I hope you have been enjoying the summer weather as much as I have! We were planning on starting the Fall Qi Gong session in September but unfortunately we will be postponing it until the new year. As you may know, I have relocated my clinical practice and I don’t have the Wednesday evening time available right now. Currently, we are hard at work creating new “products” including a new Qi Gong DVD. We are considering a digital version that can be played on your computer, iPad, and smartphones as well as a physical DVD. In the meantime, if you have learned a little bit of Qi Gong already be sure to practice regularly. Short, regular sessions of practice will yield better results than longer infrequent sessions. Even the “Opening Exercise” is enough to relax the body, and energize the mind. If you haven’t already you can sign up for our newsletter here to receive short articles, recipes, videos and to keep in touch with us. If you are looking for a quick 5 minute meditation to do while you are at your desk, or before going to bed you can try this one out. The guy speaking kinda has a funny voice though (okay…it’s me!) ~Think...
1. You Have Pain Whether the pain is from a recent injury, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or general stiffness, acupuncture can help. Acupuncture can reduce pain and stimulate the body’s own healing response. It does this by interrupting the pain signals along nerve fibres, increasing circulation to the area, releasing endorphins and stimulating the central nervous system to regulate neurotransmitters and hormones. The release of these chemicals reduce pain, stimulate the immune system and regulate various functions and systems in the body. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, acupuncture promotes the smooth flow of Qi (energy) and blood throughout the body. 2. You’re Always Tired If you feel tired even after a long uninterrupted sleep, then you may want to explore the benefits of acupuncture. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes into account all systems and organs in the body and can determine where there is an imbalance. Even if all your blood tests have come back normal and your doctor can’t find anything wrong, TCM can identify the ‘root’ cause or imbalance that is causing your fatigue. Treatment is aimed at identifying and strengthening your constitutional weakness, immune system, and digestion to bring your energy back. 3. You’re Stressed One of the things acupuncture does best is calm the mind and produce a relaxation response in the body. Acupuncture stimulates a release of endorphins (the feel-good chemicals) which help calm the body and mind. Many people feel so relaxed they even fall asleep during treatment and leave with a sense of deep calm. Allowing your body the time to relax at such a deep level, gives the brain a rest and...
We all know that exercise is good for you, but did you know that it’s also good for your digestive and gastrointestinal health? Yes, that’s right…exercise can be like a good dose of probiotic. New research has shown that exercise can actually increase the diversity and abundance of healthy bacteria in the stomach and intestines. Gastrointestinal bacteria are involved in a multitude of processes that take place in our body. They contribute to proper digestion, nutrient absorption, ulcer prevention, and a healthy immune system. Lower levels of bacterial diversity in the gut is associated with reduced health outcomes. Most of us are aware that diet can influence gastrointestinal microbiota, but it’s pretty amazing that exercise can also contribute to a healthy digestive tract. Another reason to get out and active this...
Here is the easiest way to make a Blueberry Crisp. I make this when I don’t know what to make for breakfast but I want it done in under 10 minutes! I am mainly showing you this recipe because I was having a conversation with a patient who said, “You just can’t eat “fun” food at home without being an amazing cook!” I disagreed and told her about this Berry Crisp. 2 disclaimers- yes there is sugar in it, and yes it uses the microwave. If you have a nice mix of berries you do not need to add any sugar to the berries. I think you can get away with not having any sugar in the “topping” as well but I would say the majority of Crisp eaters would prefer just a little bit. As for “Chef Mic” you can bake it at 350F for 35 minutes if your prefer. It does taste a little nicer because the topping becomes nice and crispy but it is perfectly delicious when zapped. The best part about Crisp is that you can add spices, nuts, seeds, coconut, dried fruit, bird seed, anything you want! Enjoy! ~Think...
Relieve Allergies Naturally The birds are singing, the grass is growing, the sun is shining. Summer is on its way and it’s the season for allergies. Yes, that time of year when your eyes water, your nose feels like a faucet and your energy plummets. Below is a surprisingly simple natural remedy to help reduce those sniffles, sneezes and watery eyes. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory that reduces swelling and inflammation in the sinuses. Local honey reduces your reaction to pollen and boosts immunity. Apple cider vinegar fights off infection and balances the pH of the body. This simple remedy will take the edge of your allergies this summer. It works best as a hot beverage that you can sip on as needed throughout the day. Turmeric + Honey Super Booster (makes 1/2 cup, approximately 8–10 servings) Ingredients: 1/4 cup local, raw honey 2 teaspoons ground turmeric 2 tablespoons raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (Braggs is good) pinch of ground black pepper (to activate the turmeric) Mix ground turmeric and pepper in a small bowl. Add in honey and apple cider vinegar. Mix until smooth. Refrigerate in sealed glass container or jar for up to one week. Add 1 tablespoon of the mixture to hot water or tea. Sip as needed. Until next time…stay healthy and think...
