In the ancient Chinese philosophy of feng shui (pronounced fung shway), the kitchen is referred to as the heart of the home and is connected to the family's health, nourishment and alchemy towards wealth and prosperity.

The word "food" in Chinese sounds identical to the word "wealth." In essence, food is wealth and feeds the prosperity cycle. When we are nourished with good food, we are able to work harder and achieve greater prosperity. Thus, the kitchen becomes the most important area in the home for creating good "chi" (pronounced chee) or energy. Chi is the underlying and true essence of feng shui.

A kitchen with good chi is clean, has good ventilation and lighting, is organized, uncluttered and can properly store our food. This symbolizes good health, promotes good digestion and provides clear space for achieving prosperity.

A dirty, cluttered kitchen that contains outdated packages of food in your cupboards and rotten food in your refrigerator creates stagnant chi. Stagnant chi affects our ability to enjoy cooking nourishing food, and also the energy to work hard and earn an income. Dirty kitchens bring illness and disease.

Take out the garbage at the end of each day, to keep the chi pure and flowing. De-clutter your food weekly. Do not overstock and do not go hungry-find a happy balance of food. Whole food nutrition is essential to good feng shui. Junk food is seen as toxic clutter being put in our body because it does not nourish our body temple. Purchase local organic foods. Choose an array of colourful, fresh fruits and vegetables - a wide variety of food colours in the diet will optimize feng shui. Wash your fruits and vegetables in clean, purified water and drink pure water, too.
To attract the feeling of abundance to your kitchen, place a basket of fresh fruit on your table or countertop. Growth represents wealth. Adding green plants, a window herb garden, a small planter of tomatoes or a fresh bouquet of flowers to your kitchen will revitalize your space.

Ancient Chinese philosophy teaches that the stove represents wealth and opportunities, so keep yours clean. Tradition says that the more burners you have on your stove, the more people you can feed in your family and community. If you have a fourburner stove and you only use two, rotate your cooking pots and use all your burners regularly. If you only steam your food or don't cook at all, boil water for tea and use a different burner each day to activate opportunities in your life.

Having good feng shui in the heart of your home is not only essential to the vibrancy of your health, but also for obtaining a successful life for you and your family.

HANS Member Kimberly Easterbrook is a longevity researcher, interior stylist and student of feng shui interior design. She re-aligns homes and offices to create healthy, balanced and tranquil environments. 604-465-5175 www.zenshuionline.com

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