Feeling gassy and bloated? Having trouble sleeping? Gaining weight even though you haven't changed your activity levels? Try this: chew your food. That's right, chew your food. It may sound ridiculous, or reminiscent of your grandmother's exhortations, but chewing your food can actually aid in digestion, increase your enjoyment of the food and assist your body in knowing when it is full. Make a concerted effort not to eat while you talk on the phone, while you drive in your car, or while you watch television. When you eat, make eating your primary task. Ignore the ringing phone, ignore the pinging in-box, just chew and swallow. You may find that this one simple act, chewing, will help your digestion, help you lose weight and even help you get a good night's sleep.
If you notice yourself reaching for chocolate or getting testy with your nearest and dearest in the week before your period, try this recipe instead:
Sour Cherry Soup for PMS
2 28 oz jars of sour cherries (available from Trader Joe's, Persian markets and Polish/Russian markets)
1 1/4-inch slice lemon
1 cinnamon stick
pinch kosher salt
1 8 oz container sour cream (or creme fraiche or plain Greek yogurt)
Pour cherries and their juice into a saucepan. Add the lemon, cinnamon and salt. Heat 5 minutes. Take a spoonful of the warm juice and mix it into the sour cream. Then, take cherries off the heat, and mix in the sour cream mixture. Chill and serve.
Interested in incorporating Chinese Nutrition into your natural healing and acupuncture therapy?
Schedule an appointment today to learn more about Chinese Nutrition. Email Acupuncturist Dana Boldt directly at 213-400-7700.
Tips to beat the heat: When the mercury tops 80 and there is no relief from the burning sun, take care to avoid heatstroke. If you are feeling lightheaded, dizzy and have a headache after a few hours in the sun, eat some celery or some room-temperature watermelon. You could be dehydrated and your electrolytes could be off. Watermelon contains mostly water and is therefore a good way to rehydrate; it is also rich in vitamins A and C, potassium and magnesium. Celery contains a relatively high level of sodium for a plant, and it also contains other vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health and water balance.
Springtime Recipes
*The information contained in these pages is not intended to replace the advice of any medical doctor whose care you may be under.