May 2009 Newsletter
In this issue:
- Preparing for Winter
- Acupuncture and Arthritis
- New Lip Balm Packaging
- Food Therapy: Eating In – Breakfast Extravaganza
- Food Therapy: Eating Out - Chocolate Buddha
- Acupressure Workshop Intensives
Preparing your Body for the Coming Winter
Cold weather generally increases stiffness in everybody, and we all have to work that little harder during the cooler months to limber up. Many of us will feel cold particularly in the extremities as cold temperatures can have a constricting affect on blood vessels, which in turn will decrease the flow of blood to the hands and feet. If you are someone who really feels the cold, there are several things you can do to prepare your body for winter:
1) Wear warm clothing to protect your body heat - especially a scarf to keep your neck warm.
2) Eat warming foods. (See our breakfast recipes below for some ideas) Warm food requires less body energy than cold food in order to be digested. This leaves more body energy to help keep you warm.
3) Avoid Smoking - it restricts blood flow.
4) Exercise - By keeping moving you are promoting better circulation. If your job involves a lot of sitting, try to get up every half hour or so.
5) Drink herbal teas rather than coffee. Too much caffeine can constrict blood vessels. Our Libido tea is a great one for the colder weather, or try a lemongrass and ginger blend.
For those who suffer from arthritis, winter can be a particularly difficult time dealing with pain, stiffness and inflammation. Repeated studies have shown the effectiveness of regular acupuncture in treating osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis of the knee in particular has been shown to respond remarkably well to acupuncture treatment. If you find yourself suffering knee problems this winter, talk to us here at the clinic about treatment options. Most clients report feeling considerable improvement after just 4-5 sessions.
New Twist-Tube Lip Balm Packaging - Get a Free Lip Balm
Our organic lip balm products have been a real hit, with the lime flavoured lip balm the star of the range. We are also now proud to announce that we have a convenient twist-tube available for those looking for an easy-to-apply option. We're also looking to expand the range of flavours, and want to put the question out to our readers: if you could have any flavour lip balm - what would you choose? Provided we are able to make your selected flavour, we'll choose the best 3 flavour ideas and put them into production! If the flavour you suggest makes it to our top 3 list, we'll make it and send you a jar. Email your entries to lipbalm@discovertcm.com.au before 10am on Tuesday 9th June for your chance to win.
Breakfast Extravaganza
We have many breakfast recipes that we are often giving to clients. Here we list the most popular ones.
Apple Latte
- Ingredients
- 3 Granny Smith Apples
- ¼ cup Sunflower Seeds
- ¼ cup Pumpkin Seeds
- 3 Brazil Nuts
Juice the three Apples. Place nuts, seeds and freshly squeezed juice in blender for 3 minutes or until completely blended. Serve immediately.
*From the Turn over a New Leaf recipe book
Rice and Quinoa Porridge
This recipe is perfect for the whole family as well as being suitable for celiacs. It's a hearty breakfast that will keep you fuelled for the whole day.
- Ingredients per person
- ¼ cup basmati rice
- ¼ cup quinoa
- 1 ½ cup oat milk or rice milk
- 1 handful chopped fruit or nuts
- a sprinkle of cinnamon (if desired)
some good combos are: dried mulberry and figs, apple and pear, sunflower seed and apple. linseed, walnut and pear. Try a range of ingredients to find your favourite.
Put rice and quinoa on stove with the milk. Bring to boil and then reduce to simmer for 10 mins. Add fruit and/or nuts/seeds and continue to cook for a further 10 mins or until quinoa is cooked.
Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired and serve.
Toasted Essene Bread with Nut Butter and Mung Bean Sprouts
Mung bean sprouts are bursting with energy and nutrients. In the process of sprouting, seeds attain higher levels of protein and vitamins, and also become easier to digest. The accompanying nut butter adds a good dose of calcium, trace elements and essential fatty acids to your breakfast.
Ingredients for nut butter
- 1 cup unsalted raw cashews
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup brazil nuts
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 cup shelled unsalted peanuts
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon celtic sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Blend the ingredients in a food processor until smooth. You will need a strong food processor, as the paste is quite thick. Thickly slice a piece of Essene bread and toast it. Essene bread is a form of bread made from sprouted grains, available at most health food stores. Spread the nut butter on the toast and top with a handful of mung beans.
* from the Turn Over a New Leaf recipe book.
Sage Spinach and Mushroom Omelette
- Ingredients per person
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 2 tbs chopped sage
- ½ bunch english spinach
- ¼ cup skim milk or alternative
- 30g grated hard goats or sheeps cheese
- 1 handful of chopped mushrooms
Heat the oil and add the sage to fry until it's crispy. Drain on absorbent paper and set aside. Steam the spinach for 2 minutes. Drain and squeeze out any excess moisture. Beat the eggs together with the milk and then add the chopped mushrooms. Pour the mixture info a non-stick omelette pan and cook for 4 - 5 minutes. Once the omelette is close to cooked, sprinkle the goat's cheese and sage leaves over the top and cook for another couple of minutes. Spread the spinach over the top once the cheese has melted and fold the omelette in half.
*Adapted from the Food Coach Website.
Food Therapy - Eating Out - Chocolate Buddha
Federation Square, cnr of flinders & Swanston St, city 9654 5688
This Japanese inspired dining room is always doing a roaring trade, partly due to its excellent location at Federation Square. A window seat gives an inspiring view of the big screen at Federation square and the Arts Centre Spire. For larger gatherings there are long communal-style tables and outdoor heated seating.
Chocolate Buddha's philosophy is to serve the staple dishes eaten in Japan with an emphasis on local produce and organic meats. A variety of Ramen (noodles), Donburi (rice dishes), Sushi, Sashimi and Zensai (light dishes/starters) are all on offer as well as Japanese beer, sake and Japanese inspired cocktails.
Teas: With a 25 minute wait on a table (expect this even on a week-night), we made our way to the bar for a pot of tea from the T2 range. A rich supply of polyphenols and assisting digestion, green tea is our recommended beverage from the drinks menu. The Premium Sencha Green is a traditional Japanese tea, or if you are feeling more adventurous we recommend the delightful gorgeous geisha, a green tea blended with the subtle flavours of strawberries and cream.
Sunomo Salad: Good for damp heat (sweaty hands and feet, feeling hot, skin rashes): Blanched and shredded Japanese seaweed and vegetable salad with sweet vinegar Japanese dressing vegetable dashi, mirin, fresh grated ginger and shredded nori. This salad is high is vitamins, minerals and calcium. Best avoided by those with qi deficiency (fatigue, feels the cold, poor digestion) or if you must eat this then have it at the end of your meal, as the cold nature can weaken your qi further.
Green Gyoza: Vegetarian (soy) dumplings. These yummy steamed then pan seared dumplings make a great appetiser. Also available: Pork gyoza. This dish is not as heavy as the typical dumplings that you might get elsewhere. Those with qi stagnation should take it easy with this dish.
Miso Udon: Vegetarian white miso stock with hearty baby vegetables, deep fried silken tofu, shiitake mushrooms, memma and wakame. Overall this is quite a cooling dish, and not ideal for those with a chi deficiency. Good for those with damp heat (feeling hot, sweaty feet hands, high blood pressure and/or cholesterol.)
Teriyaki Gyu Don: Grilled organic sirloin glazed with ginger sauce. Served with braised onions, Swiss chard and pickles over steamed rice. Good for anyone experiencing chi deficiency (feeling cold, tired, bloated) due to the warming qualities of ginger and beef. For those who are overweight avoid too much rice.
Acupressure Workshop Intensives
We are now taking bookings for our acupressure workshops taking place later in the year. Acupressure uses the same points on the body as acupuncture and our intensive workshop aims to provide you with the practical knowledge to take charge of your own health and wellbeing. The course will cover the basics of Chinese Medicine theory, how to locate and manipulate the major acupressure points as well as Chinese Medicine food therapy and exercise therapy.
Dates: July 25th-26th, and September 12th-13th. 11am-5pm $180, see here for further details.
