This is what we should all be eating!
Granny’s 72 Hour Beef and Lentil Broth.
Have your cake
I’d like to recommend a book! It’s one I discovered fairly recently after cheekily asking the waitress in a local tea shop if I could have the recipe for the fabulous piece of cake I’d just eaten.
“Red velvet & chocolate heartache” by Harry Eastwood, is a beautifully presented recipe book of delicious cakes. What I like about the recipes is the incorporation of different vegetables which add fibre and nutrients as well as providing structure, moisture and natural sweetness.
While most traditional cake making starts with creaming together butter and sugar, these recipes start with whisking eggs and sugar together until tripled in volume. The remaining ingredients include rice flour, ground almonds and finely grated vegetable, such as carrot, courgette, sweet potato, butternut squash, parsnip or beetroot.
The natural sweetness of the vegetables mean that less sugar is used. Rice flour and ground almonds instead of conventional wheat flour give the cakes a lovely lightness and intensity of flavour. In my opinion, these cakes are nicely digestible, although there’s no getting away from the fact that they are still a high calorie treat. (Even though these recipes for the cake itself is low fat, once you add a dollop of butter icing…..)
Cake has an important role in our lives. It’s social and forms the centrepiece for celebration, whether that’s Christmas, birthday, wedding or simply a celebration of friends and family. My favourite so far has been the mint choc chip cupcakes….lipsmackingly gorgeous!
Acupuncture decreases plantar fasciitis pain
Acupuncture should be considered as a major therapeutic instrument for the decrease of heel pain in plantar fasciitis (PF), according to a Greek study. Thirty-eight patients with PF were randomly allocated to receive treatment with ice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and a stretching and a strengthening program, or another group who received the same therapeutic procedures plus acupuncture. Scores for pain and mobility/function were significantly smaller in acupuncture group after at two months. (Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis in Recreational Athletes: Two Different Therapeutic Protocols. Foot Ankle Spec. 2011 Aug;4(4):226-234).
The study above doesn’t specify the details of the acupuncture treatment but I must say that on the whole, I’ve found plantar fasiitis quite an easy problem to treat. I would usually use electro-acupuncture because of it’s reliable pain relieving effects. If the calf muscles are tight then I use massage to release them and check the achilles tendon as often this is tight also.
I suppose footwear is something to be aware of, overly flat shoes are reported to exacerbate the problem. Encouraging the patient to stretch and rotate the ankle keeps a good blood flow. There are always different approaches to a problem. Traditional acupuncturists will tend to ‘treat what they find’ so treatment isn’t always the same for any two patients presenting with the same complaint.
Celebrate Chinese New year of the Dragon with half price Tuina massage
Year of the Dragon
2012 heralds the Chinese new year of the dragon! By nature, dragon years have a special sense of flamboyance and charisma. The dragon year represents a good time for new beginnings and ventures and a time of tempestuous tempers. Business and making money can seem all too easy however so too can spending it so we’re all reminded to keep a sense of caution!
Horoscopes are a good bit of fun but are unfortunately unlikely to predict what this year has in store for us. What I want for 2012 is to develop and promote Tuina massage. In the past, I’ve had plenty of tuina massage myself and been so impressed with the results that I’ve been training in tuina with Errol lynch of Tuina UK.
Tuina (“twee-na”) is a form of massage widely used in Chinese hospitals for the treatment of musculo-skeletal problems. The patient remains fully clothed and is covered with a thin sheet. The practitioner employs a variety of techniques such as ‘gun-fa’ (hand rolling), ‘rou-fa’ (kneading), stretching and mobilisation of joints as well as utilising acupressure points.
As an acupuncturist, I use tuina in combination with acupuncture to treat a broad range of problems but I also offer tuina as a stand alone treatment for generalised muscle tension and to promote relaxation. It’s great for sporty people who have overworked their muscles but also for older people who are experiencing general aches and pains. In short, it’s important for all of us to maintain a certain level of flexibility and ease of movement.
To celebrate Chinese New year of the dragon, I’m offering a half price ‘tuina taster’. A 45 minute massage for only £15 (usual price £30). I’m based in Trinity st, above Sante Health shop (see website for contact details). The offer is open until the end of March.
Why now and why on such a large scale?
The recent riots have been a shock to us all but are we really that surprised? Martin Luther King said, that rioting was reactionary not revolutionary. It was an expression of anger, of hopelessness and helplessness and the perpetrators know it to be a futile act. The previous government’s decision to ‘go to war’ in Iraq left many people feeling their wishes were not being represented. Since then, there have been scandals of corruption within a ‘greedy’ government, a corrupt police force and an unscrupulous press. No wonder the people have lost faith.
This government got elected not on policy but because it was time for a change. Cameron looked fresh and good mannered while ‘grumpy’ Gordon looked tired and appeared to be losing his grip. We now have three old Etonian boys running this country. Cameron, Osbourne and Johnson’s credentials appear to be more dependent on their class rather than ability. They have no understanding of the difficulties faced by many people in this country and are ludicrously out of touch.
In the time they have been in power I don’t believe this government have done anything positive. The emphasis has been on cuts and propping up the markets, the nature of which are built on thin air and are part of the financial problem that we are facing today. While encouraging investment into the country maybe one element of surviving this financial mess, so to surely is supporting the micro-economies of our communities across the country. People need jobs, they need their bus services, they need healthcare and the police to keep them safe. People need access to a good education and the means for social mobility. The government is ignoring this.
Access to a university education is now further away than ever if you are from a poor income family. With the lack of jobs and opportunities for young people it is no wonder that they are angry. What young people see when they look to the authority of the police or the morality of the government is that to get ahead you have to be corrupt and take what you can. Success depends on class, privilege and corruption not hard work and decency and these values are being unconsciously sold to our young generation.
The government have responded to the recent violence by blaming the police and social media sites. The police did get things in hand eventually and more quickly perhaps than Cameron returned from his holiday. Many called for the police to be more heavy-handed but perhaps in hindsight we can be thankful that they didn’t as who knows how things could have escalated. Social media sites may have provided a platform for the rioters to organise themselves but they also provided the means for people to stay informed and safe.
Cameron’s redemption and credibility relies on how he handles the aftermath of this situation. Criticising the police and blaming social media sites is not the answer. I’m afraid to say, it’s not looking good.
9000 Needles
Friday 8th July, 8pm
Colchester Arts Centre
“Well, thank God this is America and we have a choice. And we have chosen China!” Doug Dearth
9000 needles is a documentary about the personal journey of recovery of Devin Dearth, a successful American businessman who suffers a paralysing stroke. His rehabilitation is hindered by the limitations of the American health insurance system, so his family raise the money to take him to Tianjin, China where he embarks on a far from conventional program integrating Western and Traditional Chinese medicine.
The movie was produced by Devin’s brother Doug, a filmaker who initially had qualms about the potentially intrusive nature of filming intimate family moments, especially as they had no idea of what the outcome would be. The screenings of the movie however have enabled the family to fund Devin’s rehabilitation as well as proving motivational to Devin himself.
I am excited to have had the oportunity to arrange a screening of this movie here in the UK. There are many misconceptions about China and Traditional Chinese medicine. What comes across in this movie is the quiet determination and sense of pride from the team of Doctors who treat Devin. After the first day of Acupuncture treatments and medicinal herbal baths, Devin experiences more improvement than in many weeks of treatment in the United States.
This award winning film is a must for anyone interested in alternative methods of healthcare, particulary Chinese medicine and Acupuncture. 9000 needles (or 9,157 to be exact!) is both emotionally harrowing, inspirational and moving as it reminds us of the strength and compassion of the human spirit.
If you’re in the area, come & support this event. Those of us who shout: “there is another way” are often labelled quacks. This film shows that there is another way!
For more info: http://karenjeffery-acupuncture.com/?page_id=421
No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.
Acupuncture for Fertility
Spring is a time where nature bursts forth into a period of chaos and activity. Suddenly, life is everywhere in abundance, the ducklings and the daffodils. In many cultures Spring represents a time of rebirth, renewal and particularly, fertility. For many couples however, it seems that Spring will never come.
We spend a lot of time preventing pregnancy, so when we make the decision, that the time is right to have a baby, we expect it to be easy, and for a lot of couples, it is. However it is quite normal for conception to take 12-18 months. This can end up being a stressful waiting game.
In a cruel twist of nature, pre-menstrual symptoms can mimic the early signs of pregnancy. Women can go through a roller-coaster of excitement and disappointment each month. Ovulation kits and early pregnancy detectors taunt us. Information is everywhere, the right diet, the right position, the right supplement. Everyone seems to be pregnant. The process becomes all consuming and very stressful.
I successfully treat many couples for fertility issues. Acupuncture is an excellent treatment for regulating the menstrual cycle. Common problems include irregular cycle, heavy or scanty menstrual flow, a long bleed, mid-cycle spotting, erratic ovulation and so on. Women who experience miscarriage can find that their cycle changes so a return to the normal cycle is an important step towards conception.
Male fertility is also improved with acupuncture. Acupuncture can improve sperm production as well it’s mobility and motility. It’s relaxing effect reduces stress levels, improves energy and leads to increased libido and performance.
Once the above elements are in place and we can confirm that all is working as it should be, then it may be as well to cast aside the fertility monitors and let nature take over. The increase in temperature during ovulation often puts a sparkle in a women’s eye, to which a man responds. Nature it seems is very clever!
Taking time for yourself and time for each other might just be the best road to conceiving. Keeping a balanced perspective whilst trying for a baby is probably the most important thing as is maintaining the love and romance between the partners. However dark the Winter becomes, it is important to remember that Spring is just around the corner.
Is it me or is it hot in here? Acupuncture can ease the journey.
As a traditional acupuncturist, I treat a whole number of conditions but particularly those related to the natural cycles of a womans life. The potential to bear life can be an important factor in a woman’s sense of purpose and worth, therefore menopause can be a turbulant time of change and reflection. Acupuncture is an excellant therapy to ease the journey.
Menopause represents the normal transition from a reproductive to a non-reproductive stage in a womans life. For most women, this happens over a number of years, usually between the ages of 48 to 55. Interestingly, this seems to have remained the same for centuries and is common across the globe.
The first signs of menopause start with various changes to the menstrual cycle. Disturbances in sleep, metabolism (weight gain/water retention), hot flashes, night sweats and emotional problems are common which are also exacerbated by stress. For some women, these symptoms can be become so extreme that their daily lives are severely disrupted.
Western medicine treatment involves the supplementation of Oestrogen in the form of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Most gynaecologists however, would agree that strictly speaking it is only hot flashes and vaginal dryness that are a direct result of oestrogen deficiency, so HRT is not always the complete answer. Many women also express a desire to avoid medication and persue a natural route.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), menopause is seen as a natural decline in what is called Jing or Essence. This is a broad term which relates to deep ‘energies’ of the body. We talk in terms of Qi (“chee”) or energy, however Qi should be thought of more as a metaphor rather than an electrical current! It is the manipulation of qi that enables the practitioner to influence body systems.
TCM recognises the complex interaction during menopause, between hormone producing systems (not just of oestrogen) such as the ovaries, thyroid, adrenals etc which are responsible for the regulation of reproduction, growth, maturation, metabolism, maintanance of temperature and adaptation to external stressors. When this system is out of balance, so a combination of the above symptoms occur.
Acupuncture, as most people are aware, is the insertion of fine needles into specific locations (‘points’) of the body, (usually hands and lower legs). Despite what you might think, it is painless and deeply relaxing. The points used are chosen, after a full consultation, to treat your own individual set of symptoms.
Acupuncture prompts the regulation of body processes and hence is a gentle, balancing treatment with few side effects. (You may feel tired after the first couple of sessions). A course of treatment is required depending on severity of symptoms which usually begin to improve after the first one or two sessions. Whatever your individual set of symptoms during the menopause, acupuncture can soon have you feeling like (an even better version of) yourself again.
Beginnings and Endings
As 2010 draws to a close, I wonder what 2011 will bring? Is this the end or the beginning?
Chinese Medicine teaches us to promote a smooth flow in our lives. With each experience, we can ask ourselves: “is it good, or is it bad?” It is neither. As we look back and remember those that we have lost, we must be appreciate all that we have gained from knowing them. Perhaps it’s another way of seeing our glass half-full.
Beginnings and Endings
The Acupuncturist
Told me how Chinese medicine
Connects the Grief emotion
To the intestines
As he treated me
For a painful
Somewhat mysterious malady
Beginnings and Endings
Separations
How to say good-bye
Holding the sadness in,
Or as he said once before
Some Deep Holding
Holding in the grieving
For a long time-yes said I
At least 21 years
Since my mother’s death
And also Elsa, and he said
The recent separation
Yes I agreed, and he said
Beginnings and Endings
That’s really all he needed
To say that day
Because with his treatment
I cried and cried
My body shaking, quaking,
Tears filling up my ears
The needles sticking out all over me
Today was a healing feeling experience
Some part of what is trapped inside
Could no longer be repressed, denied,
Had to be expressed, so may
My future life be blessed
With an ability to calmly flow
To let it go-to tell it on the mountain
To tell my story
In all of its intricate
Weavings and blendings
Beginnings and Endings
Lincoln Bergman
Happy New Year!
Is work ruining your life?
the daily grind can be overburdening
A news item this week involved an air steward making a dramatic exit from a plane but also I suspect, his career. The plane had landed but was experiencing delays disembarking. The steward was doing his best to dissuade a passenger from opening the overhead locker, in doing so he took a lot of abuse and the final straw was when he got hit by a piece of luggage. Grabbing a beer from the trolley on the way, he opened the emergency shute and slid to freedom. How many of us have had moments when we just wanted to throw in the towel and walk away?
I couldn’t help but smile and a little part of me thought, ‘good on you’. It reminded me of a horrible job I had years ago, where the boss was the most outrageous renowned bully. A colleague and myself used to reduce ourselves to tears of laughter, thinking up outlandish ways to ‘make our exit’. That didn’t make up for the fact that we all dreaded being called to the office and many evenings were spent crying or seething about events of the day.
I don’t have statistics to quote but I suspect work related stress contributes considerably to the levels of illness within the population. Even those of us who work in healthcare and should know better can often get overburdened by other people’s woes. The pressures put upon NHS workers are considerable but all professions have their own pressures. The signs that your job may be taking its toll on your health include:
- Self-medicating: needing a drink to wind down; using drugs, whether illegal or legal, such as a regular use of pain killers or seemingly harmless over-the-counter remedies; overeating to try to change our emotional state; relying on caffeine, energy drinks or sugar to get ourselves through the day
- Emotional issues: irritability, insomnia, depression, feeling anti-social or feeling somehow alienated from the world around you
- Physical symptoms: muscle tension, headaches, IBS, nausea, tooth grinding, skin eruptions, even infertility and many more conditions have stress at their root.
All in all, if Monday morning fills you with a feeling of dread, then it may be time to rethink your job or even career. That’s not always an easy task or in many cases practical and it may be that we have to find ways of coping with daily stresses in order to maintain our health and just as importantly, our sanity.
Acupuncture works amazingly well for the above conditions partly due to its relaxing and harmonising effects. Once the body and mind are in a balanced state, the mind becomes clear. When we are in this state of mind, it is easier to make good food choices, have the energy and peace of mind to deal with problems in an ‘adult’ way and perhaps then we can start to make minor changes in our lifestyles to counteract our daily stress and find a balance in our lives.
- Consider trying pilates, yoga, tai chi, qi gong or some activity that gently stretches the muscles to combat muscular problems caused by lifting, sitting in front of a computer or any other sedentary or repetitive movements. Alternatively, have a regular massage or some other form of body work.
- Take some time at lunch to have a short walk in order to get the circulation going and fill the lungs with fresh new oxygen. If possible find a quiet outdoor space to ‘reboot’.
- Try some simple meditation like listening to some relaxing music on your ipod whilst consciously breathing, filling the body with positive white light.
- Get adequate sleep. There’s no point sitting up late watching rubbish on TV. Go to bed.
- Try to maintain good nutrition avoiding ‘ready meals’.
- Plan ahead and take regular holidays, even if it’s just a long weekend. Find activities outside of work that give you pleasure and fulfillment.
All in all, learn when to say ‘no’ and leave work at work. Life’s too short! Most importantly, recognise the signs and get help. There are numerous support groups for drug and alcohol related problems. In health related professions, there is often ‘supervision’ available. However trapped and isolated you may feel, there is always a way out. By making a few minor changes we can take back control of our lives. Taking those first few steps out of ‘the rut’ and towards a happier life is a liberating experience.
