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2010 is the YEAR OF THE TIGER.
Happy Chinese New Year!
1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
Tigers are physically powerful, gracious, independent and brave, they are extremely bold animals. They are friendly and loving but can also be selfish and short tempered. Tigers seek attention and power; frequently they are envious in a relation. Tigers live dangerously which often leads to trouble. They are intolerant, take risks and are always searching for excitement. Tigers are also instilled with a good dose of courage.
The Tiger has an overpowering attraction and is very kind and always takes on the character as protector. The Tiger flourishes by power and attention and takes advantage of all circumstances it gets itself into. The Tiger is a natural leader and loves to be the center of attention. As a rebel it goes up against authority and speaks out about wrongs in society, and willingly puts up objections. Even if you don't agree with the beliefs of the tiger you admire his way to protest.
People born in the Year of the Tiger always take pride in being different from others, and normally demonstrate their originality best in their homes. Their homes are typically filled with exotic possessions. It is no surprise that one of the Tiger's favorite gemstones is the cat's eye, but tigers also love the sparkle of rubies and diamonds. They like to spend money, and also to share it. They can be very impulsive spenders because they know they can at all times make more.
Some Famous Tigers: Sir David Attenborough, Natalie Wood, Tom Berenger, Agatha Christie, H.G. Wells, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Dickinson, Isadora Duncan, Roberta Flack, Frederick Forsyth, Jodie Foster, Stevie Wonder, Sir Alec Guiness, Hugh Hefner, William Hurt, Dylan Thomas, Marilyn Monroe, Demi Moore, Beatrix Potter, Diana Rigg, Lionel Ritchie, Kenny Rogers.
Regardless if you are a Tiger or not, make 2010 the Year of YOU! If stress, pain, illness, inactivity, or indiscriminate nutrition is keeping you from feeling your best, acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle coaching can help you achieve your New Year resolution to be the best you can be.
Red Envelopes (hong bao)
The color Red is lucky and therefore it is used for happy occasions. Red is also the color with the most yang energy. Also in the Chinese culture, "year" (nian) is a type of animal which could hurt or even eat a human being. When one is lucky enough to be alive for another New Year celebration, afterwards the elders will give the young people Red Envelopes to restrain the sense of tenuous existence and give protection against evil Qi.
Oranges
Chinese also expect their children to eat oranges and orange-inspired dishes. In the Chinese culture, oranges symbolize good fortune because they are both sweet, as well as abundant throughout the country of China. By eating oranges as well as many other Chinese sweets, children are preparing for the sweetness that the New Year will bring.
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Greetings!
February is as appropriate a time as any to discuss matters of the heart. To understand how best to protect heart health, we find it necessary to include both physical and emotional heart in our conversation. For example, regardless of physical tone, you are 240% more likely to suffer a heart attack while feeling or expressing the emotion anger.
It seems we are bombarded daily with heart healthy campaigns to eat more grains, stop smoking and exercise daily. With so much information on heart disease as a leading contributor to death in this country, why do so many of us struggle to head the warnings?
Our observation is that common day recommendations are removed from individual emotion or motivation. We all know that certain diet or lifestyle habits might not be in our best interests, but we all need a plan that fits who we are. The articles that follow will help you discover where you need personal attention and suggest a variety of solutions to get the ball rolling. Remember, New Year's Resolutions don't last; Lifestyle Changes Do!
My favorite quote this year comes from Darren Hardy of Success Magazine, "When the clock strikes midnight 10 years from now, you'll be able to look back with 2020 hindsight at this moment and this year as your pivotal turning point for the dream life you will be enjoying."
In good health naturally,
Drs. Kristy Allen and Patricia De Joy
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| Keeping Your Heart on Track
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 Last month we started talking about lifestyle changes and making health goals. To help keep you on track we've come up with a couple different work outs to get your heart pumping and your body moving in the right direction.
Do you need more inspiration to get your heart pumping?
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The endorphins released from just 30 minutes of moderately strenuous exercise are known as the "feel good" hormones. What could be better for us as we enter the dark, snowy days of winter?
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As you continue to turn fat into leaner muscle mass on your fitness program, you massively decrease your risk of the top three killers of Americans: Cancer, Diabetes and Heart Disease.
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Increased physical fitness boosts your immune system. It is in fact a great way to fight off the common cold and influenza all year long.
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It promotes better sleep, gives you a more balanced energy level throughout the day and even increases your sex drive.
How to get started...even in the winter months. The best way to get started is as individual as you. Some people thrive on moving full steam ahead and joining a gym, feeling that once they have the financial incentive in place they know their feet will follow. Others feel this type of commitment overwhelming and prefer to workout at home. Either way, commitment to a program is the most important point!
When you invest that time in yourself not only do you reap all the benefits but your family,co-workers, friends also enjoy the rewards. You'll feel less stressed out, more confident, and healthier all year long.
If you're on a fitness program or joining a gym consider using a cardiovascular/muscle confusion workout; it will keep you mentally engaged and you'll start to see physical results quickly. Pick any cardio machine, set the timer for 10 minutes and set the intensity level for something that will keep you breathing heavy the entire time (you should be able to speak but it shouldn't be that easy). At the end of the 10 minutes, get off, wipe down the machine and move quickly to a different machine and repeat.Repeat this one more time on a different machine, always keeping the intensity up to just beyond a moderate level. This will give you 30 minutes of cardio for the day!
If you start from home, a simple action is to go for a walk. Not a stroll, a walk. Take long strides, swing your arms, and get yourself to a pace that has you breathing heavy. If being outdoors isn't your cup of cocoa, and you're not sure which exercise video is best for you, you could check out channel 456 Fit TV. It has a wide variety of workouts you can follow in the comfort of your living room. There's 24 hours of programming from yoga to aerobics to weights and total body fitness classes.
Whatever activity you choose, put your heart into it, physically, mentally and emotionally. Remember, the more you put in, the more you get out. |
| Foods that Love Your Heart |
 Your body contains approximately six quarts of blood. Your fist-sized heart pumps almost that volume of blood through your body each minute. Your heart beats about 104,000 times a day. Here's a quick reference of the nutrients your hard-working heart needs to keep on ticking:
Phytoestrogens are substances in plants like flaxseed and soybeans that have a weak estrogen-like action in the body. Studies suggest that phytoestrogens help lower total and LDL "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides, and even blood pressure.
Phytosterols are plant sterols that chemically resemble cholesterol and seem to reduce blood cholesterol. All nuts and seeds, including wheat germ, have phytosterols.
Carotenoids are heart-protective antioxidants found in many colorful fruits and vegetables, including cantaloupe, spinach, asparagus, and oranges. Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene are carotenoids.
Polyphenols, found in berries and red wine are another set of antioxidants that protect blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and reduce LDL "bad" cholesterol.
Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty fish like salmon) and alpha-linolenic fatty acids (found in plant foods like walnuts) help boost the immune system, reduce blood clots, and protect against heart attacks. They also increase HDL "bgood" cholesterol levels, lower triglyceride levels, protect arteries from plaque buildup, are anti-inflammatory, and lower blood pressure.
B-complex vitamins like Vitamin B-12 and vitamin B-6 protect against blood clots and hardening of the arteries. Niacin (vitamin B-3) helps increase HDL "good" cholesterol. Foods rich in B complex vitamins include black or kidney beans, oatmeal, brown rice, asparagus, and acorn squash. Introduce a few of these foods into your diet as you can. Sprinkle flax seed on oatmeal with blueberries for a heart-healthy start to your morning. Such a breakfast will provide the energy you need to get motivated for your cardio workout, with enough energy leftover to last you through lunch. A large spinach salad with tomatoes, peppers, and walnuts will energize you halfway through the day. Come home to broiled salmon and asparagus for dinner and put your feet up with a nice glass of red wine. Being good to your heart really is that easy! |
De-Stressing - Listening to the Wisdom of Your Heart
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Stress is not always a negative thing. Body-wide, various types of cells constantly monitor all forms of stress, including structural, chemical, and emotional. This collective knowledge contributes to the overall wisdom of the body that maintains our systems in homeostasis (a state of balance). The heart and cardiovascular tone are key players in maintenance of this homeostasis.
We cannot avoid stress; it is an inherent part of our lives. As with all things, it is the application and balance of the stressors on our bodies and in our lives that determine both the short- and long-term effects to our health. The effects of unopposed stress are additive; taking positive baby steps today will contribute greatly to a healthier and younger-feeling you in the future.
Strategies for managing stress are as individual as you and can change as your life situation changes. There are some general rules to follow that apply to everyone:
*Put yourself front and center. No matter how great your responsibilities to others, you have to find a place inside that values your health as a top priority. You can be a loving and responsible mother/father/husband/wife/child/employee AND take care of yourself also. You need to feel this in your heart and hold this notion in your conscious mind.
*Identify sources of stress - become aware of where stress resides in your life and how that then relates to how you feel in your body.
*Adopt a healthy lifestyle
Breath - this brings oxygen into your blood
Eat well - this brings nutrients into your bloodstream
Exercise - this strengthens all of your systems
Give yourself breaks - make time for fun/relaxation
*Reassess and Renew
Remember, no plan is perfect or permanent. Reassess your stressors and renew your commitment to your lifestyle changes on a regular basis. We are all human and have limits; set your limits accordingly. | |
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