Feng Shui your kitchen

Never use mirrors in kitchens, because they will reflect the energy of the 'dead' food and double it. If you need reflective surfaces for your pa kua location, you could use shiny, rounded stainless steel or chrome utensils. These items reflect their surroundings, but because they distort the image, they don't cause the problems that mirrors would do.

Surfaces and corners
Help the chi to flow freely by keeping work surfaces clear. Don't leave dirty plates or clutter around - the mess will attract stagnant chi that can enter food. If you need to keep items such as kettles, toasters or coffee machines on the work surface, push them toward the back.

The sharp edges in a kitchen stimulate yang chi, but too many can cause tension and arguments between people (or, as I once heard it described, 'bitchin' in the kitchen'). Balance them with rounded corners on kitchen cabinets and work surfaces, and round, shiny utensils, to help the chi curve and meander. If your cabinets have sharp corners, fit lights under and inside the top ones and keep the lights on while you work.

Storing equipment
Store equipment in kitchen cabinets, or stack it neatly, when you're not using it. However, if you have an oven in a bad pa kua location you can hang metal saucepans above or near it to deflect the fire energy. Keep knives in a knife block and scissors in a drawer. If possible, don't have these sharp implements on display because they give out harmful chi.

Electrical appliances
The electromagnetic energy from objects such as blenders, kettles and toasters contributes to yang chi. However, as with the TV and stereo in the living room, you can actually use these pieces of electrical equipment to increase beneficial yang chi. Keep the items in good condition so they work safely and efficiently, and make sure they work quietly so they give out good chi.

Positioning microwave ovens
Microwave ovens emit electromagnetic energy, which is seen as harmful in feng shui. Don't use a microwave if you can avoid it, or else use it as little as possible. To control its energy, put it in a corner ruled by fire. (Microwaves are usually made of shiny metal, which symbolizes water and 'puts out' fire.)

Otherwise, hide it inside a cabinet. If you're planning a new kitchen, build the microwave into the surrounding cabinets so only the face is showing.

Planning meals
The colours and tastes of foods can produce different blends of yin and yang chi. Brightly coloured foods are yang; green vegetables are a balance of yin and yang; and white foods, such as dairy products, are yin.

You can plan each course of a meal to have its own energy. For example, a starter is usually yang, a main course is often a mix and a dessert will be yin.

Relaxing, intimate meals need more yin chi, while parties and business lunches or dinners need more yang. For a children's party, you could start with activities, then offer calming yin food; try to avoid bright colours and cooked meats, which would be too yang.