Meal to Feed Your Yin and Your Yang

If you are feeling a bit unbalanced try this yin/yang meal to even you out. The idea is that yin foods are expansive and yang foods are contractive. Grains, leafy greens and fruit and nuts are yin foods. Think of a very open yoga pose or a little toddler sitting down holding his arms open for you to pick up! On the yang, or contractive side, we have grains again, root vegetables, fish and eggs to name a few. If you have a presentation or other task that requires grounding and focus this is the side to eat from.

When making this meal think if you need more expansive or contractive foods to even you out. If you have been focused and need to break free and relax, add more leafy greens and be sure to have fruit and nuts for a snack later on. Perhaps you have lacked focus, you could add some scrambled egg or fish to the meal. See how this works?

Roasted Daikon and Carrots served over Kale and Quinoa

1 daikon radish, cut into matchsticks
2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
2-4 T olive oil
1/4 cup almond meal
salt/pepper/nutmeg to taste

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place daikon and carrot matchsticks in a small roasting pan and coat with olive oil. Sprinkle the almond meal, salt, pepper and nutmeg over the vegetables and cook for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally.

1 bunch lacinado kale, stem removed, cut into chiffonade
1/2 tsp olive oil

Place kale in a small bowl and gently rub the olive oil into the kale, massaging it to soften. Place in fridge while your vegetables are roasting. For extra flavor add your favorite salad dressing or some lemon and salt.

1 cup quinoa, rinsed twice
2 cups chicken or vege stock
1/4 cup parsley, roughly chopped

After rinsing the quinoa, add to pot of boiling stock. Stir, cover and reduce heat to low. Allow to cook undisturbed for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove cover, stir in parsley.

Putting it all together...on a serving plate place your kale, top with quinoa and roasted vegetables.