Points of Wellness Blog

Ingredients:

2 cans of chicken broth (or veg. broth)

1 ½ cups water

1 can diced tomatoes

1 onion-diced

2 cloves garlic minced

olive oil (just enough to sauté onion and garlic…not much)

salt and pepper to taste

½ package of fresh spinach or baby spinach

1 package frozen cheese tortellini

 Directions:

Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent.  Add chicken broth, water, tomatoes and cook 10 minutes.   Meanwhile, chop spinach.

 Add tortellini to soup and cook until soft. Add spinach and cook 2-4 mins. 

Ladle into soup bowls, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve with your favorite crusty bread.

Have you ever had one of those days that make you feel like you are REALLY making a difference? 

I am fortunate enough to work with all ages from infants to seniors.  And I must admit that working with children poses some challenges that differ from working with adults and admittedly, more rewarding. 

Generally speaking, by the time a Mom or Dad brings their child in, they have exhausted many treatments and without much success.  Mom will have a look about her.  I know that ‘look’…it’s the one that says ”I’m really not sure this will work but I’ve tried everything else”.  Mom is stressed out.  She stays up late at night worrying.  When she sees me take my shoes off and sit on the ‘magic carpet’ with her child and read stories and play with the child while treating them, she starts to relax a bit.  I show them what I will do by practicing on ‘Bobo’ our resident stuffed monkey that has had more acupuncture treatments then anyone I know!  And Mom calms down, realizing that this is not your typical doctor’s visit.  I ask her questions and more importantly listen to her answers.  When they leave everyone is excited about the new journey.  And then, the most amazing thing happens. When they return for their follow up visit, Mom looks more relaxed and rested as though she’s given up that burden she’s been carrying.  She realizes that she has found a place of understanding and healing and the child is so excited to come back in and have treatment because he or she knows the treatments are helping and they feel good during treatment.  The Center is a sanctuary for the whole family…yes it’s the whole family getting better, not just the little patient. 

THIS is one of those days for me.  I am so grateful to be helping families heal and begin their journey to wellness…together. 

Ingredients

3  sweet potatoes, scraped and diced

3 large sweet onions, sliced thin

2 tbsp olive oil

5 cups chicken or vegetable stock

1/4 tsp nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, thyme

pinch of  black pepper

1/2  tbsp sugar

Directions:

1. Warm olive oil in large pot on Med-Hi heat.  Add onions and cook until trancelucent , stirring constantly  (about 5 mins.)
2. Add sugar and cook 2 mins.  Then add broth, sweet potatoes and herbs/spices/salt & pepper and bring to a boil. Lower heat to Low and simmer about 20 mins. uncovered, until sweet potatoes are tender. 
3. Transfer soup to food processor and puree until smooth.  Return to pot and rewarm.  Serve warm

Did you remember to thaw out the turkey?  Did you remember to pick up those special little (impossible-to-find) rolls that Aunt Dot MUST have for Thanksgiving?  Did you just realize that the kids have the entire week off from school and you have clients in from out of town?  All the while waiting for your new dishwasher to be delivered to replace the old one that suddenly died in the middle of the wash cycle so the counter and sink are full of half clean/half dirty dishes?  With all of our responsibilities this time of year it is not surprising that so many are feeling the negative effects of stress. Unhealthy stress caused by “I can do it all” syndrome, worry, anxiety, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, and poor eating habits push one physically and mentally.  The body’s reaction to stress activates the ‘fight or flight’ system. Cortisol levels increase the functions of our kidneys and adrenal glands and lymphatic system get depleted. Research shows that prolonged, constant exposure to stress reduces our white blood cell count which results in lower immune system resistance.

Some physical and emotional symptoms of stress: 

• Depressed Immune System (getting sick often)
• Heart palpitations
• Panic/anxiety attacks/Depression
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Chronic fatigue (constant tiredness)
• Chronic headaches
• Insomnia
• PMS – Premenstrual tension

Here are some simple ways to help bring down stress and anxiety:

• Learn and practice relaxation techniques
• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthy and well balanced meals
• Get plenty of rest and sleep
• Drink plenty of water
• Listen to music
• Reduce caffeine intake
• Play with a child or pet
• Laugh

See your Acupuncture Physician.  A combination of acupuncture, oriental medicine, shiatsu, lifestyle and nutritional guidance will get you and your kids on the path to health and reduce the stress response by getting to the root cause of the problem, not just masking the symptoms.  

So this holiday season take a deep breath, have a cup of tea, and know that the ‘perfect meal’ is not essential to everyone having fun, making new memories and staying healthy (and tell Aunt Dot to bring her own darn rolls!)