It’s time to shake off the lethargy of Winter, and reactivate your interest in the outer world. Spring is just a hop-skip-and-a-jump away, and that’s exactly what you should be doing to get the blood moving again!
While Fall and Winter are times to wind down, internalize, and conserve energy (both mentally and physically), Spring is the time to get moving, get outside, and clear away the stagnations of the colder seasons. Spring is the season of external growth during which everything that you have nurtured in the months of internal growth, during the Fall and Winter, begins to emerge.
It's likely that in the past week or so, you have been over-inundated by a constant and steady stream of advice, lists (and listicles!?), blogs, and motivational speeches of how to improve your life this year, and make it your best year ever.
There are lists for how to be healthier, happier, or lose weight; for how to find love, make your relationship perfect, be a better parent or lover or friend; how to get the job of your dreams, learn new skills, and be more creative; how to finally gain financial freedom and independence, and, of course, how to do all of these things all at once and live a life of perfect balance... and, yes, even lists for how to keep your resolutions.
During the rush and pull of the holiday season, one of the parts of your body that takes the biggest beating is often your feet. You’re working longer hours as business heats up for the holidays, or as you try and cram in all the projects and reports you need to finish before your vacation (so that you can actually relax!); and in your “free” time, you’re running from place to place looking for that one particular item, or crafting people’s presents. And that’s not even mentioning the parties. Office parties, family parties, personal parties - all dressed in your best, and probably not in sole-supporting sneakers.
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Last week, Jennifer gave us a wonderful exercise called One Breath to help bring us increased relaxation and improved health to get us through the holiday season. One Breath is an exercise that can be done anywhere, at any time, and brings about health benefits instantly. Literally.
To me, autumn is the most fascinating time of year. Spring has the miracle of new life and new growth; a burst of energy expelled outwards propelling us into renewal and action. Spring is a very external season, a time for shaking off the sleepiness of Winter and reengaging with the world. It makes sense then that Spring is the beginning of the yang cycle in Chinese philosophy. Yang is the active, male principle in nature represented by the sun. It is warmth, energy and light.
Read MoreCongee is traditionally a rice porridge popular in Asian countries and goes back thousands of years to the first recorded congee (made of millet) eaten by Emperor Huang Di. It is more about the process of cooking rather than the grain that is used. Long cooking times break down the grain until it is literally mush. This renders it almost completely pre-digested so your body doesn’t have to work in order to absorb the nutrients from it. This is ideal for those with digestive problems who lack the ability to break down foods enough to get the nutrients they need from it.
Read MoreAlthough some of these suggestions may be old hat to some readers, they are worth another try to maintain that acupuncture "buzz" between visits:
1. Pet a puppy. Or full grown dog, either will work. Owning a dog has been proven to reduce stress levels and keep high blood pressure in check.
Spring is here! For many of us it’s a time we think about renewal and growth. It’s a wonderful time for clearing out old stuff that’s accumulated; both emotional and material junk. Letting go of old grudges is just as important as clearing out the pantry and tossing expired medications. Small shifts can be very rewarding.
It's not uncommon for skin to be dry and flaky and just generally sad at this point in the winter, so I wanted to share my regime to keep your skin radiant and happy from head to toe! I have combination skin (sometimes oily, sometimes dry) as well as psoriasis AND rosacea, so I have tried many, many different products. Over all, I like to keep my routine simple, natural, and clean; these are my tried and true faves!
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A few people told me they got pregnant after long periods of trying unsuccessfully to do so after following the advice from a book called The Fertility Diet. So I got curious and have been reading it this week, and thought I’d share with you their top tips.
The Fertility Diet, by Jeorge E. Chavarro, MD, ScD and Walter C. Willet, MD, DrPH, both professors at Harvard Medical School, presents the results of the Nurses’ Health Study, broken down into their top 10 simple lifestyle and diet changes that can improve your chances of getting pregnant.