Happy Lunar New Year

“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” ~ Socrates

In the last few years, I have been on a journey to simplify my life. It’s been a continual work in progress.  With the Lunar New Year approaching, I want to focus this coming year on the concept of less.  

I hear from many of my patients, especially the ones I’m treating for stress or anxiety, that they want to simplify their life. YET, at the same time, they tell me about the new things they are addingto their schedules.  Of course, we all want to take the “chores” out of our lives and only do the fun and leisurely things. While that is a nice thought, it’s not realistic. 

There will always be chores, tasks, and responsibilities that are not fun or pleasant, but we have to do them. Most of us, including myself, keep adding more to our hectic schedules to convince ourselves we can have and do it “all.” In fact, the only thing we seem to be removing from our schedules is time for rest and sleep.

As a society, we glorify busy.  We have a knack of making even enjoyable events seem stressful because we are so overwhelmed.The following are some goals I’m setting for myself in 2015 to help me enjoy life with “less.”  

• I want to take an event off my schedule and NOT replace it with something else.  

• I want to have more moderation in my life, especially in terms of food. I’d like to have a more balanced intake of food, especially sugar.

• I want to stop practicing “retail therapy” when I’m stressed.

What are your “less” goals for the year? I hope this year of less will lead to a lifetime of more happiness.

Points of Wellness would like to wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year! Let’s welcome in the year of the Green Sheep. The sheep is seen as a symbol of peace, balance, harmony and calmness. Come and visit us if you are looking for balance and calmness in the New Year!

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season

Feeling less energetic? Getting tired earlier in the evening? It might be just the energy of the season. Many animals hibernate this time of year. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this time of year is governed by Yin energy, which is dark, cold, slow, and composed of inward energy.

Yin energy in the winter months give life to the Yang energy of summer, which is light, hot, quick, and has more outward qualities. Hence, Yang energy encourages people to go out and be active.

Winter’s energy encourages us to look inward; it is a great time for meditation, yoga and T’ai Chi practices. In order to live according to the season, TCM teaches us that the foods in winter enrich yin and subdue yang. Look for foods that naturally grow in this season, such as squashes, potatoes, root vegetables, winter greens, mushrooms, apples, pears, and citrus fruits.

Most importantly, in the winter, our bodies need warming foods like soups made with hearty vegetables. Rich stocks cooked with animal bones are best. Use your leftover turkey bones to make a nutritious and warming soup, such as a turkey noodle soup. Other foods that are especially good for the winter months are black beans, kidney beans, lamb, chicken, walnuts, chestnuts, black sesame seeds, and dark leafy greens.

If you are feeling run down, take the time to rest and replenish. Nature tells us that this is the time of year to take good care of our entire body: physically, mentally and spiritually.

So, enjoy your bowl of turkey noodle soup!

Points of Wellness would like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

Remember: give the gift of health, gift certificates are available.

 

 

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD

This time of the year we have a tendency to over indulge, especially when it comes to food. Along with the desserts, appetizers, fried food, and so on, many of us experience heartburn or acid reflux. The medical term for acid reflux is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, can offer an effective and natural treatment for acid reflux.

Your acupuncturist will place thin needles into various parts of your body to regulate the flow of Qi (energy) to restore organs, such as the spleen, liver, heart, stomach and kidneys, to their normal function.

During the busy holiday season, if you cannot get in for a treatment here are some points you can use to help yourself.

• PC 6 (inner gate) is located on the palm side of you wrist, about 2 thumb widths above the wrist crease and in the center of the arm. Use the thumb of the opposite hand to apply firm pressure on the point; inhale and exhale deeply for a few minutes while applying pressure.

• ST 36 (three mile) is located on the lateral (outside) side of the lower leg, four fingers width from below the lower border of the kneecap and one finger width off the shin bone on the outside. Apply firm pressure for about a minute.

Regarding herbal remedies, your TCM practitioner will need to diagnose the cause of your reflux. For example, acid reflux may be caused by a TCM condition known as stomach fire, which indicates that excessive heat is flowing into your stomach and irritating it. Another cause for acid reflux could be an imbalance in the liver. One function of the liver, according to TCM, is to control the proper flow of Qi throughout the body. Qi flows through specific pathways, known as meridians, to ensure that all organs of the body are functioning properly. If the liver is not functioning at maximum potential, medical problems can develop in the body.

A number of factors may contribute to acid reflux:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Consumption of certain types of foods (such as spicy foods)

Lifestyle changes can cure or greatly reduce symptoms:

• Eat smaller meals throughout the day
• Do not eat right before bedtime
• A glass of warm water with lemon juice first thing in the morning
• Saltine crackers first thing in the morning
• 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 oz. of water
• If you feel you ate something that caused your stomach to be upset, then try chewing on a piece of ginger or drink ginger tea to help your stomach feel better.
• Most of all, reduce the stress in your life

For long term and lasting results, I would encourage you to talk to a Chinese Medicine practitioner for specifics on your reflux symptoms.

I would like to wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

 

Winter Eating

With the colder weather coming, this is a good time of year to assess your eating habits. 

One of the easiest ways to stay healthy is to eat according to what is available during the harvest of each season. It is important to transition into eating warmer, cooked foods during this time of year, and to save the salads and raw foods until next summer.

Foods in season during the fall:

                 

Beets

Broccoli

Brussels sprouts

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Collard Greens

Fennel

Kale

Leeks

Mushrooms

Onions

Parsnips

Peppers

Potatoes

Pumpkins

Turnips

Winter Squash

Apples

Concord grapes

Pears

Duck

Wild Turkey

Atlantic Mackerel

Native Oysters

Pacific Salmon

Red Snapper

Scallops (bay and sea)

A good guideline to follow for eating during the fall is to see what is available at your local farmer's market. Use those foods as a template for building a meal that is appropriate to the season.  Also, look at what’s on sale in grocery stores; they tend to put on sale those foods that are in abundance and readily available.

                 

Additional tips for this season:

Carry around a sweater/sweatshirt/scarf - even if it feels warm outside. During the fall, it is cold in the shade and warm in the sun. This is typically the season where people still dress like it is summer, because the sun still has warmth during the high point of the day. This drastic change in temperature without the proper protection from the environment can put your body at risk. Make sure to dress in layers if you are working or exercising outdoors. You can shed the layers as your muscles warm up.

Eat soup - this is the time of season to begin thinking about and making more nourishing, wholesome, all-encompassing foods, like soups. The best soups contain a protein, veggies, and carbohydrates. They are a great all in one meal! The warm temperature is also beneficial to the yang to prepare oneself for winter.

Keep hydrated - autumn is a time of dryness. The moisture from the humid summer gives way to autumn’s dryness. Also, with the use of heaters, it’s extra dry. It is important to remember this. Drink tea or room temperature water to help your body remain hydrated.

See your acupuncturist – autumn, especially with school back in session, is often the time when people catch the most head colds.  Seeing your acupuncturist can build up your protective Qi to lessen colds during the winter.

Get out and enjoy the change of season, but remember to be prepared for the change in temperature. You don't want to be caught off guard.

Learning more about your body

I know I usually blog about food as medicine, but today, I want us to look at another function in our bodies, bowel movements. Bowel movements are one of the key ways to learn more about your body.

Did you know that ancient Chinese physicians had to study the excrement of emperors for hidden illnesses and to identify the foods he should be eating? Do you look at your stools? You need to. Look at the consistency, color, quality and smell.

The ideal stool should be:

· Medium brown, the color of plain cardboard, or it should be reflective of the foods you have been eating

· Leaving the body easily with no straining or discomfort

· Similar to toothpaste in consistency

· Approximately 4 to 8 inches long

· Excreting very little gas or a slight odor (Note: you're passing methane and bacterial degraded food so there's going to be an odor, but the odor should not be very strong or pungent)


Some possible bowel issues:

· Whitish mucus in your stool may reflect inflammation in the intestines.

· Your stool should sink when it hits the water. However, when the body isn’t properly absorbing fat from the foods you eat, the fat ends up being excreted in your stool. The result is a stool that’s yellowish in color, greasy in consistency, foul smelling, and that floats in the toilet. Certain medical conditions, like celiac disease, can cause these mal-absorption problems. And since essential nutrients could also be lost along with the un-absorbed fat, it’s important to see your doctor if you experience this problem. These fatty, smelly stools are also side effects of eating foods that contain Olestra or from taking the weight loss drug Xenical (or its over-the-counter cousin, Alli).


Issues according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):

· Loose stools with abdominal bloating, lack of energy and poor appetite can be signs of a condition known as spleen qi deficiency. It does not necessarily involve your actual spleen, but it is linked to tiredness and weak digestion brought on by stress and poor diet. Try eating warm or hot foods, and drink tea with your meals.

· Pellet stools are when the stool comes out in small round balls. According to TCM, pellet stools are caused by a condition known as liver qi stagnation. Liver qi stagnation can be brought on by stress. Lack of exercise can worsen the problem. To improve the quality of your stool, eat more vegetables.


In some cases, an unusual bowel movement is harmless and can be attributed to a particular food or medication -- but not always. Changes in bowel habits that persist can be a serious matter and should be investigated. What comes through your digestive track will tell you how well or ill you are. So, take a look at your bowel movements today to learn more about your body.

Happy Thanksgiving

Sweet Potatoes and yams are a big part of Western holiday traditions.  However, in China, sweet potatoes are a daily part of one’s diet. Sweet potatoes are believed to be warming to the stomach and can aid in relieving indigestion. When buying sweet potatoes, look for ones that are firm and without soft spots, cracks, or bruises.  Cold temperatures will alter their taste so do not refrigerate your sweet potatoes.  When stored in a cool, dark and well-ventilated area, sweet potatoes will stay firm for 7 to 10 days.
 
According to Chinese Medicine, sweet potatoes strengthen the spleen and stomach, nourishes your Qi (also known as the body’s energy system), help to clear heat from your body, detoxifies, and helps alleviate constipation.  In terms of Western nutrition, sweet potatoes contain vitamin B6, which soothes your mind as well as strengthens your immune system. Sweet potatoes and yams also happen to be a rich source of DHEA.  As one ages, the body’s levels of DHEA drops.  Thus, eat sweet potatoes year-round and look forward to celebrating a long life!
 
Check out this great roasted sweet potatoes recipe from Dinner Made Easy:
http://www.makedinnereasy.com/roasted-sweet-potatoes.html
 
 
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! 
 
Remember to practice mindful eating and to enjoy every bite that enters your mouth.

Preparing for the cold

With kids going back to school and with the days getting colder, most of us are struggling to stay healthy and to keep from getting sick.
 
Here are a few remedies to help keep you and your loved ones feeling well throughout the fall and winter months.   Remember use food as medicine whenever possible!
 
Sore throat relief
 
Local unprocessed honey
Lime
Water (you will need enough water to make at least a half a cup after boiling)
 
Bring water to a boil.
In a mug, combine the following: 1 tablespoon of honey, the juice of a whole lime (additionally, for added benefit, add in some of the lime zest), and about a ½ cup of the boiling water.
Stir it all up and enjoy!
 
Ginger Tea (use as a home remedy for indigestion, nausea and general upset stomach)
 
2 cups of water
1-inch piece of fresh ginger root
Optional: Local unprocessed honey and lime slices
 
Slice the ginger into thin slices.
Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Once the water is boiling, add the ginger. Cover the water and reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes.
After 15-20 minutes, strain the boiling water and ginger mix.  The remaining liquid is the Ginger Tea.
If desired, add honey and lime to taste.
 
Notes:
If you are making Ginger Tea during cold and flu season, adding sweeteners is not recommended.
If you have food poisoning, in addition to drinking the Ginger Tea, also chew on slices of fresh ginger.
 
Scallions for the Common Cold (especially good for a fever)
 
In Chinese medicine, the white part of a scallion (also known as a green onion) is the best part to use medicinally.  Scallion is effective in stimulating sweat, aiding urination, calming the nerves and expelling mucus. In other words, a scallion is good for helping to cure a cold.
10 white stalks of scallion
5 slices of ginger
3 cups of water
Salt and pepper for seasoning
 
Combine the 3 cups of water, 10 white stalks of scallion, and 5 slices of ginger in a pot.
Simmer the water until it reduces to 1 cup of liquid.
You can discard the ginger pieces or eat them if you choose.  
Drinking the broth is the most important part.
Add salt and pepper to the soup to taste.
Pour the soup into a bowl and enjoy!
Additionally, you should cover the patient with a heavy blanket to induce sweating after drinking this soup.   Once the patient has sweated out the toxins, have him/her change into some warm clothing.
 
Remember, during the colder months, you should keep yourself covered up, especially around the neck and chest areas.  And, drink plenty of fluids.
 
Chicken Rice Soup
 
The following is a recipe for aiding to relieve a headache, a runny nose with clear discharge, neck and shoulder aches, an aversion to being cold, and a white-coated tongue.
 
8 cups filtered or spring water
1 whole organic, antibiotic free chicken (washed) or chicken parts
1 inch piece of ginger
1 bunch of green onion
1 cup of cooked jasmine rice
4-5 leaves of napa cabbage
5-7 dried shiitake mushrooms (wash and soak in warm water for about 20 minutes)
Salt and Pepper for seasoning
 
 
In a stock pot, combine the water, the washed organic chicken or 1 pound of organic chicken parts with bones, the ginger, and the soaked shiitake mushrooms. Cover the water. And, boil for one hour.
While the broth is cooking, cut the napa cabbage into bite size pieces.
Dice the scallions (green onions).
 
After an hour, uncover the soup and remove the chicken or chicken parts.  Set the chicken aside to cool.
Remove the ginger from the soup (you can throw the ginger away).
Salt and pepper the soup to taste.
Add the rice to the soup and allow the soup to simmer as you prepare the next part.
 
Cut the chicken into bite size pieces.
 
Add the chicken and the napa cabbage to the soup.
Bring the soup to a boil.
Once the soup is at a boil, turn the heat off and add the scallions to the soup.
 
Ladle the soup into a bowl.  If desired, add some black pepper to taste.  Enjoy!
 

Right Diet for Your Body

With summer winding down, our appetites cool with the weather, while our palates crave richer, warmer foods for the fall. It's important to remember that a part of being healthy is eating the right foods for your body, and your body alone.

In my practice, I often come across cases where food that may be considered “healthy” for one person may not be true for the next. Have you ever tried a diet that worked great for your friend, but when you followed it, you didn't see the same results? That's because you are not just physically, but internally different from your friend. You have a different stomach, metabolism, medical history, and physical makeup.

Being an advocate of eastern practices, I examine each patient as an entire individual—not just by pre-existing medical conditions. For example, if I had a patient with diabetes, I would consider what that individual is experiencing and assess his or her symptoms as a whole, not just blindly giving a treatment based on the diabetic condition alone.

Similarly, the result of food intake also varies per person. As you look toward the fall and winter months, examine your eating habits to learn about yourself. A food journal is a great way to track your eating routine, and teaches you a lot about items that work well with your body, as well as others that might not be the best for your system. You'll find below a few suggestions when starting your own journal.
Document Your Servings, Portion Sizes and Moderation

How many daily servings do you get of the different food groups? Track these items in particular to gain a clearer idea of what may be missing from your diet, or what could be affecting your energy levels.

• Overall daily food intake

• Fruits and vegetables

• Lean protein

• Raw foods

• Whole grain fiber

• Soluble fiber (e.g., oatmeal and bananas)

• Water

Pay Attention to Your Movements

Believe it or not, your bathroom habits can tell a lot about how your body accepts or rejects the food you eat.

• Describe urination and note in particular any sensitivity, colors, ease, or difficulty.

• Note when you have irregularity (and regularity) in your bowel movements.

• Consider the consistency of each movement and the presence of undigested foods. This could be an indication of food your body is rejecting.

Note Allergies and Pain

If you have a pre-existing health condition that dictates your diet (such as Crohn's, Diverticulitis, IBS, or Diabetes), pay attention to any particular foods that could be causing an adverse reaction. In the same vain, those with food allergies should be sure to note their current allergies, and document any time they feel similar symptoms when trying a food that they do not consider themselves allergic to. The below points can also tell you more about the possibility of certain ingredients or food groups that do not agree with your digestive tract:

• Bloating after eating green vegetables

• Abdominal pain after high-fat meals

• Abdominal pain after eating nuts

• Preferences/tendencies toward warm or cold drinks

With a little help from you, a practitioner of Chinese Medicine can help assess the right diet for your body. By keeping a unique balance created for you, maintaining your health over time becomes an easier task, giving you more time to focus on the things that you truly want to spend your time doing.

Eat consciously, know what you put in your mouth, and enjoy each bite!