees begin to bud and flower and the grass starts to grow. In Chinese medicine the season of spring relates to a Yang energy, which creates a growing upward and
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Seasonal vegetables with rice noodles (or zucchini spirals for no carb option) are a healthy food option in any season. Sesame oil is strengthening and calming for the liver, and broccoli is particularly good in early spring. You can also substitute the ingredients in this recipe with other delicious spring vegetables such as cabbage, carrots,
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Living in a temperate climate, as we do in Melbourne, means we have four relatively distinct seasons. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) living in sync with the seasons and your external environment is important for optimal health and wellbeing. Each season we’re blessed with a variety of delicious and healthy fruits and vegetables. Many
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Menstrual cycle and mental health Despite recent studies that have found a correlation between mental health and the female menstrual cycle, conventional medicine still overlooks this connection when addressing mental health related issues. Women often suffer the rollercoaster ride of their menstrual cycle in silence. When help is sought, important psychiatric treatment and/or medication is
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(see vegetarian option below ) This is a lovely winter dish! With its simple mix of meat and spices, it’s not only delectable but will nourish and warm you deep from the inside. Beef will warm your digestive system and directs warmth to the lower parts of your body. It improves circulation and blood production,
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Did you know you have ‘wind points’ at the back of your neck and at the base of your skull? This is usually not common knowledge. However, according to Traditional Chinese medicine these ‘wind points’ are commonly affected by over-exposure to cold and wind, and this can be the precursor to catching the common cold.
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Mushrooms are terrific in autumn as they remove phlegm and toxins. They also relieve fatigue and boost energy. Barley is also an energy booster and improves physical strength. It can also help with indigestion and diarrhea. Thyme can ease the common cold and associated symptoms such as headache, cough, aches, pains and a sore throat.
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This warming and calming soup improves digestion, builds energy and strengthens key organs such as the liver, lungs and kidneys. It may also help people with diarrhoea, rheumatism, or with problems swallowing. Serves 4 Ingredients: 3 leeks, sliced 1 tsp butter or oil 1L chicken stock 4 potatoes, cubed 1 sweet potato, cubed Pepper Handful fresh
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Feb Fast Detox is certainly the buzz word for the beginning of the year. Throughout the summer we put our body through its paces with more rich food, alcohol and often less exercise. Come February we feel bloated, sluggish and foggy in the head, desperate to detox, vent, clear and purge. And so the ‘Feb
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Asparagus are cold, sweet and bitter. They help counterbalance heat caused by the environment. Asparagus are now in season so here is a great soup that can cool you down when summer eventually arrives. Serves 4 Ingredients: 50g butter or vegetable oil 2 sprigs thyme 1 onion, chopped 2 potatoes, scrubbed and finely chopped 500g
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– A root or two is mighty good for you! This soup recipe is jam-packed not just with one or two roots, but with multiple delectable and very colourful root vegetables. It is so easy to make and so full of goodness that it’s hard to believe. It will soothe your tastebuds, strengthen your digestive system, nourish your blood,
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Cauliflower, pea and fried tofu curry This is a delicious and warming vegetarian curry stuffed with protein and goodness. Cauliflower is from the same family as cabbage, broccoli and kohlrabi and shares many of their health benefits. Both peas and cauliflower can help strengthen the digestive system. Tofu is a source of protein often used
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This traditional spinach pie is not only delicious, but also high in protein. Protein is essential for strengthening and nourishing our bodies. Ingredients 1/4 cup olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 bunch shallots, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1kg spinach 2 tbs dill, chopped 250g fetta, crumbled 150g ricotta 3 tbs parmesan, grated
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Here is a delicious, high protein vegetarian recipe. Ingredients: 1 cup cooked brown rice Shredded, wilted chard Crushed garlic Chives 250g ricotta 2 tbs yoghurt 1 egg Crumbed fetta (small piece) Handful of grated cheese Method: Mix 1 cup of cooked brown rice with shredded wilted chard, crushed garlic and chives. Stir through 250g ricotta, 2
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Kick-start your day and your metabolism with this easy and delicious porridge Ingredients: ¾ Cup Quinoa, rinsed & drained 375 ml low-fat milk 1/3 cup cranberries 2 tbsp raisins ¼ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped Method: Combine quinoa with 500ml water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer,
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Eggplant is in season now (summer and autumn) and is a great food for your blood. It both moves and cools the blood. It can also help reduce imbalanced flow, reduce stagnation and relieve problems caused by overeating meat. Enjoy this easy recipe for a tasty eggplant dip, great to have as a snack with
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Here is a cooling, cleansing salad using dill and cucumber. Dill is good at detoxifying the gastrointestinal tract and soothing for a sensitive stomach. Cucumber clears heat and cools the body, which is perfect for either during or after a hot spell of weather. Ingredients: Cucumbers, sliced paper thin 1/2 tsp salt in 1 cup water
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Here is a list of foods, drinks and herbs that are cooling: Cooling Foods Apples Asparagus Avocado Banana (not eaten excessively) Basil Broccoli/Cauliflower Cabbage Melons/Papaya Celery Chrysanthemum (tea) Crab (not eaten excessively) Cucumber Duck Eggplant Grapefruit Lettuce Mung Beans Pears Peppermint Plums Rhubarb Rye Seaweed Sesame Soybeans Spinach Water Chestnuts Cooling & Strengthening Foods Coconut
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Ingredients: 1 cup of tahini (or any nut butter) 1/2 cup agave 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats or old-fashioned oats 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans (any nuts) chopped up bar of dark chocolate Method: Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C. Grease cookie sheets or use parchment paper. In a
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This delicious recipe is grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free and vegan. Serves 6 – 8 Ingredients: Berry filling: 3 cups of organic berries – I used a pint of blueberries and 1 cup of fresh strawberries, sliced 2 tablespoons maple syrup (you could also use honey, brown rice syrup, coconut nectar or whatever
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Here’s a ‘sweet’ idea for your weekend breakfast cook up Makes 24 pancakes Ingredients: 3 cups blanched almond flour ½ cup heavy cream 8 eggs ½ cup salted butter, melted ¼ cup agave nectar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 pinch celtic sea salt Butter for frying Method: In a Vitamix, combine
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Ingredients: 3 bananas (about 1 ½ cups) mashed 3 eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon honey 1/4 cup vegan palm oil shortening 2 cups blanched almond flour 1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt 1 teaspoon baking soda Method: Place bananas, eggs, vanilla, honey and shortening in a food processor Pulse ingredients together Pulse in almond
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Try this fantastic soup to get your family through cold and wet weather. Ingredients: 1 whole chicken 1 brown onion 5 celery stalks 1 whole leek 4 carrots 2 spring onions 1 bunch asparagus 4 silverbeet leaves, shredded 1/2 cup snow peas, sliced 2/3 cup broad beans 2 bay leaves 2 garlic cloves Fresh chopped
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The concept of a ‘lingering pathogen’ has been around for a long time in Chinese Medicine. It applies when you haven’t been able to shake that cold or flu, or you haven’t fully recovered or simply not felt quite right since getting a ‘bug’ a few months ago. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using the modalities
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According to TCM the bitterness of Kale is great for the liver and it has stomach strengthening and pain reducing qualities also As the temperature starts to cool now, it’s important to change the way we eat. Using foods and recipes, which have warming and stomach nourishing qualities will help prepare us for the cold
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Shiitake mushrooms are good for the stomach, blood and energy. Peas are an excellent toner for the spleen in Spring. Peas also help qi to move in the appropriate direction – and ease hiccups and coughing. People who are cold or deficient may need to add ginger to this meal. Ingredients: 3 dried shiitake mushrooms
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Feel a little less “mental” with some more lentil Food is like medicine for both the body and the mind! The ingredients in this recipe are not only warm, strengthening and comforting, but lentils and walnuts can also help us feel grounded and able to cope better. Wheat germ is pungent and can help lift
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Lentils are cheap, nutritious and also very delicious! According to Chinese Medicine lentils improve circulation, and strengthen your heart, kidneys, and constitutional essence. Lentils enhance the health and appearance of your complexion and your hair. And lentils support your will-power and encourage feelings of being calm and content. This simple warm red lentil salad is
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An attempt to explain Traditional Chinese Medicine – Part 2 This article will attempt to explain how the different modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are applied to improve health or treat disease. The key modalities of TCM are acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy and exercise. Acupuncture Acupuncture is based on the theory of Qi.
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An attempt to explain Traditional Chinese Medicine – Part 1 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a unique system of health. It evolved over thousands of years in China, stemming from the Taoist philosophy. TCM looks at health as a system of balance. If the balance is comprised in any way this may lead to ill
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Coconut-ey nourishing goodness in a bowl. One for the whole family to slurp up. Ingredients: 3 cups chicken stock 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, sliced into thin coins 1 cup coconut milk 1 tablespoon fish sauce 2 teaspoons agave nectar 6 ounces leftover chicken 1 cup mushrooms, rinsed, drained and sliced in half lengthways
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This recipe is sure to shake the winter chills and fight off those lingering germs. Recipe from http://www.elanaspantry.com Serves 6 Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1 teaspoon celtic sea salt 2 large leeks, white and green parts, sliced 1 bunch collards 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced (plus more to taste) 2
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If you feel a slight chill or tickle in your throat make sure you try this ginger tea recipe asap! The ginger and onion have a slight diaphoretic action; this means they will cause a slight sweat. The best thing to do is drink the tea as soon as you feel a cold coming on and
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A nurturing recipe for a delicious, baked quinoa loaf. Quinoa has the highest protein content compared to all other grains, and is gluten free. (Perhaps use gluten free flour instead of whole wheat if intolerant). It is versatile and strengthening for the whole body, especially the kidneys. Ingredients: 3 cups cooked Quinoa 1 cup of whole
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Oats are a great start to your day as they have a calming, stabilizing and grounding effect on the mind. Oats have many healing properties: they are soothing, restore the nervous and reproductive systems, strengthen the spleen and pancreas, help remove cholesterol, regulate and build the Qi (energy) in the body. Oats also contain phosphorus,
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The warmth from the lamb moves down towards the kidneys. According to Chinese Medicine diet therapy, the lamb’s downward flow is especially good for the kidney yang energy, and therefore has healing qualities. This soup will increase strength and nourish blood, which makes it very good for women, especially after giving birth. It can also
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Easy and quick winter warmer chicken soup! This Asian Chicken Noodle soup is one of our absolute favourite cold and flu food remedies. It’s easy, it’s quick, it’s yummy and as good as any medicine. Serves 4 Ingredients: 220g thin dried egg noodles 7 cups chicken stock 3 spring onions 8 slices (15g) fresh ginger 2 teaspoons
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A post to warm you up! Here is a warming and yummy recipe from Paul Pitchford’s ‘Healing with Whole Foods’. Paul suggests adding more sour flavours to autumn cooking, sourdough bread, olives, leeks, vinegar, yogurt, plums and grapes. Move away from summer salads and embrace warm, nourishing dishes with lots of cooked veggies, soups, casseroles
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KEEP COOL, THAI STYLE Here’s great and easy recipe to try on the weekend, or on any hot day. It’s yummy and cooling, and is usually a great hit with the kids too. Serves 4 Thai Salad 500g Beef rump steak/ substitute with tofu for vegan option Zucchini noodles (can be made using spiralizer, veggie
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This recipe is gluten and sugar free, high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Delicious fresh out of the oven with some almond butter or honey or enjoy it savory too. This recipe is SO easy, fuss free and requires little ingredients. Coconut oil can be a good one for people trying to lose weight or generally
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A cooling cuppa: Drinking a cup of tea is perhaps not what springs to mind in this relentless Melbourne autumn heat. Some teas can be quite cooling and soothing however, and taste great whether drunk hot or cold as an ice tea. Try brewing one of these herbs fresh (or even as tea bags…): Dandelion:
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Time and time again my patients ask whether they should apply heat or ice to muscular aches and pains and how to manage their injuries.
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Apple crumble for breakfast?! Yes indeed. Making some simple swaps turns this dessert into a nutritious breakfast. Enjoy warm or cold with your favourite yoghurt. Filling: 4 cups of peeled and sliced apples (4 med) 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Topping: 1/2 cup almond
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Pork fillet is an excellent, nutritious and lean meat. Alternatively, lamb fillet can be used and dill can be swapped for mint. Naturally you can add any favourite vegetables to your salad. Sweet potato and fennel work well. Bon appetite! Serves 2 Ingredients 1 large clove garlic 50ml olive oil 50ml white balsamic vinegar 100g
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Try this home remedy cough syrup to soothe annoying coughs and help clear the chest. It’s particularly useful for stubborn night time coughs, which can be a tad annoying for everyone in the house. Ingredients 2 cored pears chopped into quarters (peel on) 1 mandarin or tangerine skin baked (for 5mins) or dried 2 slices of
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Check out this healthy breakfast snack from Teresa Cutter. It ticks all the Chinese Medicine boxes. http://www.thehealthychef.com/2012/07/apple-cinnamon-breakfast-cookie/
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