Wellness from Within

As many of you know, we write a column, called “Wellness from Within” for the Frontiersman newspaper about once every five weeks. In case you missed our most recent articles, please click on the links below to access them.

Click here to read "Spring Into Action for Your Health"

Click here to read "You are the Expert"

Our next column will be appearing this Friday, June 2nd.

ACA has a new weight loss program

In response to numerous inquiries and requests, Alaska Center for Acupuncture is launching a new weight loss program in partnership with Body in Balance Physical Therapy and Stella Lyn of Red Moon Rising – Herbal and Dietary Consultations.

Recent published studies have demonstrated what is already well known in the acupuncture community: that acupuncture is extremely effective in promoting weight loss, but only in conjunction with both dietary modifications and exercise. To learn more about these studies as well as our new program and how we can help you to achieve your weight loss goals, please view the following link and also view the quick links at the bottom of this newsletter.

Detoxification and Cleansing

Spring is the time that many people choose to do an internal spring cleanse, fast or detoxification diet. To learn more about detoxification diets, read “Staying Healthy With the Seasons” by Elson Haas. The book includes a discussion of various approaches to cleansing diets combined with seasonal tips for health and wellness from a both a western and eastern approach.

Click here for a link to "Staying Healthy with the Seasons"

Some individuals find that contemporary approaches to cleansing and detoxification are too hard on their bodies. For example, cooling foods, such as salads, soy, citrus fruits and uncooked vegetables can actually be depleting for people who are generally cold, tired and lacking in energy. A more balanced, gentler approach to spring cleaning is appropriate for people who actually need more building and nourishing foods.

Adding healthy lacto-fermented foods to your diet (as well as other naturally fermented foods) can be a great way to gently detoxify your body from the effects of stress, chemicals in the environment and bad food while simultaneously promoting healthy intestinal flora. These foods will also improve your energy and rev up your immune system.

Sandor Ellix Katz has written a book called “Wild Fermentation” that explores all aspects of making your own fermented foods and beverages.

Click here for a link to "Wild Fermentation"

Lacto-fermented beverages, such as Beet Kvass are a great way to add nutrition to your diet and get the benefits of healthy intestinal flora as well. The following is a link to an article that talks about several kinds of fermented drinks, including Kvass and Kombucha.

Click here for an article on Kombuchas and Kvass

“The Omnivore’s Dilemma – A Natural History of Four Meals” by Michael Pollan

From the introduction to the book – p.1:

“What should we have for dinner?”

“This book is a long and fairly involved answer to this seemingly simple question. Along the way, it also tries to figure out how such a simple question could ever have gotten so complicated. As a culture we seem to have arrived at a place where whatever native wisdom we may one have possessed about eating has been replaced by confusion and anxiety. Somehow this most elemental of activities – figuring out what to eat – has come to require a remarkable amount of expert help. How did we ever get to a point where we need investigative journalists to tell us where our food comes from and nutritionist to determine the dinner menu?”

**********

Michael Pollan’s book is a fascinating look at the politics of food and eating in our country. He examines four different approaches to eating - Industrial, Big Organic, Grass Fed-Sustainable, and what he calls “Personal”, his attempt to gather and cook his own meal from scratch.

Along the way, we learn about what happens to the 16 million acres of corn grown in the country and how many calories of fuel it actually takes to get 99 calories of organically grown lettuce to the table. He spends a week on the ingenious Polyface Farm in Virginia, where he learns of a sustainable system in which animals and plants do the work to render pesticides and antibiotics completely unnecessary. Is it possible to eat “off the grid” in our country? Michael gives it his best shot by foraging for mushrooms, shooting a pig and growing his own vegetables for the “perfect meal.”

For anyone interested in a behind the scenes look at food in our country, this book is a must-read.

Valley Recycle Pickup

Valley Recycle Pick Up is a new company offering residential and commercial recycling pick-up curbside service in the Palmer/Wasilla core area. Residential recycle collection is only $12 per month with recyclables picked up the 2nd and 4th week of the month. Commercial service is based on volume and frequency of pick-up and with an individualized quote provided to determine price. Valley Recycle Pick Up is convenient, reliable, and affordable to use.

For residential customers, simply place your sorted items in bin(s), set them out on your curb, or at the end of your driveway, and they will be picked up.

Valley Recycle Pick Up is owned and operated by Kelci Hatcher & Skip Hrin, who live in the Palmer area with their two dogs, Oscar & Luke. It is their wish to be a part of making recycling easier for everyone in the Valley. Kelci and Skip are long time recyclers and strong believers in its benefits to both environment and community. They understand that recycling plays an essential part in maintaining the beauty and wonder of the place we call home.

For more information please email Valley Recycle Pick Up at valleyrecyclepickup@gci.net, or call them at 376-1700 and they'd be happy to take your order or answer any questions you have regarding their services.

Herb Walk and Friday Flings

Dandelion Herb Walk with Herbalist, Stella Lyn

Workshop is Friday, June 2nd, from 1pm to 5pm in Sutton. Cost: $40 Participants in this workshop will learn how to harvest dandelions and use them for variousnourishing and medicinal preparations. Call Stella for more information 746-1353 artemisdr eaming@hotmail.com

Massage at the Friday Fling

Friday Flings are here in Palmer from 11am-7pm in Palmer. Pam Stephen, licensed massage therapist, is offering various types of massage for $1.00/minute. Take your lunch break and come to Friday fling for a relaxing massage or call Pam for more information at 715-8748.

info@alaskaacupuncture.com

907-745-8688

http://www.AlaskaAcupuncture.com