Monday July 26, 2010

Thanks for Signing up for My Seasonal Newsletters!

Hello Lisa,

Happy Mid-Summer! Thank you for your support and interest in holistic medicine. I help my clients explore Eastern medicine’s many benefits, allowing them to regain, re-balance & revitalize their health. Being an experienced teacher and running a private practice for years, I have learned how the power of Chinese medicine can help change our approach to health and wellness for the better. I do this using a combination of acupuncture, acupressure, eastern holistic nutrition, herbal medicine and breathing techniques. I tailor what I practice and teach based on my client’s individual needs to get the best outcome for their health.

As a thank you for those who have supported me at one of my outreach events I am offering a special summer discount in this letter. I also review a recipe for Quinoa & Dried Blueberry Congee for Nourishing Your Righteous Qi (I love that Chinese phrase). This will help increase your body energy, keep colds away and allow you to wake up refreshed in the morning without feeling heavy. I then discuss the nutritional details from an Eastern nutrition mindset. Try it this week and see how you feel! I give ten foods to consider eating this summer to cool your body down as well as an explanation about why many of us find cold beer so refreshing (it is more than the fact that it is served cold).

I am also very happy to announce I will be expanding my office hours to Tuesday mornings as I open my second location at Ravenswood Health Center. There I will be joining Dr. Jason Fenemma and his knowledgeable staff, adding to their treatments that are offered for natural healing on the north side. It is an amazing facility and a convenient location with parking, train and bus access. 

Thanks for your attention and I hope you enjoy the newsletter.  Please click on "display images" in your email settings to see any pictures accompanying articles.

Regards,

Mitch

Back to top

Fruit As Medicine: Holistic Nutrition Class at the Lakeview Whole Foods

We all hear that we should be eating more fruits, but which ones are better for our particular health as unique individuals? This class will break down which fruits are good for what organs and symptoms according to Chinese Holistic Nutritional Theory, which has observed these affects for thousands of years.

Due to the incredible response during the first nutrition class, I have been asked to give a series of lectures regarding “Food as Medicine- Time Tested Advice for Holistic Health” at Whole Foods (next door to my Private Practice – Eastern Integrative Health). Eastern Nutritional theory recognizes the unique health aspects of every food and of every individual. I will teach participants how to choose foods for their unique health picture and analyze recipes from a time tested holistic perspective. Those who attend will learn basic energetic principles of a variety of foods. Attendees will be given resources for further knowledge and receive a complimentary traditional diagnostic reading at Eastern Integrative Health.The classes cover specific food categories, for a more detailed discussion. Recipes and cooking will also take place at each session highlighting the food category being covered.

Thursday, July 29th
7-8:30 p.m.
Whole Foods (Lakeview)
3300 N. Ashland AveChicago, IL 60657
773.244.4200 * Call to RSVP, there is limited space
* $10 (receive a $10 discount card for Whole Foods)…so it’s essentially free

1. Grains and Legumes (4/29/10)
2. Veggies (6/24/10)
3. Fruits (Thursday, July 29th)
4. Seeds and Nuts (TBA) 5. Mushrooms and teas (TBA) 6. Meats, seafood, dairy (TBA) 7. Wines and Medicinal Elixirs (TBA)

Back to top

Eastern Integrative Health Now at A Second Location!

I am excited to announce that I am able to take the health benefits of Eastern Medicine to the clients at RAVENSWOOD HEALTH CENTER. This location is owned and operated by Dr. Jason Fenemma D.C and his excellent health staff. Dr Fenemma is a postural specialist, earning a post-doctoral fellowship in the Clinical Biomechanics of Posture (CBP). There are only 15 doctors in the entire state of Illinois with such a distinction. Ravenswood Health Center offers chiropractic, corrective exercise, spinal and postural screenings, traction, fitness training, massage as well as new classes in yoga & wellness and weight management programs that have been proven to be effective. I am happy to be a part of such an integrated team and to make Asian medicine another treatment option for clients at this great facility.
4256 N. Ravenswood, Suite 101
Chicago, IL 60613
JUST ONE BLOCK SOUTH OF THE MONTROSE BROWN LINE STOP

OFFICE HOURS:
4256 N. RAVENSWOOD SUITE 101:
TUES: 8-12PM
EVENING HOURS COMING SOON

3322 N ASHLAND AVE:
WED: 8-11AM
FRI: 11-6AM
SAT: 11-6AM

* CLIENTS CAN BE SEEN AT EITHER LOCATION AS RATES AND PACKAGE DEALS ARE INTERCHANGEABLE.

Back to top

Quinoa, Dried Blueberry & Walnut Congee For Nourishing Righteous Qi

Congee is a classic Chinese breakfast dish. It is used to help strengthen digestion if one feels any digestive difficulties like bloating, indigestion, or abdominal cramping. Any change in bowel habits is also balanced by eating congee. The Chinese also use this simple soup to strengthen the body after a serious illness. This is a basic recipe for congee that you can add other ingredients to as desired. There are no rules about what to add: meat, fish, vegetables, and healthy herbs, shredded veggies and nuts are all popular. This version is a protein rich and sweet version of congee that uses quinoa, dried blueberries, walnuts, and a bit of honey. Add the secondary ingredients (if you change them) after bringing the rice to a boil, before turning down the heat.

Ingredients:
• 1 cup quinoa
• 8 cups water (water to desired constancy)• 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)• honey (to taste)• ¼ cup dried blueberries• 1/8 cup walnuts• Soy, rice or almond milk to taste
Serves 6 to 8

Preparation:
In a large pot, bring the water and quinoa to a boil. When the water boils, turn heat down to medium low. Place the lid on the pot, tilting it to allow steam to escape. Cook on medium low to low heat, stirring occasionally, until the quinoa has the thick, creamy texture of porridge (typically about 1 hour). The more water you add, the more easily digested the congee. Make it to your desired consistency, remembering there are no rules for congee.
Add the salt, taste and then add seasonings if desired. When done, add the dried blueberries, walnuts, and a dollop of honey to taste if you need it. Keeping it simple and less sweet may be easier on digestion. You can substitute any grain for quinoa in congee and flavor it with other ingredients (soy or rice milk for example); trying to keep it simple is the key. If you use a rice cooker simply let the quinoa go through the normal cycle, checking occasionally for how moist or dry the quinoa has become and adding water if necessary and taking off the heating coils when the heating cycle is done.

Chinese Medicine Ingredient Analysis:
Quinoa (warm): sweet, sour; strengthens entire body, tonifies qi, warms yang.Blueberries (cool): sweet, sour, astringent, forms body fluids and bloodWalnuts (warm): sweet, bitter, fatty; strengthens lungs and kidneysHoney (neutral): supplements qi and bloodSalt (cool): salty, anti-inflammatory, softens 

Variations:
Soy Milk (neutral to cold): expels heat

Rice Milk (neutral to warming): supplements qi, strengthens spleen/pancreas/stomach

Almond Milk (neutral): sweet, slightly bitter; moistens lung

Recipe Analysis:
This congee recipe strengthens the qi of your entire body. It is not only balanced in temperature but also in qi and fluid nourishment. Serving the quinoa warm is easier on digestion, which is helpful in the morning as your digestive fluids become activated for the day. The main ingredient, quinoa, warms yang, which helps clear your mind and aids in metabolic processing. The dried blueberries help nourish body fluids while the walnuts benefit your lungs and kidneys - key organs for fluid and energy nourishment and balance.
Anyone experiencing lung dryness problems would be better suited to use almond milk, while those looking to clear heat should use soy milk.
Try this recipe by making a large enough batch to have for the week. Eat congee in the morning for one week and I promise your digestion will begin to recover, regain and revitalize into a healthy state of balance.

Back to top

SUMMER PACKAGE DISCOUNT: Offer good Until August 31st

As many of you know, acupuncture and all natural healing modalities work best with repeated treatments as your body learns how to process the new information. To encourage people's experience of therapeutic benefits, I always offer a 10% discount when my clients purchase a 4 treatment package. This includes Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Holsitic Nutrition as well as multiple other modalities like cupping, gua sha, moxabustion, breathing/medication work and e-stim if the condition requires it.

Single treatments are offered if needed. I will call your insurance to discover whether you have acupuncture health benefits and supply you with the proper paperwork for reimbursement.

20% SUMMER DISCOUNT SPECIAL: OFFER GOOD UNTIL AUGUST 31ST.
If you have visited or met me at any of the many health events listed below you are eligible for an additional 10% discount on 4 package treatments of either 30 or 60 minutes (first treatment is always 60 minutes for proper diagnostics)

*This is a savings of 20% - a $68 value. Essentially a FREE one hour treatment!

Qualifying Health Events:
-The Rub Hub Health & Wellness Meetups
-Goddess For a Day Wellness Groupon Event
-Member of the live studio audience for the "Natural Health and Wellness Show:” (see picture above)
-Whole Foods Holistic Nutrition Food as Medicine Classes (Grains, Vegetables or upcoming Fruit class)

If you have not attended one of these events I offer a 10% discount for 4 package treatments YEAR ROUND.

*Remember to tell your friends and neighbors that I offer 30 minute COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATIONS to anyone interested in Eastern Medicine. This is a great way to answer questions, and introduce people to the concepts and benefits of acupuncture, herbs and nutrition.

The Chinese Medicine ideas I introduced have been around for at least 5,000 years and prove their worth in studies of Asian cultures and their longevity. It is a smarter way to approach health preventatively and holistically. Together we can evaluate the integration of these ideas and techniques into your daily living.

Back to top

Benefits of an Eastern Medicine Consultation & Treatment Package:

• Receive a detailed Chinese Medicine health evaluation, including customized nutritional advice, acupoint prescription and treatment, herbal medicine advice.
• Provides time tested advice about healthy lifestyle and eating habits
• Learn how to make time to truly nourish yourself
• Boost your immune system and balance your mind and body systems
• Accomplish more in your daily routine as your vitality increases & stress reduces
• Reduce the risk of chronic disease and the need for medications or surgeries
• Solve pain, anxiety, and chronic and other health issues for loved ones and yourself through the use of holistic and natural medicine.

I understand Eastern medicine is new to many people and I enjoy explaining what it may have to offer. I can give a small demonstration of acupuncture to help alleviate any fears you might have..

I hope to hear from everyone soon. This medicine is truly a gift for us to learn from and enjoy its wisdom. I would be happy to help you in this path.

Back to top

10 FOODS TO KEEP YOU COOL THIS SUMMER...and how beer made the list

Chinese medicine states that we need to be aware of our environment as it plays a profound affect on our health as our bodies try to maintain balance through the seasons. If we are in a hot season we want to balance this by eating cooling foods and beverages. This includes not just the temperature in which foods and drinks are served, but also and most importantly what these foods and liquids natural abilities are to cool our body temperature.

TEN FOODS TO KEEP YOU COOL THIS SUMMER:

Some of these foods may surprise you. After over 2000 years of experimentation and documentation Chinese medicine feels these foods in their natural form help cool the body down, reducing inflammation and agitation in the summertime.

FRUIT AND FRUIT JUICES (visit me at my Food as Medicine, Whole Foods class to learn which fruits are best for you this season)
CUCUMBER
BELGIAN ENDIVE HEARTS
SPINACH
TOMATO
SALADS
BARLEY
WHEAT
GREEN TEA
MUSSELS

So why did I say that BEER made the list when you do not see it listed? Beer is the third most popular drink in the world overall after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of starches, and mainly derived from cereal grains—most commonly malted barley, although wheat is also used. Barley and wheat are on the list of cooling foods. Most beer is also flavored with hops, this adds bitterness and acts as a natural preservative. The flavor of bitterness also clears heat according to Chinese Medicine. So you can see that many of us naturally are following Chinese medicine principles when we go for a glass of beer on a hot day!

I am not endorsing over consumption of beer in the name of natural health. The central principle of MODERATION is always at play in Chinese medicine. Drinking too much beer for too many years can lead to damage of the liver. An adverse health issue of drinking beer from the Chinese medicine view is that too much beer can clog the energetic system of digestion, leading to fluid accumulation as well as dampening the fire of our digestive metabolism. This is the Chinese medicine explanation of "beer gut".” The digestive function is impaired and bloating becomes the norm. Why some people get this and others do not is related to their individual energetic blueprint.
When you come in to get an eastern holistic nutrition consultation from me these patterns are discussed and you begin to learn which foods you can tolerate in the long and short term and which ones may be best left alone or eaten in true moderation. I hope this shows you that Chinese medicine is about learning how foods and medicine work for us depending on what we need.

Live Well, Eat Well Sleep Well~

Mitch

Back to top