 Nourishing food to support the kidneys: by Carolyn Laney, BA, MCM, Dipl.Ac., L.Ac., CMT Winter is a great time for eating nourishing foods that warm the body and support the kidneys. In Chinese medicine, the kidneys represent the essence or our body’s constitution, childhood development and the aging process. They correspond with the bones, marrow, and the brain, sexual function and fertility, and help us process stress. Nourishing the kidneys boosts mental clarity and cognitive function, helps us manage stress, and aids in development and slows the aging process to an appropriate rhythm. Foods that help with kidney function that are naturally salty and bitter in nature (no added or excess salt, please). These foods include: Fruits and vegetables:
Grains and Legumes:
Lean meats, seafood, and protein:
Spices and seasonings
This is by no means a list of foods that you should narrow your diet to, but ones that you can incorporate into your diet throughout the season. It is always best to eat a variety of foods. Not sure how to incorporate these foods? Here’s some links to recipes that utilize some of these foods in the dish. Enjoy! https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/crispy-skin-salmon-with-miso-honey-sauce https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/greens-and-grains-scramble-51195250 https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/coconut-cabbage-and-tofu-with-lemongrass-and-ginger https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/big-pot-of-black-beans-9-meals-article https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/asian-vegetable-noodle-toss In need of extra support in these winter months? Reach out and make an appointment. We are here to help!
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 Settling Into Winter by Carolyn Laney, BA, MCM, Dipl.Ac., L.Ac., CMT “During the winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, just as lakes and rivers freeze and snow falls. This is a time when yin dominates yang.” —Huang De Nei Jing, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine In nature, winter is the coldest, darkest, stillest, quietest time of the year. It is a time of resting, restoring, and conserving our energy or yang. Going to bed early and rising with the sun, which is later in winter, is a good way to restore your yang. Care must be taken to stay warm and avoid the cold. We should be covering our bodies and avoiding excess sweating. And mental activity should be calm, reflective, and subdued. In Chinese medicine, winter corresponds to water in Chinese five-element theory. Water represents the concepts of:
Imbalances in the water element during winter are common and tend to manifest as:
Winter is a good time to nourish your body, mind, and spirit so that you may conserve your energy and be prepared for spring and all its new growth, warmth, and movement. Incorporating practices that balance the water element include:
Cuddle up with some herbal tea and a book and enjoy the time of rest that winter provides. Spring will be here before you know it. With ample rest and nourishment from winter, you will be prepared for spring and all its splendor. References: Ni, Maoshing. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine: A New Translation of the Neijing Suwen with Commentary (p. 7). Shambhala Publications. Saunder, Mary. Rhythms of Change: Reclaiming your Health Using Ancient Wisdom and your Own Common Sense. Hidden Needle Press.  Now Selling Jajja Wellness Tonics at LifeStream!
Want to give it a try? Ask our lovely Amy at the front desk for a sample of Agave Lemon or Turmeric Pineapple at your next acupuncture appointment. To read more about Jajja Wellness, their amazing mission and Ugandan-inspired recipes --->please be sure to check out their website @ https://jajjawellness.com. Pair this drink with your next acupuncture visit! Cheers!  Find the Beauty in Letting Go
by Carolyn Laney, BA, MCM, Dipl.Ac., L.Ac., CMT “The trees are about to show us how beautiful it is to let things go.” Autumn is upon us. Days are getting shorter. Nights are getting longer and cooler. The trees are turning color and letting go of their leaves. The Chinese believe that the environment in which you live greatly influences your body, mind, and spirit. Living in harmony with the current season is one way to assure optimal health. In Chinese medicine, autumn corresponds to metal in Chinese five-element theory. Metal represents many concepts, such as:
Balancing our spirit and emotions along with protecting our body from the cool air and building our immune system is essential during autumn months according to the Huang Di Nei Jing, the oldest Chinese medical book. But particularly the emotions of autumn can be most difficult for some to balance. Sadness and grief are more close to the surface during this time of the year. You might notice that you are more nostalgic lately. Or things in your life might be touching you in a way that might bring you to tears a little easier. This is natural and a part of the season. Autumn is a time for self-reflection and letting go of habits that no longer serve us. It is a great time to be intentional with our thoughts and tune into our emotions. By letting go we are making room in our lives for other pursuits, dreams, or thoughts that haven’t come to fruition yet by creating inspiration and hope. Receiving acupuncture and herbal medicine can help support and balance your emotional health through this season. Outside of the clinic, gentle practices of Qi Gong, Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation can also help regulate the mood and rejuvenate the spirit. If any of this rings true for you right now, please reach out and book an appointment. We are here to support you to live in harmony with this beautiful season.  With winter right around the corner, be extra kind to you skin with Coconut Oil. Add a jar of this universal oil to your beauty regimen! You’ll discover many uses for this “yummy, solid to melty” coconut goodness: Coconut oil is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and super moisturizing. Coconut oil is composed primarily of nourishing fatty acids and is especially high in lauric acid. It also contains vitamin E and healthy fats, which help to make skin smooth.
Tips for using Coconut oil as part of your winter skin regimen: 1. Remove makeup and foundation by starting with a tablespoon of solidified coconut oil, and rub it gently in your hands, then apply it to your entire face and massage for a minute. Feel the oil melt into an amazing all-over makeup remover. Using a warm washcloth, gently wipe the oil from your face and neck. Follow up with your favorite gentle cleanser and nightly facial routine. 2. For an amazing skin exfoliation, combine a teaspoon of baking soda to a tablespoon of coconut oil. Blend gently in your hands and apply all over your face in circular motion for a minute, don’t forget your neck and chest. Try this treatment in the shower. Skin feels amazingly nourished, and never tight. 3. Remove your mascara. Yep! This stuff removes the most stubborn waterproof mascara. And, with repeated use, the oil will deliver key nutrients to your lashes, providing them with strength and conditioning in order to grow! 4. Dry winter air is especially hard on hands. Keep them soft and free of cracks by combining a teaspoon of baking soda with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Combine in your hands and exfoliate hands and cuticles for a good minute. Rinse with warm water and dry. Overnight, the oil on your hands will soak in leaving them super soft. Repeat daily or as needed. 5. Nourish the ends of your hair. Prior to shampooing, wet your hair and remove excess water. Melt a tablespoon of coconut oil in your hands and apply to the ends of your hair from the ear down. Rinse out the oil and proceed with shampoo and conditioner. Come Visit Us TOMORROW at Eagan's 50+ Senior Expo!As you know, we're all about wellness and community, so this is the perfect way to kick off October with you!
 2 Cups Boiling Water
1/4 Cup Lavender Flowers (or more to taste) 2 Cups Cold Water 1 Cup Ice 1 Cup Lemon Juice Add in 6 Drops of Stevia (or more to taste) 1 Lemon Sliced into Wheels or Wedges for Garnish (optional) ***Find culinary lavender at Penzeys Spices in MPLS, St. Paul or Lakeville or at thespicehouse.com. Pour the boiling water over the lavender in a glass pitcher. Cover and allow to steep 10 minutes. Strain and discard the lavender from the water and return the lavender tea to the pitcher. Add the cold water, ice, lemon juice and stevia to the pitcher and stir until the sugar dissolves. Chill until serving with lemon wheels for garnish. **Note - this tea will be an unappetizing grey-brown-purple. But don't worry. By adding the zest of lemon juice, stevia and water, the mixture will turn a beautiful, pale pink. We've also tried this with homegrown blossoms and it works, though the color isn't as bright. We Invite YOU to our Summer Charity Mixer! We are teaming up with local non-profit The Open Door Pantry and the Eagan School District #196 for an unforgettable night of feel-good vibes! Join us for our Summer Charity Mixer on Friday, August 16th from 6:30p to 8:30p. We will begin collecting non-perishable food items (for Open Door Pantry) and school supplies (For District #196) starting on July 9th and our donation drive celebration will conclude on August 16th with the mixer - come and enjoy a social gathering with wine, good eats, feel-good vibes and special giveaways. "We are putting together this special evening as a way to give back to the kids in our community during back-to-school time. Think of it like this -- we're fueling the body (with the food drive), to power the brain (with donated school supplies), to lift the spirits of kids and families in our community," said owner, Jean Baker. We invite you and your friends to join in the donation drive beginning July 9th, and to our donation celebration for our 1st Annual Summer Charity Mixer on August 16th at LifeStream Family Wellness! To check out the list of most needed items at The Open Door Pantry - see below... As for school supplies, we're accepting new and unopened pencils, colored pencils, notebooks, folders, memo pads, glue sticks, glue bottles, pens, markers, calculators and pencil sharpeners.   YOUR SUNSCREEN RECIPE FOR SUMMER SUCCESS
INGREDIENTS:
For More Details on Chemical Vs. Natural Sunscreen SEE HERE.  Cosmetic acupuncture is a non-invasive treatment that involves using acupuncture to improve skin and fight the aging process. Sometimes referred to as an "acupuncture facelift" or "facial rejuvenation," cosmetic acupuncture often is used as an alternative to surgical facelifts and other conventional procedures said to reverse signs of aging in the skin.
Cosmetic acupuncture can help reduce wrinkles, diminish fine lines, remove age spots, increase collagen production, and lift droopy eyelids. For maximum results, we recommend 10 or more sessions, as well as possible, additional sessions for maintenance of results. Treatments begin at $130. Please allow for 1 hour & 20 mins. Book with us at 651-338-3574 or online at lifestreamfamilywellness.com. We are conveniently located at 3440 Federal Drive in Eagan. |