Debunking the NYT Article; “Is Delaying Menopause the Key to Longevity”?
Debunking the NYT Article; “Is Delaying Menopause the Key to Longevity”? It’s an eye catching title and a semi interesting read that discusses how scientists are trying to figure out how to keep the ovaries working longer, and if they can, are we able to prevent the progression of age related diseases? In March, Jill Biden announced a new women’s initiative that is highlighting this question among scientists and researchers. “The ovaries are the only organ in humans that we just accept will fail one day,” said Renee Wegrzyn, director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, a government agency tasked with steering Dr. Biden’s mission. “It’s actually kind of wild that we all just accept that.” Most think of the ovaries as just a “baby maker”, but as the article states the ovaries act as a control center and have a lot to do with influencing every organ in a woman’s body. It says that scientists don’t exactly understand how this happens but I believe it’s simply a part of the HPO Axis; the hypothalamic, pituitary, ovarian axis. This axis is a highway of constant communication between the ovaries and the brain and vice versa through a feedback loop. There are many ‘loops’ in the body, for example right now a very hot topic is the gut brain connection. On an elementary level, the article says when women’s eggs are depleted the ovaries seem to go quiet, which corresponds to of course an increased risk in age related diseases. The phrase ‘women’s eggs are depleted’, couldn’t be more inaccurate. Doctors say most of us are born with millions of eggs (40,000 – 3 million to be exact), even that is an inaccurate way of describing the beauty that unfolds in a woman’s ovaries. What women are actually born with are millions of opportunities! By way of folliculogenesis, these opportunities rise to the surface and become expressed! Folliculogenesis is a maturing ovarian follicle that will in most cases rear a good quality egg. At any given time, women have many, many follicles that are in varying stages; from primordial, primary, secondary, tertiary to antral follicles. Not all of these are follicles yet, most are flat cells waiting to grow up to be a follicle, for example it takes about 180 days for the primordial stage to reach it’s full potential as a follicle with a good quality egg. So, the idea proposed is that if a woman loses fewer eggs, she can hold on to her ovarian reserves and functionality for longer is slightly preposterous. The article mentions a clinical trial at Columbia University which is attempting to slow the rate at which women lose their eggs with the immunosuppressive drug called rapamycin. Researchers leading the study claim there are two patterns that are already emerging; one that women are appearing to have a normal decline of ovarian reserve, which is measured by ultrasounds and AMH. Ultrasounds cannot detect ovarian reserve only antral follicle counts, which are the follicles that are in the race for ovulation, they are expressed when they are about the ovulate, ultrasounds cannot detect anything else. Most gynecologists and reproductive endocrinologists, do not test AMH because of its unreliability. But in truth, nothing is reliable and there is no possible way to calculate ovarian reserve. It seems to me, that if we look at this through a Chinese medicine lens, the ovaries are the tree trunk, the follicles and eggs are the branches/leaves, so then what feeds the ovaries to be robust and plentiful? The soil! And that soil is lifestyle and genetics. We can’t alter our genes (yet!) but if we want better functionality and longer sustainability we must look to lifestyle and environmental factors, things like pollution, toxins, nutrition, or lack thereof, too much or too little exercise, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, (basically anything that creates free radicals in the body) not enough sleep and the biggest ones; emotional wellness and the management of stress. These are the things that overtime can exhaust ovarian function and cause aging and disease, whether you are approaching menopause or trying to get pregnant at 30 years old, it all looks the same. In the realm of enhancing lifespan and quality of life, we could also talk about telomeres. Telomeres are caps on the ends of our DNA, they are similar to the caps that are on the end of shoelaces. As the plastic ends shred, and the shoelace becomes frayed and damaged, so too the shortening of our telomeres can leave our cells and chromosomes vulnerable to damage. Telomere shortening means the cell’s lifespan is shortening. Recent research shows that telomere shortening plays an important role in human disease and mortality. So how do we support robust ovarian function and lengthen telomeres? Sleep, regular exercise, stress management, a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, namely D, meditation, yoga and acupuncture. (You knew the last one was coming!) There have been endless acupuncture studies and trials over the last two decades, everything from pain management to pregnancy rates to digestive disorders to stroke recovery. Research also shows that acupuncture can actually lengthen your telomeres and, for the purposes of this article, acupuncture plays a major role in Stage 4 follicular recruitment. How does it do that? The magnificence of acupuncture is the fact that it is self regulating, so whatever the body needs, whether it’s a decrease in inflammation, moving emotional stagnation thereby relieving stress, harmonizing an organ system, bringing energy to an organ, clearing away meridian debris, acupuncture and the body work together. You don’t have to believe in it or do anything to facilitate it, it just happens, very much in the same way your heart beats or how minerals like sodium and potassium can enter and exit a cell effortlessly. It just happens. In conclusion, we all want to preserve what we have and no one wants to age. Post menopause brings some risk to diseases, but if it’s not ‘that’ disease then it will
How to Be in Harmony with Summer!
How to Be in Harmony with Summer! As of June 21st it is officially summer 2024 and the season of ABUNDANCE! Summer is the fullest expression of Yang, it’s hot, dry, daylight, it’s active and fiery. Yin is the opposite and is cool, fluid, nighttime, meditative. In these hot summer months, it can sometimes be a challenge to keep the two balanced. In Chinese medicine, each season has a set of paired organs that are associated with it, but for the season of summer, there are actually four! Heart The Heart governs the blood and is responsible for the Shen or Spirit. Pericardium The Pericardium is called the ‘heart wrapper’ and protects the heart from external influences like a temperature change or a pathogenic invasion. Small Intestine The Small Intestine receives food and fluids from the stomach and then separates it into pure and turbid, this also applies to emotions in the sense of making the distinctions between positive and negative thinking. San Jiao The San Jiao is a Chinese organ and is translated as the Triple Burner or Triple Heater. It’s closely associated with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th chakras or energy centers of the body. The San Jiao is a bit of a mysterious organ with it’s main job being a conductor for spreading energy throughout the body. All of these belong to the Fire element, the emotions are Joy or Agitation, the taste is bitter and color, of course, is red. How to Attune to the Season So, now that we are in summer, how do we attune or make friends with the season? Here’s some tips: To be in circadian harmony: Awaken very early in the morning preferably at sunrise. Hey, 5am clubbers! To find comfort: Drink hot liquids and take warm showers, which will open the pores and bring on sweating! Quite the opposite of what we usually think for summer- cold drinks, ice and what not actually blocks the heat from releasing. Not too cold: Try not to overdo raw, cold foods. Combining too much cold food (Ice, ice cream, raw fruits and vegetables) with summer heat can weaken the digestive organs since cold contracts. Practice moderation! To find balance: Depending on how hot it is in your area, you may want to consider adding a mineral supplement to your regimen in the hot summer months. Since we have a tendency to sweat more, we could be losing minerals which can weaken the system. Cooking Tips! The main rule of thumb is to cook things on high temp and for a very short period of time. It’s a great way to warm the food up a bit while also maintaining all of the nutrients. Some cooling fresh foods to incorporate into your diet are salads, sprouts like mung, soy, or alfalfa, fruit, cucumber, tofu, watermelon, lemon, and limes. Also mint, chamomile or chrysanthemum teas are great for the summer heat! One more note, don’t feel like you need to shy away from spice, because they are actually considered helpful in warm weather. Spices will help bring body heat to the surface, open the pores thus allowing the extra heat to be released! This will help you attune to the heat and will help you to feel less affected by it. This Year’s Summer Recipe Pick! We all love watermelon, it’s sweet and cooling and actually can be fabulous as a salad! Of course, if you’re watching your sugar intake, be sure to portion this out accordingly because it can be quite addictive! This is a take on a salad that I had once at Flora in downtown Oakland (RIP Flora) that left such an impression on me. I never forgot it and every time I serve it, people just go bananas for it. It’s a no recipe – recipe, so amounts are really how you like them. Watermelon Feta Salad INGREDIENTS Watermelon Kalamata Olives, chopped. Feta Cheese or if you’re dairy free, vegan feta works just as well Figs, chopped Pine Nuts or any small, soft nut you prefer, like crushed pistachios Mint, chopped, small amount to just give the salad some lift! A simple dressing of Champagne Vinegar and Olive Oil (Good quality) Approximately 3 tablespoon olive oil to 1 tablespoon of champagne vinegar. DIRECTIONS In a large bowl add watermelon, chopped olives, chopped figs, pine nuts and chopped mint. Mix well. In a smaller bowl, mix the olive oil and champagne vinegar. Pour it over your salad and then add the feta over the top. Delicious and refreshing with bursts of flavors! Enjoy the summer and we hope to see you soon!
A Guide to Healthy Sunscreens
A Guide to Healthy Sunscreens April showers, bring gorgeous May flowers and soon enough we will be deep into the heat of summer! Beach days, long walks, street fairs, music festivals and tons of outdoor activities! With all that warm weather action, sunscreen protection tend to be on our minds with good reason! Whether you are prone to skin issues, just want to stay protected or are a full on sun worshiper, we all need protection from UV rays. Keep reading to find out which common US ingredients are banned in the European Union (and Hawaii!) and what’s the deal with SPF. Choosing sunscreens can actually be quite tricky! Now most of us know about SPF, annnnnd that’s about it. There’s so much more consideration that goes into it like what’s the GRASE scale and broad spectrum? The GRASE scale GRASE stands for “generally recognized as safe and effective”. Receiving a GRASE designation means that that particular ingredient is safe and according to experts, also effective. In 2021, the agency reviewed 16 ingredients, all the usual suspects when it comes to sunscreens, they reported that only TWO are SAFE- those two are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The following are the most common ingredients found in sunscreens in the US, none of these have received the GRASE designation: Avobenzone, cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, padimate O, and sulisobenzone. Oxybenzone, homosalate and octocrylene were found not safe in high amounts in the European Union and as a result have put a cap on those. The US cap far exceeds the EU. These three ingredients can be found in the blood weeks after its last use and have been detected in breast milk, urine and plasma samples. They have also been known to cause hormone disruption. The most worrisome of the three is oxybenzone and should be avoided at all costs. Oxybenzone has been known to cause skin reactions, behaves like a hormone disruptor and is harmful to children. Studies have shown that young boys with higher oxybenzone measurements have lower total testosterone levels which greatly effects stages of puberty. As mentioned, Oxybenzone is a hormone disrupter. In four separate studies in 2020 it showed that Oxybenzone can actually impact fertility, increase the risk of breast cancer and cause endometriosis. Also the National Toxicology Program performed a study where they found massive evidence of carcinogenic activity in rats. The European commission reports oxybenzone is unsafe and any product containing it cannot exceed a 2% restriction in its concentration, that being said US sunscreens limit it’s restriction to 6%. We can go one step further with oxybenzone, several European countries and Hawaii have actually banned the sale of sunscreen with this ingredient because it harms aquatic life. All of the remaining 12 ingredients play a hand in endocrine disruption as well, but Octinoxate or octyl methoxycinnamate, a non-mineral UV filter has been reported to have effects on thyroid hormone production and other hormones, like androgens and progesterone. Again, several European countries and Hawaii, also ban the sale of this ingredient in sunscreen due to it’s harm to aquatic life. Also, Homosalate another non-mineral UV filter listed above which is also an endocrine disrupter has been capped in Europe with a maximum concentration of 1.4%, in the US it’s 15%! Just that alone, makes me worry! What to do? Play it safe with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide These are both mineral sunscreens. In 2021, the FDA approved and classified these with GRASE designation. Evidence suggests that these sunscreens do not penetrate the skin to the living tissues. One thing to mention that although the spray sunscreens are so convenient, inhalation of these nano particles can cause cancer so only use lotion or cream. An important word about SPF and Broad Spectrum Most people will reach for a higher SPF thinking that they are getting better protection from the suns harmful UV rays, but that is just not the truth. A good sunscreen should protect from UVA AND UVB rays, in other words, broad spectrum. The SPF rating only reflects how well a product protects against UVB rays. Reducing sunburn was the original intent of sunscreens but now research is finding that some UV rays cause other health issues, specifically aging and skin cancer, otherwise known as melanoma. It’s important to make sure the sunscreen you choose is Broad Spectrum. There’s also a ton of research that sunscreens above 50 SPF do not provide any additional protection, so don’t be fooled. Researchers have also said that people using massively high SPFs typically stayed out in the sun longer thinking that they were protected better. Most studies showed that SPF 30-50 is more then sufficient. So, in conclusion, stick with mineral ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium oxide, be sure your sunscreen is broad spectrum and stay in the 30-50 SPF range. If you have a medicine cabinet full of sunscreens and not sure, head over to ewg.com to check their rating system, they’ve been testing and researching sunscreens for 17 years!
The Benefits of Fermented Foods
The Benefits of Fermented Foods You’ve probably heard that fermented foods are good for you, but why? They actually seem a little aggressive or strong to a system we are always trying to keep in harmony or equilibrium. All that sour, that tang, that aliveness! And that’s the key word, fermented foods are ALIVE! Harvard Health says “the biggest benefit of fermented foods comes from probiotics and that can really add depth to your diet.” What’s the difference between pickled and fermented? You may think that ‘pickles’ or things that are pickled are fermented foods. That is just not true. The process of pickling is an ancient method of preserving vegetables by immersing them in boiling vinegar. The earliest pickling actually goes back to 4000 BC in India. The hot liquid kills any microorganism and enzymes, which unfortunately includes probiotics. And the acetic acid in the vinegar is actually what turns the veggies sour. Now, fermentation is completely different and has been in practice for 6000 years, and the process has not changed very much in all of those years. The process of fermentation starts with chopped vegetables, placed in a glass jar and filled with a light, salty brine, it’s usually about 2-3% salt. You must keep the vegetables submerged, anything that is not submerged can actually grow mold, so this is a pretty important part to prevent spoilage. Within a few days lactic acid bacteria turns the sugar in the vegetables into lactic acid and a bunch of other nutritious compounds. The more lactic acid bacteria, the more spoilage organisms are destroyed. Within a very short time the acid buildup cleanses the fermented mixture of all unhealthy organisms. The lactic acid bacteria produces B vitamins, and an entire spectrum of probiotic organisms, this is the key. That lactic acid bacteria are the probiotics that colonize the gut and create those real health benefits, including strengthening, and managing our immune system. So what will it be? Pickling or fermenting? Well, both are tasty treats but fermenting is where you get all the magic. So lean into fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, miso, apple cider vinegar and other things like yogurt, natto (Japanese fermented soybeans) kefir, cheese, sourdough and even wine. The latter is a bit of a different process, but are still considered fermented foods. What are some fermented food benefits? Stanford researchers found that eating a diet high in fermented foods increased the diversity of gut microbes. And in a research study they found that four different types of immune cells showed less activation which are linked to rheumatoid arthritis, type two diabetes and chronic stress. According to some new studies fermented foods may be associated with improved cognitive performance, specifically due to their ability to influence the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Researchers are saying more and more how the gut or GI system is directly linked to the brain. Fermented foods keep the intestinal barrier healthy and strong, preventing bacteria and toxins from entering circulation and reducing the chance of leaky gut syndrome. Are pickled foods good for anything? Sure! If you’re looking for ways to balance your liver, then both are great choices! In Chinese medicine the liver loves the taste of sour so fermented or pickled foods are just perfect. The palate loves variety and we tend have less sour foods overall. In conclusion, fermented foods are a wonderful and healthy addition to your diet that add depth, variety and healing benefits to your gastric microbiome.
Acupuncture and it’s Success with Migraines
Acupuncture and it’s Success with Migraines Migraines are headaches that cause, severe throbbing pain, or a pulsing sensation and they usually occur on one side of the head. They can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light. Some people get a warning signal, which is known as an aura that occurs before the actual onset of the headache. The aura can cause visual disturbances, tingling on one side of the face or some people actually have difficulty speaking. Western medicine will agree that while medications can prevent some migraines, or at least make them less painful, the right medicine accompanied with self-help remedies, lifestyle changes, and other modalities like acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can give the body what it needs to not just mask the symptoms, but cure it completely. In Chinese medicine, we usually see two main scenarios or imbalances when it comes to migraine headaches. The first is hormonal imbalances, the second are patients with high stress. Hormonal Imbalance In Chinese medicine, issues can occur because of the Liver, Kidneys or the Spleen being out of balance and not being able to communicate properly with the brain. Figuring out the key organ system depends on other symptomatology and the nature of the migraine itself. The most common scenario is an imbalanced Liver. Stagnant Liver Qi can create tightness in the Liver organ and channel, over time in women this can look like menstrual cramps, PMS and headaches including migraines timed around the period. When there is too much stagnation and tightness present, the pressure travels upward resulting in a headache that usually follows the Gall Bladder channel; around the trapezius, the back of the neck and around the ear. High Stress When a migraine is caused by high stress, the scenario mentioned earlier is similar but can obviously happen in men or women. The same trajectory of pressure stems from tightness and stagnation, then maps around the Gall Bladder channel. Why the Gall Bladder channel? It’s because the Gall Bladder and the Liver are married, they are husband and wife, partners in crime, when there is a long-standing issue in the Liver, the Gall Bladder acts as an overflow to take the pressure off. This scenario commonly includes other symptoms such as upper back pain and/or tightness, insomnia, especially between the hours of 11pm-3am, overall irritability and possible digestive issues like constipation. How to Treat Migraines with Chinese Medicine Once we have deciphered the troubled organ, it is simply a matter of rerouting the energy. When energy and pressure are building and going upwards in the body, we attempt to change the direction and bring the energy down into the foundation. With acupuncture, although it might take a handle of sessions to retrain the body so it can sustain on it’s own, patients feel a difference right after the first treatment. A series of treatments might look like this; let’s say we see a new patient who is in a flare up and struggling daily with a migraine headache, we might see that person for three days in a row to start. As their body is able to hold the sessions, we taper off. The following week we might see them twice, then once a week after that, and then every two weeks and so on. We have a saying at Tao to Wellness, “when the pain comes back, you come back”. So essentially, the work is listening carefully to what the body needs. Chinese herbal medicine can also play a big part in assisting the patient to “hold and sustain the treatment” faster. By taking Chinese herbal medicine daily this will create subtle shifts and will remind the system to keep that balance, hereby staving off another headache or migraine. Maintenance for Migraines Once we’ve been able to re-balance the system and quell the crisis, the next step is to maintain. Overall, it’s much easier to prevent a migraine, then battling one once it’s in full force. And the longer we can prevent a migraine, the more attuned and balanced the body becomes naturally to where it doesn’t need ‘the reminder’ from acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine any longer. If you struggle with migraines, and wonder if we would be a good fit for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, we’d love to help in any way we can.
Shining Light on Acupuncture for Depression: Efficacy, Research, and Treatment Insights
In a world where the shadows of depression can dim even the brightest days, seekers of relief are turning to alternative therapies to find solace. Among these ancient modalities, acupuncture emerges as a beacon of hope, offering a balanced approach to mental health and well-being. Let’s illuminate the path to healing as we explore the efficacy, research, and treatment insights of acupuncture for depression. Understanding Acupuncture Therapy for Depression Acupuncture, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, operates on the principle of restoring balance within the body’s energy pathways, known as meridians. By stimulating specific points along these meridians with fine needles, acupuncture aims to alleviate symptoms, address underlying imbalances, and promote healing. When it comes to acupuncture and mental health, research suggests that this ancient practice can offer significant benefits for individuals struggling with depression. Rather than merely masking symptoms, acupuncture targets the root causes of depression, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of the condition. Exploring Acupuncture Points for Depression Relief Central to the efficacy of acupuncture for depression are the specific points targeted during treatment. While the selection of acupuncture points may vary based on individual needs and symptoms, several key points are commonly utilized to promote emotional well-being and alleviate depressive symptoms. Among these acupuncture points for depression, some notable examples include Yin Tang, located between the eyebrows, which is believed to calm the mind and soothe the spirit. Another vital point is Shen Men, found on the ear, renowned for its ability to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. By accessing these and other strategic points, acupuncture practitioners can create a tailored treatment plan to support each individual’s journey towards healing. Evidence-Based Acupuncture Depression Treatment As interest in alternative therapies continues to grow, so too does the body of research supporting the efficacy of acupuncture for depression. Numerous studies have highlighted the positive effects of acupuncture depression treatment, demonstrating its ability to reduce symptoms, improve mood, and enhance overall quality of life. From randomized controlled trials to meta-analyses, the evidence supporting acupuncture as a viable treatment option for depression is compelling. By incorporating acupuncture into their mental health care regimen, individuals can complement conventional treatments and experience complete depression relief through acupuncture from the burdens of depression. Empower Your Journey to Wellness with Tao to Wellness At Tao to Wellness, we understand the profound impact that depression can have on every aspect of life. That’s why we’re dedicated to offering compassionate support and evidence-based therapies to help you reclaim your vitality and joy. Our experienced acupuncturists specialize in acupuncture therapy for depression, utilizing ancient wisdom and modern expertise to create personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re seeking relief from persistent sadness, anxiety, or fatigue, our team is here to guide you towards a brighter, more balanced future. Don’t let depression cast a shadow over your life any longer. Take the first step towards healing today by scheduling a consultation with Tao to Wellness. Together, we’ll illuminate the path to wellness and empower you to embrace life’s possibilities with renewed optimism and resilience.
Start Spring Off Right and Purge that Closet!
Start Spring Off Right and Purge that Closet! Do you ever wonder why Spring is the most popular time of year to do that thing called Spring Cleaning? The reason is easy, the season of Spring is all about growth, renewal, it’s a time to thaw out from the long cold winter, let go of the old and step into a new beginning! I recently attacked my closet and faced it all: The clothes that didn’t fit but I hoped would fit someday! The clothes that I loved on the hanger but rarely wore once I got them home. And yes, some clothes even had the price tag still on them! My goal was simple and it’s something that all of us deserve — I wanted to be able to open my closet on any given day and choose effortlessly. I mean I should be able to do that, I work from home, I don’t necessarily go to fancy galas, most of my clothes are I guess what I would call user friendly, casual, cute, comfortable and timeless. Three tips on how to tackle that closet! Do the Laundry! Before you do anything else, do the laundry! By doing your laundry first you will know that you’ve actually gone through every single piece of clothing. I know a part of you is thinking, if it’s in the laundry it’s because I wear it! Still do this because you want to be able to assess the shape of your clothes too- does it have a hole or is it time to retire it? Create One. Big. Pile! Now, put it all on your bed in one pile. I know that sounds like a hassle and a bit messy, but the thinking behind it is once you get everything off the hanger and out of the closet AND it’s all in one place, it’s much easier to be able to recognize what you need to keep. For example, if you are like me you might have 4 black button down shirts, if I have them all together I can make a better choice as to what to keep and what to let go of. Now looking at this pile may initially feel overwhelming but you are going to be shocked at how quickly you can move through this pile- 1-2 hours tops! Does it actually Spark Joy? Pick up each item and as Marie Kondo says, does it spark joy, meaning does it give you a good feeling? If it sparks joy, then naturally you keep it! Now I have an addendum here, for example the multiple pairs of black leggings I have probably don’t exactly spark joy, but they’re functional, I feel comfortable and I wear them a lot. If that’s the case, look at these pieces carefully and decide if they need to be freshened up, do you love it so much that they’re a little holes in it or it’s all pilled under the arms? Do they feel fresh or do they feel a little stale? If stale is the answer, let them go and go grab some fresh pieces! How to handle the moment of indecision! What’s the expiration date? I recently was following a fashion stylist, and one thing she said in a post was “clothes have an expiration date”! I never thought about that before! And I’m not referring to like what’s trendy or in style, because that doesn’t really interest me, but an “expiration date”! Who I was five years ago, is very different than who I am now and who I am becoming. It’s a valid thing to think about before you tackle the closet. Maybe dust off your journal and write some words down that coincide with who you are becoming and then imagine what style would support that. Donating is good for everyone! And as for those items that you haven’t worn in forever, with the exception of special event items of course, have never worn or doesn’t fit anymore? I would challenge you to donate it. Move that energy out of the closet and make room for some thing else that can bring you more joy, more sexiness, more anything, other than you storing a bunch of clothes that never get to go out and live their best life. Marie Kondo says “storage is where dreams go to die”. So move them out! As far as where to donat? So many places, Thread Up, Silk Roll, Poshmark, those big bins in the parking lots of grocery stores, thrift stores or even Goodwill, Salvation Army, or a homeless shelter or women’s shelter. There’s someone out there that would love to wear that piece I assure you! Still not sure what to do with it? And lastly, let’s say there are a couple of items that feel like it’s just not so easy to say goodbye… For example, maybe they still have a tag on it or maybe you just haven’t found the right pants to wear with that top? Then make a SMALL section (I stress small) in your closet where it’s the first thing you see— and make a promise to yourself, if you haven’t worn it in the next 4 weeks, then it’s bye bye. That’s it, do not pass GO, do not collect $100. It’s done. I hope that helps and brings you some inspiration to dive in! Happy sorting! See you soon! With love and in health, Christina
2024 Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen!
2024 Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen! 100% organic eating can be tricky, sometimes it’s just way too expensive, especially for a family of four, or sometimes items are just impossible to find! I can’t tell you how many times it’s been difficult to find organic asparagus! Luckily, since 2004, EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce update their Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen list every single year. What that means is a list of 12 Dirty items that are loaded with pesticides, for me that means look for organic or skip it. And 15 Clean items, these are crops that have the lowest levels of pesticide residue and considered “relatively safe” in their non organic form. The guide comes from test results of 45,000 samples of produce tested by the Department of Agriculture. The list is released in April every year and changes a tiny bit, luckily asparagus is usually on the clean side. This year’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen was just released days ago, so here it is!
Creamy Dairy Free Dill Slaw for Spring!
Creamy Dairy Free Dill Slaw for Spring! Spring is officially here! Colors are popping and trees are filling out in gorgeous, majestic greens. It’s such a lovely season for so many reasons, it’s like Mother Earth is in all her glory and giving us yet another chance to create whatever we want by showing us what’s possible. We can see possibility everywhere as we witness colors exploding out of the ground and buds seemingly showing up out of nowhere. Truly magical! This salad makes me think of Spring, it’s luscious, refreshing and stays good in the fridge for days! Paired with a nice piece salmon and perfect on a warm day! Oh it’s also pretty darn fast to make, which is always a great thing. Ingredients Slaw ½ small head green cabbage shredded 1 very small bunch Lacinato kale thinly sliced 3 scallions thinly sliced ¼ cup fresh dill finely chopped Dressing ½ cup raw cashews (soaked overnight) 6 tablespoons water 4 tablespoons lemon juice 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 clove garlic ½ teaspoon sea salt ¼ cup parsley Directions: Place the cashews into a bowl of water, doesn’t matter how much water and soak overnight at room temperature, then rinse and drain them. Place the soaked cashews into a high powered blender, a Vitamix, a Ninja, just not a food processor , it won’t get them creamy enough. Add the other ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Place all of the slaw ingredients into a large bowl. For a shortcut you could use a bag of precut cole slaw, but I wouldn’t use a bag of precut kale since they always leave the stems in there, why do they do that? The stems are so bitter. Add the dressing and toss together. Let the slaw rest for about 10 minutes, then toss again. Taste and add more chopped dill or salt if needed. Serve and enjoy! If you made enough to keep in the fridge for a few days, you might want to make extra sauce, since it can dry out. But seriously the sauce is so good that I always double it and use it on just about anything else!
Our Upcoming Spring Cleanse Program!
A Word about our Upcoming Spring Cleanse Program! The Tao to Wellness Spring Eliminate and Detox is so many things! Participants come for so many reasons, some people are exhausted, some people join because they’re not sure what foods are making them feel unwell, whether it’s digestion related, energy related or they just feel inflamed and are dying to get out of that vicious cycle. Some people join because their sugar intake is just completely out of control or maybe it’s their caffeine that is sizzling their adrenals and they know something has to change. Some people join because they feel depressed or have anxiety and they want to get back to some balance, while some just feel sluggish and toxic. Even if you don’t have a particular reason, people join just because they know it’s good for them and they know they will feel amazing! Those are just a few of the reasons why you might want to consider joining in our 2024 Tao to Wellness Spring Eliminate and Detox program! From Christina… I want to share with you a few things about how the detox began, I think I first did this detox myself maybe over 15 years ago or maybe even 20 years ago, it was hard, I was young, I was very attached to getting that dopamine hit (which if you’re not sure what I mean, we touch on this during the program). Even though it was hard, I knew it was doing so much good for me, I could feel it from the inside out. At the time, I was working with fertility patients quite a bit and I found that when they didn’t have a good result during IVF prep, meaning too few eggs or not great egg quality, I started thinking what if I put some patients on the detox protocol, I wonder if we stripped everything down and started from scratch so to speak if they would respond to medications better? The results were fantastic, I found that if we could reset the body, get all the gunk out so to speak, their systems were working in a more harmonious and balanced way, and therefore made better eggs, and more of them, so they were responding better to the medications. Then I started putting patients on the detoxification program that weren’t getting better fast enough with just acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, with these particular patients it just felt like things were sluggish and stagnated. After the program, the results with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine soared. It wasn’t until just recently maybe around 2017 that we started holding the detoxification in groups, but then it was only 14 days with a foods to include and exclude list and a few Facebook Lives. Since 2021 I’ve elevated the entire detoxification program to really be some thing special. What’s included now is of course all the supplementation with some options for vegetarian and vegans, I also give a little bit more of a customized approach to each participant, looking at their medical history, prescriptions and what they are dealing with. We now have a detox, friendly recipe book that really helps participants realize just how easy it is to eliminate the potential intolerant foods and eat well. There’s also lots of videos for support, participants learn a little bit about Chinese medicine, meditation, we talk about cleaning products and cosmetics, neurotransmitters in the brain, and when you’re having a craving for anything from coffee to alcohol to just a bagel, what you’re really looking for is dopamine. The entire program really opens people’s eyes and makes them more mindful of what they are eating. Aside from all of the immediate benefits participants get from the program there’s also the long-term benefits. The initial task at hand, detoxifying the body! We are inundated with toxins on a daily basis, whether it’s toxins in food, water, or processed foods, the air that we breathe or chemicals, like caffeine, alcohol, smoking, sugar. The over eating, the medications, not to mention the stress. It is so important to detoxify the body on a regular basis, because an over abundance of toxins leads to stagnation in the liver, which disrupts energy, sleep, digestion, etc. and when we have an over abundance of toxins in the system, this leads to increased free radical growth. An acceleration of free radicals are the door to disease and aging. So, if one time a year you can spend roughly a month allowing your body to let go of toxins, turning inward with mindful eating, meditation, examining your cravings, not only can you save yourself from pain, disease, and illness, but you’re also adding years to your life. COME JOIN US, click here! There’s plenty of time to sign up for this year’s cycle that begins on March 25th!! If you have any questions, please reach out via email to Christina and she’ll be happy to help.
