Taoist Long Life Diet

Nature

Taoism is at its heart a philosophy of nature. Millions of years of existence have shaped us to be what we are, and throughout this time we have evolved eating natural foods. It is only relatively recently that diet has changed so much to include so many artificial foods. The more processed food, additives, chemicals and toxins there are in the diet the more difficult it is for the organism to cope and adapt. Avoiding, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, sugar, drugs, sweets and other artificial stimulants is also recommended. In the west the life style and dietary habits have contributed to the dramatic rise in such problems as heart disease, obesity, stress, cancer, arthritis and so on. The emphasis has moved away from prevention towards drugs and surgery. What is of primary importance is health, and this can best be achieved through eating natural foods. Remember that the body regenerates itself, even the bones are replaced after seven years, and it is all built from what goes into your mouth. Nature can do its work but only if given the right tools. Ideally natural foods have been grown without the use of artificial fertilizers, chemicals or pesticides.

Environment

Each individual generally becomes adapted to the climate, foods that are eaten in a hot country may not be suitable for a colder climate. It is advisable to eat food that is grown locally and in season.. Food that comes from a distance may not be fresh or may have been stored, but above all it is probably out of season. If you eat summer foods in winter then you are tricking your body into thinking its summer and not giving it what it really needs. Eating in tune with the environment also means timing things properly, the body wants to rest at night so don't eat after 7pm. Breakfast like a king is the best way, and eat less later on in the day. Eating in front of the TV is also not a good idea, your stomach wants to digest the food and mental stimulation can distract the body away from its task and cause indigestion or even an ulcer .Also avoid drinking before meals as this dilutes the digestive juices. Variety is important, but try to eat more root vegetables in winter and leafy ones in summer. Whole foods are also important, white bread or white rice has most of the vitamins and fibre which are essential for the diet removed. The B vitamins in wholemeal bread are important in dealing with stress and the natural fibre has a cleansing effect on the digestive system. So food must be found as far as possible in its natural state, but of course cooking is important too. In a balanced diet food should be neither raw nor overcooked. Too much raw food creates weakness internally due to too much cold energy in the centre or the stomach. Weakness in the limbs, anaemeia, coldness, bad circulation, can all result from too much raw or cold food. For many thousands of years now we have adapted to cooked food. The best method is stir frying where the food is cooked very quickly and the flavours are sealed in with the oil. Steaming is another good method especially if the water is used in making a sauce so that none of the goodness is lost. Boiling vegetables is not a good method because most of the vitamins are destroyed in the heat or thrown away in the cooking water, this is like throwing the tea away and eating the tealeaves.

These simple rules are only really manifestations of a few simple natural principles and become self evident once they have been put into practice for a while. It is simply building a strong basis for health using a time tested traditional approach. There is a way forward its just a matter of looking at things in a different light and thinking for yourself. Anything you eat, there is a natural form of it somewhere, you just have to look, because once upon a time- and it wasn't so long ago -all the food was natural.

Chang Ming - Taoist Long Life Diet

Taoist eating and drinking recommendations for constant good health

Chang Ming (translated: Long Life) is a diet that dates back hundreds, perhaps thousands of years and was followed by our late Grandmaster’s teacher Chan Kam Lee and his forefathers. In combination with the Lee Taoist health arts it was believed that by adhering to the Chang Ming dietary recommendations a long and healthy life would be possible.

When Chan Kam Lee came to Britain in 1933 he realized that dietary needs depended on the climate people lived in, and, with much care and attention to western needs he set about adjusting the diet for himself, for living in England, as well as for others who would be interested in the kind of vitality that could only be achieved through the right foods.

The Chang Ming Diet is based on the balancing factors of Yin and Yang, within the foods we eat, our personal needs, and the seasons we live in.

Increase your consumption of these foods :

• Whole grain foods: Wholemeal bread, Brown rice, Barley, Oats, Buckwheat, Rye, Maize, Millet, Quinoa, anything made with Wholegrain flour: Pasta and Noodles; Biscuits; Cakes; Shredded Wheat; Muesli etc.

• Fresh locally grown vegetables in season, organic if possible, steamed or stir-fried is best, or frozen vegetables.

• Vegetarian food such as: Beans; Nuts and Seeds (roasted); Soya Bean curd (Tofu); Vegetarian mince, etc.

• Free range white meat such as Chicken or Turkey; eggs; non-fatty white fish or Seafood, Prawns.

• Soya Milk, Rice Milk, Skimmed Milk, Soya Yoghurt, Low fat yoghurt, Low fat vegetarian cheese.

• Seaweed: Nori; Kelp. Natural Soya sauce: Tamari or Shoyu. Vegetable cooking oils and fats, unhydrogenated.

• Fruit which is local and seasonal preferably cooked or dried: Dates, Sultanas, Raisins, Figs, Apple, Strawberries.

• Sea salt only, in strict moderation, or Gomasio - sesame seeds and sea salt as a condiment.

• Herbs, herbal teas and coffees, Caro, Barleycup, China Tea: Green or Black.

• Honey, in moderation, unrefined sugar only if you must.

Reduce your intake of these:

• White bread, White flour, White rice, Refined or Processed, Tinned and Packet foods

• Chemical additives, Colourings, Preservatives, Flavourings, Fruit acids, (remember to read the label).

• Red meat: Beef, Pork, Veal, Lamb, Bacon, Sausages, Meat products or extracts.

• Red or blue fish - Tuna, Salmon, Mackerel, Swordfish, scavengers such as Crab.

• Poultry or fish that is high in fat - Duck, Goose, Haddock.

• Boiled, fried or poached eggs. Scrambled or in omelettes is better, or in baking.

• Dairy products - Full fat milk, Cheese, Butter, Lard, Dripping, animal fat products.

• Alcohol, Tobacco, Coffee, Sugar, Sweets, Chocolate, Drugs, Artificial vitamins, supplements etc.

• Spices, Pepper, Mustard, Curry, Vinegar, Pickles, Rock Salt.

• Nightshades: Potato, Tomato, Aubergine.

• Rhubarb,Spinach (high in Oxalic acid)

• Ice cold food and drink especially Ice Cream, Cream, Carbonated drinks etc, Raw and uncooked food .

• Fresh fruit which is out of season or imported from a different climate, Tropical fruit drinks.

• Deep fried food. Grilled, Braised, Roasted or Stir fried food is better.

Always remember -

• Buy fresh, organic, locally grown, seasonal wholefoods whenever possible.

• Avoid cold food and cold drinks. Cold baths, showers or swimming in cold water.

• Reduce your fluid intake as much as possible, avoid drinking before a meal.

• These basic guidelines are only to be followed in consultation with your teacher.

• If you have a health problem consult your doctor before changing your diet.