The terms yin and yang are used in Chinese philosophy to describe how opposite forces are connected and interdependent in the natural world. Yin and Yang are relative terms. Something is only considered yin when it is in relation to something more yang. For example the moon is more yin than the sun which is more yang.
These seemingly contrary forces give rise to each other and interrelate with one another. They can be thought of as phases of a cyclical movement such as dark and light, or activity and rest. Or sometimes yin and yang are differentiated depending on varying states of matter. For example expansion and contraction or rising and descending.
When we look at the yin yang symbol we can see that even within the yin there is still a spark of yang and within the yang there is still a hint of yin. According to this philosophy everything has both yin and yang aspects and any specific object can have more yin or more yang.
Even within our body yin and yang aspects are present. States of disease and health are also reflected through these two forces. Read below for ways to balance yin and yang in your body and in your cooking.
You can make adjustments to your diet based on your particular imbalance to positively impact your body, moods and life.
Eating too much of either Yin or Yang upsets the body balance. Yin and Yang body balance is also created through our activities (sitting still is Yin, exercise is Yang), and our environments (a cold weather climate and a sleepy country town is more Yin; a hotter climate and busy city is Yang).
Eat Yin Food to Balance Yang
- Eat watermelon and cucumber to balance a hot “yang” day
- When feeling spaced out and overly sensitive avoid too much sugar and alcohol.
- To increase the yin nature of your food use dehydration, thickening, and frying
Eat Yang Food to Balance Yin
- Eat fresh ginger and oil of oregano when you have a “yin” common cold with lots of mucus and watery discharge.
- When feeling heavy, impatient and aggressive avoid too much salt, meat and cheese.
- To increase the yang nature of your food use soaking, sprouting and steaming
Most importantly, when working with diet every person is unique. Eat. Create. and Explore what works for you 🙂
@Baan Tao Chef Sunil has come up with the same concept and have introduced this very unique experience for all patrons .
YIN & YANG – Holistic balance of food and body
At Baan Tao “Yin and Yang” is a 6 course meal. Starting from Appetizers, Salad, Soup, Main Course, Desserts and Tea. Also this has been categorized in 3 types and prices varies for them accordingly.
Three options are available to choose from the course type from normal to exotic.
Appetizers –
Wok tossed Australian scallops & Tea smoked tender lamb chops –
Scallops, clarified butter, garlic and chive was a perfect hit. Lamb chops were tender and smoked to perfction and tossed with star anise, peppers and scallions.
Green peas, Spinach, truffle oil, crystal dumping & Hatchew latchew tahu-
A very cute looking transparent dumpling with baby spinach and fresh peas filling.
Accompanying a bright tofu dish. Silken tofu tossed in scallions, pepper, red chilli, black pepper and sauces. That silken tofu was so silky in texture that it was just melting in mouth and deliciousness to the supreme level. An amazing treat for vegetarians it is!
Salad –
Rojak Buah – Malay fruit salad with tamarind chilli dressing. Fruit cuts were actually scooped and glazed with tamarind chilli dressing served with exotic lettuce. Its Yang glazed yin stick I would say 😉
Soup –
Tom kha phak – A coconut milk based creamy soup with mushroom, carrot, zucchini, pok choy, cloud mushroom, lemongrass, kafir lime and dash of galangal (thai ginger). This was flawless soup. A perfect balance of flavors achieving Yin and Yang.
Sop Ayam – Chicken stock based hot soup with curry leaves, kafir lime, sliced chicken chunks and somen noodles. This was goo enough to give warmness in rainy days 🙂
Main Course–
Shredded lamb, ginger soya sauce / Basil Chicken Rice / Sautéed kang kung–
Though the lamb was shredded yet it wasn’t chewy at all, the tenderness was maintained beautifully. Shredded lamb pieces tossed in ginger soya sauce and chinise cooking wine giving it that browny glazing look and sweetish sour taste. Basil chicken rice was cooked beautifully, a long grained rice with whole basil leaves, diced chicken, spring onion and egg and this rice was very fragrant. Sautéed kang kung was served in cute little pot, it’s basically is a vegetable stock with hint of garlic and sesame oil.
Fragrance black bean glazed pork ribs / Salmon fried rice – Oh wow! The day when I had this, it’s still haunting me like anything, I cannot simply get over it.. One of the best dishes I had in my life (It’s topping the charts now ;)) Beautifully cooked long grained rice, salmon pieces, celery tossed in together and topped with burnt garlic. On top of it steamed montou. On the side beautiful pork ribs- glazing, shiny, silky. tasted top of the world. This dish served along with stir fried beans.
Wok braised exotic vegetables / stir fried udon noodles – A colorful treat! Kale, shitake, green beans, carrot, zucchini, cloud ear mushroom, pok choy and chinese cabbage. Noodles were cooked perfect and tasted amazingly delicious with all those exotic veggies.
Desserts :
Chiffon Litchi Ice cream cake slice – Served in beautiful Yin and Yang theme based dish. Chiffon cake, litchi ice cream finely chopped nuts on the top and drizzled with hot choco syrup.
Baked yogurt with frozen berries– Yogurt mixed with Rose petals and baked to perfection and topped with those frozen berries. It’s a perfect cooling dessert. Simple and nice.
Cendol Ice – The dessert’s basic ingredients consist of coconut milk, a worm-like jelly made from rice flour with green food coloring (usually derived from the pandan leaf), shaved ice and palm sugar. This was nice little dessert and is successful enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Jasmine Tea – floral, sweet, perfumed, fresh, blossomed, dewy, bouquet, fragrant, delicate and subtle. A perfect drink to end a five course meal. period!
Chinmayi Reviews 