Lucky Game Day Guacamole Recipe

Lucky (and Healthy!) Game Day Guacamole Recipe

Guacamole is a fantastic game day snack because it is full of all healthy ingredients–including good-for-you fats, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Best of all, it’s delicious! What can off-set the health benefits of guacamole, however, is what you dip into it. Opt for fresh cut veggies–carrot and celery sticks, and sliced red, yellow, orange and green peppers–over chips of any type.

How do you pick a ripe avocado?

It should be soft and a brownish-green. If you are buying the avocados a few days before the big game, then it’s okay for them to be firmer (and more green if they are Hass avocados). Leave unripened avocados out of the refrigerator so they can continue to ripen. Alternatively, if the avocados are already ripe, but you won’t be using them for a day or two, then put them in the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process. I always buy a few extra avocados just in case the ones I’ve selected turn out to be over- or under-ripened by the time I need to make my recipe.

Easy way to cut up an avocado

A ripened avocado is a piece of cake to cut up. Just cut through the skin length-wise, all the way around the fruit. Break open the avocado, pop out the pit with your thumb and scoop out the meat with a spoon. If you’re having a hard time scooping out the meat, then the avocado isn’t fully ripened. Save the pit! If you have left over guacamole that you want to store for another day, put the pit in the mixture. It helps […]

Sharleen Davis2016-10-18T08:49:50-04:00Nutrition, Recipes|

3 Ways to Boost Your Immunity this Cold and Flu Season

3 Ways to Boost Your Immunity this Cold and Flu Season*

Photo courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Freaked out by the enterovirus, ebola and the upcoming cold and flu season? We hear ya. While we can’t guarantee that you won’t get sick this year, we can give you recommendations on how to improve your immunity so that you can fend off sicknesses that may come your way in the coming months.* Here are the most important things you should do from the perspective of Chinese medicine:

Optimize your digestion
Increase circulation
Manage your emotions

Improve your Digestion

They say that your digestive system makes up 70% of your immune system. What you put into your body and how effectively your digestive system extracts nutrients and fights off bacteria and viruses are important factors in boosting your immunity.

Think about the food you’re putting in your body. Ask yourself, what nutritional value am I getting from this? (Hint: Fruits and veggies often give you the most nutritional bang for your buck.)

Avoid:

Sugar
Greasy foods
Cold raw foods

These foods can be taxing on your digestive system. So those cold salads and smoothies you make in the morning? You might rethink consuming those as the temperatures outside drop. In Chinese medicine, we take our environment into consideration when deciding what to eat. Generally, we eat foods that are in season and modify our choices as seasons change. If you have a sensitive digestive tract, it is important to know that too much cold, raw foods will weaken digestion and can lead to increased bloating and loose stools.* From our perspective, these symptoms indicate that […]

Sharleen Davis2016-10-18T08:49:50-04:00Herbal Remedies, Nutrition|

Ridiculously Easy Baked Sweet Potato Recipe

I’ll be honest. I don’t really enjoy cooking even though I do a lot of it so the easier a meal is, the happier I am. That’s why I love this insanely easy recipe for baked sweet potato. Here it goes:

Put sweet potato into pan
Put pan into 400 degree oven
Cook for one hour

That’s it. Seriously. And it’s de-li-cious. It tastes a little like mashed up brown sugar. Even my pickiest eater at home gobbles it up.

I suppose I could give you a few more instructions if you really need them. Wash the sweet potato. Cut off any funky looking parts. Preheat the oven first. To make it extra good, add a little butter from grass-fed cows (we like Kerrygold–available at Market Basket for you locals) and maybe a sprinkle of salt.

Sweet potatoes are easy to love. Among their nutritious virtues, they contain loads of Vitamin A and fiber which aid with blood sugar regulation and the antioxidant beta-carotene.* Eat up and enjoy!

*Disclaimer: Specific results are not guaranteed. Results may vary from person to person.

Sharleen Davis2016-10-18T08:49:50-04:00Nutrition, Recipes|

Win a FREE NutriBullet!

Refer a Patient and Be Entered for Our NutriBullet Drawing (Through Nov. 15th)!

As you likely know, there are many people who could benefit from acupuncture, herbs or nutritional counseling but might be reluctant to try it without hearing a success story from someone they trust.

Chances are that you know someone who needs our help. Now’s your chance to be rewarded for referring them to us!From now through November 15, 2014, refer a new patient to us, and we’ll send you a $5 Starbucks gift card and enter you for a drawing for a FREE NutriBullet 12-piece 600-Watt Superfood Nutrition Extraction and Blender Set (a retail value of $119.99)! Terms: One lucky winner will receive a NutriBullet 600-watt blender set. You’ll get a drawing entry for each person you refer who comes in for a free consult. Feel free to email us the name of your referral to make sure you get your credit! Free consult certificates are available at the clinic, too; just add your name to the “referred by” field and distribute them to friends and family. Encourage your referral to schedule soon. They must come in by November 15, 2014 in order for your name to be entered into our drawing.

The NutriBullet is a fantastic device to help you increase your nutrient absorption of foods.* It’s a quick and easy way to make healthy smoothies. The NutriBullet comes with a recipe booklet, a milling blade to grind nuts (it even makes nut butters), an extraction blade for smoothies, and single serving mugs.

Good luck!

~Jose and Sharleen

*Disclaimer: […]

Sharleen Davis2016-10-18T08:49:50-04:00Uncategorized|

Secrets to Naturally Maximize Your Fertility-Tip #3 (Fertility Superfoods)

Fertility Superfoods–Natural Fertility Secrets Series, Tip #3

This post is part of our series–Secrets to Naturally Maximize Your Fertility. Tip #3 is to supplement your diet with fertility superfoods. At Family Acupuncture & Herbs of Reading, we focus on a holistic approach to supporting our fertility patients. You’ve probably been bombarded with specific food recommendations, which can be overwhelming. Here are a few of the best supplements and foods that can assist in achieving fertility–for both women and men:*

OPCs (or oligomeric proanthocyanidins)—OPCs are very powerful antioxidants designed to reduce free radical damage, which can adversely affect quality of eggs and sperm. OPC supplements are widely available through various companies. One product we have recommended to patients is OPC ISOTONIC by Saratoga Supplements.*

Omega 3s are important for building and producing new cells.* The best sources are from fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, menhaden, herring and sardines. (Cod liver oil is commonly taken as a supplement, but does not have as high of an omega 3 content as these other fish.) Alternatives include flax seeds and flax seed oil. We highly recommend the brand, Nordic Naturals, and are pleased to offer you a 15% off discount and free shipping when you use practitioner code 106250.

Royal jelly—This substance is the sole food of queen bees, which give birth to up […]

Sharleen Davis2016-10-18T08:49:51-04:00Infertility, Nutrition|

Brain Health Tips

Brain Health–Tips and Supplements to Help Prevent Memory Loss*

Brain Health Tips | Family Acupuncture & Herbs, Reading/Wakefield, MA Image courtesy of Master isolated images at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Brain health and memory loss aren’t things we tend to think about or do anything about until it hits us or someone we love.

My mother was recently diagnosed with early dementia. When I learned of this, I discovered some alarming statistics. In the US, Alzheimer’s disease (a form of dementia) affects approximately 10% of those over 65 years of age. That statistic jumps up to 50% for those 85 years and older! And these statistics don’t include other forms of dementia.

Watching my mom’s steady progression of forgetfulness and confusion has been challenging. Fortunately, we are seeing occasional and incremental improvements in her memory. It’s impossible to determine what’s been working, but we’re hopeful that a few of the supplements we’ve been giving her having been helping.*

Turmeric

Turmeric is a fantastic herb–an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant–and is commonly used in curries.* Interestingly, studies indicate that Alzheimer’s is less prevalent in India than elsewhere, leading some to attribute this result to the country’s consumption of turmeric.* Many also say that it helps relieve arthritis.* Turmeric is absorbed best by the body when consumed with pepper and fat.

Try adding dashes of turmeric to soups and stir fries. For a more concentrated dose, try these supplements which also contain pepper to increase bio-availability:

Fish Oil

Our brains are made of nearly 60% fat. I can’t help but wonder about the impact of all those years of eating a low fat diet may […]

Sharleen Davis2016-10-18T08:49:51-04:00Herbal Remedies, Nutrition|

Secrets to Naturally Maximize Your Fertility–Tip #2 (Eat a Whole Foods Diet)

Natural Fertility Secrets Series, Tip #2–Eat a Whole Foods Diet*

This post is part of our series–Secrets to Naturally Maximize Your Fertility.* Tip #2 is to eat a whole foods diet. Our society’s convenience-based diet has processed away many of the nutrients we need. Additionally, consuming simple carbohydrates (such as sugar, sodas, juices) causes our blood sugar to spike rapidly followed by the release of insulin, leading to a blood sugar “crash”. This repeated cycle over time puts stress on your body and can lead to insulin resistance, and elevated insulin levels, which in turn can lead to elevated androgens (male sex hormones) and negatively impact ovulation and fertility. Consuming complex carbohydrates, however, leads to a more gradual increase in blood sugar levels, thereby avoiding these problems.

Image courtesy of Suat Eman at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I recommend focusing your diet on fresh fruits, vegetables, a variety of complex carbohydrates and healthy sources of proteins and fats:

Whole grains—These are grains that still have the bran on them (e.g., steel-cut or old fashioned oats, brown rice, millet, rye, barley, quinoa);

Sprouted grains and sprouted grain products—(Ezekiel 4:9 is a common brand found in supermarkets). Sprouted grains tend to have a lower glycemic index than other grains/grain products so your blood sugar doesn’t go through the spiking/crashing process after eating them.

Fresh fruits and vegetables—Organic and fresh are the best. Frozen vegetables are great, too, and are preferable over canned ones.

Meats/Protein—Make sure you are getting adequate amounts of quality proteins. If you eat meat, choose low mercury fish, pastured eggs and chicken, and grass-fed beef and lamb.

Sharleen Davis2016-10-18T08:49:51-04:00Infertility, Nutrition|

Secrets to Naturally Maximize Your Fertility–Tip #1 (Manage Stress)

Natural Fertility Secrets Series, Tip #1–Manage Your Stress!

This post is part of our series–Secrets to Naturally Maximize Your Fertility. Our first recommendation to you is to manage your stress. As you have likely heard, stress can negatively impact fertility and going through infertility treatments such as IVF or IUI often adds to couples’ preexisting stress.

How can stress affect fertility?

Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Stress can inhibit proper blood flow to the reproductive organs. When we’re stressed, your body thinks, “Danger! Danger!” and enters a “fight or flight” mode. To protect itself, your body redirects blood flow away from the reproductive systems to the brain, the eyes and the musculoskeletal system so that you’re ready to handle whatever threat comes your way. Think about it. If your body is worried about immediate survival, it’s going to place a lower priority on being able to have a baby. This survival mechanism may have been fantastic when we were cavemen, but in modern times where we are constantly bombarded by stress from all aspects of our lives, it can be a major roadblock to fertility.

Stress also creates an imbalance of reproductive hormones and throws off menstrual cycles. One study focusing on women undergoing fertility treatments found that stress can impact egg production, result in fewer eggs being retrieved and fertilized, and impact the number of embryos transferred.

What are ways of managing stress and improving your fertility?*

Meditation–I strongly recommend frequent practice of meditation to calm your mind. We play guided imagery CDs by Circle and Bloom, HealthJourneys.com and Anji Inc. for […]

Sharleen Davis2016-10-18T08:49:51-04:00Infertility, Women's Issues|

Vegetable Couscous with Raisins Recipe

Vegetable Couscous with Raisins–Easy and Delicious!

This vegetable couscous recipe is super easy, and the addition of raisins helps make it kid-friendly! It also contains turmeric, which has many healing properties, such as reducing inflammation, and treating digestive problems.* Click here to learn more about research on the health effects of turmeric.

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1/4 C onion, chopped

2-4 cloves of garlic

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 1/4 C vegetable broth

1/4 C chopped carrots (Tip–Use bagged baby carrots. They’re already washed and pealed. Just put a few in a row, chop ’em up, and you’ll get perfect little round bits.)

1 small zucchini, diced

1 small summer squash, diced

1 15 oz.. can garbanzo beans, washed and drained

3/4 C raisins

1 1/4 C quick-cooking couscous

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat olive oil in deep saucepan on medium high heat. Add onion, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric and black pepper until onion and garlic soften. Add vegetable broth carrots, zucchini, summer squash, garbanzo beans and raisins. Stir to mix. Let cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until vegetables are soft. Mix couscous in with vegetables. Turn heat down to low, cover and let cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

*Disclaimer: Specific results are not guaranteed. Results may vary from person to person.

Sharleen Davis2016-10-18T08:49:51-04:00Nutrition, Recipes|

Summer Garden Salad with Mint Recipe

Mint for nausea, allergies, indigestion, and IBS

Mint Salad–Light, Refreshing and Healthy!

Salads are perfect for summer time–light, refreshing and packed full of good-for-you veggies. We had an excess of mint growing in our own vegetable garden so we threw in it our salad. It was so good that we now can’t get enough of it. Mint has many wonderful health benefits, including relieving nausea, indigestion and irritable bowl syndrome (IBS). It also contains antioxidants and may help alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms.* Indeed, we often use them in our Chinese medicinal herbal formulas to support allergy sufferers.* And who could forget the wonders it works on your breath!

Here is our recipe for Summer Garden Salad with Mint:

1 Head of romaine lettuce, washed and chopped

1 Cup Loosely packed mint, chopped

1 Cucumber, peeled and chopped

3-4 Radishes, chopped

1 15 oz can of garbanzo beans (We like Eden Organic brand for its BPA free lining)

1 Cup Tomatoes, chopped

1/2 Cup Carrots, chopped

For the Dressing:

2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil

3 Tbsp White vinegar

2 tsp Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Mix the chopped ingredients together.

Mix dressing ingredients together separately. Using a small canning jar is great because no stirring is involved (all you need to do is shake it up), and storing is easy because you can just put the lid on it and put any extras in the refrigerator.

Pour the dressing over the salad, and viola! Enjoy!

*Disclaimer: Specific results are not guaranteed. Results may vary from person to person.

Sharleen Davis2016-10-18T08:49:56-04:00Herbal Remedies, Nutrition, Recipes|