Healthy Living

Allergies can make life miserable. From itchy eyes and runny noses to wheezing and fatigue, they disrupt your daily routine and leave you feeling drained. While conventional medicine offers allergy relief, some people seek a more holistic approach. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be a powerful tool for managing allergies and promoting overall well-being.

TCM: A Different Lens on Allergies

• TCM views allergies as imbalances in the body’s energy flow, or “Qi.” These imbalances can be caused by various factors, including:
  • External factors: Exposure to allergens like pollen, dust, or mold.
  • Internal factors: Poor digestion, overactive immune system, or emotional stress.
• TCM practitioners take a comprehensive approach to diagnose your allergies. This may involve:
  • Asking about your symptoms: They’ll inquire about the frequency, severity, and triggers of your allergies.
  • Observing your tongue and eyes: TCM practitioners believe these can reveal underlying imbalances.
  • Feeling your pulse: Pulse diagnosis is used to assess the flow of Qi throughout your body.

Period panties have become a game-changer for many. They’re comfortable, leak-proof, and eco-friendly – a win-win-win for your period routine. But with any new product, especially one worn in close proximity to your body, questions arise.   A recent article from the New York Times has prompted a larger conversation on their safety. A common concern: can period panties mess with your fertility?

Let’s Talk PFAS Chemicals

Period panties, although marketed as natural and organic, have found to contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These ‘forever’ chemicals create water-resistant and stain-proof fabrics, perfect for period underwear. PFAS are found in many other things as well, cooking pans, shampoos, and cleaning products and cosmetics.  The trick is, once they are in our system we do not break them down and so they hang out in our bodies.  Period panties are concerning because of the exposure of PFAS to the vaginal area, which is highly absorbent.  Research is just catching up with the implications of this for human health and is raising concerns, suggesting links between PFAS exposure and various health issues, including reduced fertility by increasing ovarian aging, and disrupting hormonal functions. Read More

The Timeless Art of Facial Acupuncture

Facial acupuncture is a modern practice that has traversed centuries and is rooted in the rich tapestry of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), offering a holistic approach to beauty and rejuvenation. Delving into the historical origins of this ancient art unveils a fascinating journey that intertwines philosophy, medicine, and the pursuit of timeless elegance.

The roots of facial acupuncture can be traced back to over 2,500 years ago to the foundational principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ancient Chinese healers observed that by needling specific points along inner pathways within our bodies, similar to our network of veins, they could stimulate blood flow and influence vital energy, or Qi. Recognizing the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit, these healers realized that acupuncture could address the external manifestations of internal imbalances, such as the outward signs of aging. Read More

I was with my daughter this weekend, and we, as many do, took some selfies.  When looking at them I made a comment like ‘looks like I have a weird head in these pictures!’.  She turned, looked me in the eye, and said something I taught her years ago ‘would you talk like that to your 5 year old self?’  It stopped me, of course I wouldn’t.  And I would never had even had those thoughts about my daughter, I would only see how amazing she is.

Have you ever felt it? The ease with which we offer compassion to others, yet the struggle to extend that same kindness to ourselves? Rick Hanson, in his book “Resilient,” defines compassion as “the recognition of pain with the desire to relieve it.” Imagine treating yourself like you would a best friend: supportive, understanding, and radiating warmth. This shift from self-criticism to self-love can be transformative.

In Chinese Medicine, compassion is deeply connected to the Earth element, symbolizing our core and grounding. A balanced Earth element manifests as healthy compassion towards ourselves and others. Imbalance shows up as difficulty giving or receiving compassion, constantly seeking it, or being overly compassionate without boundaries. Interestingly, Read More