Food is Medicine!

Food is THE best medicine. It is said that if you eat within season for a whole year, many illnesses will resolve!

Chinese Medicine eating guidelines...
- eat primarily in season
- eat widely and well
- never "over-eat"...always stay a little hungry
- do not eat after sunset
- especially do not overfeed children
- use meat only to bring yourself in balance. Otherwise eat primarily grain and veggies
- chew food well and taste the flavor fully
- trust your cravings (except for overly salty or sweet)

How does it work?

So I'm needling the foot to treat say... a headache. Common situation. Then the question is asked: "how is THAT going to treat my migraine?!"
I often get into a long drawn out explanation about meridians and nerve pathways and qi and on and on. Which often leaves someone staring at me with that blank "what are you talking about" stare.
So here's a good little trick one of my professors once showed me. She didn't speak English very well and used it to illustrate the effects of meridians.
Stand up straight and place your fingers on the acupoint fengchi (the depression on the occiput...it's usually sore).
Then wiggle your toes. Try to wiggle the little toes for best results.
That being the Foot Shaoyang or Gallbladder meridian from the lateral side of the foot up to the back of the head.
Feel that? Yea... pretty cool huh.
There you go.

Celine Dion Gets Preggers with the help of TCM

Never. Ever. EVER! ... would I have thought that Celine Dion would make an appearance in my blog.
But, I'll leave my (extreme) dislike of her music out of this. (it's pretty bad...I can barely type her name).
Anyways..
She's been trying forever to get knocked up using in-vitro and all kinds of wonderful modern ways that money could buy I bet.
Recently, she tried Acupuncture and taa-daa! Two more little diva spawns. Twins!
Ok... there's a rumor that maaaybe she slept with the acupuncturist.
Which is still news worthy for my blog.
Congrats Celine!
And congrats to Celine's doctor!

Worst Case Scenario

Do I dare dork out and get these?

Yes. These are what you think they are. Knee-high acupuncture socks. ugh. and yes...I actually considered buying them. But, as I write this...I've come to my senses. Just because I am a total dork about Chi Med doesn't mean I need to comprise my appearance and fashion sense. I have already sworn to not be another practitioner wearing baggy hemp pants, those make-me-puke-in-my-mouth qi gong shoes, enormous crystal jewlery... and especially not these socks.
Still. That being said... my birthday is December 22nd. And if you want to get me these...it would probably result in a big wet one.
Thanks in advance!

Chinese Medicine is way cool!

She did it first...Gwyneth Paltrow wearing cupping marks to a New York film premiere. I was so proud of her you have no idea. Then there was Drew Barrymore talking about how her TCM doctor said she had Heart Fire (by the way...yikes!). Also there was Oprah trying out the acupoint Hegu on air. For a bit there, Chinese Medicine became so cool it was sick. Enrollment in schools rose, student loans were finally granted, most extended health plans started covering it, and my grandmother was even convinced that I wasn't practicing witchcraft! (thanks Oprah)
It's starting to seem so yesterday now. But, to me it's still way cool. It works, it makes sense, and ever tried a facial rejuvenation with acupuncture? ...it makes you smoking hot. Okay, maybe not smokin', but helps relieve tension creating lines and treats internal imbalances resulting in rad skin. Just ask Gwyneth.