Congee is traditionally a rice porridge popular in Asian countries and goes back thousands of years to the first recorded congee (made of millet) eaten by Emperor Huang Di. It is more about the process of cooking rather than the grain that is used. Long cooking times break down the grain until it is literally mush. This renders it almost completely pre-digested so your body doesn’t have to work in order to absorb the nutrients from it. This is ideal for those with digestive problems who lack the ability to break down foods enough to get the nutrients they need from it.
Read MoreFor anyone actively trying to conceive or anyone who already has, I wanted to pass on and reiterate how important sleep and sleep cycles in general are to ensuring your success in the fertility realm.
Read MoreAccording to TCM, during fall we are most susceptible to dryness, which can affect the lungs, skin, and digestion. Common signs of disharmony in the fall are thirst, dry nose and skin, itching, and sore throat. There are a number of things we can do to combat dryness and fortify our bodies for the coming winter months.
Read MoreSomething that we rarely talk about at the clinic is the use of feminine hygiene products. I think we get so caught up in everything else that our patients are putting in their bodies, that we frequently don't talk about the possible problems with feminine hygiene products.
Read MoreIn Traditional Chinese Medicine it’s not uncommon to use food that has medicinal qualities to help treat various conditions. In the summer months we are more prone to conditions of toxic heat. In the Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia there is a whole subsection of herbs that treat “Summer Heat.”
Read MoreAlthough some of these suggestions may be old hat to some readers, they are worth another try to maintain that acupuncture "buzz" between visits:
1. Pet a puppy. Or full grown dog, either will work. Owning a dog has been proven to reduce stress levels and keep high blood pressure in check.
If you love coffee like I do, then you may want to pay attention...
I love the stuff! The smell, the taste, everything. I used to watch my parents and grandparents wake sleepily, pad toward the kitchen to grind the beans and fill the pot with water, and flip the switch; the house would fill with a earthy, familiar aroma. It was a morning ritual that, as I grew up, I continued.
As parents, we have to do and be so much, all of the time. As gentle parents, parents who are striving to be intentional about the way we relate with our children, there are certain qualities that we need more of…we have to keep a steady flow of patience, and foresight, and the ability to take a deep breath on tap. But there is one quality that I think, if we can keep a deep well of it flowing, actually helps to create more of those characteristics that serve us so well and that is the willingness to pivot.
Read MoreIt's tax time...and did you know that both acupuncture treatments and fertility treatments can be written off?
It's true! There are certain deductions you can make for healthcare expenses -- but there's a catch, of course. These expenses have to be above and beyond the 10% level of your adjusted gross income (or 7.5% if you are aged 65 years or older). So what does that mean?
Spring is here! For many of us it’s a time we think about renewal and growth. It’s a wonderful time for clearing out old stuff that’s accumulated; both emotional and material junk. Letting go of old grudges is just as important as clearing out the pantry and tossing expired medications. Small shifts can be very rewarding.