ShangMealsAutumn (Metal) - White Color Food for Rinsing up Lungs
As the air turns dry, white foods like pear, lily bulb, and tofu help moisten the lungs and replenish body fluids according to TCM.
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The ShangMeals Journal
Seasonal recipes, Chinese food therapy, and nourishment for recovery - written for eaters, caregivers, and curious kitchens.
Seasonal Eating
Autumn (Metal) - White Color Food for Rinsing up Lungs
As the air turns dry, white foods like pear, lily bulb, and tofu help moisten the lungs and replenish body fluids according to TCM.
Winter (Water) - Black Color Food for Nourishing the Kidneys
Discover why black foods are the foundation of winter wellness in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and how to nourish the kidneys to stay warm and resilient through the cold months.
Summer (Fire) - Red Color for Nourishing the Heart
Cool down and recharge with red foods that clear heat, promote fluid production, and support heart health through summer.
Spring (Wood) - Green for Nourishing the Liver
Discover why green foods are the foundation of spring wellness in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and how to nourish the liver for energy and vitality.
Food as Medicine
Everyday Herbs, Spices & Healthy Ingredients: A Quick Reference
A handy reference to the herbs, spices, and tonic ingredients common in Chinese kitchens - what they are used for and why they are good for you.
Everyday Plant-Based Chinese Dishes for Balanced Eating
Discover simple, satisfying plant-based Chinese dishes made with mushrooms, tofu, grains, and seasonal vegetables that bring balance and variety to any table.
Veggies That Help Lower Blood Pressure: Beet, Celery & Arugula
Learn how beets, celery, and arugula can support healthy blood pressure through everyday Chinese and Western-style recipes, and why food is a gentle long-term ally.
Zi Su Yin (Perilla Lemonade): A Cooling Song Dynasty Drink
Learn how to make Zi Su Yin, a refreshing purple perilla drink from China's Song Dynasty, known in TCM for cooling the body and soothing summer heat.
Garlic in Chinese Cooking: A Small Clove with Big Health Benefits
Explore why garlic is one of the most beloved ingredients in Chinese kitchens, from fresh bulbs and tender sprouts to scapes and leafy greens, plus its traditional health benefits.
The History of Wuji Baifeng Wan & Black Chicken Soup as Medicinal Food
Explore the imperial history of Wuji Baifeng Wan, the legendary black chicken remedy used in Chinese palaces for women's health and vitality, and how it became a modern medicinal soup.
Maternity Class
Postpartum Food, Week by Week: A Six-Week Guide to New-Mom Nourishment
Traditional Chinese postpartum meals support recovery in distinct weekly phases - from gentle liquid foods in week one to building qi, blood, and milk in the weeks that follow.
Chronic Care Diet
Veggies That Help Lower Blood Pressure: Beet, Celery & Arugula
Learn how beets, celery, and arugula can support healthy blood pressure through everyday Chinese and Western-style recipes, and why food is a gentle long-term ally.
Garlic in Chinese Cooking: A Small Clove with Big Health Benefits
Explore why garlic is one of the most beloved ingredients in Chinese kitchens, from fresh bulbs and tender sprouts to scapes and leafy greens, plus its traditional health benefits.
Recipes
Tomato and Ground Pork Sauce: A Weeknight Comfort Classic
Juicy tomatoes melt into savory ground pork with ginger, garlic, and onion - a fast, forgiving sauce that loves rice and noodles.
Crisp Jicama, Velvety Meat: A Fast Two-Step Stir-Fry
Crisp, lightly sweet jicama stir-fried with silky slices of pork or chicken - a lesson in texture and technique you can use all week.
Hand-Torn Chicken: A Steamed Favorite with a Fragrant Sichuan Sauce
Tender steamed chicken, torn into shreds and tossed with a warm, aromatic sauce - a simple home classic that fills a table with flavor.
Steamed Garlic Shrimp over Glass Noodles
Plump shrimp steamed over silky glass noodles, crowned with sizzling garlic, black beans, and a splash of seafood soy - a showpiece in about 15 minutes.
Leafy Greens, Three Ways: Blanched, Stir-Fried, and Endlessly Adaptable
Master the two simplest ways to cook Chinese leafy greens - blanching and high-heat stir-fry - plus easy ideas for making them your own.
Cumin Shredded Potato Stir-Fry: Crisp, Vegan, and Ready in Minutes
A vegan take on the classic Chinese shredded potato, tossed with toasted cumin seeds for a warm, spicy, utterly satisfying side.