How did I miss this!

I’ve always been a creature of habit and someone who likes some predictability about her day. At the very least, I crave the ability to organize my day or week and have some idea on how it will unfold. Even though my schedule is really never the same day-to-day, or week to-week... I do have some routine built in. It keeps me grounded.

I’ve been struggling since Day 1 with baby to get a routine in place for me. I have been feeling at the whim of this precious small little guy who eats, sleeps and demands my attention at all hours of the day. I’ve been able to strategically sneak in eating, laundry, yoga (at home) and work when HE decides to sleep. It hadn’t dawned on me until this week that like us.. He needs a routine too and that we, as parents, are supposed to lead this for him. Where had I been? How did I miss this?

I’ve been diligently doing all my requisite reading but somehow this didn’t sink in ... Or perhaps I didn’t’ think we were at this point already. All of sudden I realized “if I get him on a schedule… TAAA DAAAA… I get my schedule back!” I nearly cried at the idea of having more time to get my projects done and to feel better about what I can accomplish in a day. In reading about sleep training, I realized poor Finn is probably as sleep deprived as I am. He doesn’t really nap much and he’s been going to bed between 9-10pm with several nighttime feedings. That was all fine and dandy for a newborn but he’s now 3 and ½ months and that just won’t do!

As I continue with the 40 days program, this week’s focus is on Equanimity – the idea of meeting life as it meets you in a calm, non-reactive fashion. From a yoga perspective it means staying in a pose even when you’re mind is telling you to quit. This concept of keeping my cool will do me well as we begin to put Finn to bed at 7pm this week. I’m sure the tears will flow (probably from both of us) but staying firm yet calm will get us through. Wish all of us luck.

Balancing Baby & Business - Can it be done? Part 1

Well this blog entry is LONGGGGG overdue.

I’ve been busy with a new baby and all that entails. You really can never be fully prepared for life with a newborn, no matter what people tell you or what you read. I had visions (more like delusions) that I could easily have a few hours a day to address emails, touch in with patients, market my practice, write up health tidbits on facebook and twitter, blog, beef up on new medical research… Well let me tell you. When they say new moms barely have time to shower or brush their teeth. That is NO JOKE! Quickly, any thought of work was long in the past. And when I did have to address things, I would have to jot a note down to address it when I had a free moment. I’m one of those diligent people who respond to emails quickly, look up things as soon as they enter my mind, jump up at a moment’s notice when inspiration hits… now I am forced to keep a notebook within arm’s distance that holds a running list of things to do. Basic simple things like “look up how to make blackberry salad dressing”, call “so-and-so” back, respond to emails, remember to pay rent, etc.

The long and short of it is… LIFE HAS CHANGED.

And as a result, I have a changed along with it. Patience, which has always eluded me, has been forcefully demanding of me. And the independence that I once enjoyed has now been replaced with careful planning and thoughtful logistics.

But… I couldn’t be happier.

The fine balance of having a child and running a business is one I’m beginning to maneuver. I’m 3 months into mommyhood and I’m finally lifting my head up and wanting to re-enter the world outside one filled with breastfeeding, dirty diaper, and speaking in new “parent-ese” tones.

What has always amazed me about life is that things and people enter just when you need it. I attended a weekend-long chakra-clearing/meditating class for my continue education units for my acupuncture license. It wasn’t a class I would have normally signed up for and the timing wasn’t great (hadn’t started bottle feeding my baby) but I was scurrying around to fulfill units to renew my license. It was AMAZING and allowed this scattered, unfocused new momma a chance to reconnect with myself. Meditating for hours on end will force you to do that! It couldn’t have come at a better time. I felt renewed and ready to re-enter my life.

Another amazing thing happened… I’m doing 40-days to Personal Revolution – a program that includes daily meditation, yoga, nutritional changes and journal writing. I’m actually helping to facilitate this program from a Chinese Nutritional perspective and our group decided to go through it together to work out any ‘bugs’, to refine the program and to connect to each other as a group. Again, it wasn’t planned but something we decided to do at the last minute when one of our virtual programs had low enrollment. Again. Hadn’t planned for it but what a gift. After just 4 days, I’ve begun to feel better physically and have addressed some outstanding issues in my relationship that came up when I was journaling. I also feel more grounded and better able to roll with the day-to-day demands (and lack of sleep).

I’ll write more on my experiences as a new mom doing the 40 days in follow-up blog entries… I think it may be something that could benefit a lot of new mommies who are at home, feeling out of sorts with themselves, looking to connect to others and hoping to regain a bit of their old body and spirit. Can’t wait to share…

Jenn

Remedies for PMS

Over 80% of women of reproductive age suffer from PMS. When you think that our cycles occur approximately every 28 days - that is a lot of grumpy, frustrated, weepy women in the world. There really is no reason that women (and their loved ones) need to suffer from these swings in one's mood and other painful physical symptoms.

There are plenty of things you can at home to curb those cravings, relieve the tenderness and pain and put a stop to the mood swings. Although Western Medicine cannot thoroughly explain the mechanisms behind why PMS occurs, there have been some links to vitamin/mineral deficiencies.

I've included a full list of vitamins/minerals to consider stocking up on as well as some other great self-care recommendations.

http://www.cleacupuncture.com/pms

Also, here are some great teas that I respectfully borrowed from an old Body+Soul magazine issue. ENJOY!

PMS Relief Tea

Pour a quart of boiling water over 4 tablespoons dried nettles* (plus a tablespoon of spearmint or peppermint for flavor); steep for at least 20 minutes, and strain. Drink 2 cups or more daily.

Cramp Relief Tea


Add 5 to 6 tablespoons of fresh or dried ginger to 1 quart of water; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add honey and lemon to flavor. Sip hot throughout the day.

Fatigue Fixing Tea

Mix equal parts dried nettles, raspberry leaf, oat tops, and lemon balm with 1/4 part each of cut-and sifted licorice and ginger. Drink 3 cups daily.

*Nettles contain Flavanoids (antioxidants), Iron, Vitamin C, Malic Acid (helps the cells to work), Polysaccarides (a complex carbohydrate) Nettle tea is a great overall healthy tonic, helping your blood cells build, function and circulates properly. Because of its iron content, it helps with anemia. Nettle tea is an old folk remedy for hay fever. It does seem to help clear up chest congestion. The herb nettle (usually in capsule form) is often prescribed for women with a yeast infection (Candida). Can promote menstruation so do not use if trying to become pregnant, pregnant or nursing.

**If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or if you are nursing, do NOT use any the remedies listed above.

How to get your ZZZZsss

Although it sounds easy enough, sleeping and getting a good's night rest eludes many of us. We either have trouble falling asleep, wake up multiple times a night, toss and turn, or wake up prematurely.

Lack of sleep is more serious a problem than we think. Most people complain of simple fatigue or wished that they would get more rest but it can potentially contribute to serious (SERIOUS!) problems including heart disease, diabetes, accidents and obesity. And that's just to name a few...

So instead of waking up exhausted and clutching that Venti size Starbucks - consider some of these options...

• limit watching TV or being on the computer at least an hour before bed. (this is a HUGE problem for most people in our modern tech-crazed society)
• write in a journal.
• make sure your bedroom is cool and dark.
• unplug electronics that are near your bed, especially the ones that aren't in use. But also pull the plug on items such as phone chargers, TV, cable, etc. (if you can stomach it).
• create a 'to-do' list of worries so that you get them out and don't mull over them while trying to fall asleep.
• use a few drops of lavender essential oil and rub it on your temples and breath it in deeply.
• gently rub cold-pressed sesame oil into the soles of your feet for five minutes; begin with the toes and work toward your heel in circular motions.
• take a warm bath with a few drops of lavender essential oil at night.
• try a soothing nightcap. Pour 8 oz of milk into a saucepan with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. Heat but do not boil.
• limit eating up to two hours before bed. Having a big meal (especially rich or spicy foods) or drinking alcohol before bedtime disturbs restful sleep.
• instead of counting sheep, count the things in your life that you're thankful for...It is a great way to calm the mind and say 'thanks' for all that you're grateful for.

Any other ideas that you've found that works? Please share!

Happy dreamin'

Jenn

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