Self Care - Do only 70%!

I know.. It has been quiet around here in terms of blogging, tweeting, writing, and sharing my thoughts on acupuncture/TCM. I've been feeling exhausted and on the verge of burn-out - as anyone knows who is starting a business from the ground up. It is always on your mind and you work tirelessly and enthusiastically at 200% day in and day out.

Lately however I've been looking at my to-do lists (yes, multiple lists) and then choosing to do something else instead such as watching TV, taking a nap, cooking soup or looking at random blogs. I manage to get my priorities done but anything else has been scrapped and pushed back to the following week. Over the last few weeks I've been beating myself up over my sudden loss of motivation however I realized that in the midst of all my list making, I hadn't added to my list "Rest". I've been so busy I've neglected exercising and reveling in down time.

According to Chinese Medicine you are only suppose to do only 70% of any one thing. Eat until only 70% full. Exercise only 70% of what you feel is maxing out. It's a great philosophy and the antithesis of Americans view of giving EVERYTHING 110%. Eating too much, exercising too much, working too much. Once you can wrap your head around this idea, you'll find that you DO have time to take care of yourself, spend time with family, catch up with old friends, read that book for book club...

My goal for the last week of June/first week of July is going to adopt this concept and watch how things change for the positive.

Jenn

Vino e Espresso

Wine & Coffee - My two favorite vices!

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a strong affinity towards both! There is nothing better than a strong cup of coffee in the morning when you're just waking up. And, there is nothing sweeter than ending your week with a rich and delicious glass of wine.

After studying Chinese Medicine for many years, you come to believe that both these lovely liquids consumed regularly lead to health issues. I had a hard time reconciling this because both play such a prominently role in my life and as I figured, in the lives of most Europeans! How could the French or the Italians go without their cafe au laits or cappuccinos or without their Bordeauxs or Barolos. Generally they lived healthy productive lives. They may not live as long as the Japanese but boy did they really enjoy every day, every meal.

Well I've recently come across some great research making these luxuries in life seem healthy (in moderation of course!)

You can lower your risk of dying from heart disease by 25% if you drink 2-3 cups of caffeinated coffee a day (Annals of Internal Medicine)

Women who drink wine are less like to develop dementia than those who don't imbibe. (Amer. Journal of Epidemiology)

Enjoy.

Feel Good Favas

Fava Beans are in season.

Although I've eaten them only in restaurants in the past, this year I've decided to learn how to cook them at home.

First off - a bit about fava beans

aka: Broad Beans

Part of the pea family, they debut in late spring

They pack a huge protein punch (20-40%)

High in fiber, iron, and contain L-dopa (amino acid that produces dopamine)

Dopamine as you may know produces the "feel good" response in the brain.

Chinese Medicine:

Their nature is neutral and sweet.

Digestive system energy tonic*

Eliminates edema.

Eating broad beans frequently can help to lower blood pressure.

To cure sores and abscess in the early stage, crush broad beans into paste and apply on the affected area.

Applying ground dry broad beans into powder on the face after cleansing can help to smoothen the skin.

How to eat them:

After a quick query on epicuious.com and food.com, I found I whole host of recipe ideas from soups, pasta, mashes to salads, crostinis and more.

I once had fava bean hummus. It was wonderfully delicious so I'm going to substitute my trusty garbanzo beans for favas next time and taste the results.

Enjoy!

______________________________

*Spleen deficiency (not the literal spleen but the energy of the digestive system)

in Chinese Medicine includes the following symptoms:

• Fatigue

• Weakness in the arms and legs

• Bloating

• Edema

• Sallow complexion

• Loose stools

• Low appetite

Hangover.. How to get over it and fast!

With the holiday weekend upon us - many of us will over-indulge on Margaritas, Sangria, Beer and Wine.

But what do you do to ward off that dreaded hangover?

Some natural remedies I've come across to try out yourself:

1. Honey. Studies have shown that it can speed the body's metabolism of alcohol.

2. Lime & Sugar Water. Ayurvedic cure to help stabilize blood sugar surges.

3. Pear juice + green tea

4. Daikon (radish) juice.

5. Watermelon Juice - alcohol is very warm and watermelon juice has a cooling quality that tames that tummy fire.

6. Grapefruit - cooling food

Additional Remedies:

WATER WATER WATER (before, during and esp after!)

Vitamin B supplement (before and after)

Sleep - sure fire way to get through it.

*Never take Tylenol when drinking... it is shown to cause serious liver damage.

What is your hangover cure? I love folk remedies and learning from other people's experiences.

Have a safe and festive 4th of July.

Jenn

Fantastic Breakfast Option

Hello dear friends.

When it comes to breakfast it is so easy to grab the old stand-bys. Foods you don't have to think about as you are running out the door or those items that are easy and affordable to buy at your local Starbucks. The usual suspects: bagels, fruit and yogurt, instant oatmeal, scones... the doughy, sweet list goes on. However, with the smallest time invested on a Sunday or Monday night you can have a delicious and filling breakfast that will power you through the whole morning.

In fact I had this breakfast yesterday and shockingly made it through until nearly 4pm with little hint of hunger (very unlike me.. I don't miss a meal).

If you haven't used quinoa before it is an AMAZING grain. Gluten-free, super high in protein (most in its class), quick to cook and similarly to couscous can me made into anything. You can find it in most stores these days including the bulk foods section.

And if you been following my entries about Dampness .. you can guess this is a great breakfast option to drain that excess Dampness right out of your body.

Quinoa Porridge

serves 4

1 cup uncooked quinoa

2 cups of water

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon of allspice (or nutmeg)

1/4 teaspoon of sea salt

1 cup of unsweetened almond or rice milk

1 apple diced

1/2 cup or blueberries

1/2 cup of strawberries

1/2 cup of pecans or walnuts

honey (optional)

1. Add quinoa, water, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt to small pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until most of the water has been absorbed.

2. Add milk and simmer uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, stir occasionally. Stir in apples, berries and nuts and remove from heat.

3. Let sit covered for 10 minutes while the porridge thickens. Drizzle with honey before serving if desired.

Nutrition per serving : 307 calories/14g fat/8g protein/40g carbs/6g fiber/159mg sodium

Original recipe courtesy of Natural Solutions, April 2010. Modifications courtesy of Me.