A nourishing breakfast set inspired by Japanese cuisine, ideal for promoting gut health and alleviating dry, inflamed skin

This set is inspired by my summer travels to Japan, where eating this on a weekly basis not only made my gut happier but made a huge difference for my dry inflamed skin! These breakfast sets would always look stunning and consist of a few items but always including miso soup, fermented veggies, some pickles, a fish or tofu, and some egg. This version doesn’t include egg, but I’m thinking of making a series of these since there are SO many variations you can create for your own skincare breakfast.

Japanese Style Skincare Breakfast Set

We’re back with another skincare breakfast because we all can’t get enough of them. They’re so versatile and can come in so many variations but the key is understanding the selection of ingredients that work for your body type!

In Chinese medicine, body types are usually the foundation of understanding what our bodies need to regain balance in our skin, gut, etc. If you’re curious about your own, search up body type in Google and you should see the symptoms that are typically associated with each. That can be a great first step to understanding what ingredients to use to rebalance the body.

Since I have more of a Qi deficient body type, my skincare breakfasts will typically feature fish, one of the more hydrating proteins. I recently found these salmon collars at the farmer’s market and fell in love — they go for a FRACTION of the price of filets AND they have the perfect texture.

They have a combination of fatty and lean pieces, resulting in, what I think, is the best part of the fish. To make this breakfast set, here’s what you need:

Skincare Breakfast for Dry, Inflamed Skin

Skincare in a Bowl: Watermelon Tajin Salad

Collagen Boosting Bamboo | Food as Skincare

Skincare Breakfast

As the temps get warmer, I’m always craving something refreshing and sparkly ✨ Whipped up this functional drink the other day that’s packed with Chinese medicinal ingredients that work together to give your skin a glow from within. To make these ingredients more accessible, I packaged them into

for you to try! You can get yours now at shopalicesun.com or by 

Matcha Ginseng Sparkler for Glowing Skin

Herbal Ginger Tea for Fighting the Winter Cold, Nausea, and more

Fun sips

Snow Fungus Soup for Glowing Skin

A nourishing Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired dessert soup, featuring skin-clearing ingredients like goji berries and peach gum

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emphasizes the importance of maintaining balance and harmony in the body, and this includes taking care of the skin. According to TCM, the skin is a reflection of the body's overall health, and maintaining a healthy complexion is seen as an important aspect of overall health and well-being.

To rebalance the skin, TCM recommends certain foods that have the ability to affect the balance of energy to help fight acne. It’s believed that certain foods can help to support the body's natural healing processes, which is the purpose of this Chinese medicinal pear soup that is chock full of ingredients meant to moisturize and nurture the skin. Here’s how to make it:

Chinese Medicinal Skin Clearing Pear Dessert Soup

Growing up this chicken soup was treated as a panacea — a cure all — for any of our inflammation issues in the family. Dealing with a cystic acne flare up? Drink this. Gum are inflamed and hurting a lot more than usual from lack of sleep? Have some!

Because of its “cooling” and hydrating properties in Chinese medicine, we’d always make this soup any time we’re starting to feel some more inflammatory responses in our bodies, whether it’s from our skin, gut, or anywhere else. Here’s how to make your own — linked where to get ingredients too.

Black Chicken Soup for Inflamed Gut & Skin

For those who aren’t familiar, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system of healing that includes various practices such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and physical therapy. It is based on the belief that the body's natural healing processes can be enhanced by maintaining a balance of energy, known as qi (pronounced "chee"), in the body.

In TCM, period cramps, or dysmenorrhea, are often believed to be caused by an imbalance of qi and blood in the body. To treat this, practitioners may use a variety of techniques, including acupuncture, herbal medicine and diet and lifestyle recommendations. All of these are to help balance the body's energy and improve overall health.

After suffering with debilitating period cramps that left me in the Emergency Room multiple times but couldn’t be tied to any serious disease, I turned to Chinese medicine for help. After taking tonics very consistently, I started to experience major differences. To this day, I still continue taking these tonics from

 which creates custom formulas for my specific body type and needs!

To create your custom formula, Elix puts you through a very thorough quiz that every Chinese medicinal practitioner normally would. At the end, they’ll create a custom formula made for your needs. If you want to give it a try, use my code 

You can easily take the tonics as they are in the mornings, with a cup of tea or water, but I love to incorporate them into foods like this pear soup.

Chinese Medicinal Recipe for Period Cramps

Dumpling Noodle Soup

Pear Soup 梨湯

Easy Healthy Dinner Idea: Mountain Yam & Pork Rib Soup

Easy 15 min Healthy Dinner Idea: Medicinal Noodle Soup

Pumpkin Porridge

Medicinal Oxtail Radish Soup for Period Cramp Relief

Ultimate Herbal Hot Pot Recipe for Thanksgiving

Soups for the Soul

Low Carb Meals: Millet Porridge

Low Carb Meals: Protein Fiber Packed Dinner Set

Low Carb Snack Idea: Peanuts + Anchovies

After visiting the family back home on the East Coast, I got super nostalgic for some of my favorite family recipes so I made a big batch of these Shanghai style wontons I grew up with. Ran to the local 99 Ranch for all the ingredients and found a pack of spinach wontons so of course I had to make these with a mixture of both regular and spinach wonton wrappers. It ended up looking so colorful, which I feel like makes it even tastier! We eat with our eyes after all, right?

Shanghainese Style Wontons

Am I the only one who can’t stand meal prep because my tastes change way too much?? I know some people love the consistency but it’s just not for me and this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and gets even better as a leftover. The best way I can describe it is “chinese bolognese” because it is a meat sauce but it’s really called “jia chang jiang” (家常将), which translates to home style sauce. You can have this rice, noodles, options are endless!

Easy After Work Dinner Recipes: Chinese Bolognese 

This dish is amazing enough for a dinner party and easy enough to make on a week night after an exhausting day of work. Here’s how to make this 20 mins one-pot Hainan chicken!

One-Pot Hainan Chicken (20 mins only!)

Pork Belly Comfort Food: Zongzi (粽子)

Vegan, Gluten Free Mooncake

Grandma's Sweet N Sour Ribs

Chicken Squash Dumplings

Family Recipes

A rejuvenating Chinese Medicinal Pomelo Tea, leveraging the seasonal pomelo's potential skin and health benefits in a simple, sweetened brew

In traditional Chinese medicine, pomelo is considered to have a number of potential health benefits. It is thought to be a natural remedy for a variety of ailments, including indigestion, constipation, respiratory problems, and dull skin.

Pomelo is also believed to have immune-boosting properties and is sometimes used to treat colds and flu. In addition, it is thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which may be beneficial for maintaining overall health and well-being!

Because pomelos are also in season during the winter, this 

 is the perfect way to celebrate the fruit at its seasonal best. Here’s how to make it!

Chinese Medicinal Pomelo Tea for Glowing Skin

The shift from summer to fall is one of my favorite times for a few reasons:

But every year, I fall into the same pattern: my skin gets oily, then drier and drier as they humidity of summer is leaving us. And this year, with the excitement (and let’s face it, stress) of starting a new job, my body decided to protest with her classic inflammatory response.

But, in this whirlwind of change, I discovered a silver lining - a quick 5-minute sesame noodle soba dish. Simple, delicious, and packed with ingredients that do wonders for both my palate and my well-being. This bowl of comfort not only nourishes my skin but also helps to calm my body’s inflammation.

5 Min Skincare Dinner for Dry, Dehydrated Skin

This is the ultimate quick and easy dinner idea for two — gochujang glazed cod, inspired by the famous miso cod from Nobu! Literally takes 10 mins, without any pots and pans, just an oven sheet. Here’s how to make it:

Gochujang Glazed Baked Cod Recipe (Nobu Inspired)

There are days where my mind just doesn’t feel sharp. When I’m in a funk of brain fog, I tend to turn to spicier foods to help me break out of that cycle. In Chinese medicine, sudden brain fog can be a sign of Yang deficiency, meaning that the person has lower Yang qi. Yang represents the active energies in the body that power metabolism, govern motivation, and action. When someone is Yang deficient, the person will usually feel groggy, colder, and clammier than usual, despite warm temperatures outside.

PS I’ve included links to shop for some of the specialty ingredients — use code ASUN15 for 15% off!

To counter Yang deficiency, Chinese medicine recommends adding a little heat or spice to food and cutting down on raw foods! I know, salad can sometimes not be the best for you!!!

Try this 15 minute one pot gochujang glazed tofu instead — it’ll knock your socks off with flavor and hopefully help with beating out brain fog. ‘

Medicinal Spicy Tofu to Beat Brain Fog

In traditional Chinese medicine, pork belly is an extremely healing protein source that is particularly helpful for maintaining spleen and stomach health. But when cooked in a soup with a cooling ingredient like cabbage, it can help decrease Yang energy or the fiery qi that is responsible for inflammation and bloating.

If you’re not familiar, Chinese medicine is all about maintaining balance in your Yin and Yang energies. Yin energy is cooling, calming energy while Yang energy is the heat that powers blood flow but too much can also be negative, leading to insomnia, acne, and overall inflammation. A huge aspect of Chinese medicine is leveraging food to maintain these balances, but also emphasizes the importance of mental health too.

After all, we can nourish our bodies as much as we can, but with a frazzled mind we can still do harm to our bodies. Now, on to the recipe for this mille-feuille nabe!

How to Use Pork Belly as Medicine (Mille-Feuille Nabe Recipe)

I first turned to Chinese medicine for help with my horrible monthly cramps that would leave me with cold sweats from the pain. Over-the-counter pain medication was there when I really needed it, but I was truly searching for a long term solution. After seriously adopting and committing to acupuncture and diet changes that my Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner advised me with, I slowly started seeing results.

This is one of the recipes I ate pretty regularly leading up to my time of the month and during it. It’s packed with potassium, magnesium, iron and anti-inflammatory properties, which all helped to ease the pain.

If you ever need to find some of these more specialty, herbal ingredients, check out my 

Hormone Balancing Chinese Red Bean Soup for Period Cramps

Forbidden rice, also known as black rice or purple rice, is a type of heirloom rice that has long been considered a superfood in traditional Chinese medicine. Most often it was prescribed for women to help keep grays at bay. Nowadays, we know that forbidden rice is incredible for its high nutrient content and potential health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which give the rice its dark color.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is as a morning porridge, cooked with red bean, pearl barley, black soybeans, and a little honey for added benefits. Here’s how to make it:

Healthier Than Overnight Oats: Forbidden Rice Porridge

Colds are such a frustrating illness, especially because the symptoms are so persistent! To help prevent the cold and flu and decrease the severity of my symptoms, I frequently make this tea on a weekly basis. The key ingredients to not miss out on are ginseng and mandarin orange. In Chinese medicine, both have medicinal qualities related to supporting the immune system and soothing coughs and congestion.

It’s important to note that I’m using American ginseng here, which has different effects from Asian ginsengs. American ginseng is cooler and less stimulating than Asian ginseng, but both have been studied to have great effects on your immune system. Depending on your body composition, you may decide that one ginseng is better than the other for you. If you tend to have Qi stagnation, Asian ginseng may just be stimulating enough. But if you tend to over index on fiery qi, a more cooling American ginseng could be better.

If you’d like to get your own, I recommend either looking for those from Wisconsin farms, or checking out my first 

 coming soon! I’ll be launching a limited edition, so make sure to sign up for our email list, as subscribers will be getting early access + 15% discount code.

Medicinal Ginseng & Mandarin Tea for Immunity

Welcome to my new series where I highlight healthy dishes that incorporate ingredients recommended in traditional Chinese medicine! Hope you enjoy these recipes where functionality meets flavor 😌

We’re starting things off with wood ear mushroom, a super food for its high levels of iron and plant based collagen. There are so many ways to make wood ear, but if you’re looking for something that packs a punch, try this mapo tofu recipe. It’s spicy, salty, umami, with a hint of acidity from the black vinegar.

Vegan Wood Ear Mushroom Mapo Tofu | 黑木耳麻婆豆腐

Meal prepping for MY sensitive stomach has truly been a life-changing practice, since I can’t really get by with just eating most ready made foods from fast food spots or the grocery.

These are the 3 meal prep ideas I’ve been making a lot recently for their hydrating properties and high fiber content, inspired by the Japanese appetizers I’d have a ton of during my recent trip to Tokyo and Kyoto. They also are uniquely formulated for moisturizing the gut, using Chinese medicinal cooking practices.

So without further ado, here are the 3 dishes and how to make them!

Stir Fried Lotus Root

Smashed Cucumber Salad

Green Bean Shiraae

As a Libra September baby, it’s not shocker that fall is my FAVORITE season. Apple cider, pumpkin pie, warm spices, and soup season — what’s not to love?! I’m going to miss the change of the seasons when I move to LA next year so I’m trying to take advantage of all the fall traditions, especially when it comes to cooking.

This one pot medicinal rice dish screams fall but the best part is how soothing it is on the stomach. In traditional Chinese medicine, chestnuts are crucial for nourishing the spleen and stomach, tonifying the kidney, strengthening the brain and tendons, circulation, and resolving Inflammation. The science behind chestnuts also point to how helpful it is in these areas, as chestnuts are high in fiber, manganese, vitamin C and B6, and copper.

Kabocha squash is the pumpkin I’m using here, which has tons of benefits as well. In Chinese medicine this pumpkin helps to circulate blood, disperse cold, clear out dampness and phlegm, making it ideal for your body as we’re transitioning into colder temperatures.

20 Min Medicinal Rice Bowl for the Stomach

If your period cramps get way worse in the winter, it’s most likely due to Qi stagnation AKA poor circulation. This tends to happen if you’re drinking a lot of cold drinks throughout the year, or not ingesting enough “warming” foods, like ginger. This medicinal milk tea dessert with Chinese glutinous rice balls (tang yuan 汤圆）is the perfect thing for you this winter. Here’s how to make it (ps I’ve also linked where I get these ingredients on my Amazon page)

Medicinal Milk Tea Tang Yuan (汤圆)

Here’s a less sugary option for treating UTIs and regulating your system. This hibiscus corn silk tea is the ultimate daily drink for healthy and balanced 🐱 and 🍆 and it just requires two ingredients. You’ll need corn silk and hibiscus and here’s why.

Corn silk has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine mainly as a diuretic. Diuretics help flush you out, which of course helps promote balance down there. It’s also great if you’re having trouble going number 2 💩.

Hibiscus has also been used for centuries by various cultures around the world for its high vitamin c properties, its connection to lowering blood pressure, and "cooling” properties to reduce inflammation.

Natural UTI Remedy: Hibiscus Corn Silk Tea

Daikon radish has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries for its many benefits, including its ability to calm inflammation in the skin! But how is radish considered anti-inflammatory for the body?

In traditional Chinese medicine, the body is viewed as a system of interconnected parts that work together to maintain balance and harmony. When the body is out of balance, whether from environmental factors, stress, or diet, illness and disease can occur. Inflammation is one of the most common imbalances that can occur in the body, and it is often associated with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

According to Chinese medicine, daikon radish is a cooling food that can help reduce inflammation in the body but it’s also rich in vitamins C and B6, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which all help to promote healthy skin.

Here’s how to create this delicious braised daikon, using really commonly found pantry items!

Anti-Inflammatory Braised Daikon for Glowing, Hydrated Skin

This is a perfect stock to make on a Sunday, when you have a few hours at home, watching a Korean drama to decompress before the Sunday scaries truly set in.

In many cultures bone broth has been seen as a medicine and for such good reasons:

For this stock, I’ve added in a few more Chinese herbal ingredients that have powerful anti-inflammatory properties but these aren’t necessary to get the most benefits from bone broth alone. But if you want to check out most of the Chinese medicinal herbs I use on a daily/weekly basis, I’ve created a list on 

Anti-Inflammatory Bone Broth for Glowing Skin

Japanese Style Cold Tofu for Hydrated Skin

Healthy Breakfast Idea: A Spin on Eight Treasure Porridge

Anti-Bloat Mushroom Porridge

Soba Noodles for Calming Inflamed Skin

Skin Healing Hijiki Seaweed Salad

Healing

Okay imma be honest here…the trick to this pie is NOT USING PIE DOUGH AT ALL

Who wants to deal with pie dough when you can make a crispy pie topping with easy to use phyllo dough? Basically this recipe just needs you to slice up the peaches, toss with some spices and sugar, then simply fold the phyllo sheets on top! That way you finish things up in just 20 mins and don’t even have to clean up flour/butter crumbles that always end up on the floor…

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