Do you want to avoid that sick, overstuffed feeling this Thanksgiving? Try something a little different this year with these yummy Chinese takes on Thanksgiving favorites! These dishes will delight your palate and will leave your body thanking you as well. Not only do these favorites taste good, they also do good for your body according to Chinese medicine.

1. Black Sesame Asparagus - This is a great side veggie for your Thanksgiving feast! In TCM, black sesame seeds build yin and Blood and moisten the intestines to help with digestion (definitely a good thing on Thanksgiving!) and the asparagus helps moisten the lungs, which is great for the dry Fall season. Try this recipe from Food.com. All you need is: asparagus, black sesame seeds, a pinch of salt and pepper, and some fresh lemon.
2. Holiday Rice and Beans - This dish is often served during the holidays in the Korean culture. It’s ingredients represent: a rich harvest in the year to come, as well as the five good things in life—longevity, wealth, good health, children, and a peaceful death. The 5 main ingredients in this dish are: black soybeans, red beans, coix - or pearl barley, brown rice, and pine nuts. This dish is very healthy and can help build energy, memory, hair growth, and address insomnia. Check out the recipe by Pacific College Faculty Member Yuan Wang HERE.
3. Purple Yam Dessert - If you normally make yams for Thanksgiving dinner, try them in a dessert this year! This yam recipe is good for counteracting fatigue, weakness, lack of appetite, and constipation. All you need is: a purple yam, unsalted walnuts, goji berries, honey, and vegetable oil. Check out Yuan Wang’s recipe HERE.

• Tags
• asparagus
• black sesame
• chinese medicine
• food
• pacific college
• tcm
• thanksgiving
• rice
• beans
• korea