Cuttlefish and Shark Vinegar with Aloe Vera: A Weight Loss Treasure, Home Cooking Methods, and Moxibustion Acupressure Techniques

(12) Cuttlefish - a delicious food and medicine, a delicacy for dieters

Cuttlefish, also known as squid, is delicious, nutritious, and has high medicinal value, making it a precious gift from the blue sea to humankind. Cuttlefish is a top choice for weight loss and fitness, and in Japan, it's a popular dish served in bars. They enjoy fresh cuttlefish strips raw, dried, and the world-renowned refined cuttlefish strips. In my country, cuttlefish is also gaining popularity, partly because it's both a delicious food and a medicinal ingredient. Cuttlefish contains 13% protein and only 0.7% fat, making it an ideal and nourishing seafood for regular consumption. Even obese individuals or those with arteriosclerosis, hypertension, or coronary heart disease can benefit from moderate consumption. Cuttlefish also contains phosphorus, calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, carbohydrates, and B vitamins. It's suitable for various cooking methods, including stir-frying, steaming, stewing, and boiling. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have believed that cuttlefish is sweet and salty in nature, neutral in flavor, and enters the liver and kidney meridians, nourishing the liver and kidneys and replenishing blood.

Furthermore, cuttlefish is also an ideal health food for women. It is beneficial for women throughout their lives, regardless of menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, or lactation, as it nourishes blood, regulates menstruation, stabilizes pregnancy, facilitates childbirth, stops bleeding, and promotes lactation. According to folk remedies, for treating excessive leukorrhea, take two fresh cuttlefish, wash them, and stew them with 250 grams of sliced ​​lean pork until cooked. Season with salt and consume once daily for five days as one course of treatment.

(13) Shark – anti-cancer and weight loss, with amazing effects

Sharks are currently the only animals observed by scientists to live on Earth that do not suffer from cancer. They are exceptionally ferocious, the lions of the sea, carnivorous, and the vast majority live in the ocean, with a very small number living in inland rivers. There are over seventy species of sharks in my country's waters. Shark meat is delicious, its liver is used to make cod liver oil, its skin can be used for leather, and its fins are a delicacy at banquets; these are only secondary values. According to the Mexican newspaper *El País*, a newly developed natural product that has attracted widespread interest from medical scientists is increasingly drawing global attention-shark cartilage, which may become a highly effective treatment for cancer, arthritis, psoriasis, enteritis, and other ailments.

American shark research expert Carl Raul from Florida concluded through experiments that sharks are the only animals that do not get cancer. The skeletons of these marine animals are entirely made of cartilage, which appears to be the reason they are immune to cancer.

Dr. Robert Langer of MIT stated that it appears the active proteins in shark cartilage inhibit tumor growth and nutrient delivery, and hinder the development of its vascular network. The therapeutic principle of shark cartilage is anti-angiogenesis, that is, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, thus stopping tumor growth, causing the mass to gradually shrink, and even turning gray-a sign of tumor tissue necrosis. Numerous clinical trials have been conducted in Mexico, Panama, the United States, the Czech Republic, Cuba, and other countries. The Cuban trial was particularly noteworthy, where all 18 cancer patients showed significant improvement. One woman with a 12-kilogram tumor in her abdomen, who was almost unable to walk, experienced a significant reduction in tumor size after taking shark cartilage capsules for 16 weeks, and was successfully surgically removed. Currently, countries worldwide are focusing their efforts on researching the underlying mechanisms by which sharks do not develop cancer. It is believed that this secret will be revealed in the near future, contributing to the fight against cancer, anti-aging, and weight loss for humanity.

(14) Deep-sea fish – a priceless treasure for weight loss and brain enhancement

Regularly eating deep-sea fish can help with weight loss, improve fitness, and make you smarter and more energetic. The EPA and DHA in fish are essential unsaturated fatty acids for human brain nutrition, playing a crucial role in nerve conduction and optic nerve development, especially in fetuses and infants. Domestic and international research shows that the eyes and brains of some fish have the highest levels of EPA and DHA (commonly known as "brain gold"). These fish mainly live in the cold waters of the deep seabed. Since the human body cannot synthesize EPA and DHA, they must be obtained from food. Eating more deep-sea cold-water fish can stimulate brain cells to be more active, enhancing memory, comprehension, reasoning, judgment, and adaptability. At the same time, EPA and DHA have the function of preventing brain dysfunction and heart disease, and can also help with weight loss and fitness. It is worth noting that freshwater fish from rivers and lakes contain very little or almost no EPA and DHA.

Therefore, it can only be said that consuming deep-sea, cold-water fish (including some shellfish) high in EPA and DHA is beneficial for brain development, making people smarter and improving their intellectual level. It can also aid in weight loss, fitness, and vitality. Therefore, the moderate and regular consumption of fresh deep-sea fish, as well as the processing of fish containing EPA and DHA into brain-enhancing products (including fish oil capsules and other health supplements) using modern high-tech methods, to facilitate consumption by those seeking weight loss, fitness, and brain enhancement, is a project urgently needed for development in the international and domestic health and nutrition food industry, and has attracted the attention of nutritionists, weight loss and fitness physicians, and pharmaceutical researchers.

(15) Vinegar – Obese people are advised to eat a mouthful of vinegar every day.

Rice vinegar refers to edible vinegar brewed from pure grains, not chemically synthesized artificial vinegar. Consuming a moderate amount of rice vinegar daily offers several benefits for those trying to lose weight, or those with high blood lipids, fatty liver, or arteriosclerosis: ① Regular consumption of moderate amounts of rice vinegar can stimulate appetite and remove fat from the mesentery, especially for middle-aged and elderly obese individuals suffering from bloating, gas, indigestion, and low stomach acid. ② Rice vinegar has a bactericidal effect that increases stomach acid. ③ Rice vinegar helps dissolve nutrients such as calcium, iron, and phosphorus in food, improving its nutritional value and aiding digestion and absorption. ④ Rice vinegar can reduce and remove the greasiness of fatty substances and prevent the destruction of vitamin C. Furthermore, the amino acids in rice vinegar can promote the consumption of excess body fat and its conversion into energy, and can also facilitate the metabolism of ingested sugars and proteins, thus having a good appetite-stimulating and weight-loss effect. ⑤ Vinegar-infused foods can help with weight loss, lower blood lipids, and lower blood pressure.

The specific production method is as follows:

① Kelp and wakame seaweed soaked in vinegar. Traditional Chinese medicine considers kelp to be cold in nature, salty in taste, and non-toxic. Regular consumption throughout the year can soften hardened masses, reduce swelling, and alleviate goiter. Wakame seaweed belongs to the same family as kelp and has similar effects. Soaking kelp and wakame in rice vinegar enhances their fat-reducing and detoxifying effects. According to research reports from Japanese medical researchers, kelp is the most potent anti-cancer food discovered to date, and it is also a top choice for weight loss, lowering blood lipids, preventing cardiovascular disease, and managing hypertension.

② Peanuts soaked in vinegar. Rinse clean peanuts (with skins on) and soak them in rice vinegar. Refrigerate for 10 days before serving as a breakfast side dish. Take about 20 peanuts each time.

③ Seaweed with vinegar. Take freshly dried seaweed from the current year, store it in the refrigerator, and cut it into long strips before eating. Dip it in rice vinegar as a side dish. Seaweed is cold in nature and has a sweet and salty taste; it is a daily health supplement for the Japanese.

④ Vinegar-soaked fresh ginger. Select fresh, tender ginger that has just come into season, wash and dry it, then slice or shred it. Place it in a bottle, fill it with rice vinegar, add a little white sugar, and it will be ready to eat after 3-4 days. Ginger is warm in nature and has the effects of warming the stomach, strengthening the spleen, resolving phlegm, and reducing fat. "Eat radish in winter and ginger in summer, and you'll be healthy all year round. Those who want to lose weight should not underestimate this old saying."

⑤ Vinegar-soaked shiitake mushrooms. The *Compendium of Materia Medica* states that shiitake mushrooms are neutral in nature, sweet in taste, and non-toxic. They enter the Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin and benefit stomach qi. Modern experimental pharmacological studies have shown that shiitake mushrooms contain substances that lower blood lipids-vanilla and butyric acid-and have a good therapeutic effect on obese individuals suffering from hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, and diabetes. Their weight-loss mechanism involves lowering blood lipids and cleansing and excreting residual waste (phlegm, dampness, turbidity, toxins, and grease) from the intestinal mucosa. Furthermore, the lentinan contained in shiitake mushrooms can lower blood cholesterol levels, resist blood clotting, prevent arteriosclerosis, and prevent coronary heart disease.

(16) Raw rhubarb – incredibly effective for weight loss, body shaping, slimming, and fat reduction.

Raw rhubarb is cold in nature and bitter in taste. It enters the Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin, Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming, Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Yangming, Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin, and Heart Meridian of Hand Shaoyin. It is currently the first-line drug for the prevention and treatment of simple obesity in traditional Chinese medicine. Raw rhubarb is particularly prized for its beautiful cross-sectional texture, which appears mottled like cotton wool to the naked eye. Domestic rhubarb, especially that from Sichuan, is renowned for its potent effects. It can penetrate the five internal organs, cleanse the stomach and intestines, and purge all accumulated lipids, phlegm, and toxins. It also has the functions of clearing heat and purging fire, detoxifying, promoting bowel movements, and invigorating blood circulation. It can be used for obese individuals exhibiting the following concurrent symptoms:

① Constipation, intestinal stagnation, and abdominal fat distension.

② Symptoms caused by internal heat rising upwards include red eyes, bad breath, sore throat, swollen and painful gums, constipation, foul-smelling odor, and belching with a putrid smell.

③ Oral and lingual erosion, sores and ulcers with heat toxicity, suppurative gingivitis, yellow and greasy tongue coating, abdominal distension, sticky and bitter taste in the mouth, and dark urine.

④ Blood stasis syndrome, such as amenorrhea due to blood stasis in women, postpartum lochia retention, abdominal masses, and injuries from falls and blows.

⑤ Excessive heat lesions of the gallbladder and liver, patients with fatty liver, and obese individuals with excess type of hypertension and hyperlipidemia, especially those with difficulty in defecation, constipation, or constipation.

⑥ For those with positive symptoms such as gonorrhea, jaundice, yellow and cloudy urine, and urinary tract infection. This formula can be used for all types of excess and heat syndromes, but should be used sparingly or with caution in those with weak constitutions or yin syndromes.

How to take raw rhubarb: For quick results, use 10-20 grams of raw rhubarb alone, boil in water for 2-3 minutes, and drink as tea. Do not boil for too long, otherwise the effect will be reduced. For long-term use, a compound formula can be used, namely 20 grams of raw rhubarb (added later), 25 grams of magnolia bark, 30 grams of raw atractylodes macrocephala, and 30 grams of cistanche deserticola, boiled in water for 15 minutes before drinking.

(17) Aloe vera – an unparalleled beauty aid for slimming, detoxification and skin beautification

Aloe vera, bitter and cold in nature, enters the liver and large intestine meridians. Its effects include purging, clearing the liver, and killing parasites. For habitual constipation in obese individuals, aloe vera can purge and relieve constipation, and it is also effective in clearing liver fire. It is also effective for obese individuals with high blood pressure, high blood lipids, irritability, and insomnia. Aloe vera has recently become very popular amidst the weight loss and fitness craze. Many people have discovered through personal experience that aloe vera can not only treat hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and periodontal disease in obese individuals, but also has beauty and hair care, and anti-aging effects. Thus, a "aloe vera craze" for weight loss, fitness, and anti-aging has recently emerged.

The *Compendium of Materia Medica* states: "Aloe vera is extremely bitter and cold in nature, surpassing all other bitter and cold medicines. Its main function is to eliminate rather than tonify. It has the effect of cooling the liver and killing parasites. It is undoubtedly effective for liver diseases with excess heat. However, it can be used for those with strong internal heat, but is contraindicated for those with internal deficiency, diarrhea, and poor appetite." Currently, it is frequently used in clinical health maintenance, weight loss, and detoxification. It also has certain therapeutic effects on various diseases such as constipation due to intestinal heat, malnutrition, intestinal parasites, scrofula, scabies, chest and diaphragm discomfort, atrophic rhinitis, nasal itching, bloating, and epilepsy. It also has the effect of improving eyesight and calming the mind. Clinically, the dosage is 1-3 grams, taken only in pills or powders, not in decoctions. For external use, it is ground into powder and mixed, or soaked in vinegar or wine for application.

As the saying goes, "every medicine has its side effects," and all types of aloe vera contain anthraquinone derivatives, especially aloin, which needs to release emodin and other substances in the intestines to exert its stimulating laxative effect. Among all emodin-based laxatives, aloe vera is the most irritating. Its effects are accompanied by significant abdominal pain and pelvic congestion. Overdose can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing a series of toxic reactions in the digestive tract, and in severe cases, can induce nephritis. Pregnant women taking it may experience miscarriage. The toxic dose of aloe vera is generally 9-15 grams, and symptoms usually appear within 8-12 hours. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, tenesmus, hemorrhagic gastritis, and urinary tract disorders such as oliguria and proteinuria. Therefore, pregnant women and those with weak spleen and stomach should not take it. Those who are trying to lose weight or for other purposes should not exceed 5 grams per day and should not take it for a long time. Although aloe vera is bitter, it is also cold in nature. "A hidden worry amidst the enthusiasm for aloe vera": This substance is good, but don't be harmed by those who are "good" about it.

**96. How to cook simple, healthy home-style dishes for weight loss?**

(1) Weight loss salad fast food plate

①Ingredients: 50g carrots, 50g green radishes, 20g green bell peppers, 30g asparagus, 10g black fungus, 15g monkey head mushrooms, 20g fresh mussels, 15g vegetarian roast goose, 10g fresh tofu strips, 100g Shandong cabbage hearts, 5g garlic, 100g tomatoes.

5 grams of black sesame oil, 5 grams of Shanxi vinegar, and 1 gram of refined salt.

② Staple food: 200 grams of whole wheat flatbread, to be used as a wrap in salad.

Preparation: Dice the washed red and white radishes; blanch the green bell peppers and break them into wedges; boil the asparagus until half-cooked; stew the black fungus until tender; soak and boil the monkey head mushrooms and enoki mushrooms for 2 minutes; wash the fresh mussels, blanch them in boiling water, scrape off the shells, and then boil them in high heat for 5 minutes; slice the vegetarian goose into thin strips; select high-quality tofu, simmer it in chicken broth until fully saturated, then remove and dry; blanch the core of the Chinese cabbage in boiling water; mince the garlic; and blanch and slice the tomatoes. Combine these 12 ingredients in the correct proportions and freeze them, but do not let them freeze completely. When serving, place them on a celadon plate, add sesame oil, vinegar, and salt, stir, and enjoy.

③ Ingredients for the flatbread: The first choice is oat flakes from Inner Mongolia or Shanxi, followed by buckwheat, highland barley, wheat, barley, corn, and sorghum. However, the husk must be intact; whole barley is best. Use 20 grams of soybean oil when baking. If you prefer, you can mix 100 grams of fresh milk into the flour.

Mussels are a high-quality shellfish, found along my country's coast. Larger, brownish-red mussels are considered the best, rich in protein and vitamins. If you don't like mussels, you can substitute them with stewed beef cubes, fresh fish slices, or other shellfish. Pork is generally not recommended for weight-loss salads, as Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that excessive pork consumption easily generates phlegm and dampness, stirs up wind, and leads to obesity. Beef, on the other hand, is high in protein and low in fat, and its neutral and warming properties can warm the stomach and spleen, tonify the spleen, and dispel phlegm, dampness, and fat. Beef from domesticated yellow cattle raised in northern China is considered superior, with the best quality coming from free-range yellow cattle grazing in the Qinling Mountains and Hanzhong region.

④ Soup base recipe and preparation: 5 grams of dried shrimp, 3 grams of anchovies, 5 grams of seaweed, 2 slices of ginger, 2 drops of sesame oil, bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 2 minutes.

Since Su's salad is characterized by being served cold and eaten raw with a light, fresh flavor, it contains no added spices or colorings. However, some people dislike cold food, so hot soup is an indispensable accompaniment when eating salad wrapped in whole-wheat pancakes.

(2) Celery Mixed Salad

①Ingredients: 100g celery stalks, 20g shredded beef tenderloin, 10g shredded fried egg, 15g shredded bamboo shoots, 20g shepherd's purse, 12g shredded shiitake mushrooms, 15g leek sprouts, 5g sesame oil, 1.5g salt, 1.5g MSG, 2g sugar, 5g cooking wine.

②Preparation: Blanch celery in boiling water after removing the leaves. Stir-fry beef tenderloin into small cubes and thicken with cornstarch. Beat eggs, mix well, and make into pancakes, then cut into strips. Blanch bamboo shoots and slice. Blanch shepherd's purse in boiling water and remove immediately. Cook shiitake mushrooms thoroughly and cut into small strips. Wash and prepare chive sprouts.

③ Heat the oil in a wok until it's about 80% hot, then add all the ingredients listed above and stir-fry vigorously for 5 minutes, until a strong aroma is released. This dish is visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious, and is rich in nutrients. It's a simple and easy-to-make, healthy, and healthy home-style dish perfect for weight loss.

(3) Braised Yellow Croaker with Pickled Mustard Greens and Bamboo Shoots

Ingredients: One large yellow croaker from the East China Sea, weighing approximately 500-800 grams; 500 grams of sliced ​​winter bamboo shoots; 100 grams of pickled mustard greens; 150 grams of local chicken broth; 100 grams of peanut oil; 15 grams of cooking wine; and some ginger slices and scallion whites.

Preparation: Scale and gut the large yellow croaker, remove the gills, rinse thoroughly, and air-dry for 1 hour. Peel the winter bamboo shoots, slice them into thin strips, and blanch them in boiling water. Cut the pickled mustard greens into thin strips and rinse with cold water. Heat oil in a wok over high heat until it reaches 50% of its maximum temperature. Add the large yellow croaker and gently turn it over after 2 minutes. Pour in 2 tablespoons of Shaoxing wine, add ginger slices, and after 5 minutes, add the sliced ​​winter bamboo shoots, pickled mustard greens, and chicken broth. Add mineral water until it covers the vegetables, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with a handful of chopped green onions. A steaming hot stew of pickled mustard greens, winter bamboo shoots, and large yellow croaker is ready to serve. As a winter delicacy in Ningbo, it has been passed down for thousands of years. This is a top-quality winter dish for weight loss and beauty, known for its slimming, beautifying, diuretic, and digestive benefits, as well as its ability to nourish the middle burner and stimulate the appetite. Its flavor is incredibly delicious.

(4) Steamed crucian carp with ham slices

First, clean the fish thoroughly, rubbing it inside and out with a little salt. After a few minutes, rinse it off with clean water. Then, add ginger, ham slices, rice wine, and peppercorns. If it's sea fish, add a few cloves of garlic. Microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt, MSG, and pepper to taste, then sprinkle with chopped green onions. Pour boiling hot oil over the top and garnish with two sprigs of cilantro. This dish is very delicious, almost indistinguishable from fish cooked over an open flame. Folklore suggests that southerners often eat crucian carp, while northerners often eat carp, both considered nutritious and beneficial for weight loss. Yellow River carp is considered the best in the north, while wild crucian carp from rivers and ponds is considered superior in the south. Both are considered to have a sweet and mild flavor, promoting the flow of qi in the three jiaos (upper, middle, and lower burners), urination, and strengthening the spleen and stomach. Regular consumption by obese individuals can lead to weight loss, detoxification, and improved health and intelligence.

(5) Emerald Shrimp

Ingredients: 600g fresh river shrimp, 150g tender broad beans, 2 egg whites, 15g fine dry starch, 15g Shaoxing wine, 2g MSG, 100g soybean oil, 10g sesame oil.

Preparation: Peel fresh river shrimp to remove the shrimp meat, drain the water; place egg whites in a bowl, beat well, add shrimp meat, stir in one direction for a moment, add 0.5g salt and mix well, then add fine dry starch and mix well to coat the shrimp meat. Peel the outer skin of tender broad beans, remove the beans, blanch in boiling water, then rinse in cold water and drain. Heat a wok over high heat, grease the wok with a little oil, add soybean oil and heat until it reaches 40% of its smoking point, add shrimp meat, gently stir-fry with a spatula until the shrimp meat turns milky white, remove and drain the oil. Heat the wok again, leaving a little oil, add shrimp meat and broad beans, add cooking wine and stir-fry quickly, then add 0.5g salt, MSG, and sesame oil, stir-fry, and then remove from the wok and plate.

The shrimp in this dish are as white as jade, and the broad beans are as green as jade. In autumn, you can pick a yellow chrysanthemum and place it on top of the shrimp. The taste is fresh, fragrant, tender and crisp. It is a low-fat, high-protein dish that dieters can make at home.

(6) The World's Number One Vegetarian Fish

Ingredients: 500g fresh Chinese yam, 1 sheet of round tofu skin, 200g shredded shiitake mushrooms, 200g sliced ​​winter bamboo shoots, 100g carrots, 100g green peas, 50g onion, a little minced ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, salt, and rice vinegar, 2.5g sugar, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 100g fine dry starch, 50g peanut oil.

Preparation: ① Wash and steam the yam until cooked. Peel it and mash it into a fine paste on a cutting board. Combine the yam paste with shredded shiitake mushrooms, shredded bamboo shoots, MSG, and salt in a spoon and mix well. Cover the tofu skin with a clean, damp cloth and let it soften. Spread it flat on the cutting board, place the yam paste on top, and roll it up into the shape of a large Yellow River carp. Brush the tofu fish with egg white and coat it with cornstarch to form a large vegetarian fish. Cut the carrots and onions into small cubes slightly larger than green peas.

② Fry the vegetarian fish in peanut oil that has reached 60% heat for about 3 minutes, then fry over low heat until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a plate. Pour hot oil from the pan into a serving dish, leaving a little oil in the pan. Add minced ginger and fry briefly. Then add diced onion, diced carrot, and green peas and stir-fry. Add sugar, rice vinegar, salt, tomato sauce, and a suitable amount of water. Bring to a boil, thicken with cornstarch slurry, add minced garlic, sesame oil, and cooked peanut oil. Stir well and pour over the vegetarian fish.

Features: The vegetarian fish is bright red with a crispy outer skin and tender filling, offering a refreshing sweet and sour flavor. This dish is specially designed for obese individuals determined to lose weight quickly by replacing meat with vegetarian food. The nutritional value of this recipe far surpasses that of real river and seafood, and it is superior in color, aroma, flavor, and seasoning.

Cooking tips: ① Select intact tofu skin, and soak it in a damp towel for a short time until it softens.

② When wrapping vegetarian fish, apply an appropriate amount of cornstarch to the seams of the tofu skin to prevent it from falling apart and cracking during frying.

③ When frying vegetarian fish, the oil temperature should not be too high to prevent the outside from burning while the inside remains uncooked.

④ When adding seasonings, it is important to control the sweetness, sourness, and saltiness to achieve a low-sodium content without making the saltiness palpable.

⑤ This recipe can be served as a delicious and festive dish for vegetarians during holidays. It is not only enjoyable to eat, but also has a slimming effect. It is colorful, fragrant, and delicious, and rich in nutrients. Some people call it "the best vegetarian fish in the world" for those who want to lose weight and stay fit.

(7) Stir-fried leeks, bitter melon, and beef

Ingredients: 300g fresh Qinhan yellow beef strips, 300g leek sprouts, 200g bitter melon, 3 red chili peppers.

100g salad oil, 50g Shaoxing rice, soy sauce, starch, salt, ginger slices, and scallion whites.

Preparation: ① Cut the chives into sections, shred the bitter melon, and slice the red chili peppers. ② Mix the shredded beef with all the seasonings and marinate for 10 minutes. ③ Heat oil in a wok over high heat, add the shredded beef and stir-fry for 3 minutes, then remove. ④ Heat oil in the wok again over high heat. First, mix the stir-fried beef with the bitter melon, chives, and red chili peppers, then stir-fry vigorously for 3 minutes. This is a delicious dish with red, yellow, and white colors, high in protein and low in fat, a top-quality dish for slimming and health, suitable for obese people from both the north and south.

(8) Garlic-flavored cucumber and jellyfish skin

Ingredients: 2 cloves of garlic, 2 green cucumbers, 1 large green radish named "Xinlimei" (this is the best variety of radish for raw consumption in northern China), and 600 grams of high-quality jellyfish head.

Preparation: ① Mince the garlic, cut the cucumber into strips (with the peel on), and shred the radish. Sprinkle with salt and knead by hand for 2 minutes. ② After marinating for half an hour, add the shredded jellyfish head and knead again until well mixed. ③ Spray with sesame oil, shredded red chili peppers, MSG, a little sugar, and 3-4 tablespoons of high-quality Shanxi vinegar. Stir and serve. Some call this a Chinese dish, a slimming and fitness salad.

(9) Goji Berry and Crucian Carp Soup

Ingredients: 120g of tender wolfberry shoots, a handful of coriander, Shaoxing wine, a little MSG, a little salt, and one large wild river crucian carp weighing 250g.

Preparation method:

① Wash two small handfuls of freshly picked goji berry shoots and set aside.

② One crucian carp, cleaned and soaked briefly in cold water.

③ Heat a small pan with oil, lightly fry the meat once or twice, then sprinkle in a little rice wine.

④ After 5 minutes, add the washed goji berry leaves and buds (cut into small pieces), put them in the pot together and simmer for 5 minutes (over high heat).

⑤ Add a little salt, ginger, two scallions, a handful of cilantro, and a pinch of MSG. Then it's ready to be served in a ceramic bowl.

Efficacy: Clears heat from the heart, clears the liver and improves eyesight, lowers blood pressure. This clear soup is slightly sweet and has a fragrant aroma that soothes the lungs. It can clear heat from the heart and is a good choice for those with dizziness, vertigo and high blood pressure due to liver and kidney yin deficiency.

(10) Stir-fried pork with wolfberries

Efficacy: Nourishes the liver and kidneys, improves eyesight, moistens the lungs, and replenishes vital energy.

Ingredients: 100g goji berries (select high-quality ones from Ningxia), 500g lean pork (or tenderloin, or beef), 100g bamboo shoots, 50g fresh green beans, 100g vegetable oil, salt, sugar, Shaoxing wine, and sesame oil as needed.

Preparation: ① Cut lean pork into 2-inch long strips and bamboo shoots into thin strips of the same length.

② Heat oil in a wok, then stir-fry the shredded pork and bamboo shoots together.

③ When it is 80% cooked, sprinkle in Jiafan wine.

④ Next, add white sugar and salt, stir the seasonings well, add goji berries, and toss the mixture a few more times.

⑤ Drizzle with a little sesame oil and stir-fry until cooked.

Goji berries: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, and enter the liver, kidney, and lung meridians. Used for liver and kidney yin deficiency, dizziness, blurred vision, lower back and knee weakness, and yin deficiency cough. It nourishes the kidneys, moistens the lungs, and improves eyesight. Contains the polysaccharide LBP, which can promote hematopoiesis, lower blood sugar and blood lipids, protect the liver, and prevent neurasthenia.