Ring in The 'Year of the Tiger' with flavourful dishes and authentic feng
shui tips for your kitchen
MISSISSAUGA, ON,
These modern classic recipes are perfect for families or for a romantic dinner as
"The kitchen is the most important part of the home," says master Ng, and as such, "Where your kitchen is located and how you arrange your kitchen can play a critical role in your happiness and livelihood."
When it comes to walnuts, master Ng says he can't live without them. "Walnuts are very good for the brain - they're delicious, extremely nutritious and very filling."
In fact, in ancient
2010 - The Year of the Tiger
Master Ng is also known for his annual predictions, which are published annually in some of Canada's top newspapers. He predicts that 2010, The Year of the Tiger, promises to be prosperous.
"This is the year of "8" - money! We should witness quite a recovery for our world economy. There will be big advancements in energy sources, such as more emphasis on wind and solar power, as well as new technology in lighting."
Master Ng also points out the significance of
Feng Shui in the Kitchen
Feng shui is a type of science that creates balance in a building design and brings about harmony. Literally "feng" means "wind" and "shui" means "water." When positive energy is correctly handled in a house, good luck follows as a matter of course. Feng shui has been carried out for thousands of years in
In feng shui, the kitchen is considered the "heart of the home" symbolizing nourishment and wealth. According to feng shui, the placement of the kitchen and its contents can influence your family's prosperity and health. The kitchen is the key to food and nourishment and the stove represents money generation. It is a sort of cycle - for instance, good, nutritious food yields good health. A well-nourished person is more effective in his/her career and relationships. In turn, a more effective person is more likely to be prosperous.
Following are the six most important factors influencing "qi" (energy) in the kitchen:
Size of Kitchen
- Ideally, the size of the kitchen should be 20 per cent (1/5th) of the
size of the house and should provide enough room to comfortably move
around when cooking. If the kitchen is too big, it will affect the
balance of the home. As a solution, if a kitchen is too large, one
can create a breakfast room or install an island.
- If a kitchen is too small in relation to the rest of the house,
money-generating power can be limited. The ideal solution is to break
down a wall to create an open concept. A less expensive solution is
to hang a mirror in the kitchen to magnify the room.
Location of Kitchen
- Ideally, the best location for a kitchen is in the "health centre of
the house," the "activity centre of the house" or in the "long-life
centre of the house." These centres are based on the "life cycle" of
the house, which shifts every 20 years. This is something that a feng
shui master can calculate. If the life cycle of the house is not
known, ideally the kitchen should be on the east or south side of the
house. East represents "wood" and south represents "fire" - both
elements that are needed for cooking.
- Ideally, one should not see the kitchen upon entering the house. In
the kitchen, privacy is desired because the kitchen represents
prosperity and one does not want to show people where one has money.
If the kitchen is in the wrong place, the owners can never save
money. The ultimate solution if the kitchen is in the wrong place is
to re-locate the kitchen. An inexpensive solution is to set up a
French door with glazed glass to block the view to the kitchen. The
glazed glass is important to let light through.
- If one cannot make changes to the placement of the kitchen, consider
the fact that if the stove and/or sink are not seen upon entering the
house, then the situation is not so bad.
Kitchen Layout
- The stove is by far the most important part of the kitchen. Since the
stove represents food and prosperity, the burners on the stovetop
should be utilized equally (this represents obtaining money from
multiple sources).
- The only locations that should be considered for the placement of the
stove are the east, the south-east and the south. The east represents
"wood" and the south represents "fire"; hence, these locations are
considered a good source of energy as they symbolically represent the
ease of starting a fire for cooking. The worst places for the stove
are the north-west, the north and the west.
- Ideally, the stove and sink should be at a right angle. They should
never be adjacent, as the proximity of fire and water can lead to
conflict. The worst scenario is when the stove and sink are directly
opposite each other. This indicates that a couple will argue a lot
and may end up in divorce. The stove and sink should only be side by
side if they are three to four feet apart. If they are side by side,
it is recommended that a green plant be placed between the two.
- As for decorations, peaceful images of nature or food are recommended
and plants (jade plant or rubber plant) are best for holding good
energy.
Location of Ingredients and Other Tips
- Keep ingredients that are seldom used in the cabinets to avoid
clutter on countertops.
- Keep your cabinets neat. Cluttered cabinets affect the "qi" of the
kitchen.
- A basket filled with fruit in sight is a symbol of health and
abundance. Make sure it's fresh, as rotting fruit represents the
opposite type of energy.
- Ventilation is important for the free flow of energy.
Colours
- The best paint colours for a kitchen are soothing and harmonizing
colours such as peach or pale green. A kitchen should never be dark.
- The worst colours for a kitchen include dark blue, grey, taupe and
red.
Lighting
- Warm or soft white lighting is best for a kitchen. Avoid cool white,
because it creates a negative energy.
- Ample natural lighting is best and extra lighting under cabinets is
optimal.
It is important to keep in mind that feng shui principles have been practiced for thousands of years and feng shui has become increasingly accepted by cultures beyond the Chinese community. For the many people who practice these principles, the channeling of positive energy can provide good luck and prosperity. Above all, feng shui inspires us to live in harmony with our environment.
Recipes
Please visit www.walnutinfo.com for these and other delicious recipes:
Eight Treasure Vegetable Delight
(http://www.walnutinfo.com/recipeInfo.aspx?id=439)
A medley of vegetables, with the added crunch of California walnuts, makes this a delicious and healthy vegetarian main dish or accompaniment to another entrée.
(http://www.walnutinfo.com/recipeInfo.aspx?id=440)
Enjoy these traditional, golden balls when warm to truly taste the rich, savoury, flavour of the sweet walnut paste.
Sweet Walnut Soup
(http://www.walnutinfo.com/recipeInfo.aspx?id=441)
This sweet, silky-textured, warm dessert is rich and creamy - a wonderful way to end a meal.
About the California Walnut Commission
The California Walnut Commission (CWC), established in 1987, is a State of California Commission, which is involved in export market development activities, nutrition research, promotion and education on walnuts and their nutrition benefits. The CWC is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers and works in concurrence with the Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture.
For further information: or to arrange an interview with Master Paul Ng, please contact: Natalie Pavlenko, Kathy Khamis, Faye Clack Communications Inc., (905) 206-0577 ext. 231, 247, [email protected], [email protected]
Share this article