NEW  PALTZ  COMMUNITY  ACUPUNCTURE

FIRST ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE

October 16th, 3-6pm

• Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4pm
• Locally-produced wine and hors d'oeuvres
• Raffle for prizes (including a free treatment)
• Cool give-aways
• Discount for all new patients who schedule a first-time
  appointment

Supporting Your Qi, Supporting Your Health

At the foundation of Chinese medicine is the concept of qi.  Qi (pronounced "chee") is translated as "life force".  It's the basis of everything in the universe, and  at the core of everything that we are.  Our bodies, minds, spirits, emotions, and thoughts are comprised of qi at varying densities.  Qi nourishes our organs, provides immunity, and plays a crucial role in the formation of blood.  When we are in an optimal state of wellness, qi is of good quality and quantity and flows freely throughout our bodies.  When qi gets depleted, stuck, or flows in the wrong direction, illness, disease, and pain result.   In order to maintain good health, it is essential to take good care of your qi.

The quality of our qi  depends on what we take in, how we maintain ourselves, and what we keep in our immediate environment: the foods we eat; the water we drink; the air we breathe; the balance and quality of work, play, and rest in our lives; the people we surround ourselves with; how we handle stress; the love we receive; the love we give; the lives we lead.  Acupuncture works with qi in many ways.  It helps to remove the blocks that impede the free-flow of qi.  It also sets the stage to allow you to use the nourishment you're taking in most effectively and efficiently. 

Acupuncturist and patient work together with a common goal of helping the patient to achieve increased wellness, vitality, and quality of life.  We can play an active role in our healthcare by assessing the things we do which affect our qi, and making changes when necessary.  When implementing change, doing it one step at a time provides the best chance of success. 

Nutrition is a great place to start.  In our busy lives, it can be very difficult to eat nutrient-rich food.  We often eat on the run and make choices that don't support our health.  I invite you to make one change this month:  cook a healthy, whole-food, nutritious meal once a week.  You can even double the recipe so you have leftovers throughout the week.  For a meal to nourish your body and your qi, choose ingredients that are organic and whole (not processed).  Slow down, sit down, relax and enjoy it.  Savor it.   Give your qi some love - it will thank you!  You'll be giving it what it needs to do its job of helping you to thrive.     

                                                Chinese character - Qi

  RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Butternut Squash and White Bean Stew

This is a great, warming, seasonal stew for the cool autumn.  It's super easy to make, good for you (and your qi), and your kitchen will smell great.  I encourage you to buy organic ingredients if you can.  Local organic produce is better for you, better for the local economy, and better for the planet.  (See the next section for a listing of local farmers' markets and farm stands.)  

1 T extra-virgin olive oil

5 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1 medium-sized onion or shallot, chopped

1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, medium cubed

1 can diced tomatoes, in liquid (Muir Glen's fire-roasted tomatoes are particularly tasty)

1 can white beans, drained and rinsed

1 sprig of fresh rosemary (or a tsp of dried), chopped

4 or 5 cups of water or stock

1 bunch of kale (or spinach or chard), torn into small pieces

salt and pepper to taste

Saute the garlic and onion in the olive oil until golden brown or slightly caramelized.

Add the rest of the ingredients except the kale. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 45 minutes.

Add kale, cover and simmer for 5 more minutes.  Stir kale in well. 

Uncover stew, let it simmer and reduce for 15 minutes until desired consistency.

Serve with a side of steaming bowls of your favorite whole grain, topped with olive oil and sea salt - or just some crusty, warm, multigrain bread.

Dee-lish.

Farmers' Markets and Farm Stands

Here are just a few of the many great resources for fresh, local food - veggies, fruit, bread, eggs, cheese, meat, among other things.  (You may want to ask each vendor about their growing practices.)

New Paltz Farmers' Market

Sundays 10:30-4 through October

24 Main St (parking lot of Rock & Snow/across from Wachovia Bank)

Rosendale Farmers' Market

Sundays 9-2 through October

Rosendale Community Center (1055 Route 32)

www.rosendalefarmersmarket.com

Gardiner Farmers' Market

Fridays 4-8  through October

Gardiner Library, 133 Farmers Turnpike

Kingston Farmers' Market

Saturdays 9-2 through November

Wall Street

www.kingstonnyfarmersmarket.com

Meadow View Farm Stand

Open daily through October

105 Phillies Bridge Rd, New Paltz

www.newpaltzfarmersmarket.com/meadowviewfarm/index.html

Support Local Agriculture - Buy Locally!

BRAWL : Broad's Regional Arm Wrestling League

Thursday, October 7 at 7pm

Water Street Market, New Paltz

New Paltz Community Acupuncture has donated a gift certificate for raffle