Acupuncture and Wellness

Acupuncture is a procedure involving stimulation of points on the body by penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, as well as other countries that have used this technique for over 2,500 years.

There are more than 500 clinical trials1 showing the benefits of acupuncture in conditions such as; headache, back pain, neck pain, knee pain, osteoarthritis, post-surgical pain and recovery, nausea, asthma, allergies, migraines, hypertension, weight loss, depression, anxiety, repetitive stress disorders, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), reproductive issues, male and female infertility, side effects of cancer treatments, digestive issues, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), reduction of the side effects of medication in general, morning sickness, general health, wellness, and stress reduction. (See Special Report: AOM in the U.S.)

Profit Potential

The Center for Disease Control’s Advance Data report on the 2002 National Health Interview Survey of 31,044 adults shows that between 4%-10% of Americans have tried acupuncture, (2.1 million in 2002). That amounts to 5 million visits per year and a large portion of the $27 billion per year spent on complementary alternative medicine. The increase in visits to acupuncturists in 2007 was three times what it was in 1997, according to a study by the National Institute of Health on Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM).

Today there are over 65 schools and colleges with accredited or candidacy status with the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). Schools and colleges for which ACAOM provides institutional accreditation are eligible to use ACAOM accreditation status to establish eligibility for their students to receive Title IV federal financial aid such as Stafford Loans. Today there are 8075 students attending accredited schools.

Spa Acupuncture:

Facial Rejuvenation is a non-invasive treatment increasing circulation to the face, stimulates collagen production, tightens pores, and reduces acne and other skin imbalances.

Kenku Acupuncture is a blend of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture and modern healing practices.

And while you’re feeling that MSG buzz, your brain is being damaged-tricked into thinking it’s fueling the body with good quality food.  Turning off the “satisfied” response in the brain, MSG causes over-eating and the result  is obesity and lack of nutrition.

Watch out for MSG also called:

• hydrolyzed vegetable protein
• autolyzed vegetable protein
• textured vegetable protein
• hydrolyzed yeast extract
• autolyzed yeast extract
• plant protein extract
• sodium caseinate
• calcium caseinate
• yeast extract
• textured whey protein
• textured soy protein
• spice and natural flavor

Check out this great article for more details:

The Dangers of MSG

http://www.naturalnews.com/029117_moods_happiness.html

What does it mean to “be well”?  We’re all striving to be healthy, fit, happy; but what about well? The most basic definition of well being is “living healthy and disease free” – Wikipedia.  A healthy body is a balance of mind, body and spirit.  The term “wellness” is broad so it’s often broken down into categories.

Physical Wellness-maintaining a healthy body by exercising, going to routine check ups, and incorporating a balanced diet to avoid fatigue and physical stress

Emotional Wellness-self understanding and adapting to life’s challenges, sharing feelings in a productive way

Spiritual Wellness-being at peace and content in ones life, feeling that we are all inner-connected and have a purpose

Intellectual Wellness-being open to new ideas,learning new concepts, improving skills and overcoming challenges

Environmental Wellness-understanding the ability to positively impact the quality of our environment; air, water and planet

Social Wellness- relating to and connecting with people, positive relationships with family, friends and co-workers

Occupational Wellness-making a positive impact on the organizations we work in and gaining fulfillment from our jobs or careers

Wellness is a life style and life choice.  By choosing wellness, we choose happiness. While preferences, passions and interests may vary for each person, there are wellness services proven to work for all such as; acupuncture, massage, meditation, and nutritional counseling.

Here are a few statistics, to motivate change, from the World Health Organization:

“$300 billion is spent annually in the U.S. on stress-related compensation clams”-stress causes preventable illnesses….this is preventable!

“38% of all deaths are due to avoidable factors: tobacco use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption”-avoidable death? we already have the answer-wellness.

Gandhi says: “Every human being is the author of his own health or disease”. We are in charge of our health- if we choose not to take care of ourselves, our bodies will fail us.

Need some protection? A tasty meal packed with GARLIC and RADISHES will arm you with what you need to be healthy and maintain wellness.  The high sulfur content in garlic gives it that unique smell and helps ward off all kinds of germs.  Eat enough garlic and it works like an invisible shield…your own stinky, health bubble.  If anything should get through your shield, radishes are high in vitamin C and will help your body stay strong.

Menu:

Chimichuri Salmon: Wild Alaskan Salmon, parsley, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, red pepper flakes, onions

Horse Radish Slaw: local organic cabbage, red pepper, scallions, lemon, salt, pepper, sugar, horse radish, plain yogurt

Goat Cheese Potato Salad: fresh radish, potatoes, white wine, creme fraiche, lemon, olive oil, garlic, dill, scallions, pepper, dill pickles

Cucumber Relish: pickled cucumbers, radish, parsley, red onion, rice vinegar, agave, yogurt

Roasted Eggplant Spread: garlic, onion, salt and pepper-serve with crackers

Radish Tea Bites: crostini with garlic lemon butter, radish and parsley

Tonic:

Lemonade

Medicinal/Nutritional benefits:

Radishes are not only delicious and refreshing, they are high in vitamin C, potassium, and calcium.

Garlic is one of the most powerful foods.  The list of benefits and uses is impressive.  Here are just a few:

• lowers cholesterol

• prevent blood clots

• reduce blood pressure

• prevents cancer in 3 ways:

helps the immune system fight cancer cells, inhibits tumor cell metabolism and reproduction of cancer cells

• protects against bacterial and fungal infections.

Threw a lunch together today with what I had in the fridge. Turned out tasty and it only took 10 minutes, so thought I’d share it!

Goat Cheese n’ Egg Quesadilla

• Whole wheat flour tortilla
• 2 free-range eggs, cooked over easy
• Mont Chevre Natural goat cheese
• Quattro Formaggio cheese
• Natural gourmet chile verde flavored sea salt
• Creole seasoning
• Black pepper
• Fresh pico de gallo

This is not the picture of the one I made, but just to give you a visual.

Superfood blueberry and antioxidant dense oregano! Enjoy these powerful ingredients in food, drink and dessert.  Check out our recipe ideas:

Menu:

Seared Duck Crostini:

with Blueberry Balsamic Reduction, brown sugar, chicken stock simmered until thick

Gorgonzola Crostini:

with Oregano Honey
Herb Chicken with Blueberry Chutney:

Marinate chicken for 2 hours with:

1 1/2 tsp olive oil

3/4 tsp basil

3/4 tsp oregano

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 tsp black pepper

~~~Grill chicken, serve with chutney

Blueberry Chutney:

2 cups blueberries

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup minced onion

1/4 cup golden raisins

3 T cider vinegar

1 1/2 tsp fresh ginger

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp red pepper

dash of clove

1 garlic clove, minced

~~~simmer for 20 minutes or until thick

Oregano Meatloaf:

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1/2 lb ground pork sausage

2 eggs

1 cup herb crackers, crumbs

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 cup green pepper

1/2 cup onion

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp salt

pepper

1 T Worcestershire sauce

1 package dry onion soup mix

1/2 cup milk

1 can tomato paste, save half to pour over top before baking

1/3 green apple, diced

pinch of cayenne

1/2 tsp garlic powder

~~~Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees

Blueberry White Chocolate Butter Cake:

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 pint fresh blueberries

1/2 cup butter, room temp

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Topping:

1/3 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup cold butter

~~~Bake 35 min

Peanut Butter and Blueberry Jam Tart:

peanut butter cookie crumble crust, frozen blueberries, cream cheese, egg, brown sugar, vanilla

Chocolate Brownies:

gluten free!

Tonic:

Blueberry, Oregano Lemonade:

local meyer lemons, sweetened with stevia

Medicinal/nutritional benefits:

Blueberries are considered superfoods because of all the antioxidants, phytoflavinoids, potassium and vitamin C they contain. They can lower your risk of heart disease, cancer and lower cholesterol. Eat a handful of fresh, frozen or dried as a powerfully healthy snack for wellness!

Oregano is an aromatic herb with many benefits and uses.  It is antibacterial containing the volatile oils carvacrol and thymol.  Also anti-fungal, antimicrobial and a great source of antioxidants and vitamins.

Andrea’s Apothecary has just finished pressing a fresh batch of herbal tinctures.

• Lung and Respiratory Relief
• Sustainable Energy
• Heart Health

If you’re interested in have a custom herbal recommendation, contact Andrea at:  ahamelrath@hotmail.com

Strawberry season has arrived! Eat them for your health-and because they are the most delicious spring berry!

Menu:

Spinach Salad

carrots, yellow peppers, hard boiled egg, almonds, strawberries. Balsamic dressing: strawberries, orange juice, olive oil, lecithin

Fish Cakes

canned wild Alaskan salmon, almond flour, corn meal, Cajun spice, soy sauce, egg, vegenaise, Thai chili paste, rice vinegar.

Strawberry mint relish: brown sugar, red chili paste, lime. Tarter Sauce: vegenaise, paprika, capers, lemon.  Jamaican Calypso Hot Sauce!

Almond Torte

-almond meal, egg, maple syrup.  Top with chocolate ganache and fresh strawberries. Gluten Free!

Tonics:

Castle Rock Zinfandel

Jameson

Nutritional/medicinal benefits:

Almond-full of good fat!  High in magnesium, vitamin E, amino acid trytophan (creates serotonin!). Almonds are not only full of good fat, they help convert “bad” cholesterol into the good stuff. Almonds are highly beneficial for people with heart disease or diabetes.

Strawberry- Great source of vitamin C and B, manganese, and phenols (in the seeds). High in antioxidants, strawberries promote heart health, are anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory

]]> http://www.tonicfoodclub.com/spring-almonds-and-strawberries/feed/ 0 http://www.tonicfoodclub.com/community-supported-agriculture/ http://www.tonicfoodclub.com/community-supported-agriculture/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:43:26 +0000 admin http://tonicfoodclub.com/?p=188

Tonic Food Club loves CSA’s here in San Diego!

Be Wise Ranch is a certified organic farm. They have been growing delicious food since 1977. Their CSA program brings farm fresh produce to San Diego locals.  Check out the drop sites….there may be one in your neighborhood!

Support your local farmers!  Check out their webpage:

bewiseranch.com