Tag: health

Nourish Your Body: Benefits of Beets and Oranges

My first post will be one of my favorite salads ever. I love this and I am trying to learn a bit about Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a bit hard for me since the country I live in is a Mediterranean country and has no real connection to China. However because I love food and I think that food is like medicine to the body . It nourishes and gives energy.I have heard that food is really important in Chinese medicine I am trying to learn a bit about it slowly. I am using AI and chatgpt mainly and I am not certain if the suggestions are accurate but will try and experiment with its suggestion and post again a good recipe based on them.

What is more , it is very enjoyable trying to combine cuisines and create new tastes and experiment in general so I will enjoy the process of making something good.

My Recipe

  • boiled beets
  • 2 oranges
  • raisins
  • sunflower seeds
  • honey – 1/2 tablespoon
  • 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • olive oil
  • salt & pepper

How Each Ingredient Affects the Body (TCM Perspective)

Boiled Beets

  • Nature: Slightly cooling
  • Flavor: Sweet
  • TCM Action: Nourish and build Blood, support Liver function, improve circulation. Especially helpful for dryness, fatigue, and mild Blood deficiency.

Oranges

  • Nature: Cooling
  • Flavor: Sweet and sour
  • TCM Action: Regulate Qi, support the Spleen and Lungs, transform phlegm, and add freshness. They help relieve stagnation but can weaken digestion if overused.

Raisins

  • Nature: Warm
  • Flavor: Sweet
  • TCM Action: Tonify Blood and Yin, gently strengthen Qi, and balance the cooling nature of fruits. Support energy and gentle nourishment.

Sunflower Seeds

  • Nature: Neutral
  • Flavor: Sweet
  • TCM Action: Strengthen Qi, nourish fluids, and support intestinal lubrication. Helpful for dryness and grounding the meal.

Honey

  • Nature: Neutral to slightly warm
  • Flavor: Sweet
  • TCM Action: Tonifies Qi, moistens dryness, harmonizes ingredients, and softens the strong effects of vinegar and citrus.

Balsamic Vinegar

  • Nature: Warm
  • Flavor: Sour
  • TCM Action: Moves Qi and Blood, breaks stagnation, and aids digestion. Strongly activating; excessive amounts may irritate the Spleen.

Olive Oil

  • Nature: Neutral
  • TCM Action: Nourishes Yin and body fluids, supports smooth digestion, and prevents dryness.

Salt & Pepper

  • Nature: Salt – cooling, Pepper – warm
  • TCM Action: Salt softens and directs inward; pepper stimulates circulation and digestion. Together they balance movement and grounding.

The Overall Energetic Picture of the Recipe

From a TCM point of view, this recipe:

  • Nourishes and moves Blood
  • Promotes Liver Qi circulation
  • Balances sweet and sour flavors
  • Leans slightly cooling with warming accents

It is particularly suitable for:

  • Springtime
  • Mild Liver Qi stagnation
  • Fatigue with dryness
  • Emotional tension related to stress

Caution for those with:

  • Weak digestion or loose stools
  • Excess Dampness
  • Strong internal Heat

My Thoughts

This recipe is very tasty and healthy. It has a slightly tangy taste and if you use good quality ingredients like fresh boiled beets and oranges the taste gets elevated immediately . You will love and it will be a steady go to when you are wondering what to cook.

Improvements Based on TCM

1. Balance the Sour Flavor

  • Reduce balsamic vinegar to 2 tablespoons to protect the Spleen
  • Add a small amount of orange zest to move Qi without excess acidity

2. Strengthen Digestive Support

  • Add lightly toasted walnuts, almonds, or sesame seeds
  • These enhance warmth and grounding

3. Support Cold or Weak Digestion

  • Add a pinch of cinnamon or freshly grated ginger
  • This helps warm the middle burner and improve assimilation

Improved TCM-Balanced Version (Summary)

  • Boiled beets
  • 2 oranges
  • Raisins
  • Sunflower seeds or walnuts
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • Olive oil
  • Orange zest
  • Optional: cinnamon or ginger