The Season of the Lung and Large Intestine Channels

The Season of the Lung and Large Intestine Channels

Fall or autumn is a favorite season for many people.  The weather is getting a little cooler, things are starting to slow down and preparations for the holidaysare in full swing.....

For many others, fall is not so festive.  Many people tend to get sick during the fall months, allergies can flare up for some, and many don’t like that the hours of sunlight decrease steadily, sometimes leading to seasonal depression.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine, fall is the season associated with the lung and large intestine energetic meridians.  These two meridians work in a symbiotic way to control the immune system from both the inside and outside of your body.  And if you take good care of these two meridians during the fall, you are bound to feel better throughout the season.  Here are some suggestions on how to get through the season of the lung and large intestine channels.

First off, start wearing scarves.  The scarves don’t have to be thick or heavy, but they should cover the neck.  The large intestine channel runs up the arms, across the shoulders, up the neck, over the face and ends next to the nose.  As many people now know, the health of our gastrointestinal tract plays a big part in our immunity.  So keeping the large intestine channel warm and preventing exposure from the elements will help to keep you healthy.  Cold pathogens can enter the body through the pores or nasal cavity.  But wrapping the neck and shoulders with a scarf can help ward off the pathogens.

Another way to keep the lung and large intestine channels balanced is to eat according to the season.  This means eat foods that are available during the autumn months as well as foods that boost the energy of the lung and large intestine meridians.  In the fall, you should eat fewer cold and raw foods like salads and instead you should eat more warm, cooked foods.  Utilizing the foods that are available at this time of year is a good practice as well.  Foods to enjoy during the fall months include apples, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, pears, yams, bananas, cabbage, carrots, cranberries, ginger, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and wild rice.  Also hot herbal teas are a good addition to your daily diet, especially those containing ginger and lemon, which act as natural antibiotics.

The large intestine and the lungs need to stay moist to function properly.  So drinking lots of water is important.  Most people know how important it is to stay hydrated during the summer months, but it is just as vital during the autumn.  Without proper hydration the skin, which is controlled by the lung meridian, can become dry and cracked allowing pathogens to easily enter the body.  The large intestine meridian needs proper hydration to be able to expel any pathogens that have gotten into the system.  So don’t forget to drink lots of water during the fall.

As we approach the fall months, it is also a good idea to increase your regular acupuncture treatments.  There are several acupuncture points that help boost immunity and fight off colds.  Why not utilize the natural power that your local licensed acupuncturist has to offer?  By doing so, you might just survive the fall without ever getting sick.

Bishara Wilson

New York Sports Acupuncture

www.newyorksportsacupuncture.com

888.375.5444

OM Nutrition Recipe for Heart Health

OM Nutrition Recipe for Heart Health

5 Flavors Chickpea Salad for Healthy & Happy Heart

15 oz cooked organic chick peas (1 can)

1/2 c cup cooked quinoa or 1 cup brown rice (warm)

4 stalks celery, minced

6-12 cherry tomatoes, chapped in 1/2 or 1/4

8-12 Romaine lettuce leaves, chopped

2 TBSP red onion, minced

Toss with dressing made with:

2 TBSP olive oil

1 TBSP lemon juice + a little lemon zest (organic is best)

1 tsp grated ginger

1/2 tsp honey or agave

1-2 garlic cloves (minced or pressed)

1/8 tsp Himalayan or Sea salt (or to taste)

fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

Bishara Wilson

New York Sports Acupuncture

www.newyorksportsacupuncture.com

888.375.5444

Nutrition for Heart Health- OM Nutrition & Hypertension

Nutrition for Heart Health- OM Nutrition & Hypertension

Oriental medicine (OM) nutrition combines ancient wisdom with modern science. OM nutrition is a holistic approach, which aims to balance all five flavors within most meals with one or two flavors being emphasized for therapeutic purposes. OM nutrition for a hypertension emphasizes bitter flavors, sour flavors and energetically-cooling foods.

           

OM theory states the bitter flavor benefits the heart in moderation but an excess is harmful as it has a drying effect; for example, coffee is bitter. In moderation coffee acts as vasodilator increasing circulation but in excess it can raise blood pressure and has a diuretic effect. Modern scientific research has discovered while the human genome has 25 bitter taste receptors 12 of these are expressed in the human heart.

Foods with bitter flavors include: romaine lettuce, dandelion, arugula, rye. Foods that combine bitter with pungency include: citrus peel, radish, scallion and white pepper. In OM nutrition the pungent flavor can help disperse phlegm (e.g. plaque). Foods that combine bitter with sweet include: asparagus, celery, tomatoes, lettuce, quinoa and papaya. Lemon rind is bitter and sour; vinegar is also bitter and sour.

           

Bitter flavors have a yin, or cooling effect, clearing heat in the body while encouraging a descent of Qi, which aids in the draining of fluids. For example, celery contains the phytochemical phthalides which relaxes arterial wall tissues to increase blood flow and thereby reduce blood pressure. The fiber, magnesium and potassium in celery also help lower blood pressure and regulate fluid balance. Caution: according to OM, those with a lot of dryness and/or bone disease should moderate their intake of bitter flavor.

           

A tomato a day keeps the doctor away! The combination of lycopene, vitamin C and E, potassium and folic acid in tomatoes make it a power food for heart health. The bitter flavor of tomatoes come from the seeds; to reap the full benefit of tomatoes eat the seeds too. Heirloom tomatoes in season have the most flavor, find the tastiest tomatoes at your farmer’s market or trying growing your own.

           

Summer is the season of the heart according to Chinese medicine, meaning it is the season most likely to bring our hearts out of balance if we are exposed to excess heat, which can then create and/or exacerbate internal heat. During the summer OM nutrition recommends drinking and eating foods that cool the body and heart such as green tea, cucumbers, watermelon and lemon.

Chrysanthemum tea is a very popular summertime tea in Asia because it is so well known for its cooling properties; it is helpful for headaches, dizziness, high blood pressure, chest pain and also fevers. You can add chrysanthemum flowers to your morning green tea and in the evening combine it with chamomile tea for extra cooling benefits!

           

OM nutrition cautions against overdoing cold foods and drinks. Too much cold inhibits the digestive process. Drinking warm beverages and soups, as well as eating foods with a little pungency (chili pepper, garlic, ginger) causes the body to perspire slightly which naturally cools the body.

           

For those who happen to have hypertension plus a lot of dryness: dry skin, dry eyes, dry mouth and thirst, constipation and even hormonal deficiencies can benefit from increasing their healthy fat intake. Many nutrients are fat soluble, the body uses cholesterol to make hormones, bile and vitamin D. Healthy fats nourish yin in OM nutrition theory. Some Americans who suffer from hypertension are also thin with an underlying yin deficiency, such as those with the onset of hypertension that coincides with menopausal symptoms. Sources of healthy fats include: nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, flaxseed oil and fish.

           

Eating beans, peas and grains are high in potassium, magnesium, fiber and are high in choline which is vital in lowering hypertension and boosting fat metabolism. Whole grains are also a good source of niacin and vitamin E and are recommended for healthy arteries, especially those that are slightly bitter such as: rye, quinoa, amaranth and oats.


Bishara Wilson
New York Sports Acupuncture
www.newyorksportsacupuncture.com

888.375.5444

7 Ways to Communicate Healthy Habits to Your Kids

7 Ways to Communicate Healthy Habits to Your Kids

As the school year kicks back into gear so should the healthy habits that you and your children have before practiced. Notice how I said “practiced,” because we all know during the summer-vacation months we tend to indulge a little. Maybe you have had one too many backyard barbeques, or three too many trips to the favorite ice cream shop down the street. Whatever your summer vice may be don’t worry about it, you can regain those healthy habits from before and introduce them into your children’s lives!

1. Exercise. Exercise. Exercise.

            Get everyone in the family moving, don’t just emphasize the idea of being active to your children without participating in the activities. In addition to making it fun for the whole family, exercising as a unit will allow you to interact with your child and help them stay healthy and active.

2. Eat a Variety of Foods.

            Don’t just stick to the same food regimen. Make sure you try a vast array of different nutrient-rich foods to boost the health of yourself and your children. There are many different vitamins and minerals out there, and if you just stick to the same old mac n’ cheese menu with the occasional lasagna, you are missing out on an abundance of healthy nutrients for your children!

3. Limit the Screentime.

            It is no stranger that we live in a world constantly absorbed by some type of technology. From work to leisure time, technology is present in our life in one shape or another almost 24/7. But, it is best to try and limit these habits. They promote a lifestyle with less movement and activity, it has been shown to lead to increased obesity and cardiovascular disease. So try and limit your child’s time behind the screen and get them moving.

4. The Most Important Meal of the Day: Breakfast.

            Fuel up! Before you send the kiddos off to school and bring yourself into your favorite place aka work, make sure to create a nutritious breakfast. A breakfast loaded with carbohydrates, milk, cereal and fruits is a great way to regain all the energy lost from the previous day.

5. Pick Rewarding Rewards for Your Kids.

            Sometimes parents tend to reward a job well done or the completion of chores with a trip to the ice cream shop, some candy or a new video game (if you’re feeling really generous). Change the types of rewards and incentives you present to your children. Maybe take them on an excursion to their favorite park, or another outdoor adventure, whatever you decide make sure it is creative and helps to influence healthy habits in your children.

6. Eat Fruits and Vegetables with Every Meal!

            We have already emphasized the importance of eating healthy, but there should also be a frame of reference for what this means. One way to encourage healthy eating is to increase the intake of fruits and vegetables into your child’s diet. A neat way to do this is to have fruits and vegetables as a snack during every meal period.

7. Be the Best Role Model.

            Your children tend to emulate and copy they way you behave, so why not exhibit healthy habits that they can catch on to and then practice themselves. Be the best role model possible for your children and work together as the both of you craft and practice healthy habits for the new school year and beyond. 

Bishara Wilson

New York Sports Acupuncture

www.newyorksportsacupuncture.com

888.375.5444

3 Superfoods to Sneak in Your Kid’s Lunch

3 Superfoods to Sneak in Your Kid’s Lunch

The kids heading back to school means you are headed back to work. And, I am not just talking about your actual job, you know, the one where you go to an office everyday throughout the Monday through Friday workweek. I am talking about packing lunches, that’s right, it is that time again. Packing your children’s lunches is a great way to guarantee they are getting the nutrients they need, as you do not always know what is prepared at the school’s cafeteria. Here are five superfoods you can sneak into your child’s lunch. Superfoods will provide the extra health boost they need!

1. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are great because they can be put into almost anything. In addition, chia seeds pack a powerful nutrient-rich punch, they are high in protein, fat and omega-3s. Chia seeds have been said to protect the body from chronic diseases. Sprinkle some chia seeds into your kid’s sandwich, yogurt or smoothie and they will instantly have a super lunch.

2. Avocado

Filled with mass amounts of fiber and potassium, avocado is truly one of the more delicious superfoods. And, with a plethora of uses it is easy to sneak in some avocado to your kid’s sack lunch. Start by introducing them to guacamole, and then you can put a little guacamole with some blue corn tortilla chips or veggie chips into their lunch. Once they warm up to the avocado, use it in sandwiches, salads or other main courses.

3. Blueberries

Finally, something a little easier. Everyone loves blueberries, right? I mean how can you now appreciate such a delicious fruit. Most importantly, this fruit is one of the most powerful superfoods you can consume. High in antioxidants and phytonutrients, low in sugars and rich in vitamin C, this berry is a modern-day wonder. But, perhaps the easiest thing about blueberries is that you don’t even have to sneak them in. Just put the berries in a small container in your child’s lunch and they are sure to eat them up.

Bishara Wilson

New York Sports Acupuncture

www.newyorksportsacupuncture.com

888.375.5444

Three Ways to Get Your Kids Healthy

Three Ways to Get Your Kids Healthy

It’s that time of year again. The new school year is upon us. Amidst your frantic trips to the store to buy school supplies and new clothes for the kids it’s easy to forget about staying healthy. And if you think you are the only one this happens to, don’t worry you’re not. Within the hustle and bustle of everyday life it is easy to forget about nourishing your body the right way sometimes. Here are a few tips and tricks to get your kids (and you) healthy for the new school year ahead!

1. Limit the Screentime.
Technology is everywhere. It is true that 24/7 technology will be present in your life in some shape or form, and will influence or form our habits. But, it is best to try and limit these habits. They promote a lifestyle with less movement and activity, this has been shown to lead to increased obesity and cardiovascular disease. The use of technology should be limited, and especially when it comes to your children! You want to make sure your children stay active and healthy, and a good way to do this is to limit the amount they use technological appliances.

2. Eat Fruits and Vegetables with Every Meal!
This is very important. One major aspect of staying healthy is to introduce nutrient-rich raw foods into your diet. Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and essential nutrients to enrich and keep the body functioning properly and get it to its best potential. Introduce a daily intake of fruits and vegetables into your child’s life. Make fruits and vegetables fun, start by implementing them as small snacks into every meal period throughout the day, and then as the kids catch on to how delicious they can be, start utilizing a plethora of fruits and veggies as main-course meals.

3. The Most Important Meal of the Day: Breakfast.
Sticking with the food theme is so easy when it comes to talking about being healthy, so we have to mention breakfast. Breakfast is very important and can be critical to starting your child’s day off on the right foot. Make sure you are supplying them with a nutrient-rich breakfast including lots of carbohydrates and various essential vitamins. Don’t just overload on one thing. For example, a breakfast with fresh fruit, cereal and yogurt (for probiotics) can really be a game changer as your child heads back into the busy time the school year provides.

Bishara Wilson

New York Sports Acupuncture

www.newyorksportsacupuncture.com

888.375.5444