Healthy and Easy Stir-Fry: A TCM-Inspired Meal Prep Recipe

Balancing Flavors and Nourishing Your Body with an Easy TCM inspired Stir Fry Recipe

I love to cook, and even more so, I love creating easy meal prep meals. This simple stir-fry recipe can be done in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for a family night in or as a bulk meal prep for the week. What inspired me is my love for stir-fry, but also the fact that I prefer cooking at home because it’s easier to eat clean and nourishing meals. Once you make clean eating a habit, your body becomes accustomed to whole, balanced foods, and added oils or excessive starches can disrupt digestion.

Incorporating the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into my cooking is a way to deepen my connection to food and its healing properties. TCM food therapy emphasizes balance, digestion, and the warming or cooling effects of foods on the body. For example, grass-fed beef is considered a warming food that nourishes the yang energy, while cabbage is cooling and helps support digestion. I love to cook with ingredients that not only taste great but also help balance my body’s energy.

Why not make stir-fry at home and know exactly what’s going into your food? Below are the ingredients I use, but feel free to adapt based on your preferences and needs.

Stir-Fry Ingredients:

• 1 lb 90/10 Grass-fed Ground Beef (warming for the body, supports yang energy)

• 1 Tub of Trader Joe's Asian Stir Fry Vegetables (non-frozen, a mix of cooling veggies that aid digestion)

• 1 Tbsp Grass-fed Butter (nourishing and supports digestion)

• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (good source of healthy fats, neutral in TCM)

• 1/4 Cabbage, roughly chopped (cooling, helps clear heat and supports digestion)

• Salt (a pinch to taste, balances flavors)

• Pepper (warming, aids circulation)

Sauce Ingredients:

• Low Sodium Soy Sauce (or Coconut Amino Acids as a gluten-free alternative)

• White Wine Vinegar (adds acidity, balances rich flavors)

• 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil (warming, supports digestion and the stomach)

• Lime Juice (refreshing, cooling, and aids in detoxifying the body)

• Honey or Agave (natural sweeteners, harmonize with the richness of the stir-fry)

• Sriracha (optional for a bit of spice—spicy foods stimulate yang and circulation)

Directions:

1. Add olive oil and butter to a pan over medium heat.

2. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.

3. Season with salt & pepper and any other spices you enjoy.

4. Set the ground beef aside once it’s cooked.

5. Add more olive oil to the pan, then add the stir-fry vegetables. Add cabbage last to retain its crunch.

6. Sauté the vegetables until softened but still vibrant. Cabbage is cooling and helps with digestion, so don’t overcook.

7. While the vegetables sauté, whisk together the stir-fry sauce ingredients.

8. Add the ground beef back into the pan and pour in the stir-fry sauce.

9. Simmer on low for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together.

10. Serve over rice—white rice is fine, but you can always substitute brown rice or another grain for extra fiber.

    
    

This dish is perfect for meal prep and provides about 4 servings, each containing 4 oz of protein. It’s a great way to nourish your body with warming and cooling foods that are balanced according to TCM principles.

Whether you’re new to TCM food therapy or already incorporating its principles into your diet, this stir-fry is a great way to support your digestive health and overall well-being. Enjoy!

By incorporating TCM principles, you not only create a delicious meal but also promote balance in your body through the thoughtful selection of warming and cooling ingredients. Let me know if you'd like any further tweaks or more information on TCM food therapy!