Traditional Chinese Medicine is far more than just acupuncture treatments. It comprises a full lifestyle and philosophy for the sake of optimal health. When working with health goals, patients inevitably ask what foods to eat to treat their condition. I am starting a recipe bank to give ideas and make it easier to stay on track for optimal health. Made for patients, but open to anyone looking to get healthy!

Hearty Veggie Stew

Diet and Traditional Chinese Medicine notes: This recipe is Paleo friendly, great for tonifying and warming the Stomach and Spleen, and addressing excessive phlegm issues. This is a filling recipe that is suitable for patients working with me on weight loss goals.

This is a wonderful, easy to prepare soup that can last a few days refrigerated to fit busy work schedules. The flavors are enhanced over time. The longer the simmer, the better the taste. This hearty stew also refrigerates well, and starts tasting richer over the next few days. It also becomes more salty to the taste as it sits in the refrigerator, so if it is slightly bland the first day do not add much more salt to the pot. The veggies can easily be altered to suit one’s mood, making this a great staple for a clean diet.

Vary the vegetables in this soup. For the 3 cups of stock in the recipe, use 2 cups diced vegetables. I find the flavor of beef broth to best complement this type of stew, but one can easily use veggie or chicken broth as well. Homemade bone broth would be a great option also.

White pepper adds a farmhouse taste to complement the already warm spices in the recipe in place of black pepper.

RECIPE:

Bring to a boil over high heat, in a soup pot:

3 cups beef, chicken, or vegetable stock

Any combo of the following diced veggies (or anything you prefer. NO avocados):

Onions
Carrots
Celery
Chopped potatoes (Make sure they are small enough to cook through before eating. Additionally, potatoes contribute well to texture. I recommend red potatoes, cleaned, with skin on for both aesthetic appeal and nutrient value)
Green beans
Corn kernels (Frozen is convenient, and can sometimes com with carrots and peas too)
Peas
Lima beans
Cabbage
Broccoli
….or anything else

Garlic to taste (not optional), or dried ground garlic (not garlic salt)

Celery (not optional)

1.5 teaspoons tomato paste (or whole can, if desiring thicker base with more tomato flavor)

1/2 cup stewed tomatoes

A few shakes of Garam Masala (or a combination of the following: Cumin, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cardamon)

Pinch of Basil

Pinch of Thyme

Pinch of Marjoram

Bay leaf

Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in:

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Salt and Ground White Pepper to taste

Serve garnished with parsley and avocado. Or just eat it. Enjoy!

Dr. Diana Yang, L.Ac., DACM is the founder of Limbic Acupuncture in San Francisco. Limbic Acupuncture is the first clinic in the United States to specialize in Chinese Medicine for Internet Gaming Disorder. A former intern at Restart Life, she is a licensed acupuncturist and life coach. She is a firm believer that gamers are some of the most brilliant people in the world, and that the way to win IRL is to “Think Outside the Skinner Box.” Follow her on Facebook.