Body+Soul Magazine, Ying's column Yin Yang Diner

Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine believe that the  high temperatures and humidity of the summer months lead to loss of appetite, fatigue, and dizziness, and thus it is important to eat  cooling, or "yin," foods. Following this approach, green vegetables,  sweet fruits, shellfish, and cool beverages are preferable to the heavy, spicy "yang" foods you might favor in winter. In the summer, too many  yang foods can overstoke your internal fire. (This Asparagus and Crab Salad complements almost any type  of food cooked on the backyard grill.)

Yin foods are often green  or white in color, and are generally served raw, lightly steamed, or blanched. For this dish, be sure to use only fresh, young, tender  asparagus. Cut off and discard the woody end of the stalk. Use a  vegetable peeler to lightly trim any rough areas on the spear. The best  way to keep asparagus fresh is to place the stalks in a tall container,  then add 2 inches of spring water. Keep them in a cool place or in the  refrigerator. Change the water daily.

Asparagus and Crab Salad