Did you pay extra for an Organic Thanksgiving?

My husband and I did. Okay, so not everything we bought was organic, but it was all fresh and local. The turkey, the lemons for zest, the dairy products were all organic. We get an organic turkey each year because they taste better and they are devoid of hormones and antibiotics. Since we will be eating leftovers and making stock from the carcass, we can still eat more healthfully for many meals to come. I always use organic lemons for zest (and for use in my drinking water) to avoid the noxious pesticides sprayed onto conventional citrus.

Check out this New York Times article about how many people chose to have an Organic Thanksgiving.

Posted by Juliette Aiyana, L.Ac. Author of
Chinese Medicine & Healthy Weight Management

Are You Eating Well?

Heritage Breed Turkeys

With Thanksgiving coming up this week, try something new this year: cook a heritage turkey! Heritage turkeys are not the typical Thanksgiving day bird that is served today, but they were more common years ago. They keep the species more diverse. The bird that most people use is the Broadbreasted White. This genetically modified bird's breasts are so big that it cannot have sex to reproduce; it needs to be artificially inseminated! What a drag! I tried a heritage turkey last year, and although it was a bit more money, it was totally worth it. And who needs a huge bird anyway? Take the quality, not quantity, approach. I purchased a Narragansett breed brined the turkey and cooked it according to this recipe. It was SO moist and juicy and got such raves that people were taking leftovers home. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

posted by: Michael G. Pingicer, M.S., L.Ac.

Weird Body Quiz

Not too long ago the NY Times had a book review of “Why Don’t Your Eyelashes Grow?” by Dr. Beth Ann Ditkoff. Children are fascinated by their own bodies and often ask a lot of questions that even their parents don’t know the answers to. Why do we have earwax? What’s a scab? Why do mosquito bites itch?

Prompted by the tough questions her own children and patients have asked her over the years, Dr. Beth Ann Ditkoff, a former New York surgeon, decided to find some answers. With the help of her fifth and seventh grade daughters, she compiled a list of unusual medical questions about the weird, ugly and gross. The result is “Why Don’t Your Eyelashes Grow? Curious Questions Kids Ask About the Human Body” (Avery, 2008), a clever exploration of the anatomy and health issues that most matter to children (and adults)!

To test your weird body knowledge and take the "Weird Body Quiz" click here.

Posted by Sharon A. Wyse L.Ac.

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NY Times Reports More Women Having Home Birth!

The article is here.

More women are opting for giving birth the old fashioned way. I, for one, think that's great!

posted by: Juliette Aiyana, L.Ac.

Dynamic Stretching

This article reminded me about dynamic stretching. I had seen a little bit of this 6 or so years ago when my brother, a lacrosse player, was involved in a study of the effect of dynamic stretching on the performance of athletes muscles during game situations. He was doing the crazy things that you see in the videos on the field. From the article:

"If you’re like most of us, you were taught the importance of warm-up exercises back in grade school, and you’ve likely continued with pretty much the same routine ever since. Science, however, has moved on. Researchers now believe that some of the more entrenched elements of many athletes’ warm-up regimens are not only a waste of time but actually bad for you. The old presumption that holding a stretch for 20 to 30 seconds — known as static stretching — primes muscles for a workout is dead wrong. It actually weakens them."

Looking at the movement of dynamic stretching, it looks kinda dangerous, but when done in a controlled manner, it really helps. I have been trying this out myself during the past week since the article, and man, it really works. I feel stronger on my bike and my stamina is up. Here is the basic theory behind it:

"Stretching muscles while moving, ... a technique known as dynamic stretching or dynamic warm-ups, increases power, flexibility and range of motion. Muscles in motion don’t experience that insidious inhibitory response. They instead get what McHugh calls 'an excitatory message' to perform."

Now, I still like to static stretching after my exercise in order to lengthen the shortened muscles, but the dynamic stretching is here to stay for my pre-workout routines.

Check out this video showing some of dynamic stretching movements.

posted by: Michael G. Pingicer, M.S., L.Ac.

6 Ways to Protect Your Immune System

According to Chinese medical theory, seasonal changes and temperature fluctuations put extra stress on the immune system. Most of us notice that we catch colds and flus more easily during these times, and the best approach to take is prevention. Follow these tips to keep your immune system strong and get through this season without battling colds, flus, and more serious illnesses. Making a habit of these practices will put you on the road to lifelong health.

1. Sleep Well.

Sleep deprivation has a powerfully detrimental effect on your immune system. If you're tired when you wake up in the morning, you're not getting enough sleep, or maybe not enough quality sleep. Either way, your immunity is compromised. Poor sleep is associated with lower immune system function and reduced numbers of killer cells that fight germs and combat cancer cells' division. Read more about getting a better nights' sleep.

2. De-Stress.

The stress response in the body causes a measurable decline in the immune system's ability to fight disease. Though releasing stress is surely easier said than done, it's well worth the effort. If you often feel tense, take some time for relaxing activities regularly. Read more about treating stress with Chinese medicine.

3. Keep Emotions Balanced.

In general, it's healthy to experience a range of emotions. However, spending a lot of time feeling angry, depressed, worried or upset means your energy is out of balance, and the immune system will not be at its strongest. Research has found that positive energy, optimism, and laughter have a building effect on immunity. Read more about treating emotional imbalance with Chinese medicine.

4. Eat a Healthy Diet.

Since your immune energy is built from the food your body takes in, quality counts. Poor nutrition, especially excess fat and sugar, impairs the immune system.

5. Dress protectively.

Especially in windy times or seasons, keep your body covered from drafts and chills. Be especially careful not to expose your neck and upper body to the elements as they are energetically susceptible to invasions.

6. Use herbs and supplements with acupuncture to keep your energy strong and balanced.

If you feel run-down or have been sharing a lot of germs lately, consider taking immune-boosting herbs. Chinese herbal formulas are widely popular and effective, as well as echinacea and emergen-c types of supplements. Regular acupuncture treatments strengthen the immune system and correct energetic imbalances before symptoms emerge.
Read more about Chinese medicine and boosting immunity.

Call our office for a free consultation or to schedule an appointment: 212-894-0767

By Jessica Silver, MAOM, L.Ac. Aiyana Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs

Obama History Part 2

Barack Obama's Historical Speech Nov 4th 2008 Part 1

CHANGE HAS COME.

Woman Votes While in Labor!!

Now this is what I call the democratic process in action!!

Click here to watch the brief CNN Video Report.

 

Posted by Juliette Aiyana, L.Ac. who brought her 7 month old son to the polls.