Feng Shui diet

Feng Shui: What is it?

Feng shui - in pinyin phonetics (pronunciation of mandarin with Chinese characters translated into Latin) feng shuǐ - is a Chinese philosophy aimed at harmonizing the person with the surrounding environment.

Feng shui is a simplification / derivation referring to the passage of the now lost Classic Burial, recorded in the written comment of Guo Pu (Taoist mystic, writer and Chinese scholar of the Eastern Jin period); feng shui is therefore one of the five arts of Chinese metaphysics, classified in physiognomy (observation and evaluation of appearance through formulas and calculations). The feng shui practice discusses architecture in metaphorical terms of "invisible forces" that bind the universe, the earth and humanity, also known as qi (principle or vital flux of any being).

Historically, feng shui has been widely used for the architecture of buildings (frequently structures of significant spiritual value, such as tombs, but also dwellings) since it should be a good omen. Also based on the style of feng shui used, an auspicious place could be considered in relation to local characteristics, such as waterways, stars, etc.

The feng shui was suppressed in China during the 1960 cultural revolution, but since then it seems to have regained popularity.

Modern reactions to feng shui are variable. The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience states that "some of the principles of feng shui are very rational, " while noting that "folk remedies and superstitions have also been incorporated into the eclectic mix of feng shui."

Feng Shui diet

WARNING! Below are some principles presented by the followers of the feng shui diet. These must in no way be interpreted as essential rules or balances of the Chinese system; rather like suggestions on a method (in Italy) still rather unknown.

Some believe that feng shui has a strong impact on the subconscious and that, for this reason, it is a good way to lose weight. Instead of counting calories and inhibiting their greed, supporters of the feng shui diet try to promote psychophysical well-being through a careful selection of the shapes, colors and materials used, as well as some behavioral changes.

Feng shui is the art and science of placing objects and colors around the person to capture positive energy (qi), which also affects the food of the diet. Below we will present some trivial, inexpensive and easy-to-follow suggestions of the feng shui diet:

1. Use blue plates: Switching to blue plates helps slow chewing. Blue is the color of the water element; it is also thought to slow down other body processes by reducing blood pressure and heart rate. In fact, the term "Blue Plate Special" was spread during the "Depression", when restaurateurs discovered that diners were more satisfied if they ate on a blue plate.
2. Order: disorder, which affects nutrition, is the main problem for those who accumulate extra pounds. The footprint is a brake on the energy of the qi and negatively affects the weight. For those wishing to lose weight, it is essential to free the kitchen from all the junk food accumulated in the cabinets, then moving on to cleaning the refrigerator, shelves, drawers, etc. Any dry food, canned food etc, not consumed for a long time must be eliminated.
3. The same applies to the other rooms of the house, freeing the cabinets from the old age that is preserved "for when the original weight will be restored". This would leave the mind anchored to old patterns of behavior that led to weight gain.
4. Remove the "blocks" of weight loss: place the training equipment in a room where it can be used and eliminate all the obsolete, which leaves negative feedback to your qi.
5. Mirrors: inserting mirrors in various parts of the house helps to strengthen the determination in pursuit of the objective. The ideal would be to apply one on the wall unit that contains any "prohibited foods", or on the fridge.
6. Hide the kitchen: if it is visible from the entrance, it could encourage the act of eating. It is advisable to install a door, a curtain or divert its attention by placing paintings or other works near the entrance.
7. Avoid the red color: the red color stimulates the appetite, which is why it would be better to avoid it on the tablecloths; as anticipated, for the feng shui system it is instead preferable to exploit the blue, but also the black or the floral theme.
8. Make meals a positive and complete experience: it is advisable to decorate the table and enhance every single meal (even with decorations); absolutely avoid frugal meals, standing or sitting but without setting the table.
9. Balance yin and yang: vary the consistency of foods and containers. Alternate between light and lively colors and spicy or strong flavors with delicate ones. Fresh fruit and vegetables, for example, when mixed together create an excellent balance of qi.

Other useful tips from the followers of the feng shui diet are:

10. Consume the meal on square plates: when you try to lose or maintain weight, square plates are better than round ones. This is because the square shape radiates satisfaction, while the circular one stimulates curiosity.
11. Mitigate the colors of the environment: it is necessary to use a chromatic tonality of the earth that stimulates the capacity of realization, while the bright colors stimulate the appetite. It would therefore be a good idea to respect this feng shui principle and to paint the kitchen or dining room with an earthy color, for example brown, dull yellow or pumpkin orange. Meals will be more satisfying and the desire to eat will be reduced.
12. Even numbers: the calmer the environment where meals are eaten, the easier it will be to stick to the diet; an even number of tablecloths, covers and chairs promotes relaxation. If the family number is odd, it would be advisable to add an extra seat at the table. Your meals will become much more relaxed, also enhancing food.
13. Eating slowly: swallowing food quickly is one of the causes of overweight, because the body is not given time to activate the satiety mechanism. By ending the meal in the right time, it is possible to avoid feelings of swelling and fatigue. To favor this attitude, it is possible to install a watch that is clearly visible in the dining room.
14. Reduce size: super portions are a real scourge for those who want to lose weight. Without thinking about the amount of food to be prepared, we recommend using smaller dishes instead.
15. Cooking: managing the ingredients gives the possibility to improve the nutritional composition of the meals, the presentation, the portions etc. Moreover, in the feng shui culture there is the belief that the act of cooking favors financial prosperity.
16. Balanced meals: it is possible to do this by occupying the plate for 2/3 with meat, fruit and vegetables, while the remaining 1/3 can consist of foods rich in carbohydrates.
17. Car cleaning: often, like for the home, even the car reflects the person's organizational and food disorder. Thoroughly clean the car favors an awareness of the type of waste that is inside it; we immediately realize that most of them are junk food files.

Obviously, the feng shui diet does not exactly represent the "prototype" of a diet based on scientific research; however, since it does not seem to compromise in any way the nutritional balance of the diet, it is possible to state that it does not involve any contraindication to its use.