Watermelon drink
This drink is very cooling and can help keep you hydrated
during the heat. This juice is one of the best remedies for dehydration and
summer heat symptoms, which include thirst without desire to drink, band-like
headache, nausea, low appetite, heavy, weighted body sensation, low motivation,
sluggish digestion, increased body temperature, sticky sweat, surging pulse,
and red tongue with thick white or yellow coating. Watermelon is great for the
heart, while mint is great for the digestive tract. Also, you can add/subtract
more mint or watermelon. I find that by adding at least 10 leaves of mint per
half watermelon is a great balance.
Ingredients
Half A watermelon (seeded or seedless)
10 Fresh mint leaves
Preparation
You will need the following equipment; blender (of any
kind), strainer, bowl, pitcher
1. Begin by scooping out all of the watermelon from the
watermelon, no need to separate seeds (if it's seeded). Place the scooped
watermelon into the blender along with the 10 fresh mint leaves.
2. Blend the ingredients until they are liquefied (1 min)
3. Once the ingredients are liquefied, strain it into the bowl.
4. Take the strained ingredients and pour it into the
pitcher.
5. Serve and enjoy!
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Calling
All Chronic Asthma Patients!
There is a special treatment in Chinese
medicine given during the height of the summer (generally the last two
weeks in July) that helps 'pack in' heat into the lungs. For a person
who
suffers from asthma, this can help lessen the effects of asthma once the
cold
kicks in. So be sure to come in this summer!
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I
appreciate your referrals. If you have enjoyed your experience with my
practice, and know of anyone who may benefit from my care, please send
them my way!
I always appreciate reviews on Yelp or Citysearch. If
you are on Facebook, become a fan of Five Seasons Healing. Or, if you would like to offer a testimonial for my website, email me, and I will happily post it.
Thanks so much for your support!
Sharon Yeung, MS, L.Ac., Doula
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Happy Summer!
Summer has shown her fiery
face and after this past week, it looks like it's gonna be hot! In this
month's newsletter, I share with you the Chinese Medicine approach to
living in harmony with Summer. Bring your body
back in balance during this heatwave by strengthening the immune system,
nourishing and strengthening Qi
and regulating the heart.
This newsletter will be full of tips to help keep
your Qi in harmony by integrating cooling foods into your diet and
keeping cool while staying active. We will also explore a common theme amongst
my fertility patients: when to get off birth control and how to prepare your
body for pregnancy.
Chinese Medicine offers therapeutic support for creating a
healthy, balanced life. Both Marie and I will be
in the office this summer, we'd love to see you and help you beat the heat! This
is a perfect time to schedule your appointment for an acupuncture treatment to
balance and support your body. To schedule
an appointment, please email info@fiveseasonshealing.com or call 917.538.5755.
Love,
Sharon
Sharon
Yeung, MS, L.Ac., Doula
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Heat Wave!
In Chinese Medicine, summer
is a yang season during which the
body has abundant energy that allows for vigorous metabolic (body energy)
processes. It's no surprise that it is also associated with the element of
Fire.
Our bodies are heavily influenced by the
warmth in the environment, and so it is quite easy to overheat during this
season. We are especially prone to accumulated heat in our digestive system,
profuse perspiration, parched mouth and throat, constipation, and heart
palpitations. That is why it is especially important to keep the heat balanced
within our bodies and minds. When the Fire element is in balance, the heart is
strong and healthy, the mind is calm and sleep is sound. A Fire imbalance may
show in the form of either a lack of joy (depression) or an excess of joy
(mania). Other indicators of a heart imbalance include agitation, nervousness,
heartburn, and insomnia.
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Creating
Balance and Harmony in the Summer
Cooling Foods
Certain foods are considered
too yang, or hot to eat in excess
during the warmer months, while others are prized for their yin ability to cool the body, useful in the heat of
summer. Food with cool and cold
properties can clear heat, reduce toxins, and generate body fluids. Overall,
the goal is internal balance between yin and yang forces within
the body. One great way to keep
yourself cool throughout the day is to sip water with slices of cucumber and
lemon. Cucumbers are cooling while the astringent quality of lemons
prevents too much fluid loss as you perspire.
Nutritionally speaking, I recommend foods that are more bland and simple and therefore easy to
digest during the Summer. Try to avoid very rich and heavy food, like lamb
and meats. Fish and seafood are cooling, while most meats are
warming.
Cooling foods are often green: lettuces,
cucumbers, and watercress
being some of the coolest. Other examples of cooling produce you may find
in your local farmer's market: Apricot, Asparagus, Broccoli, Cantaloupe, Chinese
cabbage, Cilantro, Corn, Lemon, Mint, Orange, Peach, Snow
peas, Spinach, Sprouts, Summer squash and White mushroom.
But remember, eating too much cold food (like half a
watermelon in one sitting!) can also be damaging to our digestion. Everything in moderation!
For
more info on nutrition and diet, visit the Five Seasons Healing website!
Tips on Summer Activity
Try exercising in the morning or evening when the
temperature is coolest. Pace yourself when working outdoors, exercising
or just having fun. Those who participate in regular exercise over time,
allowing their bodies to adjust to hot conditions, may better tolerate
exercise on hot days. If you feel dizzy and/or stop sweating, quit all
activity and get out of the sun fast. Drink cool, not cold, water with a
teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in it. The vinegar helps to replace
electrolytes and minerals like sports drinks do. We don't need as much sleep in the Summer,
however an afternoon nap is recommended since the sun sets later and many
of us want to take advantage of nighttime outdoor movies and concerts.
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Pre-Conception Tip: How and When
to Get Off Hormonal Birth Control
Deciding to have a baby can be both exciting and
anxiety-provoking. Many of my patients have questions about when to stop taking
hormonal birth control (such as oral contraceptives, the patch, birth control
injection, and vaginal ring) in order to maximize the chances of a healthy
pregnancy. Here are some things to
consider in the months before you start trying:
Prepare your body for pregnancy by getting off hormonal methods of birth control at least three months before you are ready to start trying. Your body needs time
to regain control of your menstrual cycle and adjust to your natural hormonal
cycle. I recommend allowing your body at least three "natural" cycles to get it
used to building healthy eggs, releasing them during ovulation, building up a
thick uterine lining, then releasing the lining during your period.
This break from the hormonal method of birth control also
gives you a chance to get reacquainted with your menstrual cycle, which is an
important part of trying to conceive (TTC). Sometimes your periods
post-hormonal birth control can be very different. Many patients experience
heavier periods, more cramping or clotting during menstrual flow, irregular lengths of cycles, etc.
I've had patients get pregnant very soon after getting off
hormonal birth control and carry a
healthy baby to term. But it's also not uncommon for some patients to
experience early miscarriages after getting off hormonal birth control because
the body was not ready to "hold" a baby. That's why it's a good idea to
build up the body's reproductive strength before trying.
Acupuncture can help you with the transition off of hormonal
methods of birth control and enhance the body's natural reproductive
functions. This is especially helpful if you had any gynecological issues
before you went on a hormonal method. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs work with your cycle to help
build strong healthy eggs, initiate ovulation, and prepare the body to hold a
baby (if that's in the cards for you that month)!
Other important lifestyle changes that are helpful for pre-conception
include:
A good
Prenatal vitamin or multi-vitamin high in folic acid (at least 800 mcg). It is also good to get folic acid from natural food
sources like: Spinach, Asparagus, Turnip greens, Legumes (such as dried or
fresh beans, peas and lentils), Liver and liver products, Fortified grain
products (pasta, cereal, bread), Sunflower seeds Foods
high in iron help enrich the
menstrual period and the uterine lining: Dried beans, Dried fruits, Eggs
(especially egg yolks), Liver, Lean red meat (especially beef), Oysters,
Salmon, Tuna and Whole grains. Limit
your intake of caffeine, alcohol and processed food. Learn
to chart your Basal Body Temperature.
This will help you determine the best days of the month to have
intercourse to conceive. (Read my blog entry for how to start.) Maintain
a moderate exercise
routine. Try not to push yourself too
hard (like training for a marathon). Meditation can contribute to overall well-being, which
equates to your reproductive well-being. Ask
your partner to join you on this
healthy journey by eating well, exercising and taking a multi-vitamin. Visit
your Gynecologist for an annual
check up or even a "pre-conception" visit.
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