Wellness Blog

Compassion

In his book, Resilient, Rick Hanson (2018) defines compassion as “the recognition of pain with the desire to relieve it”. For many of us, compassion is something that we easily give others but are challenged to give ourselves. Imagine if you treated yourself like you would a best friend – encouraging, understanding, warm and sympathetic. Imagine how it would feel to be less self-critical and more loving to yourself.

In Chinese Medicine, compassion is related closely to the Earth element or Spleen organ. It is our center, our core and our grounding. A balanced Earth element is evidenced by a healthy nurturing compassion to us and others. Signs of imbalance include an inability to give or receive compassion, someone who craves it constantly for themselves, or someone who is overly compassionate without clear boundaries towards others. Compassion also holds within it both elements of yin (stillness) and yang (active). Studies of the brain show that when we feel compassion, motor planning areas in the brain become active and start preparing for action.

Developing more self-compassion is possible, and you can get your brain to help you out. Allow yourself to remember a time you felt cared for by someone – Read More

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Clinic News, Meet the Team and More

Our Lunchtime Educational series continues this Thursday.

What is a normal period?  Should you have PMS?  How many days is normal to bleed?  When do you ovulate?  How can you treat your PMS at home?

  • Our next talk, Understanding your Period will be May 6th at 12:00: The talk will last about 20-30 minutes with lots of time for questions and discussion.  Most women are taught so little about their cycles and just put it all under the umbrella of ‘hormones’.  We want to empower you to understand it and learn how to work with your cycle.  Chinese Medicine has a lot to say about your period, come to our talk and learn more.
  • The talk is free to everyone, tell your bestie, your mom, your daughter, your aunt, and anyone else you may know who would benefit.  Just go online and  Register Here
  • Have a burning desire to learn more about something your acupuncturist talked about during your visit?  Reach out, let us know, and we can make sure to include the topic in our series!

More of our great content coming to you!

After several requests we are now sending out the newsletter monthly. Same great information on Read More

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Easy Chinese Herbal Tea for Computer Eye Strain

Working from home on a laptop and noticing your eyes feel a bit dry, tired, or sore? There’s herbs for that. Specifically Chinese herbs.

The American Optometric Association notes that screen time over 2 hours a day can lead to computer vision syndrome or also known as digital eye strain.

These days it’s uncommon to have screen time less than 2 hours.

A common Chinese herbal drink for eye strain is a tea made of goji berries and chrysanthemum flowers in warm water.

Goji berries are a Chinese herb which helps to nourish the eyes and ensure moisture and Yin of the eyes. In fact, these berries contain the antioxidant zeaxanthin which helps protect eyes from age related disease.

Chrysanthemum flowers are another Chinese herb. In traditional Chinese herbal medicine this herb helps to reduce heat, wind, and nourish yin of the eyes which is perfect for dry itchy eyes. Read More

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Collagen Gummy Bears!

Collagen is the most prevalent form of protein found in our bodies. Unlike our ancestors’ diets, most of ours are poor sources of this amazing substance. Collagen helps to form our digestive organs, skin, joints, and other connective tissues. Collagen is also an excellent pre-biotic, meaning it helps provide a matrix for the bacteria in our digestive tract (without the gas and bloating sometimes associated with fiber!). Containing a complete array of essential and non-essential amino acids, collagen is the super-food you have been craving to connect with.

Here is a simple recipe for making your own Collagen Gummies.

  • 3/4 cup sugar free tart cherry juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice, strained
  • 2 tbsp. raw honey or to taste sugar substitute
  • 3 tbsp. Gelatin

 

  1. In a saucepan, heat the juices over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
  2. Add honey and stir till dissolved. If using a sugar substitute I prefer to add it once I’ve taken the concoction off the burner as sometimes these can turn a bit bitter if heated.
  3. Lower the heat to the lowest setting. Whisk in 1 tbsp. at a time of the gelatin, adding another only after the others dissolve. Continue to
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