Happy Holidays!

Balance in the Chaotic Holiday Season

As we move past Thanksgiving and into the busy December holiday season, one concept keeps coming to mind:  balance.  No matter how you have been impacted by hurricane Sandy or the nor’easter, everyone had their sense of balance in life, work, home, etc, shaken.  At different times that balance started to return as clean-ups and utility repairs progressed.  But for many, balance is still a daily goal in many ways. 

A complex combination of the vestibular system (within the inner ear, which is a key player in vertigo symptoms), somatosensory system (governed by the cerebellum at the base of the brain) and the visual system help work to manage the natural sway in our bodies and maintain a stable center of gravity.  Even with the smallest of activity, our bodies are constantly re-balancing.  Just breathing or shifting our weight without taking a step means our center of gravity must adjust. 

Balance is key in the coming weeks of holiday preparations and celebrations.  Doing what we all love while balancing it with rest and healthy nourishment will help you enjoy your holiday traditions.  And for those still working to get homes repaired, here’s wishing you balance between the expectations of what this holiday season will be and being thankful for whatever blessings are received. 

Karen Giles
Five Element Acupuncture

Thanksgiving Wishes

In honor of Thanksgiving, I would like to express my gratitude for the wonderful people that I am privileged to work with in my practice. My clients and colleagues are integral parts of the success and happiness in my life. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!

Karen Giles

Five Element Acupunture

The Season of Metal in the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

In the Five Element tradition, Autumn is the season of Metal.  The Metal element is in charge of getting rid of waste in our bodies and lives.  Physically, this relates to the lungs and large intestine.  We breathe in life-giving oxygen through our lungs, expelling the carbon dioxide.  And we get rid of what does not nourish us from food through the large intestine. 

Along with physical processes, these systems have an emotional and spiritual aspect.  The quality of Metal is for crystal clarity in life, keeping only what really serves and letting go of what doesn’t.  For some, that can be easy and rhythmic, without struggle.  Some hold on to things too long, not wanting to let go.  While others are quick to discard things in life too soon. 

Understanding the season of Metal may be helpful to those of us who are recovering from Hurricane Sandy. Take stock of the important things that remain in your life. Now is a great time to let go of things that no longer truly serve a purpose for you. Perhaps this makes it easier to throw away items damaged in the storm or maybe it is incentive to clean out your home and make donations to those in need.

Ridding your life of waste can be a healthy and invigorating experience. Although the damage caused by the storm was tragic, look for opportunities to make something positive.

I hope that everyone is recovering and getting some normalcy back into your lives. If you need some help finding your balance, call for an appointment!

Karen Giles

Five Element Acupuncture

Acupuncture Can Minimize Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatments

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I would like to share how acupuncture is often used to help ease the discomfort of the cancer patient. 

Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy are typically administered in some combination to combat breast cancer. The patient often suffers from varying degrees of side effects such as:

• Nausea and Vomiting

• Fatigue

• Loss of Appetite

• Diarrheawww.kgilesacupuncture.com

• Weakened Immune System

To help with these side effects, acupuncture points are selected along the digestive system meridians which have a strengthening effect to alleviate or minimise these symptoms. The points are gently stimulated by inserting very thin needles which are allowed to stay in place for no more than 15 minutes.

Thank you to everyone who has shown support for this cause!

Karen Giles

Five Element Acupuncture

Healthy and Comforting Recipes for Autumn

The damp, cold weather has many of us longing for warm and hearty meals. When carefully planned, these meals can provide healthful nutrients as well as comfort. Here are a couple of nutrition filled recipes for you to enjoy!

Stuffed Acorn Squash:

Ingredients:

• 2 acorn squashes
• 1/2 white or yellow onion, diced
• 1 small granny smith apple, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 crimini mushrooms, chopped
• 4 leaves of swiss chard or kale, stems removed, chopped
• 4 strips turkey or vegetarian bacon, torn into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tsp salit, or to taste
• 2 tsp maple syrup, divided
• 2 tsp olive oil
• soft goat cheese, optional

Cut the acorn squashes in half through the stem toward the bottom of the fruits. Remove the seeds and string from the center of each half and set aside. Place each half of squash into a baking dish skin-side down and rub the inside of each with olive oil.  In a mixing bowl, combine the onion, apple, garlic, mushrooms, salt, chard, and bacon.  Heap the mixture into each portion of the squash and loosely cover the baking dish with parchment paper and then foil.  Bake at 400 degrees for 55 minutes or until the squash halves are soft. After removing the dish from the oven, drizzle each portion with 1/2 teaspoon of maple syrup and garnish with goat cheese.  Salt to taste. Serve the squash halves in their skin on individual platters.

Squash is high in vitamin A, complex carbohydrates, and an array of minerals. Squash influences the spleen, liver, stomach, and large intestines.

Roasted Winter Squash Seeds:

Ingredients:

• Squash seeds (this recipe is for 1 cup of squash; adjust as needed)
• 1-2 tsp olive oil
• pinch of salt

Optional:

• pinch of kelp flakes
• pinch of garlic powder
• pinch of cayenne pepper

Separate seeds from squash fiber. Toss seeds with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Add a shake of kelp flake, garlic powder, and cayenne, as desired. Spread seeds flat on a cookie sheet or tray and bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes. 

Don't throw away seeds from any winter squash you cook with.  The seeds are nutrient packed and can be delicious snacks, used in salads, or used as garnish!

These recipes were submitted to the Tai Sophia Institute by Victoria Yunez Behm. 

Karen Giles 

Five Element Acupuncture

www.kgilesacupuncture.com

Letting Go of Clutter

Chinese symbol for the metal element

In the Five Element tradition, Autumn is the season of Metal.  This element is in charge of getting rid of waste in our bodies and lives.  Physically, the organs that help with this are the lungs and large intestine.  We breathe in life-giving oxygen through our lungs, expelling the carbon dioxide.  And we get rid of the waste that does not nourish us from food through the large intestine. 

Along with healthy physical processes, these systems have an emotional and spiritual aspect.  The quality of Metal is for crystal clarity in life, keeping only what really serves and letting go of what doesn’t. This refers to physical items, feelings, relationships, etc. 

In honor of the beginning of Autumn, I thought it would be helpful to offer some tips for removing clutter from your home. Sometimes, it is easier to rid your self of emotional and spiritual clutter after you have removed the physical clutter. Here, then, is a great place to start your "letting go"!

• Keep it short! Break your home down into manageable pieces to tackle at different times. It can be room by room, closet by closet, or drawer by drawer. Instead of pieces, perhaps you would feel more comfortable with time limits. Set a timer for 20 minutes per day and walk away when it buzzes. These tips can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by a large job.
• Memories are in your head, not the object. Often, people have a hard time letting go of an object because it has sentimental value. Choose the most special pieces to hold on to ,such as a family heirloom, and let the rest go. It is the feeling and memories the object produces that you want to keep with you. Try writing about it in a journal or taking a picture of the item. The journal and picture can of course be scanned and sent into cyberspace thereby avoiding the clutter in your home.
• Closets! Here is a great trick I have come across! At the beginning of a season, such as NOW, turn all of the hangers in your closet so that they face right. Once you have worn an item, turn it's hanger to the left. At the end of the season, get rid of all the items that are on hangers still facing to the right!
• Still struggling? Some items are just more difficult than others to say goodbye to and you find yourself vacillating. Place these items in a bin and store it out of sight for a month or two. Any item that you did not need during this time can be thrown out.
• The wonderful world of cyberspace! Already mentioned above, is the organizers dream spot .... cyberspace! Receipts, tax returns, address books, recipes, journals, photos, and so much more can be scanned and sent into cyberspace patiently waiting for you to retrieve it. Just think of the possibilities!

As we move further into the Autumn season, we naturally begin to spend more time indoors. Having uncluttered space will help us as we work to free our minds, hearts, and spirit of clutter.

Karen Giles 

Five Element Acupuncture

Healthy Fall Foods

People seem to always look forward to the delicious fruits and vegetables of summer, but what about the delicious and healthy foods of the fall? As the cool air approaches and we move towards the fall harvest, Karen Giles Acupuncture offers you this list of foods to help keep you healthy this fall.

• Sweet Potatoes - This root vegetable is almost completely fat free and sodium free. Rich in vitamin A, sweet potatoes are good for vision, healthy skin, and a strong immune system.
• Pears - High in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, pears will contribute to a healthy heart, muscles, and nerves.
• Pumpkins - Not only good for carving, pumpkins are chock full of fiber, vitamin A, B vitamins, and minerals. 
• Pomegranates - Juicy, delicious, and has a high level of antioxidants which help prevent free radicals from causing harm to the body.
• Apples - From pies and fritters to salads, it is easy to find ways to enjoy apples! High in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fibers apples will help keep the doctor away! Important tip ... keep the skin on. Most of the nutrition can be found in the skin and the layer directly below it.
• Kale - One of the healthiest foods on the list, kale contains vitamins A, K, C, and B, beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Beta-carotene is suggested to help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Break out the cook books, hit the market, and try some new recipes! Eating healthy can be delicious an enjoyable!

Test Me I'm Clean

Track and field Olympian Dee Dee Trotter is committed to natural athleticism, fair play, and sportsmanship. She is known for using acupuncture as part of her training and even receives treatment trackside after sprints. She She lead the women's 4X400m relay providing a good lead from the pack.  The team won the Gold!

Dee Dee Trotter also founded the not-for-profit organization Test Me I'm Clean. The organization promotes hard work, honesty, and honor as well as fights against the use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs. 

Other celebrity athletes known for using acupuncture on a regular basis are Maria Sharapova, Martina Hingis, Carl Lewis, Charles Barkley, and Jim McMahon. The reason many athletes use acupuncture is because it can enhance physical performance and endurance as well as speed recovery time and help prevent sports injuries.

Call Karen Giles Acupuncture to learn how acupuncture can enhance your sports training!

Elemental Wisdom .....As It Is In Nature It Is In Us

The heat and sunshine has certainly allowed the full expression of the Fire element this Summer.  Longer days encourage us to be more active, spending time outdoors with friends and family.  Joy and laughter fill the beaches and parks as children play.  Our physical hearts get more of a workout with outdoor activities too.  Summer’s Fire can be intense for many, leaving them feeling a little burnt out.  Others find their hearts (physical and emotional) and bodies feel the best in Summer.  The Fire element, just like a candle flame or campfire, has both a quietness and intensity that draws people into its warmth.  And the ranges of temperatures this Summer have certainly been quite like a flame! 

The crest of Summer has peaked as we move into the Late Summer.  This season can sometimes be overlooked…it has a different quality to it than high Summer, and there is a taste of the coming Autumn, but is often rushed through.  During Late Summer, everything around us is full and “hanging”.  The fruit and vegetable stands are bursting.  The air is more humid and sticky and everything is viewed through a foggy haze.  Our bodies and minds may feel heavier during Late Summer, finding it hard to move through our days and the heavy air.  This year it feels particularly heavy and “stuck” with weeks of greater humidity and heat.  But after all the high Summer fun this is a great season to enjoy some deeply nourishing time before the Autumn.

Related to the Five Element philosophy, Late Summer is represented in the Earth element which correlates with the functions of the stomach and spleen.  The stomach digests all that we take in whether from words, food or thoughts, to nourish our whole body.  The spleen carries blood throughout the body and mind, distributing energy throughout.  These two organs function to process and distribute vitality on a physical level but also keep us centered and rooted to the ground in body and soul.

One way you can experience this Late Summer season in greater depth is by what (and how) you eat.  The nurturing comfort of food is at its peak right now and you can see it in the fruits and vegetables that are in abundance.  Do you make a conscious effort to savor all that you take in?  The “taste” or flavor associated with the Earth element is sweet.  You can soak in this wonderful season by visiting a local farm stand to sample all that is in season, smelling the sweetness and tasting it all.  And at your next meal, notice whether you truly taste every bite.  In doing so, notice your sense of satisfaction in body and mind after wards.

To learn more, call Karen Giles Acupunture.

Join me for my Summer Seasonal Workshop!

Karen Giles Acupuncture - 631-804-5902

Health Benefits of Herbs

One of the best things about summer is enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables from local markets or even our own backyards.  The flavor from the fresh produce is spectacular!  But fresh flavor is not limited to fruits and vegetables.  Growing your own herb garden can help you add that extra spark of flavor and health benefits to many dishes.  Here is a list of herbs and the health benefits they offer.

• Garlic supports cardiovascular health and is used to treat respiratory infections.

• Peppermint supports the digestive, respiratory, and nervous system.

• Rosemary supports cognitive health, stimulates the nervous system, and aids in recovery from colds and circulation.

• Thyme supports the respiratory system and works as a digestive aid.  

• Sweet Basil supports digestion and nervous system

• Lemon Balm supports the nervous system and the digestive system.

• Oregano supports the digestive and respiratory systems

• Lavendar has a calming effect and supports the nervous system and acts as a sleep aid.  Can also be used for skin wounds, bites, and burns.

• Cilantro works as a digestive aid.

Get planting!  Get cooking!  Feel great!

- Karen Giles Acupuncture

Restorative Yoga and Acupuncture 6/28/12

Karen Giles Acupuncture invites you to: