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    Feng Shui Your Kitchen

    How to Add Flavor, Auspiciousness and Good Nutrition to Your Kitchen!

    By Rosanna Baicich Gibbons R.D.MS.

    Nutritionist/ Corporate Wellness Coach

    Courtesy of NUTRITION- THE BEST PRESCRIPTION

    Recently I returned from a nutrition- fact –finding- journey to Asia. My last stop was to Hong Kong: the massive banking center of China constructed on a barren wasteland rock, based on the principles of Feng Shui. Feng Shui means "the way of wind and water. " It is the practice of arranging objects to achieve harmony in ones environment in order to enhance energy or "chi." According the Feng Shui principles, when properly aligned, our environments enable and support us to live richer fuller happier lives and to meet our fullest potential. This got me thinking about the relationship between wellness, energy and good nutrition in our lives. It is on this basis that a well-nourished body with a harmony of energy from the five elements reaps the benefits of better health and disease prevention. By arranging your kitchen, your pantry, your fridge , and your home with the principles of Feng Shui you too can enjoy the benefits of creativity, energy, stability, motivation, power, wealth, and good health. Keeping a well- stocked supply of spices herbs and rubs Like California Gold BBQ Rubs HEROIC! is a good way to get you kitchen "chi" on.

    GETTING STARTED:

    According to Feng Shui principles, the kitchen is associated with prosperity, nourishment and HEALTH. For these reasons, your kitchen is probably one of the most important areas of your home. Here are some simply steps to create an environment in your kitchen for healthy nourishing meals with a wealth of flavor!

    When choosing kitchen design- elements keep in mind:

    -Wood cabinets and tabletops stimulate creativity and inspiration.

    -Metal sinks and stovetops transmit energy.

    -Earth in windowsill herb gardens symbolize stability and permanency.

    -Flames from your grill indicate power and passion.

    -Water from the faucet indicates cleanliness, freshness and movement and money.

    SEVEN RULES:

    1. Keep the kitchen area clean, well ventilated and bright.

    2. Your counters and pantry should be free of clutter especially unappetizing junk- foods.

    3. The work path from sink, to stove, to fridge should be easy to navigate.

    4. Because water is symbolic of wealth, fix any dripping faucets. A leaky sink can symbolize financial drain.

    5. Stash away your knife rack; sharp objects have a negative energy impact.

    6. Be sure your kitchen is well-stocked with nutritious food options.

    7. Make sure your appliances and utensils are in working order. A burned out stove, cluttered freezer, or lose door handle is considered a trap for good energy flow.

    A Feng Shui Nutrition- Overhaul:

    Renovate your pantry, cupboards and storage areas.

    * Toss anything you don't use.

    * Replace foods that re expired or no longer appealing.

    * Store frequently used items in easy to reach locations and store away infrequently used items.

    * Create "activity centers" for food preparation, and food storage.

    * Ditch anything that's rancid, stale or hairy!

    Revamp your refrigerator.

    * Keep an array of clean and ready fruits and vegetables in close reach. You are more likely to eat what's in front of you and readily available.

    * Keep fruits and vegetables in separate storage drawers. Over time fruits can release certain gasses that make vegetables spoil more quickly.

    * Conceal desserts and other tempting foods so they are "out of sight and out of mind."

    * Reserve the refrigerator door for condiments and other high acid foods. Eggs, milk and butter should NEVER be stored in the refrigerator door as slight temperature changes cause them to go rancid.

    * Don't overstuff your refrigerator. A thorough flow of air is important to keep food cool.

    * Clean up spills and off-odors rapidly as dirt and decay generates bad "chi ".

    SUGGESTIONS:

    * Put health food in clear containers at eye level. You are three times more likely to grab the first item you lay eyes on than searching around in a cluttered pantry for healthier options.

    * Pick the right dishes and place settings. A dinner plate should be ideally about 10" in diameter. People serve themselves 22% more when they are given a larger plate, regardless of their hunger level. Pick a plate color that contrasts with the placemat and your food. People tend to serve 18% more food when served on place settings that match the food color!

    * Use smaller serving forks. To avoid over-sized portions resist the trend to use large oversized serving forks and spoons.

    * Stock your condiment shelf with a variety of flavorful ingredients. Dry rubs, herbs and spices can be the foundation for flavor- packed meals without added salt, sugar of fat.

    RECIPE IDEA: HEROIC! Chi Balancing Mangos Foster

    Ingredients:

    4 tablespoons coconut oil

    2 ½ tablespoons HEROIC! Rub

    2 tablespoons sherry

    2 whole mangoes- peeled and sliced

    Instructions:

    1. Melt coconut oil over a low heat.

    2. Stir in HEROIC! Rub

    3. Stir in sherry and heat to a low simmer.

    4. Add in mango slices.

    5. Remove from heat.

    Serve over vanilla ice cream or lemon gelato. Enjoy!

    Last but not least!!! Avoid Unwanted Dinner Guests: Feng Shui for Food Safety:

    Remember that there is no way to taste, smell or visually evaluate a food to be sure that it is clean and safe. When in doubt- throw it out!

    * Wash raw veggies in running water with a scrub brush.

    * Store raw foods on the bottom shelf and cooked food on the top shelf of the fridge.

    * Wipe down surfaces with dilute bleach and a paper towel- avoid dish rags and sponges which can harbor foodborne illnesses.

    * Never re-serve a leftover.

    * Be sure to heat foods to a simmer.

    * Defrost foods in the fridge, microwave or water bath.

    ©Nutrition The Best Prescription: 2014.

    About Rosanna Gibbons

    Rosanna Gibbons MS RD LDN is a nutrition educator and counselor with a 25 year career in private practice, public health, community, and counseling settings. Her expertise includes pediatrics, endocrinology, cardiology, and weight management disciplines.

    Rosanna has lectured on the national and international level, published professional reference texts, coauthored position papers and testified at government forums.

    She specializes in providing customized nutrition case management with a focus on achieving optimal health outcomes and lifelong nutritional change. Most recently, Rosanna has completed the American Dietetic Association certification in Adult Weight Management.

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