Green AcuClinic Wellness Blog

Making the Switch: Moving to More Natural Eating

2012-02-16T20:23:00.000-05:00

In my acupuncture practice, I advocate eating food in as natural a state as possible. Many patients will nod vigorously and say, "Oh, I know. I eat very healthfully. Everything at our house is all-natural, and we're very careful when we eat out." I used to smile happily, and left the treatment room optimistic about their health prognosis. Then I noticed how they came into the office--with diet sodas, packages of protein bars, or fast food bags.

So I started asking more questions to find out what "healthy eating" meant to them.
I discovered most people think they are eating healthfully if they cook at home using prepackaged ingredients, eat protein shakes for breakfast, and use artificially sweetened sodas. All of these practices make your body work harder to get fewer nutrients than simply eating real food, simply (and, one hopes, deliciously) prepared.

When I challenged the idea that chicken and frozen vegetables with a preservative-laden can of mushroom soup on top constituted healthy food, my bewildered patients asked me what they should eat instead. They didn't have time or know how to make gourmet meals at home and create all the fancy flavors they could buy in pre-made sauce mixes. But cooking healthy ingredients doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, you can still use some premade ingredients. Simply reading the labels as you go will help you avoid the chemicals so prevalent in most processed food. I have some recommendations below that have worked for me.

But first, what's the big deal about processed food? In Dangers of Processed Food, the website All Natural Healthy Life lists several reasons that processed foods are harmful, including:

The use of genetically modified ingredients (with a link to an article reporting on doctors recommending you avoid genetically modified foods)
The use of ingredients that adversely affect your endocrine system, such as high fructose corn syrup, ingredients that can cause brain damage or neurological problems (such as MSG and artificial sweeteners)
Ingredients that contain xenoestrogens, which can wreak havoc on your hormonal system. These ingredients are in almost all pre-packaged, non-organic foods to some degree.

In my practice, I have seen patients greatly reduce symptoms of everything from chronic pain to painful digestive symptoms by greatly limiting their intake of processed foods. So let's figure out how to eat naturally without spending hours in the kitchen!

1. The Better Bad Habit
If you are eating almost all of your food out, or microwaved, this is a way to immediately improve your health by simply shopping differently.

Most stores now have a natural section that stocks more natural versions of the processed food you eat now. There are organic frozen pizzas, organic chips made with less salt, no artificial color and flavors, canned and boxed soups in similar flavors to the ones you have been eating. . .even natural soft drinks without high-fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors.

These foods usually are still higher in salt and sugar than foods you make yourself, and will not be as fresh. They are not the ideal substitution for the majority of your food, but are certainly an improvement over their less natural counterparts. Even if all you do is have a natural frozen pizza instead of one full of artificial flavors and preservatives, you are giving your nervous and digestive systems a break and getting fresher food, since there are not artificial flavors designed to hide the taste of stale ingredients.

2. Making Good Substitutes
When you are first doing things more naturally, you don't want to serve radically different food to your family. Continuing to make meals with similar tastes to what you are used to will help ease the (possibly reluctant) family into more healthy eating.

Casseroles: If you eat a lot of casseroles, you probably use a cream of mushroom, or chicken soup as a base. Instead of buying it premade, make it yourself. It's not that difficult--here's the recipe:

Equal parts (depending on the size of your dish, up to 1 cup of each) homemade or natural mushroom or chicken broth and some heavy cream (or whole or skim milk mixed with a tablespoon of corn starch or arrowroot per cup of milk),
1 T butter
salt and pepper to taste

Whisk these ingredients together and add to the casserole just before putting in the oven. When making the rest of the recipe, add 2 cloves of garlic and 1/4 cup more minced onion to your recipe than it normally requires. If you're worried about the fat, remember that naturally occurring fat has health benefits over chemical-laden low fat foods (even dairy fat). If that recipe seems too bland, add some thyme, sage, basil, or oregano.

Flavor blends: If you make tacos or spaghetti using "flavor packets," making a substitute is incredibly easy. Simply buy spices and mix them yourself, either with fresh herbs each time you make the dish, or make them ahead with dried spices:

Taco: 4 parts cumin, 1 part coriander, 2 parts basil, 1 part oregano, 1 part masa flour (you can find masa in the same section as ingredients for Hispanic cooking), and 1/2 part unsweetened cocoa. If you like your tacos spicy, add a little cayenne pepper to the mix, or chop some or all of a jalapeno pepper into your meat or veggie mixture about 5 minutes before you finish cooking it.
Italian: I use fresh garlic, but if you want to use dried garlic in your spice blend, I would recommend 2 parts garlic, 1 part oregano, and 3 parts basil. If you want a more complicated taste, you can add one part sage and/or thyme.
Indian: Indian cooking is one time I would use a pre-made spice blend of curry powder, but be sure all the blend contains is spices. If you can't find a dried spice blend containing just spices, here is a blend to try: 6 parts cumin, 2 part coriander, 1 part turmeric, 1 part ginger, 1 part cinnamon, 2 parts raw or organic sugar, 1 part cayenne (I leave out the cayenne because I don't handle spices well).

You can mix these blends ahead using a teaspoon as a 1 part measure, and bottle up your spice mix. When I use these blends, I cook it in some olive oil for 30 seconds before adding the veggies and other ingredients.

Sodas: I like the occasional fizzy drink, but traditional sodas, even the natural versions, usually leave me jumpy from either caffeine or sugar content. I make a soda for myself using 2 parts sparkling water, and 1 part juice, slightly sweetened herbal tea, or white wine (if I make a sangria, it makes a truly memorable soda!).

3. Doing Something Completely Different

New foods and lots of veggies. Sometimes going natural means finding new ways to eat. Before I started really concentrating on minimally processed foods, I had never eaten millet, and thought of vegetables as accompaniments, lending color to casseroles or parceled out as tiny side dishes. When you eat organic, healthy food, you discover how much taste you can find in vegetables. Now, I will steam some broccoli raab, toss it with some feta cheese, garlic, olives, and cooked pasta for a delicious main course. Creamy Brussels sprouts almost never turn up in pre-cooked bags, but are delicious.
Eating more homemade food allows you to be more creative. You learn to take things you make at home, and use them in different ways. I made hummus because I'm too cheap to pay store prices, and then found it made a great sauce for chicken. I have atypical food combinations that turn out to be yummy, like Hamburger Sliders, Yellow Squash with Feta, Cannellini Beans with Spinach because I'm not tied to what I can find in frozen bags.

You also learn how to decide when to use some pre-made ingredients. I use pre-made polenta because it has no artficial ingredients or chemicals, and can be pulled out for spur-of-the moment dishes. I don't press my own olive oil, and when my basil crop peters out too early in the summer, I'll use an organic bottled pesto--and I use it to flavor my homemade sauces.

Eating naturally may sometimes take more planning than eating from boxes and bags, and may even cost a bit more. Some of that time can be minimized by cooking staples, such as rice, millet, or beans ahead, making sauces in large quantity and freezing the rest, or using very few ingredients so a few quick chops makes your dish. And you can save money by recycling leftovers.

But even if it takes more time and money, the results are worth it. How much time does it take to feel bad? How much does it cost have low energy, digestive disruptions, and allergies? Any improvement towards a less processed lifestyle is helpful. If you double the amount of natural, whole food you eat (especially vegetables!), you have doubled your antioxidants, probably your nutrition, and given your body something it can digest. After the first possibly puzzling weeks of reaching beyond your comfort zone, you'll find you don't like the chemical taste in the processed foods nearly as much as food you've made with your own two hands.

For more information, see 6 Dangers of Processed Foods for Your Kids and The Hidden Danger in Your Food.

Fight Frustration

2012-01-22T21:24:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I get a little. . .frustrated. Ok, a lot frustrated. Traffic jams, cancelled visits, or a to-do list a LOT longer than my day can ruin my day. Seeing all the things I want to do, accomplish and enjoy stifled by mundane problems really makes me grit my teeth and clench my fists.

Unfortunately, it's hard to have much “cred” as a natural health practitioner if your expression looks like a mug shot from aggravation at life.
I don't like to yell at cars, hit malfunctioning printers, or scare my cat because I get so irritated I want to cry. So long ago I decided to start working on minimizing what I now call The Frustration Response. While I do still resemble a 2-year-old in tantrum mode from time to time, I am much closer to the peaceful acceptance of life that I desire. Here are some of the ways I have found to minimize frustration:

Do less. This point is pretty universal in stress reduction literature, but is terribly hard for an overachiever. Or in my case, someone who has lots of ideas, and can be a little ditzy about putting them into practice.

I probably won't run a magazine, be a best-selling author, top acupuncturist, master gardener, professional chef, own a great gift shop/restaurant/tea shop/art gallery, and run my own bath product company (oh, and if I can squeeze in some voice lessons maybe do my own album--jazz standards) all at the same time--but I really, really, really want to. So I try to do a little bit of all of it RIGHT NOW. Which means I have about 15 minutes a day to devote to each thing. Surprisingly, it doesn't work so well.

So this year, I'm trying to do less, and accept that I won't become Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, and Steve Allen all rolled into one (and no, you probably will never forget that visual)--at least not this year. I WILL choose some of those goals to look at now, and pencil the others in on 5- or 10-year plans. I'm working on whittling my to-do list to no more than 5 things a day--and if you suffer a lot of frustration, you should too.

Keep the big things in focus. In addition to having a lot of dreams for the future, I also am easily distracted. I regularly go to the computer to answer an email. After checking Facebook, jotting down a random idea or two, checking for articles about acupuncture, and even checking my email--I close everything up and walk off. You guessed it--no answered email. To fight that, I try to keep my eyes on my overall priorities as well as my daily goals.

To-do lists help, but only if you are generating to-do lists from bigger goals instead of catching random things you don't want to forget. You can find hundreds of books on defining your priorities, and spend weeks just on that. But most people quickly agree on the Big 3 Priorities. Family, Career, and some kind of Belief--whether it's related to a specific church or your profound desire to rid the world of Barney the Dinosaur. You probably have some version of these three things in your life, and find them important. Using your Big 3, look at your day and make sure you are giving them the time they deserve. Maybe you're frustrated because you are frittering away your life while Barney is still out there singing. You'll feel less frustrated and more in control if you start each day looking at your Big 3 Priorities and make sure you have goals related to them.

Use humor. It's nearly impossible to stay frustrated while laughing. So much so, that I sometimes suggest patients just force themselves to laugh to move their qi and benefit from all the great chemical changes that happen when you laugh--whether you're laughing because something is funny or not. When you feel like you might have to scream, try a good belly laugh instead. You might not look any less crazy, but you'll have more fun.

Thanks to Steve Ford for the adorable picture of the grumpy girl.

Herbs and Food for PMS Due to Cold or Yang Deficiency

2012-01-22T21:08:00.000-05:00

This time of year I recommend a lot of "warming" herbs and foods--things that help your body battle cold. One problem we don’t think of as being aggravated by cold is PMS.

Excess cold (when your body is exposed to too much cold from climate or food), and Yang Deficiency (when your body does not warm itself well) can affect your menstrual cycle. Excess cold causes symptoms such as severe cramping, dark blood, headaches, achiness, and contributes to cysts and indigestion. Deficient yang causes dull aching cramps, extreme fatigue, bloating and can cause excessive bleeding. Both can make you more tearful.

Both also usually respond well to treatment. Here are great ways to improve PMS related to cold, whether it's deficient or excess:

· Avoid cold food and drink, and avoid all raw food: This step is absolutely critical to warming the body. Your body has to give away precious heat to warm salads, ice cream, sushi, iced drinks, cold cuts and any other cold foods you throw at it. Simply having everything you eat or drink be warm (all month long, not only during your period) will cause some improvement in your PMS symptoms, probably the very first month.

· Add warming foods to your diet. Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, curry powder, black pepper, cayenne or other spicy peppers (only if you are easily chilled any time of the month), sweet potatoes, butternut or acorn squashes, carrots, parsnips, lamb and brown rice give your body tools to warm itself. You do not have to limit yourself to just these foods; just add them into the mix.

· Dress warmly. Dress slightly more warmly than you think you need to, especially around time for your period. Use a scarf around your neck and shoulders, and wear a light jacket even if it doesn't seem terribly cold to you. Wear socks to keep your feet warm, and if it's even a little chilly wear gloves outside. If this slight overdressing is new to you, give yourself a couple of weeks to get used to it. . .you will find yourself craving the warmth after just a little while.

Winter 2012 Newsletter

2012-01-22T20:59:00.001-05:00

Winter 2012 Newsletter

Editor’s Corner

Acupuncture Happy Hour
Starting January 30, I will be offering Acupuncture Happy Hour every Tuesday night from 4-6:30pm. Please call to make an appointment. Acupuncture Happy Hour is a quick ear acupuncture session, done right in the waiting room.

It takes about 20 minutes, costs $20/session, and is great for stress relief. You will also get a coupon good for $20 off a regular acupuncture session with your first ear acupuncture session.

If you have a specific health condition you want treated, you will need a regular acupuncture visit, but the ear acupuncture can introduce you to acupuncture, help you feel relaxed, and can usually minimize pain.

Review Your Acupuncturist
I have links on the website of places where you can review Green AcuClinic. Please let people know how you have benefitted from treatment. If there is something you are unhappy with, please let me know first and I will do my best to make it right. I want you to be happy and healthy; my goal is to help you reach your health goals!

Testimonials
A person new to acupuncture or herbal treatment has a lot of worries (will this help me? does it hurt? will it interfere with other treatments?). Hearing from a patient who has benefitted from treatment can make them feel at ease. If I have helped you with your health, please consider writing a short note sharing your experience. I would like to use your testimonial on my website, in brochures, and other information. You can use as much or as little detail as you like, and I will only use your first name and the initial of your last name with the testimonial.

Classes

We got off to a slow start on classes this year, but that doesn’t mean we won’t have any. Going Natural: Making the Switch From Processed Food is the first installment in the Classes of 2012 at Green AcuClinic. We will discuss some of the dangers of processed food, and ideas for eating more naturally without breaking your budget. There will be recipes for popular prepared foods, and menu ideas for main dishes, side dishes, desserts, and snacks. Bring your favorite processed food (onion soup mix? Cheese puffs?), and we’ll see what substitutes we can come up with. The class will be held on February 21 from 6:30-8:00pm.

Thank you for your dedication to

Green AcuClinic!

Teresa Green, L. Ac.

Green Bath and Beauty

New Products!

We are almost ready to unveil some of our Green Bath and Beauty Products! Soon we will offer:

· 15ml bottles of lavender, geranium, tea tree, blue tansy, a diluted rose oil, and possibly some blends.

· 3 balms--one simple balm with lavender and lemon oils, calendula, rose, and lavender to make your skin feel great, and one that "moves blood" with frankincense, arnica, lavender, and myrrh oils. All will smell wonderful, and have a base of natural oils such as olive, coconut, jojoba, and rose hip.

· Bath Salts--all the bath salts will be Epsom Salt based. One will be lavender and rose geranium-scented for maximum pampering and relaxation; another will be a soothing blend with arnica, frankincense, myrrh, and helichrysum, and one will be an invigorating blend of mint, eucalyptus, orange, and grapefruit.

In the meantime, why not try a refreshing toner? Take ½ cup strongly brewed green tea, add 3 drops of lavender essential oil, and shake well. Use on your face after cleansing to remove residue and leave your face feeling clean and healthy!

Herbs

Warming herbs / foods for PMS: Yang Deficiency or Excess Cold

This time of year I recommend a lot of "warming" herbs and foods--things that help your body battle cold. One problem we don’t think of as being aggravated by cold is PMS. click to read more. . .

Fight Frustration

Unfortunately, it's hard to have much “cred” as a natural health practitioner if your expression looks like a mug shot from aggravation at life. click to read more. . .

That's it for this issue. Please tell me what you liked!

Stressed Out By Black Friday? Come to Acupuncture Happy Hour

2011-11-22T14:08:00.001-05:00

OUR LATEST PRESS RELEASE:

Stressed Out By Black Friday? Come to Acupuncture Happy Hour

local Acupuncturist Offers Ear Acupuncture for Stress Relief

When asked to picture Black Friday, most people see crowds fighting over the “in” toy for the year, fighting in parking lots for space, even getting crushed by crowds eager for bargains. The stress is so great many avoid going out all together.

Acupuncture, specifically ear acupuncture is used to relieve stress and make it easier to face the frantic mall shoppers. Teresa Green, L. Ac. (Licensed Acupuncturist) will be offering an ”Acupuncture Happy Hour" Friday, November 25, from 8am-10am.

The treatment aims to relieve stress for those braving crowded malls on Black Friday. Treatments last about 20 minutes, and are by appointment.

Acupuncturists around the country use "Happy Hours" to offer a quick stress relief treatment designed to treat mild symptoms instead of complex health problems. The Happy Hours usually occur weekly, and offer stressed out business people and shoppers a way to relax and quickly get the benefits of acupuncture.

Green will begin offering weekly Happy Hours on Tuesday evenings beginning in December.

Patients are seated together in a large room. Tiny, sterile, disposable needles are placed on strategic points on the ears. Patients may sit, read a relaxing book, or quietly converse with each other during the treatment. They should avoid stressful activities during the treatment.

The United States military uses auricular (or ear) acupuncture to treat PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and pain. Addiction centers and smoking cessation clinics also use the quick, minimally invasive treatments as part of addiction therapy because it helps clients deal with the stress of withdrawals and manage cravings.

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to treat a myriad of health problems, including pain, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, and any problem aggravated by stress.

Teresa Green has been a Licensed Acupuncturist for 7 years, and specializes in emotional and digestive disorders, chronic pain and immune system disorders. Her office is located at 9535 Kings Charter Drive in Ashland Virginia. For more information, call Teresa at (804) 683-2979, or visit www.greenacuclinic.com.

Building Your Immune System Using Chinese Medicine

2011-11-13T18:47:00.000-05:00

Autumn! With cooler weather comes the start of school, enjoying the outdoors, letting the wind blow on your face. . .and getting a cold. All those children together sharing viruses, along with your body adapting to cooler conditions mean you are faced with meaner bugs and less ability to fight against them. I used to get several colds each season, and could count on spending at least a third of the year either having a cold or recovering from one. Now I usually get one cold a year, at the end of winter when I let down on my herbal regimen, get tired, and don't rest enough. Here's what I do to keep my immune system strong:

Wash my hands, and wash them again. Since I'm in healthcare, I wash my hands a lot, anyway, but I try to wash them not only between patients, but any time I touch anything that might have germs. . .phones, computers, pens, or pencils. I'm not obsessive about it, but germs are mostly shared from people getting gunk on their hands. When they then then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, they lift the little bugs right into their body. Regular handwashing minimizes germ transport into the body.
Rinse. I use either salt water or hydrogen peroxide, and rub each nostril with the water, and run a wet q-tip of salt water along the outside of my ear, or drop a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in each ear. Keeping these portals clean keeps viruses from gaining entrance into your body.
Warm, natural non-genetically modified food. This principle is basic to Chinese medicine. Warm food is easier to digest, and that frees up energy your body can use to fight germs instead of breaking down food. Food that is natural, and high in vegetables, gives you body the tools it needs to function properly while not giving it strange ingredients to process. Genetically modified food (GM for short) has been linked to immune system damage in animals , so buy organic as often as you possibly can.
Get plenty of rest. Sleep has been linked to immune system function. Burning the candle at both ends is a good way to get a cold. Most information available recommends 8-10 hours of sleep per night. When you are sick, rest. Don't push through--your body needs all its energy for immune system function.
Drink hot tea--A study suggest regularly drinking green tea can diminish the risks of catching influenza. (this article has lots of other good info on immunity, too)
Herbs--there are formulas to build immunity, others to help you system fight when you first get a cold, still others specifically for phlegm, or aches, or chills, or fever. These are best to get from an experienced herbalist. But when you start to feel the first bits of a bug coming on, try ginger if you feel more chilled, mint if you feel more hot, and if you can't decide whether you're cold or hot, mix ginger and mint together. To make the teas, take a 1-in piece of ginger, chop if finely, and simmer in hot water for 10 minutes. Strain the water, add honey if you like, and drink. For mint, take 1 teaspoon of dried mint and follow the same instructions. If you have fresh mint, just put a tablespoon of chopped leaves in a cup and pour boiling water over it. Steep 5 minutes and drink. This simple formula will often help your system fight a cold in the early stages.

These six tips are simple to do. They have made the difference in my life between being sick, almost sick, or just over being sick for most of the year, and being healthy most of the time. Putting these basic steps in practice can help you win the war on the common cold. . .and the uncommon cold, too!

Positive Psychology

2011-10-23T14:00:00.000-04:00

One of the ways I am improving my acupuncture practice is through the use of Positive Psychology. Most days, I see patients who have all manner of health problems aggravated (and sometimes caused) almost entirely by stress. IBS, anxiety attacks, migraines, depression, pain of any and all types, PMS, hypertension--any health problem can be rendered worse by stress, worry, disappointment or frustration, and many problems can actually be caused solely by your mind's interpretation of the events around you.

Positive Psychology is a branch of psychology that seeks the ways people are happy and mentally healthy instead of focusing study on how people can be mentally unhealthy.
Subjects include optimism, use of exercise and proper diet, specific outlooks and exercises that promote mental well-being, and studies to determine which methods yield the best result. Everything from married life to work life to the way people cope with obstacles are discussed.

I am not a psychologist, and hold no degree related to the field of psychology, so my steps into Positive Psychology are purely as they intersect with Chinese medicine and my own personal philosophy. But I have found many of the ideas that come under Positive Psychology helpful in my life and the health of my patients. Here are a few of the best tips I use:

Change your thoughts, change your life. Most people do not realize just how much they "talk to themselves" every day, nor do they realize how often this "self-talk" is negative or damaging. Thoughts like "something always go wrong," "maybe I'm just not smart enough to be good at [name your desired activity]" or "I'll always be poor/sick/unattractive/alone" shut down happiness and creativity before they can even start. Because these thoughts are usually repetitive, and have been in your mind a long time, you may not even be aware you use them. When you encounter an obstacle, listen to what you say to yourself. If you don't like it, give yourself some better thoughts to counter the negative. One of my poor self-talk phrases was "I have to" do whatever thing I didn't want to do. While certainly I had obligations that needed to be kept, or proactive activities that I would be wise to pursue, phrasing them as "I have to's" certainly did not help me feel good about how I spent my time. I began consciously changing that phrasing to "I choose to" do whatever it was I wanted to accomplish. Immediately I felt a lift in energy. Choosing something, even if it ends up having negative consequences, puts you in control. You can always choose to change what you are doing if it doesn't work. "I have to" implies you are trapped."
Never use phrases that are images of poor health, or use poor health as a reason to avoid issues you need to address. My father died when my mother was 54 years old. At the time, she was in fairly good health, but she became depressed after his death, and began telling anyone who would listen that she "wouldn't live to see 60." She died a few months before her 60th birthday. I had a patient once who said she'd "rather get a root canal" than have to do something the following week. Although she had no dental problems that she knew of, she had to cancel her next appointment with me because she needed a root canal. When I reminded her of her comment, she was surprised--she had forgotten about her remark. I also had a patient I treated for migraines. The day she said she was pain free for the first time in 40 years was the last time I saw her. She had family issues, and the only way she knew of to get away from her family stress was to lock herself in her room when she had a migraine. When our treatment helped her migraines, she had lost her escape hatch. I do not believe all illness has a direct link to our words; however, I have seen to many cases where people's health problems were so exactly like their words or mental outlook that I do not believe it is always coincidence. Look at what you say when you are stressed--are you "torn up inside?" Are stresses a "pain in the neck?" Do things "make your blood boil?" Look at your health problems--hypertension, chronic pain, and chronic digestive ailments all respond to stress, and I've seen plenty of indications that stress alone can be the cause of many chronic problems. While changing how you describe your problems may not cure your ills on its own, being more mindful of how you see your problems will certainly help your body's reaction to them. Here are some more information and ideas on improving your skills at optimism.
Remember your body responds to food on both a physical and emotional level. I am very sensitive to corn syrup, especially in sodas. On the very rare occasion that I have one, I usually spend the next day feeling grumpy, anxious, irritable, and depressed. At the time, all my reactions seem completely rational and correct, and it is only in hindsight I realize I was responding to reality from a chemically changed body. I often see this phenomenon in my patients as well. Many times a patient will be doing well with emotional symptoms, and then go out of town and eat differently than they are used to. I am rarely surprised to hear that everything in their life is going wrong, and that they don't believe their treatment with me is helping at all. When I remind them of the improvement they reported in the usually recent past, they are surprised because their emotions of the moment are so strong they can't remember when they were better. When I ask them about their diet over the preceding 2-3 days, usually they've had something overly processed, overly sweet, or with artificial ingredients like sucralose, food coloring, or nitrates. I tell them to eat healthfully for a few days and get plenty of water, and to see how much their outlook on life changes. If you have emotional symptoms and feel you have dealt with the big emotional issues in your life, look at your diet. It may be the key to improvement.
Moderate exercise is your friend. People who exercise regularly know that a few days off from their workout routine will leave them cranky, stiff, and frustrated with life. For those who do not exercise regularly, it is often a surprise how good a walk can feel, and how much the stress of day-to-day life dissipates with a little movement. In Chinese medicine, we call those frustrations "qi stagnation" and say that even gentle exercise can move the "stuck" energy and improve your health. You don't have to run a marathon (indeed, such overexertion can sometimes deplete your reserves to a point that it isn't healthy); a walk around the block or a quick swim can be enough.

Positive Psychology can be a useful tool to improve your outlook and your health. I encourage you to monitor and change negative self-talk and the way you describe your obstacles and stressed, and to eat and exercise healthfully. Please feel free to comment if the article inspires thoughts!

Chinese Medicine, Life, and Wellness

2011-09-14T12:46:00.000-04:00

Most people in any form of medical field get into the field to promote wellness. Wellness is about more than aches and pains, indigestion, or other symptoms. Wellness is a balance of mind, body, and spirit. Even if your health cannot be "perfect," you can be "well." Here are some of the things I've learned about wellness from Chinese medicine and my own experience:

If your mind isn't well, you aren't well. I'm something of a worrywort, although I've gotten better over the years. When I worry, I can't sleep, my muscles ache, it's hard to digest food (and I crave sugary, unhealthy things), and I'm cranky to everyone around me. Once I tackled my worry and started taking steps to have more peace of mind, these symptoms diminished dramatically. At first, learning not to worry was hard, but with practice it has become easier. I still worry, but I catch myself sooner, and use the worry to find areas that need change. Here is an article on dealing with worry and anxiety. If you are dealing with worry, unresolved anger, stress, or depression, find the help you need to resolve these issues. Once your mind is at peace, your health will improve!
What you eat affects everything. When I was working on my mental health, I sometimes found myself melting down over problems I thought I had dealt with emotionally. It took a few months to make the connection, but I finally realized that the food I eat affects my emotions. In my case, sugar, especially corn sugar affects my mood and makes me more easily affected by emotion. On the other hand, the more vegetables I have, the better I feel. I am more upbeat, have less pain, and have more energy. I have treated people where food affected skin conditions, asthma, pain, anxiety, and, of course, digestion. If you have a recurring health problem, keep a food log and a symptom log. A food log is just a list of everything you eat. There are several online and as mobile apps, some of them free. Do a search for "food log" to find one that is right for you. A symptom log can be as simple as putting a "good/fair/bad" marking on each calendar for how you feel to a detailed list of symptoms. Be sure to list "good" symptoms (great energy, lots of ideas, good digestion) as well--focusing on the positive is an important key to well-being. After keeping your logs for a few weeks, look them over. Notice if feeling particularly good or bad corresponds to eating a particular food. I find my food reactions tend to take place within 3 days or so of eating, so use that as a guide in making decisions about what may be causing your symptoms.
Eat things your body recognizes as food. Our bodies digest food by breaking down the chemicals in food to usable substances. Foods that are natural have been around for thousands of years, and we are biologically better able to digest these foods. Foods tend to be better sources of nutrients than supplements for this reason. The chemistry of nutrition can be very complex (see this article on absorbing calcium for a quick example), but for most people eating natural, minimally processed food, getting plenty of water, some sun and exercise will make sure you get what you need to absorb nutrients. Taking a lot of supplements sometimes throws off this balance, so unless you are very deficient or really will not eat well, food is a better option to get your nutrients. Also, avoid artificial ingredients, including GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Your body is not equipped to deal with the odd chemical components of artificial and artificially-modified foods. Problems vary, but inflammation, food allergies, and poor absorption are some of the issues natural food advocates fear are caused by artificial ingredients.
Warm food and drink. This concept is fairly unique to Chinese medicine, and for some reason is hard for most people to accept. In Chinese medicine, we say the digestive energy is like a giant soup pot, and all the different functions of the body are like people coming up to get a cup of soup so they have the energy to do their jobs. Ideally, the "soup pot" should be constantly simmering, always ready when a meal is needed. As anyone who cooks knows, when you have a simmering pot of soup and you add raw or frozen vegetables to it, the cooking stops as all the food is brought back up to temperature. In digestion, food that is cold or raw is harder to breakdown, and so takes a while to be usable. Eating warm, cooked food and warm beverages allows your body to use the extra energy it would need to break down food for fixing problems and better health. I have had patients with severe pain, poor sleep, and painful digestion see immediate improvement just by eating warm foods.
Be positive! Positive people are h appier, healthier, and tend to have better things happen to them . Even if you don't consider yourself an optimist, you can develop a more optimistic outlook. Here is a good article to start with to become more optimistic.

In Chinese medicine, we say that if your digestion and emotions are in good shape, and you have pretty good genes, you will be healthy (barring being hit by a truck or something). I hope you use this article as a springboard to wellness!

Autumn Newsletter

2011-08-17T16:58:00.001-04:00

Newsletter for Autumn, 2011

From the Editor’s Desk:

A lot has taken place since my last newsletter! Please be sure to look over the entire newsletter so you don’t miss anything.

Finding Green AcuClinic on the Web:

In addition to the web page, www.GreenAcuClinic.com, I also have a Facebook page (PLEASE like me!), “Green AcuClinic”; a twitter account, “@taygreen,” and several “sometimes active” blogs on Blogger: TayGreenButterfly, What’s Teresa Cookin’?, and Teresa’s Tea Time. Links to these are coming soon to the website. You can also rate my practice at wellness.com:

Policy Updates

Credit Cards: I am now using Square for my credit card processing. I have discontinued all other credit card processing. Square takes Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and even American Express, so I think it will serve you well. The program allows me to email you receipts; if you want a printed receipt I can handwrite one for you.

Cancellation Policy: Effective with appointments scheduled for September 1, 2011: any appointments changed or cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will be assessed a $35 cancellation fee. Two ways to avoid the fee:

1. Call to change or cancel the appointment prior to the 24-hour window OR

2. When you call to let me know you need to change your appointment, reschedule the appointment to a time within 2 business days of the canceled appointment (I am open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday). So if you realize at the last minute that you will not be able to make your Sunday appointment, for example, you can avoid the cancellation fee by making and keeping an appointment for Monday or Wednesday of the same week. Thursday appointments would need to be rescheduled for Sunday or Monday, and so on.

No-show appointments will automatically be charged the fee. Emergencies (where rescheduling the appointment immediately is not an option) will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

News:

New Classes: Fall is the start of school around here, and I’m starting classes, too! Here’s a quick list of upcoming classes in the works this Fall and Winter. Visit www.greenacuclinic.com to check on the dates and to get more information:

Natural Beauty: Using Natural Products for Skin and Beauty Products. (November 8) This class will feature a presentation from Stephanie Valente from Whole Foods Market with samples!

The Wonders of Tea: Health Benefits and Surprising Uses for the World’s Most Common Beverage

Going Natural: Making the Switch From Processed Food

Chinese Diet Therapy: Using Food to Treat Illness

Williamsburg: After years of serving the Williamsburg community, I will be closing down my Williamsburg practice to focus my energy in Richmond. I will still be coming to Williamsburg every other Tuesday through the end of September. I have enjoyed my time in Williamsburg, and will miss my patients who cannot follow me to my Richmond office. Thank you for the chance to serve!

Green Bath and Beauty

New Products!!

Pain balms with arnica, helichrysum, calendula, eucalyptus, and frankincense. AND a skin balm with calendula, lavender, rose, and helichrysum. Stay tuned, because it will a VERY limited batch. Email or call me if you'd like to pre-order.

Bath Salts: Lovely bath salts featuring essential oils of lavender, frankincense, rose, geranium, mint, and others. If you call or email now, I can even to a custom blend if you have something you’re dying to try.

Facial Teas: The teas I use to soothe skin after a facial acupuncture session. A mix of green tea, lavender blossoms, rose petals, and rose essential oil. Each tea bag can be used to make approximately 4 cups of tea, which you can store in the refrigerator to use on your face over several days.

“Bathe twice a day to be really clean, once a day to be passably clean, once a week to avoid being a public menace. “
Anthony Burgess

Autumn

The season is changing now, and we’re heading into Autumn. Autumn is the season of Metal, which involves the Lung and Large Intestine. Those with issues of grief, breathing, skin, or elimination disorders may find those symptoms to be more severe at this time of year. Lung energy also involves our immune system and our sense of boundaries, so do not be surprised if you see some issues in these area. Finally, Large Intestine deals with sorting and “eliminating” the things you don’t need, so this is a good time to look over your stuff (and life) and decide on anything you want to change or remove.

Foods beneficial to Metal energy include pears, horseradish, radishes, onion, apples, and fish. Herbs used more in autumn include astragalus, mint, chrysanthemum, isatis root, and mulberry leaves and bark. Which foods or herbs you choose to emphasize depends on what is out of balance in your life. I am available for Chinese diet therapy and herbal consultations.

Benefits of Optimism

Optimists don’t just think things are better—they really are! Multiple studies have shown optimists have better health, higher achievement, better immune systems, less illness, live longer and enjoy their life more than pessimists. One gauge of optimism is your “explanatory style”—the way you explain events in your life. Do you see one bad thing in your life as being an isolated incidence, or is “everything wrong?” Do you see events in your life as something you have some control over, or do things “just happen” to you? Do you see life as full of possibilities or problems?

Optimism can be learned, no matter how pessimistic you are today! Here is a link to one article on developing optimism:

http://stress.about.com/od/optimismspirituality/ht/optimisthowto.htm. I hope you are taking steps to make you life more optimistic and full of joy!

“It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.”

~P.D. James

That's it for this issue. I hope to see you at Green AcuClinic soon!

January 2011 Newsletter

2011-01-11T19:09:00.001-05:00

Editor’s Corner

It always takes me a few months to get used to a new year . . . so you may see 2010 a few more times at Green AcuClinic.

We’ve had colder, wetter weather than usual here in Virginia this year, so I have a few tips to help your body deal with the cold. Most are common sense, but a few are unique to Chinese medicine, and have helped me a lot over the years.

Our NAET Practitioner, Katie Larimer, and I encourage you to come in now for spring allergies. Pollen allergies are much harder to treat when you are constantly exposed to pollen; by starting treatment now you can get your body better prepared to deal with those tiny irritants. For other allergies, having fewer allergens around this time of year makes it easier to tackle the ones that are there. On another note, the points used to treat sinus allergies are the same ones used for wrinkle treatment in facial acupuncture. . .not as intense, but most people will still see some benefits. So come in now to reap the benefits this spring!

We’re rolling out a few money-saving ideas this month as well. I’m offering discounted gift certificates year round now, and Katie has some great deals this month. Look for “Show Me the Money!” for more info.

I hope your 2011 is wonderful, peaceful, prosperous and full of growth. Thank you for including Green AcuClinic in your health plans!

Teresa Green, L. Ac.

Aromatherapy for Aches and Pains

Many people know that massage therapists often use essential oils in their practice, but you may not know that they often use specific oils for muscle pain. Of course, all the usual caveats apply—if you’re pregnant, or have a major health issue, or are unusually sensitive to a lot of things, check with a doctor and knowledgeable aromatherapist. Here are some of the ways I use essential oils to treat pain:

In Epsom salt soaks. I usually use a combination of eucalyptus, ginger, frankincense, and maybe some black spruce into Epsom salt. Use at least 1 cup of salt (some people use as much as a ½ lb or more even for a foot soak, so use them generously. Use enough oil to get a good strong scent—at least 10 or 15 drops of each, going heavier on the eucalyptus.
In topical essential oil blends. Adding a little frankincense, eucalyptus, ginger, mint or other oil (in the proper dilution) can make a massage oil work more effectively than it would on its own. Ask your aromatherapist or massage therapist for ideas on blends you can use at home.
In a clay paste. I have used lavender, helichrysum, rose, or other oils mixed with green clay or Yunan Baiyao powder (a Chinese herb powder) to treat severe bruises or sore tendons where the pain was very localized. There are many oils that would be useful here, feel free to come in and I can make recommendations.
Inhalation: Keeping the scent of soothing oils can relax you and minimize stress during painful episodes. I use rose geranium, frankincense, lavender, or mint to soothe emotions and calm people who are overly tense from dealing with long term pain. The oils often relax them enough to get to sleep, which is almost always an issue when a person is dealing with pain.

“For last year's words belong to last year's language / And next year's words await another voice. / And to make an end is to make a beginning." ~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

New Products Available

I finally locked myself in the creative corner and made several new items. There is a Chamomile Balm made from essential oils, natural beeswax, and olive oil. I also have Eucalyptus Bath Salts to soak away tired muscles, and a Calming Tea of Decaf Green Tea, Chinese Chrysanthemum, Rose Petals, and Peppermint. All are used for calming in Chinese medicine, and most are used to treat allergy symptoms. Call me if you would like them—I keep different products at the Richmond and Williamsburg Offices.

Show Me The Money!

With the new year, everyone in both the Richmond and Williamsburg Office are offering specials. Here they are:

January Only Specials (End January 31, 2011)

Richmond Office:

Teresa Green, L. Ac.

· Will offer the 2^nd treatment in a week for $20 for January for those needing more than 1 treatment each week.

Katie Larimer, NAET

· will waive the New Patient Fee. A new patient visit is usually $80. For January only, it will be just $60.

Tamara Springle, CMT at Dr. Brown’s Office:

· Offers a 60 minute massage for $55 for the month of January.

Williamsburg Office:

Northern Lights Spa

· Get the Northern Wintergreen Mint Massage (60 minutes) for just $60

New Year Specials

Richmond Office:

Teresa Green, L. Ac.:

· Buy gift certificates for 3 regular acupuncture treatments (1 hour) for $195 ($65 /treatment).

Katie Larimer, NAET:

· The first visit of the New Year for each patient will be $10 off a regularly priced treatment.

Dr. Rob Brown, DC

· Always offers adjustments for police and firefighters for $20

“I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year's. ~Henry Moore

Dealing With Cold – Quick Tips

Eat and drink warm things. To me, this is common sense, but I see a lot of people drinking iced drinks or even eating ice cream as they complain about the cold weather. Raw food is also a no-no, as it is usually cold, and takes a lot of energy to digest. Having warm food and drink means you give your body a head start at staying warm. As an added bonus, warm food makes your digestion smoother, so if you already have digestive problems, warm food will probably make that significantly better, too.
Keep covered. Again, this seems self-evident to me. I suggest staying a little warmer than you think is comfortable, and especially keeping your torso warm will go a long way toward keeping the rest of you warm as well.
Eat warming foods. In addition to eating warm foods, certain foods are inherently more warming than others. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, lamb, sweet potatoes, millet and squash are just a few of the foods that naturally warm your body.

Northern Lights Spa Newsletter

2010-12-07T12:54:00.000-05:00

From the Editor:

In nature, Winter is the time to store up nutrition and then slow down your life so you don't run out of supplies before Spring. Squirrels, bears, and other mammals hoard food all fall, then hibernate or greatly reduce their activities all winter so they conserve fuel. Trees release their leaves to "lower maintenance costs" over the winter, and work on their root systems, soaking up the water from snow and rainy seasons to use in Spring.

Here in human civilization, we only observe half of that process. Here in the US at least, we get the hoarding with our wonderful big holiday meals and treats while visiting friends and family. But instead of then resting, saving our energy, and planning for springtime, we are more active at the end of the year than possibly at any other time. Worst of all, because of all the activity, we sometimes don't take time out to take care of ourselves.

This year, do something different! If you must be busy, make sure you enjoy the majority of your activities. And take time to take care of yourself--get regular massage, treat yourself to a facial, do a series of acupuncture visits to alleviate stress and keep your immune system strong. Make your Winter a healthy time!

Aromatherapy: Something Spicy:
This season, spicy flavors and scents are abundant--gingerbread, spice cake, peppermint, pumpkin pie spice, cinnammon oatmeal cookies, all the tastes and scents that go with increased cooking. Those spices have tremendous health value. Ginger is well-known as a digestive aid and helpful for nausea, cinnamon is useful in managing blood sugar, and clove is great for digestion, and is considered an anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial functions.

You can use these spices virtually without restraint in food (unless you have specific health issues, such as using coumadin or other medications). If you want to use the essential oils, you can add a drop or two to some hot water to scent a room. All of them increase blood circulation, so they are also useful topically--but be sure to dilute them as they can irritate your skin if used neat (at full strength).

We are using some of these oils this season in our treatment specials--for not one, but two specials! Have a 30-minute Winter Wonderland Snuggle Up Heat Treatment--a detox treatment combined with warmth for extra benefit--for just $30. We also offer a Ginger Bread Massage for $70--a massage featuring ginger to increase muscular relaxation. Both of these specials will leave you feeling pampered and rejuvenated!

Treatment Showcase: Heat Therapy
Heat therapy is a common part of a massage treatment. In addition to feeling great, heath therapy:

Dilates the blood vessels, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. The more nutrients to the muscles, the more healing to damaged muscle tissue.

Heat stimulates the surface of the skin, Heat stimulates the sensory receptors in the skin, which means that applying heat to the lower back will decrease transmissions of pain signals to the brain and partially relieve the discomfort.

Heat application facilitates stretching the soft tissues around the spine, including muscles, connective tissue, and adhesions. Consequently, with heat therapy, there will be a decrease in stiffness as well as injury, with an increase in flexibility and overall feeling of comfort. Flexibility is very important for a healthy back.

Heat therapy is great in the winter--it relaxes you and makes a great contrast to the cold weather outside!

New Therapies!

Thai Herbal Ball Massage 60 min...$80
Traditional Chinese herbs are wrapped inside steamed bundles of fabric. Then the Therapist applies the heated herbal balls along acupressure points and joints. This massage has a special energy flow that is both invigorating and relaxing. It opens the body's pathways to soothe aching muscles, reduce stiffness, and inflammation in the joints.

Warm Bamboo Massage 60 min...$80
Natural Bamboo sticks are heated, rolled, rubbed and pressed over the body to reduce life's everyday strain. The warmth of the bamboo rolling over your muscles will soothe and revitalize you. This massage increases lymphatic circulation, reduces stress and fatigue and leaves the skin feeling supple.

Important Date

Elisa and Trina will offer a Couples Massage class Sunday, Jan. 23rd from 3-6pm. The class will cover basic massage technique for a couple to practice on each other. This is a hands on class that will teach you how to give that special someone in your life a massage! The cost for this comprehensive class is just $200. To sign up, call 757-903-4302.

Northern Lights Spa
109 Bulifants Blvd.. Suite A
Williamsburg, VA 23118
(757) 903-4302

December Newsletter

2010-11-30T14:45:00.001-05:00

Editor's Corner

So many new things to report! We discussed the new office in Williamsburg in the last newsletter. Now the new Richmond office is up and running! Our new office is at 9535 Kings Charter Drive. The mailing address says Ashland, but we're actually only about 5 minutes from VA Center Commons, in the Kings Charter shopping center. We're sharing office space with Dr. Robert Brown, who has a chiropractic practice, and Tamara Sprinkle, a massage therapist. Please be patient as we'll be making some improvements to our office, and it might look a little rough for the next few months. On the plus side, I will have more hours available. Appointments are available on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday from 10am to 6pm in Richmond, and on Thursdays from 10am to 1pm. Tuesdays I am in Williamsburg from 10am to 6pm, and will add a half day on Fridays for the month of December for "spa services"--acupressure and facial acupuncture.

Now that Katie Larimer, the NAET practitioner, and I will be in the office simultaneously, I wanted to remind all patients visiting the office to please refrain from wearing any perfumes or strong-smelling deodorants, hair spray, or other body care products. I see people with chemical sensitivities, but Katie sees even more people with these problems. For those with environmental allergies, even a tiny exposure to an allergen can cause symptoms ranging from a headache to skin conditions to breathing difficulties or even anaphylactic shock. Please help us help as many people as possible by avoiding strong smelling body care products.

Thank you so much for letting me serve you. I am excited by the changes this year, and look forward to all the wonderful things 2011 will bring!

Teresa

Aromatherapy: Calm

This time of year, many people get carried away with visiting family, shopping, and cooking in addition to all their regular responsibilities. Aromatherapy can help you keep calm in crowded lines, cooped up driving conditions, and frenetic activities. I put a couple of drops of one or more of essential oil on a cotton ball and toss them into the trash cans in a room that feels stressed, or add a couple of drops to my bath water.

Here are a few of the oils I reach for when I feel restless or stressed:

Lavender: one of the "universal oils" it's good for just about any emotional state, and is wonderful in lotions or sprinkled in bathwater to rejuvenate you skin. I also by buy lavender buds and make tea, adding a little lemon and sugar for extra flavor.

Rose Geranium: one of the most calming oils around, rose geranium was actually shown to immediately lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients with just a whiff. It is very floral, so a light hand is best.

Frankincense: this is one of my favorite oils. It is a tree resin. In Chinese medicine we use i to move blood for pain conditions, and it seems to soothe Heart function, making it good for anxiety and feeling the need to be "on" for guests. You can sometimes find the actual frankincense resin, and adding a piece or two to your fire in the fireplace will scent the whole house.

Herb Corner: Prepare Now for Allergy Season

Now is a great time to prepare your body for allergy season. Eight weeks of treatment now will greatly reduce your reaction to allergens come spring. Acupuncture will help your immune system avoid overreacting to allergens, and herbal therapy gives your immune system the nutrition it needs to stay healthy without allergies.

Here are some formulas we use in treating allergies:

Yu Ping Fang San/Ren Shen Bai Du Wan: Highlighted in last month's newsletter, these formulas both build immune system function by increasing the energy available to your body to ward off bugs and evaluate possible pathogens.

Pe Min Kan Wan: This formula is used in the acute stage of allergy to decrease phlegm and congestion.

Xiao Yao San/Gan Mai Da Zao Wan: While not actually for allergies, these formulas help emotional balance, minimizing the effects of stress on your immune system.

Please contact Teresa for more information on herbal therapy to help your allergies.

NAET: Come in now to treat allergies before holiday parties!

If food allergies ruin your ability to chow down at holiday parties, or if environmental allergies make it hard for you to enjoy all scents of winter and cooking, come in and see Katie asap! For many people, starting treatment now can have you significantly less sensitive to allergens in just a few days or weeks. Call Katie Larimer at (804) 399-1700.

Northern Lights Spa

Specials this month at Northern Lights Spa (Teresa's Williamsburg office):

$30 Winter Wonderland Snuggle Up Heat Treatment
$70 Ginger Bread Massage

Call Northern Lights Spa at (757) 903-4302 for more information.

New Services (December only):
I will offer Facial Acupuncture ($150 for 1.5hr session) and Acupressure ($40 for 1/2 hour session) at Northern Lights on Fridays from 10am -1pm. To schedule these appointments, please call me at (757) 561-1258, or schedule through the spa at (757) 903-4302.

Teresa Green, L. Ac. (804) 683-2979 / (757) 561-1258

October 2010 Newsletter

2010-10-14T21:38:00.000-04:00

Editor’s Corner

I love autumn! Crisper air, that different slant to the sun, the foods of fall—pumpkin, kale, apples, and the last bounty of summer.

I guess it’s the training from all those years of school, but autumn also seems to always herald new beginnings. This fall, my new beginning is a new office in Williamsburg. I am now located at Northern Lights Spa. I had 4 very good years with Refresh! Center for Massage and Healing, but it’s time to move on. Northern Lights is newly opened, and you can learn more about them at www.NorthernLightsSpa.com. Soon I will also know where my new Richmond office will be—stay tuned for that big news!

October is National Non-GMO month, so I am temporarily bumping my essential oil column to highlight the importance of organic, non-genetically modified food. What you eat is critical to your health, and I hope this article will help you find the healthiest food possible.

One last item. I am now a blogger! You can find my blog at http://taygreenbutterfly.blogspot.com/, and visit my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sandston-VA/Green-AcuClinic/320687087145.

Thank you for your support and patronage this year. I hope I have been of service!

Teresa Green, L. Ac.

October is National Non-GMO Month!

A Little About GMOs

I pulled most of this info from www.nongmoproject.org. I also have links to various other articles on GMOs on my Facebook page.

What are GMOs? GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are made with gene-splicing biotechnology. DNA from one species is injected into another species, creating dna combinations not found in nature and that cannot occur as part of natural hybridizing processes.
How do I know what foods are genetically modified? Those who make and sell GMO products are not required to label these products in any way to differentiate them from natural products. The only way to avoid them is to buy certified organic products, which cannot intentionally contain GMOs, or to buy food with the “Non-GMO Project” Seal. Products with this seal have been independently verified to comply with standards of GMO avoidance.
Are GMOs safe? Thirty countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, require restrictions on GMO production, or ban them outright because they are not considered safe, and due to fears of cross-polination contamination of other food sources. Human studies have not been done, but in laboratory animals, GMO diets have resulted in stomach ulcerations, liver enlargement, changes in the stomach lining, and poor growth. Some are concerned that those with severe allergies may not be able to determine if a GMO food contains genetic material from the food they are allergic to, thus putting them at risk. In one case of anaphylactic reaction to soy, the victims were not allergic to soy, but were allergic to peanuts, which had been used in genetically altering the soy.
How Common are GMOs: From the non-GMO Project website: According to the USDA, in 2009, 93% of soy, 93% of cotton, and 86% of corn grown in the U.S. were GMO. It is estimated that over 90% of canola grown is GMO, and there are also commercially produced GM varieties of sugar beets, squash and Hawaiian Papaya. As a result, it is estimated that GMOs are now present in more than 80% of packaged products in the average U.S. or Canadian grocery store.

Limiting your intake of GMO products could be vital to your health!

"It's important to watch what you eat. Otherwise, how are you going to get it into your mouth ?"

— Matt Diamond

Tea Talk-Organic, organic, organic!

Tea itself is not currently genetically modified, but the flavorings used in tea may be. Using organic tea with organic flavorings will avoid GMOs. Buying organic also protects from pesticide residues in tea, since tea is not washed after harvesting because that affects its oxidation. If the tea you drink was grown using fertilizer or pesticides, that’s what you’re drinking!

To buy organic tea, read the label. The tea should be certified 100% organic, flavorings and all. Fortunately, organic tea is not wildly more expensive than the non-organic varieties, so make a good cup of healthy, uncontaminated organic tea and ENJOY!

Herb Corner: Cold and Flu

I’ve already caught my first (and hopefully last) cold of the season, and I hear coughing and sniffles all around me. Here are a few food tips when you are sick, and some of the herbs used to keep you well and prevent colds from occurring in the first place:

Food Cures

Simple Diet: When you first feel a cold coming on, simplifying your diet by eliminating dairy, soy, fatty foods, sweets and processed foods for a few days will allow your body to focus on getting well instead of digesting these complicated foods. Broth-based soups are one of the best choices while fighting a cold.

Special Tips: Drinking a blend of ginger and mint tea, and adding scallions, garlic, and citrus or other fruit high in vitamin C to your diet are also helpful in aiding your body’s defense system. For cough and sore throat, Chinese medicine uses cooked pears sweetened with honey (added after the pears are cooked) to strengthen your lungs and immune system.

Herbal Therapy

Yu Ping Feng San: Also known as Jade Windscreen remedy, this simple formula of three herbs is recommended for long term use to build the immune system in those who catch cold easily or have compromised immune systems. Research on the main ingredient of the formula, astragalus, suggests it has antiviral properties, as well as being beneficial in various conditions, including diabetes, HIV, and the side effects of chemotherapy. It can interact with medications, and can aggravate hypertension in some people.

Ren Shen Bai Du Wan: Classically used to treat colds, this formula is now often also used long-term to prevent colds. Ren shen is the pinyin for ginseng, and in formulas containing ginseng herb-drug interactions can be a concern. Many versions of this formula use dang shen, or codonopsis, which is less prone to interactions. This formula is usually ok for people with hypertension managed by medication.

NAET Info

Katie Larimer has been with Green AcuClinic for several months now, and we are excited about combining Chinese medicine with NAET therapy. NAET stands for Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques. It is a non-invasive treatment that treats symptoms resulting from allergies or sensitivities to a variety of substances, such as foods or chemicals, or even your body’s reaction to beliefs or experiences. We have found that using acupuncture to keep the meridians functioning at optimum levels during NAET treatment has subjects seeing greater improvements more quickly than those receiving either therapy alone. Acupuncture works to make your entire body function better, with the various body systems acting in harmony. NAET therapy then “clears” specific, stubborn reactions that may not respond well to other therapies.

Because of my own NAET treatments from Katie, I have dramatically better energy, tolerate foods better, and have less pain. NAET treatments played a major role in eliminating a problem I was having with kidney stones for the past 2 years.

Katie Larimer is a Certified NAET practitioner with a background in massage therapy and Asian studies. She is at the Green AcuClinic offices by appointment and can be reached at (804) 399-1700.

Northern Lights Spa

My new office at Northern Lights Spa in Williamsburg is offering a special North Pumpkin Patch Mud Treatment for only $70! Contact Northern Lights Spa at (757) 903-4302 for more information

“Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning.”

--Thomas Jefferson

That’s it for this issue. Hope to see you soon!

Taking a Break

2010-09-17T07:37:00.000-04:00

You would be amazed at the number of people I treat who never take a day off. Or maybe you wouldn't be surprised--maybe you don't take a break, either. I don't mean a "working break"--going to the beach with your laptop and email, and doing business while you watch the kids play. While it may be a nice fill in, that doesn't cut it for a real break.

I mean a day off--a real, no one can reach me, don't call me, business is put down for while--no work--day off. The kind we used to take when no one had email or cell phones. The world didn't end because someone else had to fill in for a day or two, and people were able to recharge. To really separate themselves from their jobs, and relax without interruption.

I am fortunate that my religious practices give me that break. Every 7th day, I take the day OFF. Nothing short of a true emergency (the Bible calls it "an ox in a ditch"-you're the only one there to help, and great suffering will result if you don't act) will intrude on my break, called the Sabbath. Even 50 years ago, most people had a day set aside for rest and their spiritual practice. These days, even those devoted to their beliefs hesitate to take time away from work for spiritual renewal. Throughout the year, I keep other religious festivals ranging from one day to over a week to celebrate my beliefs and remind me life is more than my career, however rewarding it may be.

Having those times off is truly a blessing. Because it is part of my belief system, it transcends my temporary wants and needs. It's a rule in my life, so I don't have to rethink it each week or each year and decide if I "can afford"-financially or otherwise--to "miss" the time. It's regular, so I don't have long stretches of unbroken work with no relief in sight. As I keep my renewal days, I incorporate spiritual practice to the exclusion of housework or yard work, so my "day off" doesn't become "cleaning day," as happens to so many others. My mind gets a rest from teasing out patient problems, house duties, paperwork, phone calls, and all the other little things that constitute work. I spend times with like-minded friends and family, and come back refreshed.

I got into my profession because I love what I do, but even a job you love will wear you down with no breaks. Whatever your beliefs, consider giving yourself one day a week to be completely disengaged from work of any kind. At first it may seem overly indulgent, impossible, or even slightly crazy--but I've done it most of my life, and once you establish it as a personal rule, you'd be surprised how easy--and essential--it becomes.

The Importance of Starting the Day Properly

2010-09-12T09:05:00.000-04:00

Grab the keys--wait! Find the keys, find the purse, grab those papers, rush out the door. Oh, no! Forgot breakfast, forgot to brush my teeth--did I put on deodorant? No time to go back. Hurry, hurry, hurry to work--people are waiting. . . .

Does this sound like your morning? I know I've had a few in my time. How do you feel the rest of the day? Behind, rushed, waiting for the other Things You Forgot to jump up and grab you. Over the years, I've reduced the number of "rush mornings." I hope you will, too. Here's why:

Rushing messes with your nervous system. In acupuncture, everything is about qi. The closest Western counterpart I've been able to find to qi is the working of your nervous system. Having to lunge for stuff and run out the door triggers your stress response. If your stress response is over-stimulated, it can lead to chronic health problems, such as hypertension, poor sleep, anxiety, high cholesterol, and digestive problems.
You lose a beautiful day. I've rushed out the door, on the road, and off to work before I even notice the sun in the sky, the delicate breeze in the air, the smell of honeysuckle, or freshly mown grass, or the beauty of flowers. Rushing makes us change our focus to the things we need to survive. You lose the joy of just enjoying your surroundings.
You affect other people. I hate to be around people who are rushing. I feel in the way, nervous waiting for the frustrated outburst, and unable to help them. If I'm in the middle of a project myself, it's hard to concentrate with a rushed person making a whirlwind around me. It I am doing something peaceful and enjoyable, their fractured energy makes it hard to continue my recreation. If you want to serve your fellow man, try to live your life so you don't have to rush.

We will all have times when we need to pick up the pace. Sometimes we have things we absolutely must do, and the only way to do them is to pack the obligations in and rush from one to the other. There will be times the alarm does not go off, the traffic slows you down, or life just does not go your way. But when you can exert control over your schedule, try not to rush. Savor the time in your life--it's a limited supply!

New Beginnings

2010-09-11T22:18:00.001-04:00

I have a very imperfect new website started. One of my life lessons seems to be accepting imperfect beginnings. This year, I finally started landscaping my yard, sans the huge budget I was waiting on. I didn't hire help to lay out the beds. . .I haven't even mulched. But I have some lovely hibiscus plants thanks to a friend, and several plantings that don't look great right now but will next year after they've settled in. And a lovely herb garden, since herbs are the only things the bunnies, deer, and moles don't seem to want to eat.

I've also decided to focus my practice a bit differently than in the past. I was searching for the right "specialty," since all the practice management books tell you to do that. But I love the variety of a general practice in Chinese medicine. So I will now specialize in approach. My practice will focus on positive approaches to health rather than simply sorting out illness. All holistic medicine is, or should be about promoting health rather than simply eliminating disease. I am working to learn more about using gratitude, optimism, self-awareness and mindfulness to build health bodies and minds. I will post my lessons as I go.

So thank you for reading this blog. I will be covering all kinds of info here--acupuncture, positive thinking, Chinese herbal therapy, aromatherapy, daily musings, and things I haven't thought of yet. Please let me know what you think. (I'm still grasping the technical aspects of blogging, so if there isn't a comments area yet, email me at teresa(at)greenacuclinic.com!

First Blog

2009-10-16T09:51:00.000-04:00

Starting a new blog. You can also see my website blog at www.greenacuclinic.com. More to come. . .