That's right, its time for my blog to actually reside ON my website (how about that?) so starting July 1st, please visit www.allwayswell.com and click the "Blog" link at the top of the page to find out what's up.
This blog will still exist as an archive only.
Thanks for tuning in, and check out my website to keep up with new information!
~Rebecca
Monday, July 1, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
Stress, Inflammation & Aging Part 4: Find Your Well
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Thursday, May 2, 2013
Stress, Inflammation & Aging Part 3: Perspective on Aging + Cleanse and Rebuild
In my last installment I talked about how stress relates to digestion and inflammation - how stress taxes you energetically, begets inflammation, and how focusing on the basics of diet/exercise/sleep can help you combat the stress-inflammation cycle. The next step is how this relates to aging, both physically and energetically, as well as what role cleansing and supplementation have in the stress-inflammtion-aging cascade.
We all know that when we feel stressed out, we feel tired and that it shows - who hasn't had the experience of seeing a trusted friend or co-worker on a rough day and having them ask, "Are you okay? You look exhausted." And when you go look at yourself in the mirror you see it - crows feet, dark circles, age etched on your face.
Conversely, when you feel great, you look great too and people will ask you the opposite, "Did you go away over the weekend? You look so well rested." And again, if you check yourself out you see it: A rosy glow, smooth cheeks, a willing smile.
Our topic today, therefore, is WHY from an energetic perspective lifestyle and aging are so intimately connected and how cleansing and supplementation can give you a leg up to counteract the stresses of life.
Last month we talked about Spleen Qi and how the Spleen is responsible for digestion, that the Spleen houses "Post-Natal Qi" which is the energy you use to live your day to day life. The partner to the Spleen here is the Kidney which houses your Pre-Natal Qi, or the Qi you enter the world with. Kidney Qi is responsible for aging in Chinese Medicine, indeed, the natural decline of Kidney Qi with age is the definition of aging in Chinese Medicine.
Preserving Kidney Qi is therefore paramount to combating the effects of aging and this is done by nourishing the Kidney and supporting the Spleen due to the Pre-Natal and Post-Natal relationship.
The easiest way to think about this relationship is to relate it to finance. Imagine that the Spleen Qi is your salary and the Kidney Qi is your retirement fund. Some people come into the world with a big inheritance, some people don't, but regardless you want to make enough in salary and wages to live day to day and to put something away. When hard stressful times come, what you make isn't enough and you have to dip into that retirement a little to get by - this is where those especially stressful times get you. This is where you draw early from the "Kidney" energetic retirement fund, when your Spleen isn't generating enough for you to get by, and where signs of aging crop up early.
Focusing on the basics of Diet, Exercise and Sleep will support the Spleen, reduce stress and inflammation, and keep you from having to dip into the Kidney bank - Cleansing and Supplementation will help you rebuild your fund.
We all have times when we have to draw from the bank, so the question is how do we live within our energetic means and end up with something to put away?
Cleansing helps your body find a neutral baseline to start building from. Physically it helps your body find a clean and “safe” place to release stored up toxins and inflammatory compounds; mentally it is a challenge that refocuses you on the importance of healthy eating and can help connect your body and mind through the experience of a controlled dietary trial. When not nursing or pregnant (these are contraindications to cleansing), I recommend doing one every year - I do, and I always felt better for it.
A google search on cleansing will get you hundreds of different opinions and options, however, so what is one to do?
Since Chinese medicine is a medicine of moderation, I counsel reasonable methods and expectations. I have 3 different levels of cleansing that I recommend:
LEVEL 1: Elimination Diet - see link HERE. If you have no interest or need to test yourself for food sensitivities, that is fine - you can simply follow the diet portion of the elimination diet and skip the testing phase afterward. It is restrictive, but also simple and natural. Think of it as a challenge to see how creative you can be with limited ingredients!
LEVEL 2: Elimination Diet + Nutriclear Cleanse. Follow the recommendations dietarily for the elimination diet but add in Nutriclear shakes as part of your food intake. Nutriclear is a dietary supplement which decreases inflammation in the gut through a combination of fiber and natural anti-inflammatory compounds.
LEVEL 3: Biotics 10-day Detox Kit. This is basically the step above, Elimination Diet + Nutriclear, with the addition of a specific combo of detox supplements. This not only decreases inflammation in the gut, but triggers a slightly deeper yet very safe detoxification process by your organs and tissues, while adding in more essential nutrients to nourish your system through the process. Nicely time delimited - anything is possible over 10 days, right? - and very effective.
After cleansing it is time to rebuild, and my basic recommendation is always the same:
Then, depending on needs:
No matter how excellently you eat, it is very difficult to get everything you need from your diet these days. Few of us freshly prepare all our meals or get 5+ servings of fruits and veggies per day. This means a little high quality supplementation can go a long way. Any new course of herbs or supplements for rebuilding the body should be followed for a minimum of 3 months before tapering off or reconsidering composition to get the best effect.
Of course ACUPUNCTURE is also always recommended as part of a cleansing and rebuilding program. It can help reduce the side effects of cleansing (there can be no side effects for some people during a mild cleanse, but fatigue in particular is common, kind of like the early phase of a weight loss program) and Acupuncture will accelerate the rebalancing and rebuilding process by optimizing the body energetically as well as speeding the energetic rebuilding process. Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is also an incredible and natural way to "turn back the clock" and combat the physical effects of aging on the face specifically.
Stay tuned next month when I will talk about some acupuncture specific anti-aging techniques and more specifics about supplementation to rebuild!
As always if you have questions, concerns or would like more information please feel free to call or email me anytime. Remember my schedule is online and available for booking 24/7 through my website.
Until next time - Rebecca
We all know that when we feel stressed out, we feel tired and that it shows - who hasn't had the experience of seeing a trusted friend or co-worker on a rough day and having them ask, "Are you okay? You look exhausted." And when you go look at yourself in the mirror you see it - crows feet, dark circles, age etched on your face.
Conversely, when you feel great, you look great too and people will ask you the opposite, "Did you go away over the weekend? You look so well rested." And again, if you check yourself out you see it: A rosy glow, smooth cheeks, a willing smile.
Our topic today, therefore, is WHY from an energetic perspective lifestyle and aging are so intimately connected and how cleansing and supplementation can give you a leg up to counteract the stresses of life.
Last month we talked about Spleen Qi and how the Spleen is responsible for digestion, that the Spleen houses "Post-Natal Qi" which is the energy you use to live your day to day life. The partner to the Spleen here is the Kidney which houses your Pre-Natal Qi, or the Qi you enter the world with. Kidney Qi is responsible for aging in Chinese Medicine, indeed, the natural decline of Kidney Qi with age is the definition of aging in Chinese Medicine.
Preserving Kidney Qi is therefore paramount to combating the effects of aging and this is done by nourishing the Kidney and supporting the Spleen due to the Pre-Natal and Post-Natal relationship.
The easiest way to think about this relationship is to relate it to finance. Imagine that the Spleen Qi is your salary and the Kidney Qi is your retirement fund. Some people come into the world with a big inheritance, some people don't, but regardless you want to make enough in salary and wages to live day to day and to put something away. When hard stressful times come, what you make isn't enough and you have to dip into that retirement a little to get by - this is where those especially stressful times get you. This is where you draw early from the "Kidney" energetic retirement fund, when your Spleen isn't generating enough for you to get by, and where signs of aging crop up early.
Focusing on the basics of Diet, Exercise and Sleep will support the Spleen, reduce stress and inflammation, and keep you from having to dip into the Kidney bank - Cleansing and Supplementation will help you rebuild your fund.
We all have times when we have to draw from the bank, so the question is how do we live within our energetic means and end up with something to put away?
- FIRST - take care of the basics. Diet, Exercise, Sleep - always key, never to be overlooked.
- SECOND - cleanse and rebuild.
Cleansing helps your body find a neutral baseline to start building from. Physically it helps your body find a clean and “safe” place to release stored up toxins and inflammatory compounds; mentally it is a challenge that refocuses you on the importance of healthy eating and can help connect your body and mind through the experience of a controlled dietary trial. When not nursing or pregnant (these are contraindications to cleansing), I recommend doing one every year - I do, and I always felt better for it.
A google search on cleansing will get you hundreds of different opinions and options, however, so what is one to do?
Since Chinese medicine is a medicine of moderation, I counsel reasonable methods and expectations. I have 3 different levels of cleansing that I recommend:
LEVEL 1: Elimination Diet - see link HERE. If you have no interest or need to test yourself for food sensitivities, that is fine - you can simply follow the diet portion of the elimination diet and skip the testing phase afterward. It is restrictive, but also simple and natural. Think of it as a challenge to see how creative you can be with limited ingredients!
LEVEL 2: Elimination Diet + Nutriclear Cleanse. Follow the recommendations dietarily for the elimination diet but add in Nutriclear shakes as part of your food intake. Nutriclear is a dietary supplement which decreases inflammation in the gut through a combination of fiber and natural anti-inflammatory compounds.
LEVEL 3: Biotics 10-day Detox Kit. This is basically the step above, Elimination Diet + Nutriclear, with the addition of a specific combo of detox supplements. This not only decreases inflammation in the gut, but triggers a slightly deeper yet very safe detoxification process by your organs and tissues, while adding in more essential nutrients to nourish your system through the process. Nicely time delimited - anything is possible over 10 days, right? - and very effective.
After cleansing it is time to rebuild, and my basic recommendation is always the same:
- Multivitamin
- Vitamin D
- Fish Oil/Omega blend
Then, depending on needs:
- Vitamin B Complex
- Green Food (depending on veggie intake!)
- Chinese Herbs
No matter how excellently you eat, it is very difficult to get everything you need from your diet these days. Few of us freshly prepare all our meals or get 5+ servings of fruits and veggies per day. This means a little high quality supplementation can go a long way. Any new course of herbs or supplements for rebuilding the body should be followed for a minimum of 3 months before tapering off or reconsidering composition to get the best effect.
Of course ACUPUNCTURE is also always recommended as part of a cleansing and rebuilding program. It can help reduce the side effects of cleansing (there can be no side effects for some people during a mild cleanse, but fatigue in particular is common, kind of like the early phase of a weight loss program) and Acupuncture will accelerate the rebalancing and rebuilding process by optimizing the body energetically as well as speeding the energetic rebuilding process. Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is also an incredible and natural way to "turn back the clock" and combat the physical effects of aging on the face specifically.
Stay tuned next month when I will talk about some acupuncture specific anti-aging techniques and more specifics about supplementation to rebuild!
As always if you have questions, concerns or would like more information please feel free to call or email me anytime. Remember my schedule is online and available for booking 24/7 through my website.
Until next time - Rebecca
Friday, April 26, 2013
Stress, Inflammation & Aging Part 2: Diet and Inflammation
In my last installment I talked about the basics of stress - the stress hormone cascade, the fight or flight response and some very basic steps to take control. One of the things I mentioned was taking care of the basics - Sleep, Diet, Exercise. Getting these things in line will increase your overall health which will decrease the physical symptoms of stress.
These basics are also important for decreasing inflammation in the body and inflammation is a big physiological stress too. It can create a number of symptoms from PAIN to weight gain, puffiness, fatigue, a heightened allergic response, decreased immunity, joint pain and skin disorders. Inflammation can beget stress, and stress hormones create inflammation so stress and inflammation go hand in hand just like the chicken and the egg.
Our topic today, therefore, is diet, digestion and nutrition with a focus on decreasing inflammation in the body to help you get out of pain and feel your best.
In Chinese Medicine digestive health is a big indicator of overall health. The Spleen is actually responsible for digestion in Chinese medicine; digestion is not solely governed by the Stomach. Spleen Qi is also called Post-Natal Qi and this is the energy you use to live your day to day life, like your energetic “salary” if you will. Eating well and digesting well allows you to live within your energetic means and not have to draw from your energetic savings housed in the Kidney (more about Spleen & Kidney relationship in the next installment...).
From a dietary perspective, there are certain things we know create inflammation - sugar, refined and artificial sweeteners, trans-fats, toxins and anything that your are allergic or sensitive to. Keeping these things to a dietary minimum is of the utmost importance.
After that, drinking plenty of water while eating a healthy balanced diet rich in multi-colored fruits and vegetables is the order of the day. But what does that really mean?
There are more diets under the sun than there are grains of sand on a beach these days - Vegan, Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian, Paleo, Gluten Free, Mediterranean, DASH, Blood Type, etc etc etc. And then there is the “food pyramid” of the USDA which would be great if its design hadn’t been funded by Coca-Cola, McDonalds and the Sugar industry (read Walter Willet’s “Eat, Drink and Be Healthy” if you want to know more). So what is one supposed to do?
When it comes to diet, Chinese Medicine counsels moderation on all fronts. If one of the diets above calls to you, try it, but keep in mind these general recommendations:
Stay tuned next month when I will talk about cleansing, supplementation, and aging from an energetic perspective!
As always if you have questions, concerns or would like more information please feel free to call or email me anytime. Remember my schedule is online and available for booking 24/7 through my website.
Until next time - Rebecca
These basics are also important for decreasing inflammation in the body and inflammation is a big physiological stress too. It can create a number of symptoms from PAIN to weight gain, puffiness, fatigue, a heightened allergic response, decreased immunity, joint pain and skin disorders. Inflammation can beget stress, and stress hormones create inflammation so stress and inflammation go hand in hand just like the chicken and the egg.
Our topic today, therefore, is diet, digestion and nutrition with a focus on decreasing inflammation in the body to help you get out of pain and feel your best.
In Chinese Medicine digestive health is a big indicator of overall health. The Spleen is actually responsible for digestion in Chinese medicine; digestion is not solely governed by the Stomach. Spleen Qi is also called Post-Natal Qi and this is the energy you use to live your day to day life, like your energetic “salary” if you will. Eating well and digesting well allows you to live within your energetic means and not have to draw from your energetic savings housed in the Kidney (more about Spleen & Kidney relationship in the next installment...).
From a dietary perspective, there are certain things we know create inflammation - sugar, refined and artificial sweeteners, trans-fats, toxins and anything that your are allergic or sensitive to. Keeping these things to a dietary minimum is of the utmost importance.
After that, drinking plenty of water while eating a healthy balanced diet rich in multi-colored fruits and vegetables is the order of the day. But what does that really mean?
There are more diets under the sun than there are grains of sand on a beach these days - Vegan, Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian, Paleo, Gluten Free, Mediterranean, DASH, Blood Type, etc etc etc. And then there is the “food pyramid” of the USDA which would be great if its design hadn’t been funded by Coca-Cola, McDonalds and the Sugar industry (read Walter Willet’s “Eat, Drink and Be Healthy” if you want to know more). So what is one supposed to do?
When it comes to diet, Chinese Medicine counsels moderation on all fronts. If one of the diets above calls to you, try it, but keep in mind these general recommendations:
- Get Acupuncture! - do I really need to say why?
- Eat Your Veggies: If you can’t get enough of them, drink green juice or take a green food powder or supplement. Veggies have important nutrients and fiber and are alkalinizing to the body. Acid/Alkaline balance important and most of us are too acidic which can lead to various states of dis-ease.
- Eat Low Glycemic Index: this means keep your sugar in check. Protein fats and fiber stabilize your blood sugar, and protein does it best. This means you should include a little protein like a handful of nuts with any carbohydrate intake. High blood sugar causes an insulin spike (ah, ordering a side of diabetes today are we?) and too much insulin causes your body to store excess sugar as fat for future use - in particular this type of fat gets stored in the belly.
- Drink Water: the recommended average is eight 8oz glasses per day, but my favorite calculation is to take your body weight, divide it by 2 and drink that many ounces. Dig out your favorite water bottle and get to work!
- Drink Green Tea: Green tea is contained in several Chinese Herbal formulas and is part of the Chinese Materia Medica for its health benefits. Not only can it be a Chinese Herb, but it also has important antioxidants that can neutralize tissue damaging free radicals in the body, and has been proven to mildly decrease depression and increase a good mood!
- Watch Your Portions: the USDA nutritional recommendations are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, but this is too much for the average person. Do you know how many calories you burn sitting on your duff with minimal physical activity over the course of a day? about 900. Do you know how many calories are in your average 16oz Starbucks Mocha? 330. Your most basic no frills Red Robin Burger? 569. A good rule of thumb if you’re eating out in particular is to eat half your meal, wait 15-20 minutes for your stomach to cue the satiety center in your brain with your level of satisfaction, and then determine if you need or want to eat more. A portion of protein should be the size of a deck of cards - that’s only 3oz, folks. If veggies make up the bulk of your plate thereafter + a reasonable portion of complex carbs (like brown rice instead of white), you’re doing great.
- Supplement: Even if you eat lots of fruits and veggies, eat low glycemic index and drink plenty of water and green tea, its very difficult to get the balance of nutrition you need and certain supplements can help decrease inflammation even further. Fish oil, Tumeric and Vitamin D in particular are excellent at keeping inflammation in check. In addition digestive enzymes such as Bromelain become a natural anti-inflammatory when taken on an empty stomach. Add in a good basic multivitamin and you’ve got it covered. You do need your supplements to be from a reputable company so you know your body actually has access to the vitamins and minerals contained within and that there aren’t any added fillers or preservatives - but I’ll talk more about that in my next installment!
Stay tuned next month when I will talk about cleansing, supplementation, and aging from an energetic perspective!
As always if you have questions, concerns or would like more information please feel free to call or email me anytime. Remember my schedule is online and available for booking 24/7 through my website.
Until next time - Rebecca
Stress, Inflammation and Aging Part 1: How Stress Affects the Body
The further along I get in my practice, the more I feel like stress and inflammation are the literally the root of all evil in the body. Indeed, even the American Medical Association notes stress as the basic cause of more than 60% of all human illness and disease.
For that reason, I've decided to dedicate the next several months of my newsletter to this single topic - Stress and its interplay with inflammation and aging - to help you understand what it is, what it does, and what we can do about it.
For this installment - how stress affects the body - the Institute of Heart Math has a great picture summary, and you can click HERE to see it enlarged on the Institute of Heart Math website.
Physiologically, stress activates the Sympathetic Nervous System, or your "fight or flight" action. Hormones such as adrenaline increase, your heart rate and your blood pressure goes up. Increased energy is made available to your thigh muscles in particular to help you run while digestion and growth are both slowed down, to name the mot notable actions.
Its already plain to see how in the short term, this stress response is an amazing adaptation for survival, but in the long term chronic stress can become devastating to your health.
This is because your body doesn't differentiate a large stress from a small one - the basic hormonal cascade and neurological response is the same. Prologued exposure to stress hormones contributes to an alarming number of illness such as:
and the list just goes on.
Luckily, there is a lot we can do to manage stress even if we can't decrease it due to life circumstance, and with the propensity of stress to create illness, managing stress needs to be a top priority for all of us. Here are my top four stress management go to items:
In the immediate, when you feel stressed #1 is to Breathe. Stop, take a deep breath and just feel your heart center and breathe. Its amazing how much more centered you can feel in just a few short breaths if you take the time to do it.
Get Acupuncture is always at the top of my list. New research is beginning to prove that Acupuncture can down-regulate the sympathetic nervous system for prolonged periods.
Take care of the basics: Exercise, Sleep & Diet - Exercise especially.
Increase your B Vitamins - B vitamins, B6 and B12 especially, play an important roll in neurological function. And your body excretes what it doesn't need, so better to have too much rather than not enough.
Of course there is a lot more than can be done, especially when you get into the specifics of diet and supplementation, but these are the first steps and the easiest ones you can take to start balancing your life and keeping stress in line.
In the coming months I will talk more about each of these - diet, supplementation, meditation and breath work - and how they interact with the Stress-Inflammation and Aging continuum and most importantly, more information about what you can do to stay on top of it.
Until next time - Rebecca
For that reason, I've decided to dedicate the next several months of my newsletter to this single topic - Stress and its interplay with inflammation and aging - to help you understand what it is, what it does, and what we can do about it.
For this installment - how stress affects the body - the Institute of Heart Math has a great picture summary, and you can click HERE to see it enlarged on the Institute of Heart Math website.
Physiologically, stress activates the Sympathetic Nervous System, or your "fight or flight" action. Hormones such as adrenaline increase, your heart rate and your blood pressure goes up. Increased energy is made available to your thigh muscles in particular to help you run while digestion and growth are both slowed down, to name the mot notable actions.
Its already plain to see how in the short term, this stress response is an amazing adaptation for survival, but in the long term chronic stress can become devastating to your health.
This is because your body doesn't differentiate a large stress from a small one - the basic hormonal cascade and neurological response is the same. Prologued exposure to stress hormones contributes to an alarming number of illness such as:
- increased risk of heart attack and stroke
- muscular pain and tension
- TMJ/TMD and teeth grinding
- headaches and back pain
- insomnia
- dizziness
- decreased sex drive
- irritable bowel syndrome
and the list just goes on.
Luckily, there is a lot we can do to manage stress even if we can't decrease it due to life circumstance, and with the propensity of stress to create illness, managing stress needs to be a top priority for all of us. Here are my top four stress management go to items:
In the immediate, when you feel stressed #1 is to Breathe. Stop, take a deep breath and just feel your heart center and breathe. Its amazing how much more centered you can feel in just a few short breaths if you take the time to do it.
Get Acupuncture is always at the top of my list. New research is beginning to prove that Acupuncture can down-regulate the sympathetic nervous system for prolonged periods.
Take care of the basics: Exercise, Sleep & Diet - Exercise especially.
Increase your B Vitamins - B vitamins, B6 and B12 especially, play an important roll in neurological function. And your body excretes what it doesn't need, so better to have too much rather than not enough.
Of course there is a lot more than can be done, especially when you get into the specifics of diet and supplementation, but these are the first steps and the easiest ones you can take to start balancing your life and keeping stress in line.
In the coming months I will talk more about each of these - diet, supplementation, meditation and breath work - and how they interact with the Stress-Inflammation and Aging continuum and most importantly, more information about what you can do to stay on top of it.
Until next time - Rebecca
Friday, February 1, 2013
[All Ways Well News] February 2013 - Top 5 Winter Herbal Must Haves
In This Issue:
** Happy Chinese New Year! Year of the Snake
** Semi-Annual 3 Treatment Special
** Top 5 Winter Wellness Must Haves
** Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime!
---------------------
Happy Chinese New Year!
You just can't have too much New Year, right? Right, and February 10th is Chinese New Year, marking year 4711 in the Chinese lunar calendar. Also knows as the Year of the Water Snake.
The snake is a symbol of renewal and rejuvenation making 2013 the perfect year to "shed your skin" and refocus on what is most important. Furthermore, the water element is associated with the Kidney channel which houses your Pre-Natal Energy and holds the Will of the mind, meaning that special attention should be paid to focusing your Will towards those most important tasks ahead.
As a Chinese Medicine practitioner, I always believe that health is at the top of the "most important" list. A colleague of mine once described life as a juggling act and said it is important to recognize which balls can bounce and which ones will break. Your health, in particular, is one of those balls that is made of glass. While it may be possible to pick up the pieces, it can be a very difficult task and if it really shatters, it might never go back together quite the same again.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can be an insulating sleeve that will offer some protection from life's little fumbles. So as you focus your Will on the tasks ahead in the Year of the Snake, consider adding regular acupuncture treatments to your schedule if you're out of the habit (my online schedule will accommodate recurring appointments now!) because everyone needs a little insulation now and then.
3 Treatment Special
Guess what, its that time again! Happy Chinese New Year 3 Treatment Special. From now until the end of February, you can stop in the office or go online and purchase a 3 treatment special Gift Certificate for yourself or a loved one (or two...) to facilitate Health and Wellness in the Year of the Snake, or simply to say "I love you" to a Valentine. The gift certificate gets you $30 off treatment ($10 off each 60 minute session) and you can choose between an Acupuncture package or a Foot Reflexology package. Click the Gift Certificate link on my website to learn more.
Top 5 Winter Wellness Must Haves
I'm a big proponent of being prepared for colds and flus this time of year. Indeed, I've outgrown my medicine cabinet and various remedies now occupy a large drawer in the kitchen (properly secured, of course). But I was thinking the other day, if I really cared to control my remedy-preparedness-self, what are the top 5 things I'd want on hand this time of year? Here's what I came up with:
Yin Qiao San ($15) - So I know you are probably tired of me touting the wonders of YQS, but seriously, it works! When I feel the first hint of a tickle at the back of my throat, this is what I take to kick it in the preverbial patootie and keep myself in tip top shape for all of you! Can be taken as a preventative when others around you are ill, and I usually go through a whole bottle each time I start just to really make sure I get prolongued immunity boost.
Ilex 15 ($18) - Do you ever taste a food or smell something that brings back memories of baking in the kitchen when you were a kid and then resolve, "I'm going to make mom's famous XYZ this weekend because its been too long."? This is my Chinese Medicine version. Ilex 15 is a fantastic cold/flu formula I used a lot early in my practice and then just got out of the habit of keeping on hand. Think of it as Yin Qiao Plus. It actually contains the major herbs of Yin Qiao and Gan Mao Ling plus a little something special and can be used not only for the first sign of cold/flu, but also as a mild anti-inflammatory for injury. This makes it a great addition to the medicine cabinet for "what if's" of many kinds. When many people around me are sick or there is something very "lihai" or powerful going around, this is my preventative of choice.
Elderberry Tincture ($12.50) - this simple antiviral is natural, easy to take and both kid and pregnancy safe. You can layer it on top of any other tincture or remedy for added antiviral protection or treatment enhancement. When my kiddos are sick I always add a little Elderberry (glycerin based) tincture in with whatever else I'm giving them.
Chinese Chicken Soup Mix ($15) - I like to make Chinese Chicken Soup when I'm recovering from illness in the winter time. It was also a staple of martial arts testing in my kung-fu days and really created faster recovery time from injury. This simple mix primarily contains edible tonic herbs including lotus seed, seaweed, Goji berries and dried loquat fruit for a delicious immune booster. Drop it into your favorite chicken soup recipe and voila! Magic Chinese Chicken Soup.
Vitamin D Drops ($26) - Vitamin D is something we just can't get enough of naturally in the Northwest and it has a very powerful effect not only on energy and mood, but on your immune system. Feel like you catch everything all season? Tired and lethargic too? You might have a Vitamin D deficiency. 2,000 IU daily is my general recommendation for health in the NW, and if you're pregnancy or nursing bump it up to 4,000 due to its role in calcium production/absorption.
All of these remedies are in stock if you're interested in having a Rebecca-Preparedness-Kit in your medicine cabinet at home as well. I can also pop them in a mailer and ship them to you free of charge if you purchase 3 or more - just email me here telling me what you want and I'll send them off to you!
Thanks for Tuning In! As usual thanks again for tuning in! Interested in learning more or have questions about reaching your personal health and wellness goals in the Year of the Snake? Please don't hesitate to call, email or book on-line anytime.
I look forward to seeing you!
~Rebecca
Referral of the Month:
WEIGHT LOSS or SMOKING CESSATION
Did you know I have a referral program? I do! For every 5 new patients that come and name YOU as the referring party, you get a FREE 60 MINUTE TREATMENT! This month, a great referral for me would be someone who is looking to LOSE WEIGHT or QUIT TOBACCO. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have incredibly powerful tools to deal with the difficulties inherent in weight loss and tobacco cessation, including DECREASING CRAVINGS, DECREASING SYMPTOMS OF WITHDRAWL, INCREASING METABOLISM and more.
As usual, the referral of a friend or family member is the highest compliment that I can receive.
Yelp Me Out, Folks
Do you have a quick moment to spare for a testimonial? I'm looking to increase my visibility on Citysearch and Yelp and YOU can help! If you have a moment, please visit my pages on these sites and review me, I'd be much obliged for the assistance!
All Ways Well Yelp Page
All Ways Well Citysearch Page
** Happy Chinese New Year! Year of the Snake
** Semi-Annual 3 Treatment Special
** Top 5 Winter Wellness Must Haves
** Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime!
---------------------
Happy Chinese New Year!
You just can't have too much New Year, right? Right, and February 10th is Chinese New Year, marking year 4711 in the Chinese lunar calendar. Also knows as the Year of the Water Snake.
The snake is a symbol of renewal and rejuvenation making 2013 the perfect year to "shed your skin" and refocus on what is most important. Furthermore, the water element is associated with the Kidney channel which houses your Pre-Natal Energy and holds the Will of the mind, meaning that special attention should be paid to focusing your Will towards those most important tasks ahead.
As a Chinese Medicine practitioner, I always believe that health is at the top of the "most important" list. A colleague of mine once described life as a juggling act and said it is important to recognize which balls can bounce and which ones will break. Your health, in particular, is one of those balls that is made of glass. While it may be possible to pick up the pieces, it can be a very difficult task and if it really shatters, it might never go back together quite the same again.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can be an insulating sleeve that will offer some protection from life's little fumbles. So as you focus your Will on the tasks ahead in the Year of the Snake, consider adding regular acupuncture treatments to your schedule if you're out of the habit (my online schedule will accommodate recurring appointments now!) because everyone needs a little insulation now and then.
3 Treatment Special
Guess what, its that time again! Happy Chinese New Year 3 Treatment Special. From now until the end of February, you can stop in the office or go online and purchase a 3 treatment special Gift Certificate for yourself or a loved one (or two...) to facilitate Health and Wellness in the Year of the Snake, or simply to say "I love you" to a Valentine. The gift certificate gets you $30 off treatment ($10 off each 60 minute session) and you can choose between an Acupuncture package or a Foot Reflexology package. Click the Gift Certificate link on my website to learn more.
Top 5 Winter Wellness Must Haves
I'm a big proponent of being prepared for colds and flus this time of year. Indeed, I've outgrown my medicine cabinet and various remedies now occupy a large drawer in the kitchen (properly secured, of course). But I was thinking the other day, if I really cared to control my remedy-preparedness-self, what are the top 5 things I'd want on hand this time of year? Here's what I came up with:
Yin Qiao San ($15) - So I know you are probably tired of me touting the wonders of YQS, but seriously, it works! When I feel the first hint of a tickle at the back of my throat, this is what I take to kick it in the preverbial patootie and keep myself in tip top shape for all of you! Can be taken as a preventative when others around you are ill, and I usually go through a whole bottle each time I start just to really make sure I get prolongued immunity boost.
Ilex 15 ($18) - Do you ever taste a food or smell something that brings back memories of baking in the kitchen when you were a kid and then resolve, "I'm going to make mom's famous XYZ this weekend because its been too long."? This is my Chinese Medicine version. Ilex 15 is a fantastic cold/flu formula I used a lot early in my practice and then just got out of the habit of keeping on hand. Think of it as Yin Qiao Plus. It actually contains the major herbs of Yin Qiao and Gan Mao Ling plus a little something special and can be used not only for the first sign of cold/flu, but also as a mild anti-inflammatory for injury. This makes it a great addition to the medicine cabinet for "what if's" of many kinds. When many people around me are sick or there is something very "lihai" or powerful going around, this is my preventative of choice.
Elderberry Tincture ($12.50) - this simple antiviral is natural, easy to take and both kid and pregnancy safe. You can layer it on top of any other tincture or remedy for added antiviral protection or treatment enhancement. When my kiddos are sick I always add a little Elderberry (glycerin based) tincture in with whatever else I'm giving them.
Chinese Chicken Soup Mix ($15) - I like to make Chinese Chicken Soup when I'm recovering from illness in the winter time. It was also a staple of martial arts testing in my kung-fu days and really created faster recovery time from injury. This simple mix primarily contains edible tonic herbs including lotus seed, seaweed, Goji berries and dried loquat fruit for a delicious immune booster. Drop it into your favorite chicken soup recipe and voila! Magic Chinese Chicken Soup.
Vitamin D Drops ($26) - Vitamin D is something we just can't get enough of naturally in the Northwest and it has a very powerful effect not only on energy and mood, but on your immune system. Feel like you catch everything all season? Tired and lethargic too? You might have a Vitamin D deficiency. 2,000 IU daily is my general recommendation for health in the NW, and if you're pregnancy or nursing bump it up to 4,000 due to its role in calcium production/absorption.
All of these remedies are in stock if you're interested in having a Rebecca-Preparedness-Kit in your medicine cabinet at home as well. I can also pop them in a mailer and ship them to you free of charge if you purchase 3 or more - just email me here telling me what you want and I'll send them off to you!
Thanks for Tuning In! As usual thanks again for tuning in! Interested in learning more or have questions about reaching your personal health and wellness goals in the Year of the Snake? Please don't hesitate to call, email or book on-line anytime.
I look forward to seeing you!
~Rebecca
Referral of the Month:
WEIGHT LOSS or SMOKING CESSATION
Did you know I have a referral program? I do! For every 5 new patients that come and name YOU as the referring party, you get a FREE 60 MINUTE TREATMENT! This month, a great referral for me would be someone who is looking to LOSE WEIGHT or QUIT TOBACCO. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have incredibly powerful tools to deal with the difficulties inherent in weight loss and tobacco cessation, including DECREASING CRAVINGS, DECREASING SYMPTOMS OF WITHDRAWL, INCREASING METABOLISM and more.
As usual, the referral of a friend or family member is the highest compliment that I can receive.
Yelp Me Out, Folks
Do you have a quick moment to spare for a testimonial? I'm looking to increase my visibility on Citysearch and Yelp and YOU can help! If you have a moment, please visit my pages on these sites and review me, I'd be much obliged for the assistance!
All Ways Well Yelp Page
All Ways Well Citysearch Page
[All Ways Well News] January 2013 Newsletter
In This Issue:
** Happy New Year! & Successful Lifestyle Change
** Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime!
---------------------
Happy New Year! & Successful Lifestyle Change Well, its here - 2013, can you believe? Now I'm not always a great one for New Year Resolutions per se, but I can't help but get lost in moments of reflection with the beginning of the year, and I always feel a renewed sense of hope as I see the 1st of January on the calendar. A new sense of potential and possibility.
This year, in addition to applying for Supermom position, I've been reflecting on what I feel I'm really good at in my practice and what (aside from my glowing personality, of course...) sets me apart from the sea of acupuncturists in the alternative medicine mecca that is Portland. You know what I discovered? In the midst of football season here, one of my best talents in practice is being a cheerleader and a coach. At helping people set health goals, achieve them and stick with them because I truly believe that the deepest heart of Chinese medicine is the philosophy and culture of health and wellness that it breeds - the traditional focus on wellness and prevention vs. pathology and disease.
I think this is due to the specific combination of my training and my personal experience. As someone who suffered with an eating disorder and resultant IBS, I know how difficult true lifestyle change can be - its rarely as simple as flipping a switch. It takes discipline, effort and a willingness to accept and let go. It takes accountability - to yourself, to your goals, to others. You have to want it, but you can't hold onto it so tightly that you work yourself up or stress yourself out and everyone has to find the individual balance which leads to true lasting success.
Luckily, people like me are here to help and Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have excellent tools to help you succeed long term. In addition to acupuncture itself, here are some of the things I've learned that help me and that I apply in treatment with my patients:
Set measurable attainable goals: Yes yes, we've all heard the "SMART" goals acronym, and I personally feel the measurable and attainable parts in particular are most important. What does this mean? Set a goal you can quantify (I will succeed in being sugar free for 10 days, for instance) and that is attainable - i.e. reasonable. If you say you're going to quit sugar for life, you may feel daunted and not be able to succeed. If you say 10 days, 2 hours, 2 weeks, you know you can do it and then you can extend the goal from there. Every step you successfully take bolsters you for the next, so be reasonable with yourself and break up the big stuff into little chunks to make it manageable.
Be Accountable: This one can be hard and is one of the areas that Acupuncture can really help. If you want to succeed, you need to be accountable to something or someone or both. Keep a diary where you write everything down - i.e. force yourself to write down every cigarette you smoke, all the food you eat etc. In addition work with a practitioner like myself who is going to ask you about your goals as well. Sometimes just knowing that you're going to have to keep track or that someone is going to ask you about it can be enough to help you go the extra mile to succeed.
Be Kind to Yourself: Whether the change you want to make is large or small, its easy to slip up or have a weak moment and then feel like all is lost. Well guess what - it isn't. One step off or back doesn't put you back to the starting line unless you give up or give in for a prolonged period after that moment. The key to success? Be kind to yourself, accept that you can't be perfect and that mistakes happen and get back on track as soon as possible. One cookie doth not the end of the weight loss path make. Twelve cookies a day with repeat offense? A pem. Accept the small mistakes and get back on track without wasting time or energy beating yourself up about it.
Acceptance, Breathe, Flow, Don't Be Concerned with Outcomes: This is one of my favorite mantras from my heavy martial arts days (thanks Poekoelan!) and I always find it helpful. Sure, lifestyle change generally involves some being concerned with outcomes - you have a goal or two after all - but the essence of this statement to me is more about what I just said above. Focus on the journey, not the goal even if you have one, and accept that if you stay the course and stay present in the moment, you're going to get to the end and reach the goal when the time is right. Be Patient: True success comes with staying the course over time and you have to be patient with yourself and with the process. The quick fix rarely lasts so dedicate yourself to the longer journey where you can really create lasting change.
Thanks for Tuning In!
As usual thanks again for tuning in! Interested in learning more or have questions about creating change and achieving goals in your life? Please don't hesitate to call, email or book on-line anytime.
I look forward to seeing you!
~Rebecca
** Happy New Year! & Successful Lifestyle Change
** Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime!
---------------------
Happy New Year! & Successful Lifestyle Change Well, its here - 2013, can you believe? Now I'm not always a great one for New Year Resolutions per se, but I can't help but get lost in moments of reflection with the beginning of the year, and I always feel a renewed sense of hope as I see the 1st of January on the calendar. A new sense of potential and possibility.
This year, in addition to applying for Supermom position, I've been reflecting on what I feel I'm really good at in my practice and what (aside from my glowing personality, of course...) sets me apart from the sea of acupuncturists in the alternative medicine mecca that is Portland. You know what I discovered? In the midst of football season here, one of my best talents in practice is being a cheerleader and a coach. At helping people set health goals, achieve them and stick with them because I truly believe that the deepest heart of Chinese medicine is the philosophy and culture of health and wellness that it breeds - the traditional focus on wellness and prevention vs. pathology and disease.
I think this is due to the specific combination of my training and my personal experience. As someone who suffered with an eating disorder and resultant IBS, I know how difficult true lifestyle change can be - its rarely as simple as flipping a switch. It takes discipline, effort and a willingness to accept and let go. It takes accountability - to yourself, to your goals, to others. You have to want it, but you can't hold onto it so tightly that you work yourself up or stress yourself out and everyone has to find the individual balance which leads to true lasting success.
Luckily, people like me are here to help and Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have excellent tools to help you succeed long term. In addition to acupuncture itself, here are some of the things I've learned that help me and that I apply in treatment with my patients:
Set measurable attainable goals: Yes yes, we've all heard the "SMART" goals acronym, and I personally feel the measurable and attainable parts in particular are most important. What does this mean? Set a goal you can quantify (I will succeed in being sugar free for 10 days, for instance) and that is attainable - i.e. reasonable. If you say you're going to quit sugar for life, you may feel daunted and not be able to succeed. If you say 10 days, 2 hours, 2 weeks, you know you can do it and then you can extend the goal from there. Every step you successfully take bolsters you for the next, so be reasonable with yourself and break up the big stuff into little chunks to make it manageable.
Be Accountable: This one can be hard and is one of the areas that Acupuncture can really help. If you want to succeed, you need to be accountable to something or someone or both. Keep a diary where you write everything down - i.e. force yourself to write down every cigarette you smoke, all the food you eat etc. In addition work with a practitioner like myself who is going to ask you about your goals as well. Sometimes just knowing that you're going to have to keep track or that someone is going to ask you about it can be enough to help you go the extra mile to succeed.
Be Kind to Yourself: Whether the change you want to make is large or small, its easy to slip up or have a weak moment and then feel like all is lost. Well guess what - it isn't. One step off or back doesn't put you back to the starting line unless you give up or give in for a prolonged period after that moment. The key to success? Be kind to yourself, accept that you can't be perfect and that mistakes happen and get back on track as soon as possible. One cookie doth not the end of the weight loss path make. Twelve cookies a day with repeat offense? A pem. Accept the small mistakes and get back on track without wasting time or energy beating yourself up about it.
Acceptance, Breathe, Flow, Don't Be Concerned with Outcomes: This is one of my favorite mantras from my heavy martial arts days (thanks Poekoelan!) and I always find it helpful. Sure, lifestyle change generally involves some being concerned with outcomes - you have a goal or two after all - but the essence of this statement to me is more about what I just said above. Focus on the journey, not the goal even if you have one, and accept that if you stay the course and stay present in the moment, you're going to get to the end and reach the goal when the time is right. Be Patient: True success comes with staying the course over time and you have to be patient with yourself and with the process. The quick fix rarely lasts so dedicate yourself to the longer journey where you can really create lasting change.
Thanks for Tuning In!
As usual thanks again for tuning in! Interested in learning more or have questions about creating change and achieving goals in your life? Please don't hesitate to call, email or book on-line anytime.
I look forward to seeing you!
~Rebecca
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