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"Spring cleaning" might be fitting for  your  closets when a wardrobe change is in order.

However, when it comes to food, THIS is the time of year that we think  clean.

There are all manner of resolutions running around. To eat better, get fitter, trimmer, healthier in all realms.  Post-holiday food coma / divine over-indulgence, leads to New Year's  zealous clamour for diet based self-improvement.   I am not suggesting detox or cleanse to fit into your svelte snowsuits whilst dining in a snowcave (as seen above). This is NOT the time of year to be working your liver-- spring and fall are the more auspicious    organ flushing times.   Will talk about that in the March horoscope  for all you lotuslanders when  the buds start popping up on the coast and it is  bioregionally climate-appropriate  and physiologically as  nature intended.

In the meantime, this is only  the Beginning of January!  Don't waist time frowning at your beltline. What is truly  fitting in this beginning of January  is clean and spicy-- think ginger and turmeric -not so much salsa and chips.  Who in the world  offers up  delicious  health-promoting dishes with stimulating variety and belly warming satisfaction?   This is clearly where  the Asian cuisine shines bright. Many ingredients used in Thai, Vietnamese and  Indian cuisine are especially immune supportive and warming during these chilly months.  Stimulating and warming are perfect complements for the  staid Canadian wintertime constitution- body and soul. 

I love the asian ingredients/flavourings  that are used in curries, hot and sour soups, and stirfries that provide just what the doctor ordered --in your steaming bowl. 

Here are a list of my  10 favourites and some of the reasons why all sun signs point East this month:

• ginger-warming spice superstar, digestive aid, excellent for stomach aches,  nausea, immune support
• turmeric- strong anti-inflammatory, warming, anti-rheumatic. 
• miso-good source of low calorie protein,  beneficial bacteria, great flavour
• coriander/cilantro- anti-microbial, digestive aid
• cumin: anti-inflammatory, digestive aid,  blood sugar balancing
• chilies- immune-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, boost metabolism
• seaweeds- richest source of minerals in vegetable kingdom  and OMEGA 3s
• coconut milk- great dairy substitute (for reducing phlegm), contains lauric acid -good for immune system 
• ume plum vinegar- sprinkled in greens increases bioavailability of vitamins and minerals and alkalinizing 
• lemongrass- cleansing, refreshing, digestive tonic 

I will be holding a workshop in honour of these illustrious ingredients at the end of the month.

If you want to learn more about their benefits and how to use them in fabulous dishes,  come join me  for Asian Inspiration Jan 29, 10am -2pm at UBC campus. See link for details!