Three Whites Challenge- November 10-17!!

Join Acupuncture Connections in eliminating white sugar, white flour and dairy for 1 week from Monday November 10th- Monday November 17th!  Let support each other in setting a healthy tone this winter and avoiding the extra winter weight!!

Here is some inspiration to get you started!

The Three Whites: Sugar, Flour and Dairy

why greatly reducing or eliminating these foods will enhance your health

In Chinese Medicine, food is medicine.  We literally are what we eat!  So why not eat foods that are life affirming, instead of depleting and the cause of ailment?  Eliminating these three foods will reduce inflammation, help with weight loss, make the body less acidic, and improve health overall, here’s why.

1. White Sugar- of the three whites, this one is clearly the worst.  It is highly processed, addictive and hidden in so many processed foods.  According to Dr N.W. Walker, “When we eat sugar in any shape or form, it ferments in the system, causing the formation of acetic acid, carbonic acid and alcohol.  This acid is detrimental to the intestinal tract and the alcohol gradually damages the texture of the kidneys and pancreas.”  Sugar is pro-inflammatory and speeds up the aging process.  It also promotes a dangerous growth of fat cells around the vital organs causing diabetes and heart disease.  Sugar also compromises the immune system, making you more susceptible to colds.  How to get your sweet fix?  Go for fresh or dried fruits, a little raw honey in your tea, or a fruit juice or smoothie instead!

1. White Flour- white flour is really almost the same as eating white sugar.  It converts to sugar very quickly during digestion, thus causing stress on the pancreas and releasing high amounts of insulin.  Insulin is the hormone that signals the storage of fat!  It is highly processed and missing the two most nutritious parts of it, the bran and the germ.  There is literally no nutritional value to this product.  It is a refined food that leaves many malnourished, constipated, and overweight and vulnerable to many illnesses.  Opt for whole gains such as brown rice, quinoa, millet, spelt and more instead!

1. Dairy- humans are the only species on earth to drink milk after infancy and the only ones to drink another animal’s milk.  Cow’s milk is 3-4 times higher in protein that human milk, while at the same time being significantly more deficient in essential fatty acids.  Dairy is acidic and produces an inflammatory response in the body and is one of the main allergens for people today, with up to 75% of the world’s population showing some intolerance to it.  Believe it or not, dairy products actually have low absorbable calcium and can actually cause osteoporosis due to its acidic and high protein composition.  Better sources of calcium are spinach, kale, white beans, black beans, soy products, salmon and molasses.  

So basically, try to reduce your intake of refined white food and replace it with a beautiful, colorful array of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Start reading labels and you will be shocked at how many foods contain sugar.  Remember 80% is perfection, don’t be rigid but do your best and your body will surely thank you for it!

www.acupunctureconnections.com

Staying Healthy this Fall....Food as Medicine

How To Stay Healthy This Fall...Look inside your own kitchen!

One of the reasons that I love Chinese medicine, is the concept that if we align ourselves with the natural elements around us, then we can achieve balance and health, emotionally and physically.  Fall is a big transition, the Fire element of summer gives way to the late summer Earth element harvest and then onto the Metal element of fall which asks us to dig deep into ourselves and start preserving, storing and slowing down.

Today my blender went in the closet and the crock pot got a coveted spot on my kitchen counter.  It's time to slow cook your food and reduce the amount of cold and raw food in your diet.  It's time to choose seasonal vegetables such as winter squash, yams, kale, potatoes and beets.  Time to choose pungent foods that keep the lungs clear and strong, such as onions, garlic and ginger.  They all have warming, antiviral and antibiotic properties that can help with staying healthy.

First and foremost, you want to focus on boosting your immune system so that colds and flus can be prevented.  Along with eating warm seasonal foods, one of my favorite healing herbs is astragalus.  It is a safe herb to take daily throughout the winter, and add to soups and stews for its immune benefits.  Astragalus is called an adaptogen, meaning that it helps protect the body against various physical, emotional and mental stresses.  It's been shown to improve white blood cell count and it is widely used to improve the immune system, preventing colds and upper respiratory infections.  If you want to find some astragalus to cook with this winter, you can find it on-line or at a local herbal apothecary. 

Here is a recipe I am making today for my family and our open house tonight at Acupuncture Connections.

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Super Immune Boosting Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

• ·       Chicken on the bone (can substitute for vegetable broth)
• ·       Onions, garlic, scallions, ginger
• ·       Carrots, celery, parsley, kale and other seasonal veggies of your choosing
• ·       Astragalus root- in raw or powdered form
• ·       Shitake muschooms, or reishi mushrooms if available
• ·       Can add turmeric, ginger and other immune boosting herbs

Start by adding Astragalus to 4 quarts of water in your crock pot.  Coat chicken in olive oil, salt, garlic powder and sauté in a pan for several minutes, then add to crock pot with ginger, scallion and garlic and slow cook for several hours, remove bones and herbs/spices from the soup and add veggies, herbs and salt to taste.  Optional:  add cooked short grain brown rice at the end for more digestive and energy nourishing properties. 

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I hope this recipe inspired you as much as it does me!  Here's to a vibrant and healthy fall.  And of course, if you do get sick, come get some acupuncture as soon as you feel the symptoms coming on!!

Be well,

Melissa

My experience with oil pulling...the good, the bad and the ugly

Sometimes it's overwhelming being a gemini who is into natural healing.  Everything is so interesting, I want to learn about and experience it all.  So, just so you know, when someone posts something weird and interesting on facebook, I am the one actually going out, buying all of the ingredients and trying it!  Whether it be the Clean cleanse, green smoothies in my vitamix, fire cider (awesome!) or oil pulling, I'm usually game!  I am as much into these things out of curiosity as I am for the health benefits.  I'm not a very extreme person with diet or lifestyle.  I enjoy moderation with my diet, enjoy coffee, meat and a glass of wine as much as the next person, but because it is balanced with really healthy foods, yoga and self-care, it seems to be a good recipe for a healthy balance.  But I'm getting off topic, here goes with my oil pulling review:)

For those who do not know, oil pulling involved 'swishing' organic coconut or sesame oil in your mouth for 20 minutes, to cleanse the toxins in the mouth and clean & whiten teeth.  It honestly sounded disgusting to me, but I'm always up for a challenge so I decided to go for it.

My first try was a tablespoon of organic, unrefined coconut oil.  It is solid when you put it in your mouth, which almost made me gag, but it did dissolve very quickly and did not taste bad.  I swished for about 10 minutes and could not do anymore.  Then I spit it out, rinsed my mouth with warm water, brushed my teeth and was amazed at how clean my mouth felt...I was impressed.

Second try was later that day, about a tablespoon of unrefined, organic sesame oil...and it tasted pretty awful.  I only lasted 5 minutes, but again, my mouth felt awesome afterwards and the effects lasted.

Third try was this morning.  All of the websites said to do it first thing in the AM to get the most cleansing effect, so I put some coconut oil in and got in the shower.  This was a bad idea.  I felt so nauseas and puked it all out!!  Ugh, not going to try that again for awhile.

So, now for the fourth and most successful try.  I decided to try a smaller amount.  I did a teaspoon of coconut oil this afternoon and it dissolved quickly and I was easily able to do it for 20 minutes.  I washed out my mouth and brushed and am absolutely blown away by the results.  My tongue and teeth both looked much clearer, my teeth look whiter and it feels as though I just left a cleaning at the dentist!

I absolutely recommend this to everyone to try and see how you feel.  I've read some amazing testimonials about the health results of this practice that seem to go well beyond the mouth.  Here are a few that I've read on-line:

The Benefits of Oil Pulling:

Brighter, whiter teeth
Healthier gums
Prevents bad breath
Increased energy
Clearer mind
Decreased headaches
Clearer sinuses
Alleviated allergies
Better sleep
Clearer skin
Regulated menstrual cycles
Improved lymphatic system
Improved PMS symptoms

Of course I cannot attest to these benefits personally because I've only started this yesterday.  But, the benefits to the mouth and teeth for me have been from the very first try.  I will try the sesame oil again with a little less amount, but for me, the best has been a teaspoon of coconut oil starting with 10 minutes or so and building up to 20.  Make sure to buy organic and unrefined coconut oil.  Coconut oil also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties which add to it's benefits.

So here I go on my newest experiment; a daily ritual of oil pulling for a month or so.  I promise I will report back on my findings and please, if you try it, let me know what your experience is!!  Happy Swishing:)

Top five reasons why you need an acupuncture 'tune-up' this spring!

             

I am not sure why, but we will give our car or bike a tune- up without question, but what about our own body?  I am guilty of this as well, always giving to others, taking care of everyone else in my life, but not always enough to me!  If there was any time that was a good one to get acupuncture, it's the spring time.  Here are my top five reasons why a 'tune-up' is a good idea this spring!

1. Early spring is a time of extreme temperature fluctuations and changes in atmospheric conditions.  This makes you more vulnerable to colds and flus.  Acupuncture is a preventative medicine that strengthens the immune system so that you can navigate these changes without becoming sick!
2. In the winter, the body's energy goes deeper into the body, and is somewhat dormant, like a tree that drops its leaves.  During spring that energy is coming back to life and is more accessible to the energy of an acupuncture treatment.  That movement of the rising Qi (pronounced chee) can nourish the body and encourage the growth of springtime.
3. WIND!  Spring is windy, which makes you vulnerable to colds, stiff necks, sore throats and headaches.   Wind is one of the six pernicious influences and is considered one of the major causes of disease in Chinese medicine.  It often attacks the upper body and responds very well to acupuncture treatment.
4. Acupuncture is detoxifying.  Spring is a natural time for cleansing and detoxing the excesses and stagnancy of winter.  Acupuncture, and ear acupuncture in particular, is a powerful way to support detox.  Also cupping and gua sha which are adjunctive techniques to acupuncture, are powerful ways to detoxify the muscles and disperse the stagnancy in the body.
5. It can balance your Wood Element.  Spring time is the season of wood, which is controlled by the liver and gall bladder meridians.  It feels counter intuitive that you would feel more irritability, stress and anger during the spring, but an out of balance wood element could be why.  Spring is a big transition from Water (which is more deep, meditative and internal) to Wood which is expansive, open and has big plans!  A good 'tune-up' treatment could be just what you need to gracefully move through that transition!

So I hope this inspires you to 'tune-up' this spring with some acupuncture!  Other good ways to tune-up are to drink lemon water, eat some fresh spring veggies and sprouts, increase your exercise outdoors and take lots of deep cleansing breaths.  Happy Spring!

Acupuncture during pregnancy

Oh right, I have a blog!  I think I over shared during my cleanse, and needed a break:)
So, amazingly and wonderfully I am treating many pregnant women right now, some of which have been trying to conceive for a long time.  So, I thought it was a good time to share some of the issues that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can treat during pregnancy.  At Good Chi Acupuncture we specialize in all things women's health, with fertility & pregnancy at the top of the list.  So if you or someone your know is pregnant and could benefit with some natural support for any of these issues, please send them our way!!

1.     Morning Sickness:  If your nausea is mild, small dietary adjustments may be enough to manage it.  But, if your nausea is more debilitating and lasts all day long, then acupuncture can effectively balance your system to lessen the nausea and vomiting.  Morning sickness responds particularly well to acupuncture and can reduce symptoms from the very first treatment. 

2.     Threatened Miscarriage:  A miscarriage is threatened when there are signs such as vaginal bleeding, aches in the lower back and/or abdominal cramps.  Of course, no one can prevent an inevitable miscarriage, nor should they, but if contacted at the earliest sign, your acupuncturist may be able to protect the baby and stop the bleeding.  The treatment usually involves frequent acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine to stop bleeding, strengthen the uterus and support the pregnancy.  This treatment usually continues through the first trimester and sometimes throughout the pregnancy.

3.     Fatigue and Stress:  It’s hard work growing a human being!  All of your body’s energy is going into that process and it seems very little is left for you.  This is usually a temporary phenomenon that lasts throughout the first trimester.  Although you will probably be tired throughout this time, acupuncture can nourish your energy and relax the stress associated with the big changes taking place in your life.  It provides a time and space for your self to relax and slow down, which is not always possible in a busy life.

4.     Back Pain & Sciatica:  Your sciatic nerve runs down your lower spine, pelvic area and back of your legs.  As your pregnancy progresses, your baby gets bigger, sits lower in your abdomen and can put extra pressure on your sciatic nerve.  This pressure can cause pain and numbness in your lower back, buttocks and back of your thighs.  Thankfully, this is usually temporary and once the baby is out, the pain magically begins to go away.  But in the meantime, acupuncture can very effectively treat the symptoms of pain and relax the muscles so that you can enjoy your pregnancy.

5.     Turning a Breech Baby:  Acupuncture can relax the muscles in the uterus and abdomen, while regulating the movements of the womb to create ideal conditions for the baby to turn.  Specific acupuncture points and techniques are very effective at getting feet down babies to turn.  The treatment involves the use of moxibustion, or applying heat using the herb mugwort near a point on the little toe.  Treatment is generally done between weeks 32-37 when the baby still has some room to turn.  These techniques can also be taught to the mother to do at home.

6.     Preparing for Labor:  A weekly session of acupuncture at the end of your pregnancy helps focus your energy on the task to be performed.  Besides relieving the stress and anxiety of the approaching labor, delivery and of course the baby, regular acupuncture has also shown to reduce the need for medical interventions such as induction, use of epidural anesthesia and cesarean delivery.

7.     Inducing labor using acupuncture:  Acupuncture offers a safe and natural method for inducing labor.  Once your baby is ready, one or more acupuncture treatments can stimulate the changes necessary to trigger the delivery process.  These treatments are gentle and do not force a labor to occur that is not ready.  It simply helps the Qi and Blood flow more freely and relax the body to allow labor to happen naturally on its own.

8.     Postpartum Care:  After the baby has arrived, it’s important to recover properly from childbirth.  Acupuncture can help you heal and regain your strength and vitality, rebalance your energy, boost your body’s defenses and help address concerns such as pain, fatigue, insufficient lactation and postpartum depression/baby blues.

Cleanse Day 21- We made it!!

Not sure why I posted this picture, other than the fact that it's beautiful and so is the weather outside, and I made it through this 21 day cleanse!  I am feeling very proud to have made it this far and hope that my healthy shifts will continue as I transition back to the 'real world' of eating.  Keeping this journal has been a great experience- kept me honest and motivated.  I lost 5 pounds and hope to continue that trend.  Other than that, I feel really good, headaches gone, immune system strong and skin and eyes are clear.  Hope you feel great too.  In the meantime, I am going to sign out and go soak up some of that sunshine!!  Bye!

Cleanse Day 20: where to next?

Hey everyone.  I really liked this sign, because as I contemplate the ways I want to eat post-cleanse, it is good to remember all of the other directions that our life takes us!  I have loved this cleanse, and am going to love doing this once/year or perhaps more, but man, it is a lot of focus on FOOD!  So, here goes, lets think about it.... How do I want to eat post-cleanse? 

Well, the first thing I have decided is that I don't want to eat white flour, sugar or white rice.  I generally eat a good healthy dose of fruits and veggies everyday, but the switch to all whole grains has been a really good one for me that I want to continue.  I want to keep dairy to a minimum and will be curious how my body responds to it being added back.  I think I will test that one first to clearly see how my body feels.

Coffee?  Yes, I miss it...I will admit that to you.  I have a CRAZY busy life with 7 month old twins and a 3 year old.  It definitely gave me a boost and I do love it.  However, my goal is to try not to have it everyday.  As it was, I only drank one cup in the morning- I was  not an all day nutso coffee person:)  (no offense to any nutso coffee drinkers out there!)

Eggs?  Yes, I think they are really good for you, and I used to have them a couple of times/week.

Bread?  Will have good whole grain toast, but not as an everyday staple.

Red Meat?  One a week at the most.

I am really loving the smoothies and want to continue this.  However, I am excited to add BANANAS TO IT!!

As far as reporting my daily eating...another smoothie, cauliflower soup for lunch and a dinner date with the husband...yay!

Hope your similar contemplations are going well!
-Melissa

Clean cleanse: day 18- cleaning house

I have decided to have a tag sale this sunday (come on over- it's 89 Oxbow Rd. Wayland)!  Having this at the end of the cleanse feels like a deeper level of clean for me.  Going through my home and ridding it of unnecessary clutter.  You might want to try it, even just filling up one garbage bag full of stuff to donate.  It's a type of cleanse that also clears the mind and spirit.  But I am the opposite of a 'pack rat', I go through all of our things every 6 months and pack up more things that we don't use/need.  I love it.  Maybe it's the fact that we live in 1000 square foot home, and also I just love a home that looks and feels 'Zen'.  No paper, no clutter and I can breathe deeply in my space. 

So, as far as the cleanse is going, I'll be honest, I am losing steam.  Now don't get me wrong- I love eating this way- but it is a lot of work and I feel like my whole day is spent thinking about food!  This is a bit uncomfortable for me as I have never obsessed about food before.  I just eat as healthy as I can without over thinking it.  I have lost a few more pounds though, and I am feeling lighter and clearer! 

Today I made a stirfry with chicken, garlic, green beans and snap peas, with brown and wild rice.  I also had a nice green salad with that.  For dinner, carrot/ginger soup.  Well, it's so beautiful right now, I am going to soak up some vitamin D, before taking all of my supplements:)

And please do, come to my tag sale this sunday, it's from 9-3.  Hope to see you then!!

Day 16: Chugging along feeling hungry!

I am so inspired by those of you who are cleansing and not feeling hungry!  That is definitely not the case with me, and so I think I am maybe eating too much of everything- but since the 'everything' are all of these wonderful and healthy foods, I am not going to be too concerned.  This way of eating is great- my body and mind are feeling very good.  In fact, yesterday I forgot to mention that I went all day before I realized that I had not had any green tea.  So, that means no caffeine all day and caring for all three of my kids without a major energy dip.  That is huge!  In fact, I don't think I have gone a day without caffeine since Zachary was born- 3 1/2 years!  So that's something that I am feeling really good about.  Of course today I had the tea...oh well:)

Meal wise today was pretty boring.  Green smoothie, leftover lunch from yesterday and leftover butternut squash soup for dinner (so delicious!).  Tomorrow I will hopefully get a little more creative.  I am still very much enjoying the increase in raw vegetables and plan to keep that going all week.

So, speaking of inspiring, the following is an email experience I received from fellow cleanser Greg.  I loved reading about his experience, please keep them coming!!  Thanks Greg...

Hi Melissa, Allyson,

I am doing great and loving this. I am a very big eater and on the cleanse diet  I am never hungry.

Breakfast:

4 big leaves of Kale, ½ broccoli, 2 apples, 1 carrot, sprouts, 3 brussel sprouts, celery,  and whatever else is around all gets juiced. I make about 16 oz. out of a massive pile.

The juice then goes into the blender with ½ avocado and a big scoop of veggie-based protein powder.

This end up being a think green smoothie, with protein and fat, at about 200 calories, with a micronutrient value that is through the roof.

I do not feel hungry after this, and it completely charges me up and makes my scalp tingle and puts me in a great mood.

Lunch:

Either:

Quinoa with anything (I like it simple with peas) about 1 cup.

5-7 ounces of meat (turkey or chicken, or whatever) sliced

A steamed veggie (usually ½ head of broccoli steamed with lots of garlic.

I cut up a mushroom or two, raw, or a yellow squash (a few slices) raw to go along with it.

I prepare it the night before and take it to work.

I may snack on nuts or fruit in the afternoon, but not all that much.

Maybe 500 or so calories

Or:

I make a big salad with prewashed org lettuce (BJ’s or elsewhere). Has carrots, apple, almond chips, sunf. Seeds, scallions,  mango, celery and whatever. I put in or have on the side chicken, tuna, whatever. Dressing is super high quality  olive oil and balsamic, salt, pepper,

I may add a piece of fruit with almond butter also (pear or apple)

Maybe 500 calories

Or:

I make a big salad with prewashed org lettuce (BJ’s or elsewhere). Has carrots, apple, almond chips, sunf. Seeds, scallions,  mango, celery and whatever. I put in or have on the side chicken, tuna, whatever. Dressing is super high quality  olive oil and balsamic, salt, pepper,

I may add a piece of fruit with almond butter also (pear or apple)

Maybe 500 calories

Dinner:

Ive been oscillating between the cauliflower soup ( I add broccoli too) or I make bean soup (just some carrot/celery/onion/broc stem – whatever – in a little safflower oil, then add any beans, then add stock, then blend after cooking).

Maybe 50 or  250 calories depending on the soup

Supplements:

Ester-C, milk thistle, dandelion extract, oil or oregano, garlic, olive oil, straight, with lemon water, resveratrol, 50 billion little buggies (at night) and a fiber supplement (in the morning after the juice).

Daily regularity.

The breakfast is most important. When I have done a fruit smoothie, all the way, with nut milk, etc., I haven’t felt nearly as good. Too much sweet, calories, and relatively low micronutrient level so it makes me hungry!!!   The micronutrient level in the juice I make is the trick. But you absolutely need a juicer to do it, lots of money and fridge space, time, and commitment to clean the juicer and the blender.

At lunch time I am simply not hungry. I force myself to eat this big plate of food.

At dinner, 1 or maybe 2 bowls of soup is plenty. I have no cravings. I cook food for the family and I have no cravings. I sleep great. I dream great. I am happier than ever.

My major thing is that all this does not add to 1200 calories unless I really count up and force it to. I have lost 15 pounds so far. And I put energy into counting UP calories.

I threw 2.5 tons of firewood over a fence the other day, more than I ever have. I was not sore the next day. I credit the $30 protein powder I bought at Whole Foods, that has the same formulation as human muscle. Can’t wait to try this experiment again. Gosh, the whole reason I’m involved with this cleanse is because Allyson was treating me for pain from moving a wheel barrel.

I am on my way to a bar mitzvah in NY today. I call it my mid-term exam. I am taking the juicer, the blender, the cooler of veggies with me. I upgraded the hotel room for the four of us to one with a little kitchen. I’m nuts. But scared of not having my usual fix!.

Hope you get a kick out of my update. Feel free to share…

Greg

Day 15: Recommitting to week 3

Today I wanted to post a picture of the actual salad that I had today for lunch because it was so good!  I have decided to increase my raw food intake for week three...so I bought a bunch of beautiful ingredients for my salads:  mixed greens, cabbage, baby bok choi, sunflower sprouts, daikan radish, carrots etc, etc....  It was wonderful.  I also made some brown rice and turkey and beans with mexican spices.  Whole Foods has a delicious fresh made mango salsa that I had with it...quite wonderful. 

Yesterday I went to my gym and spent some time in the sauna.  It felt very cleansing, relaxing & definitely detoxifying.  I hope to make it there a few times this week, although as you know, my time is extremely limited!  Oh, and I have been more conscious about increasing my water intake, so now I am definitely visiting the bathroom once per hour.  I have also been adding more lemons to my water to increase the detox effects. 

I am noticing that my skin is looking clear and healthy, my energy has been better and my tongue definitely looks healthy.  Overall I am feeling very good and inspired.

So all is well here, hope it is going well for you too!  More tomorrow...