 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.
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 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.  "Spring into ACTION!"
"Spring Forward!" "Grow, Bloom, GO!" While Spring is a time for renewal, and enthusiastic slogans, it is also a wonderful time to reflect, pause and plant the seeds for this next chapter in your life. Here are a few, easy tips on ways you can cultivate more "moments of pause" within your full day-to-day tasks. 1. Breathe. Deeply. Take a step back from what you're doing and take a deep inhale, followed by a deep exhale. The breath fuels your energy. So, instead of taking shallow sips of air, try deepening your breath throughout the day. 2. Journal. Don't just think it, ink it. Write down the thoughts swirling around with a pen and paper, and reflect on how much lighter you feel after processing your thoughts down in a journal. Doesn't have to be an hour or two of writing, even just 5 minutes a day can help you throughout your day. 3. Let it Go. Belt out your inner Frozen-movie song (kidding!), and just,let...it....go. That which we try to control, hold on to, grasp, deny, and/or shield tends to restrict us in some way. Guide your thoughts toward this prayer, "I am at peace." Take time daily to meditate and pray, and allow the "moment of pause" to calm, restore, and fill you with a deep, inner wisdom and peace. 4. Set New Intentions. The winter was long, and cold, and damp, and dark, and, and, and... With this new chapter coming into focus (melt fast dear snowstorm set to arrive later this week!), set aside some to time to write down your intentions and/or create a vision board for Spring 2019. Again, it doesn't have to be super time-consuming, just 4-5 new things you want to bring into fruition to build your bounty as the lovely, yellow tulips emerge. Better health? Check. Better relationships? Check. Make your list clear, and true to you. As the new season approaches, we wanted to share this special gratitude video with you from our dear Founder & Owner, Jean Baker. As quoted by Jean throughout the clinic this week -- "Self-care is the new form of healthcare; remember to fuel your own soul." Pause to stop and smell the roses, LifeStream tribe. And, as always, be mindful to carve out precious time just for...you. Your bliss awaits HERE at LifeStream Family Wellness. Blessings & Good Health, Your LifeStream Family Team LifeStream Family Wellness  'Tis the season for passing plates of turkey, full schedules, and unraveling the holiday lights. Above all, here at LifeStream Wellness, we believe it is the season of sharing and caring. It is that precious time of year when we pause to reflect and give thanks. It is the time of year when we collectively remember that yes, our cup is in fact half full. It is the time of year to sip in some self-care (and warm tea!). We've done our research, and we know that having an attitude of gratitude can lift our spirits. So, before the hustle 'n' bustle begins, we want to say thank you. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your wellness journey.
During these cold winter days and nights, we are here to warm you up with a cup of tea, and honor your body's need for relaxation. Be it a conversation in the lobby with our newest team member (and smiling face), Stacy or an extended acupuncture visit as the temperatures outside plummet, we are here to warmly serve you. We now know that gratitude changes our brains for the better; here is a short video (less than 2 mins) on the neuroscience behind gratitude that we wanted to share with you. So, 'tis the season for you...for self-care, reflection, gratitude and lots of warm tea! See you soon! In health and happiness, Your LifeStream Family Wellness Team  The Fall season is here, and we are loving every minute here at Lifestream Wellness. It's a time of change, a time for reflection, and a time for sweaters, soups and relaxation. It has been a joy hearing the stories of back-to-school, how everyone is faring into the settling of new routines, and the overarching thrill of pulling out the Crockpots for a good 'ol Minnesotan "hot dish" on game day.
Amidst the changes, we offer you the opportunity to settle in to a quiet space for some much-deserved relaxation. Balance your mood and mind, regulate hormones, and keep allergies at bay during this seasonal change. Be it cupping, acupuncture or just sipping some warm tea together in our new space, I am always grateful to serve you. I hope to see you and your loved ones this Fall season! In health & happiness, Jean :) |