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The first references to yin and yang come from The I Ching. Taken literally, yin and yang mean the shady side and sunny side of a hill. People commonly think of yin and yang as opposing forces. However, it is more appropriate to view them as a complementary pair. The Chinese believe problems arise not when the two forces are battling, but when there is an imbalance between them in the environment. Floods, divorce, or even a fire in the kitchen——can all be the result of disharmony in the forces of yin and yang. How does the concept of yin and yang relate to food? A basic adherence to this philosophy can be found in any Chinese dish, from stir-fried beef with broccoli to sweet and sour pork. There is always a balance in colors, flavors, and textures.