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Chinese lunar New Year: A do-over for your New Year’s resolutions

By admin | Published January 14, 2013

It’s about almost month into the New Year. Do you already wish you had a do-over for your New Year’s Resolutions?

If so, you’re in luck.  You do.

February 10th is the Chinese lunar New Year.  The celebration of the New Year, the Spring Festival, is China’s longest and most important holiday.  Because it is based on a different calendar, it falls on a different date between January 21 and February 20 every year.  You can think of Spring Festival as Christmas and New Year all rolled into one.  Just like our holiday season, it’s a time of celebration, visiting family and friends, giving gifts and preparing for the next year.

Chinese Lunar New Year:   Spring Festival

In China, there are many New Year’s traditions during the 15-day Spring Festival.  Many people clean their homes to sweep away the past year and usher in the next.  Oftentimes family members travel home for a visit.  Children receive red envelopes, called hóngbāo in Mandarin, filled with money from their relatives. People hang red lanterns outside their homes to bring happiness and good luck.  On Chinese New Year’s Eve families gather for a huge meal and enjoy “lucky” foods together.  And, of course, there are fireworks.

The Chinese zodiac has 12 years in its cycle, each one represented by an animal; 2013 is the Year of the Snake.  Astrologers say that people born in the Year of the Snake are wise but enigmatic.  They are very intuitive and size up situations well, but say little.  Snakes are refined; they like to dress well and are usually financially secure. They are intense and passionate in relationships, but can become jealous and suspicious.  Snakes prefer a calm, stress-free environment.

Recommit to Your New Year’s Resolutions

The Chinese do not traditionally make New Year’s Resolutions like we do in the West, however this is a good time to reflect on the goals you set a month ago. Are you keeping your New Year’s resolutions?

If you’re having trouble, maybe it’s time to take a lesson from the Snakes.  Take a quiet moment and reflect on what is stopping you.  Do you need to get serious?  Do you need additional support?  Are your goals genuine—do you want to do them or do you think you should do them?  Why haven’t you kept your New Year’s Resolutions?

If your resolutions include improving your health in 2013, I can help you with that.  Give me a call and we can arrange an appointment for anything from a tune-up to weight control to mood balancing.

If you need to make a deeper commitment to your resolutions, take a moment and think about what you need to do to keep them.  Write down 3 easy action steps.

…and do them.  Now.

Use the Chinese lunar New Year as a do-over.  Commit to your New Year’s resolutions.

Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái.  Happy New Year.

Photo credit: Gayle Nicholson / Foter / CC BY-SA

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The Pessimist’s Guide to Gratitude

By admin | Published December 24, 2012

Your mother was right–say thank you.

Scientists have now proven what your mother always knew–it’s good to be grateful.  Being grateful is more than just politeness; it’s actually good for your health and well-being.

In a study by Robert A. Emmons, of the University of California, and Davis and Michael E. McCullough, of the University of Miami, people who kept gratitude journals showed higher levels of health and well-being than people who journaled neutral events or counted hardships.  After 2 months, the people who journaled their gratitude felt more optimistic and happier than their control counterparts. They reported fewer physical problems and spent more time working out.  People with neuromuscular problems who did the same thing fell asleep more quickly, slept longer and woke up feeling more refreshed.  Even their spouses noticed the difference!

How can you cultivate gratefulness even if you’re a glass-half-empty person?

Read the rest here…

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9 Healthy Holiday Eating Strategies

By admin | Published December 10, 2012

Pie.  Cookies.  Chocolate.  Eggnog.  Champagne.

The holiday season is filled with good foods.  You eat and drink with your friends and loved ones to celebrate how much you care about them.

But we all know that too much of a good thing is no longer good.  Too many rich foods can lead to extra pounds, digestion upsets, mood swings and a generally “yucky” feeling.

It’s all about balance.

Good, healthy holiday eating can make the difference between an enjoyable holiday season and a miserable one.  The trick is to enjoy treats without overdoing them.  Make a healthy holiday eating strategy and plan to enjoy the holiday celebrations without feeling bad the next day.

See some healthy holiday eating strategies below the fold…

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Tasty Tuesday, Chili-Brown Sugar Delicata Squash with Pears

By elizabeth | Published December 4, 2012

Pears and delicata squash tossed with brown sugar, chili powder and bacon is a delectable combination. To make this vegetarian, omit and bacon and toss the squash and pears with the brown sugar and chili powder during the last 5 minutes of roasting.

Ingredients
1 pound delicata squash (about 1 large)
2 medium ripe but firm pears, sliced
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 slices of bacon -optional (substitute: dash of liquid smoke)
2 tablespoons water (vegetarian use lime juice)
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon chili power

Garnish: fresh cilantro and roasted pumpkin or squash seeds

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2. Cut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds. Cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices. Toss in a large bowl with pears, oil, salt and pepper. Spread on a large baking sheet.
3. Roast the squash and pears until just tender, stirring once or twice, 20 to 25 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
5. Discard all but 2 teaspoons fat from the pan. Over medium heat, stir in water, brown sugar and chili powder. Add the squash and pears; toss to coat. Crumble the bacon on top.

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The Key to Staying Healthy

By admin | Published November 26, 2012

If you live in a rainy area, the odds are pretty good that your automobile will develop some body damage over its lifetime.  Does this mean that you never wash your car because it’s going to rust out anyway?  Of course it doesn’t.  If you care about your car, it means that you’ll fight extra hard to protect your investment.

The reality is that most of the top killers today are lifestyle related, regardless of your family history.  Just because you inherit the genes doesn’t mean that you have to continue the lifestyle.

Cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders…all of these conditions are greatly impacted by diet, lifestyle habits, depressed nervous systems, our home environments, etc.

Until we change our focus from the curing of disease to the propagation of health, history is destined to repeat itself.

Remember that the body has the capacity to heal easily, as long as there is the proper balance and flow of energy. The key to staying healthy is not to inject “cures” from the outside, but rather to get the innermost layer (the meridian system) in order first, and then to insulate it with layer upon layer of healthy, productive lifestyle habits.

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What is health?

By admin | Published November 12, 2012

What does it mean to be healthy?  Health is a state of optimum physical functioning, spiritual enlightenment, social well-being, and mental aptitude.  True health is so much more than settling for mediocrity.  It’s not about living life just barely above the doldrums, or hoping against hope that you won’t get sick or that you’ll finally feel better.

Understand that your body was designed to be healthy and in balance.  This is your natural state.  If you are struggling with your health, you have most likely, throughout the course of living, allowed your body to get out of balance. Taking medicine to treat a symptom will never create balance within the body.  Acupuncture works with the body to return it to its natural state of balance so that it can heal from the inside out.  Don’t divert the smoke, put out the fire!

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Tasty Tuesday, Red Lentil Dal

By elizabeth | Published October 10, 2012

Dal is an Indian stew made with lentils and spices which is usually served over rice.  It is very easy to make and portions can be frozen for later use.

Serves 6 to 8

2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons black mustard seeds

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds

1 large onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, crushed

2 teaspoons turmeric

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste (heaping)

2 large carrots, peeled and diced

3 medium red potatoes, cubed

2 1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed and drained (we used yellow split peas)

6 cups water

1 can coconut milk (we used “light”)

2 cups chopped tomatoes or one 14-ounce can diced tomatoes

2 teaspoons sea salt or Herbamare, or to taste

1.  In a large 8-quart pot heat olive oil over medium heat, then add cumin seeds and black mustard seeds.  Saute until they begin to pop.  Quickly add onions and garlic and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.

2. Add turmeric, ground cumin, cayenne, carrots, and potatoes, saute a few minutes more.

3.  Add red lentils, water, coconut milk, and chopped tomatoes.  Stir well.  Bring to a boil, then let simmer, covered, for about 45 minutes.  Add salt to taste and serve.

Elizabeth:  I also added a handful of curry leaves @ step 3; and a 1/4 tsp coriander seeds @ step 1.

Enjoy!

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Tasty Tuesday, Summer Squash Soup

By elizabeth | Published September 1, 2012

End the summer and get ready for autumn enjoying this tasty soup!

2 – 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large sweet Vidalia onion, chopped
2 – 4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
8 – 10 cups chopped yellow summer squash
6 tablespoons uncooked white rice
8 cups vegetable stock
1 bunch cilantro, coarsely chopped
2 – 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
sea salt to taste

1. Heat a 6 to 8-quart pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then the onion and saute for 5 to 10 minutes or until onion softens and is beginning to change color.

2. Add garlic and cumin and saute a minute more.

3. Then add chopped summer squash, white rice, and stock.

4. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until squash is tender and rice is cooked.

5. Remove from heat and puree in your blender or Vita-Mix in batches.

6. Toss in the whole bunch of cilantro and puree.

7. Pour soup into another clean pot or bowl, stir batches together, and taste. If it needs a flavor boost add lemon juice and sea salt to taste.

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Tasty Tuesday, Watermelon Gazpacho

By elizabeth | Published July 18, 2012

Try this recipe to cool off on our Hot, Hazy, Humid days!

1/2 big seedless watermelon

1 cucumber – peeled and seeded

1 red bell pepper – seeded

1 red chili pepper – seeded

1 red onion – peeled

3 cloves of garlic – peeled

1 fist full of basil

2 sprigs of oregano

3 tbsp of lime juice

Several mint leaves

Any fresh herb you would like

Salt and pepper to taste

________________

Mix everything in a blender or food processor until smooth.   Add one cubed zucchini to the gazpacho and garnish with mint, basil, cilantro, lime or gorgonzola, hot sauce or yogurt.

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Summer Rolls

By elizabeth | Published July 18, 2012

Ingredients:

1 green pepper, 1 red pepper, 1 orange pepper – cut up and seeds removed

cilantro

shredded carrots

cellophane rice noodles

ricer wrapper

Directions:

Pour hot water on the rice noodles and let sit 5 minutes.  Drain and rinse.

Soak rice wrapper in warm water for 5 seconds.  Dry off on a tea towel or paper towel

Lay rice wrapper out flat on a plate

Lay three pieces of cut pepper, some cilantro and shredded carrots, and a pinch of the cellophane noodles.

Fold over sides and then roll.

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