In dutch oven saute onion and garlic in olive oil until the onion is soft and translucent.
Pour in broth, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and spices and let cook 10-20 mins.
Add tortellini. Cook for about 5 minutes or until pasta is al dente or cooked to your liking.
Add spinach and cook about 5 more minutes.

Serve with your favorite bread or rolls.
Sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top of soup and enjoy!

Fizzy Razzle Dazzle

Ingredients

• 2 cups seltzer
• 2 cups cranberry-raspberry juice
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, for garnish
• 2 tablespoons lime juice, plus wedges for garnish

Preparation

1. If using fresh raspberries, freeze them in a single layer for about 1 hour.
2. Combine seltzer, cranberry-raspberry juice,  and lime juice in a pitcher. Pour into 4 ice-filled glasses. Garnish with frozen raspberries and lime wedges.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup of your favorite type of milk

1-2 tbsp local honey

1 cup ice

pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon 

Directions:

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth and frothy!

One in three Americans has arthritis, that’s an estimated 70 million people!  For most people arthritis pain and inflammation cannot be avoided as the body ages. In fact, most people over the age of 50 show some signs of arthritis. Joints naturally degenerate over time. Fortunately, arthritis can be managed Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Arthritis isn’t just 1 disease; it’s a complex disorder that comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage of life. Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While these 2 forms of arthritis have very different causes, and effects on the body, they often share a common symptom—persistent joint pain.

The main benefit to acupuncture treatment is that it is a drug-free way to minimize pain. With drugs, people often develop a tolerance, or the need for an increased dosage to achieve the same required effect.  Not to mention the side effects of the drugs and the toxic effect on the body.  Some common side effects of pain relieving drugs are:

• Constipation
• Respiratory depression (slowed rate of breathing, one of the more serious concerns)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Dry mouth
• Confusion
• Difficulty urinating
• Itching

Effects experienced after acupuncture are:

• Calmness
• Pleasant fatigue
• Mental alertness
• Euphoria
• Improved sleep
• Pain reduction

Acupuncture not only alleviates your symptoms the way pain killers do, but also improves range of motion.  Since Acupuncture treats the body as a whole, your other health issues will be addressed as well, not just your pain.

Directions
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks, fennel pieces, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 8 to 10 minutes.
Add the mashed potatoes and broth and simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through, 4 to 6 minutes. Puree in the pot using a handheld immersion blender (or, working in batches, in a standard blender).
Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with the fennel fronds.

Traditional Chinese medicine uses acupuncture and moxibustion (burning of the herb Artemesia above selected acupuncture points) to treat digestive disorders. Moxibustion has anti-inflammatory properties, increases Qi in deficient meridians and is effective at treating many different gastrointestinal conditions.

In Tradition Chinese Medicine digestive disorders are a sign of a disharmony between the two organ systems responsible for digestion (they are the Spleen and Stomach).  This disharmony is often caused by lifestyle and diet, both of which put a strain on the digestive system.  Lifestyle changes and diet modification are incorporated into each individual treatment.  Acupuncture and moxibustion can correct the imbalances, help regulate the digestion and alleviate symptoms. 

 Acupuncture is effective in treating many digestive disorders including but not limited to: nausea and vomiting, peptic ulcers, heartburn, indigestion, lactose intolerance, inflammatory conditions, Ulcerative Colitis, and IBS.  The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for digestive imbalances as well as a wide range of other medical conditions.  See our website for more conditions treated using acupuncture www.pointsofwellness.com/facts.php

A frequent injury that strikes both professional athletes and weekend warriors is lateral epicondylitis, also known as: tennis elbow.  This is an inflammation of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, specifically the elbow which is caused by repeatedly twisting the wrist or frequent rotation of the forearm.  This can lead to elbow pain, a weakened grip, and damage to the tendons that connect to the humerus bone.

Traditional Allopathic therapies for tennis elbow consist of: pain medications, ice or heat, physical therapy, bracing and rest, which can relieve some of the pain but do very little to prevent the condition from recurring. Research from a pilot study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in San Francisco¹ suggests that acupuncture not only relieves the symptoms of tennis elbow, but also appears to resolve the condition completely.

Acupuncture can be a very effective treatment for tennis elbow either as an adjunct to standard Allopathic treatments or on its own.  According to Traditional Chinese medical theory, acupuncture works because we have a natural flow of energy throughout our body. When that energy becomes blocked in one or more of the pathways, the energy becomes like a dam in a river. There is too much pressure on one side of the dam, and a restriction of flow on the other. This “energy dam” in the body can produce a variety of symptoms; one of the most common is pain.

By inserting very fine, sterile acupuncture needles into specific points on your body, your Acupuncture Physician can break up these blockages that restrict the flow of energy. By stimulating these points, the energy can move smoothly, enabling your body to heal itself.

Along with acupuncture we use heat, herbs, Shiatsu and Tui Na massage to treat tennis elbow. The best first line of treatment for tennis elbow is rest. Limiting movement of the affected joint allows  it to heal. If you must use that joint, be sure to warm up your elbow first with a heat pack. After you’ve played, be sure to ice the tender area to keep the inflammation to a minimum.

¹Dorsher PT. Treatment of chronic lateral epicondylitis with acupuncture: a pilot study. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, San Francisco, CA, November 4, 2000.

working back points for GI distress

 Is your child cranky?  Have stomach problems?  Is his/her lack of sleep affecting your life?  Pediatric Tui Na can help!

Pediatric tuina has been applied in China for over two thousand years.  It is a type of massage used to treat a myriad of ailments.  Tui na which literally translates as “push pull”, is a form of Chinese medical massage. Tui na uses rhythmic compression along the acupuncture meridians as well as a variety of techniques that manipulate and lubricate the joints. Tui na directly affects the flow of energy by holding and pressing acupuncture points. Tui na is the form of Asian body work most closely resembling conventional Western massage. Despite the similarities, the intent of Tui na is more specifically therapeutic than the simple relaxation of Swedish style massage. One of Tui na’s advantage over simple massage is its ability to focus on specific problems, especially chronic pain associated with muscles, joints and skeletal system. As with other styles of Asian bodywork, Tui na is designed to prevent problems as well as correct them. By keeping the body in balance, health is maintained. Not just physical health, but mental and emotional health as well.

Pediatric tui na  is applied on specific points on parts of the body such as the face, abdomen, back and extremities-depending on the specific ailments. Lotion is used to protect the skin and ease the treatment. Each session lasts about 15 minutes.

Pediatric tuina is a safe manual therapy; it is gentle without side effects and effective in relieving most discomforts experienced during childhood. Besides that, it is also an excellent preventative measure. Providing regular and simple pediatric tuina for your kids can strengthen their digestive and immune systems and support their natural body constitution. Children who have picky appetites or easily catch colds are great candidates for pediatric tui na’s health benefits.

Ingredients:

1 pkg spinach

2 cups peeled and thinly sliced butternut squash

1 lb frozen gnocchi

1 tbps extra virgin olive oil

1 can vegetable broth

1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2-3 shallots, thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp dried sage

1/4 tsp ground pepper

1 can chickpeas-rinsed

Directions:

1-cook gnocchi according to package, drain and set aside.

2-heat olive oil in skillet over Med.  Add gnocchi and cook stirring often until lightly browned-about 5 mins. transfer to a bowl.

3-Add squash, shallots and garlic to pan with a smidgeon of olive oil if needed-cook 2 mins.  Stir in broth, sage and pepper.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook about 6 mins.  Add spinach, gnocchi and chickpeas, stirring gently cook for 2 mins. until the spinach wilts.

4-plate and drizzle balsamic vinegar on top.

• 2 zucchini
• 1 onion (or leeks)
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• sea salt

Steam the zucchini and onions (or leeks) in steamer basket until slightly soft. Then put in a blender (or food processor), add garlic cloves and olive oil. Add water for desired consistency, then blend. Pour in bowl and add sea salt.

This soup can be broccoli or cauliflower soup by substituting the zucchini.