Parenting workshops in Term 2, 2011

Hornsby Community College is running the following Parenting workshops, for parents of children 3 - 10 years of age,
in Term 2, 2011:

7 May   Love in Action: An Approach to Discipline
14 May   Love in Action: Discipline & Personality types
4 June  Love in Action: Discipline, Emotional wounds & Communication

Time:  2 - 5pm
Cost:  $65 per person
Location:  Hornsby Community College, 45 Hunter St, Hornsby

For further details and to enrol visit www.hkcc.edu.au or phone 9482 1189

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This post is brought to you by Lois Nethery, acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist at Ocean Acupuncture in Curl Curl.

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Ocean Acupuncture is a natural medicine centre of independent health practitioners. The views expressed in this blog are the author's only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the other Ocean Acupuncture practitioners.
The information presented in this blog, and on the Ocean Acupuncture website, is for interest and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for health or medical information or advice. For health or medical advice, please consult your health professional.

Acupuncture for $29!

Your first acupuncture session is only $29 if you come in Jan or Feb 2011.

This is a great offer open to anyone who is new to our clinic and has their first appointment in Jan or Feb 2011. 

Even if you're already seeing Sonia for Bowen Therapy or Pia for Naturopathy, you're still eligible for this great special if it will be your first acupuncture session at our clinic.

Tell your friends and family!  We all know someone who's been meaning to try acupuncture for ages -  this is their chance to see what it's all about.

To secure your appointment, call us on (02) 9938 2182.

We're located at:

Shop 2, 35 Adams St
(Corner of Lalchere St)
Curl Curl NSW 2096

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This post is brought to you by Lois Nethery, acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist at Ocean Acupuncture in Curl Curl.

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Ocean Acupuncture is a natural medicine centre of independent health practitioners. The views expressed in this blog are the author's only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the other Ocean Acupuncture practitioners.
The information presented in this blog, and on the Ocean Acupuncture website, is for interest and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for health or medical information or advice. For health or medical advice, please consult your health professional.

New hayfever treatments

New 4-5 week treatment programs for people with hayfever

For more information, please contact your acupuncturist
or phone the clinic on 9938 2182

While Spring means hayfever season for many people, others experience hayfever in Winter, or even year-round.  Also called "allergic rhinitis", hayfever is an allergic response that results in sneezing, blocked nose, itchy watery eyes and a foggy feeling in the head.

In Chinese medicine, we look at several body systems to determine the unique imbalance in every person. The allergic component of hayfever is usually dominated by one of the following organ energy systems:

• "Spleen-pancreas" - other symtpoms can include any of: loss of appetite; sluggish digestion; bloating; gas; loose stools or constipation; blood sugar fluctuations; weight issues; tiredness.
• "Kidney" - other symptoms may include: sore lower back; dark circles around the eyes; family history of allergy; fertility or sexual issues.
• "Lung" - where respiratory symptoms dominate.

Our hayfever program comprises herbal prescriptions in high doses over a short time period. This can be supported by acupuncture treatments to enhance the effect of the herbal medicine. The active components of the herbal medicines reduce inflammation and congestion, thus treating the symptoms.  Importantly, they also address the root imbalance so that you are creating a better environment overall and helping your whole body to function with more ease and vitality.

It's also a good idea to avoid common problem foods as recognised by Western and Chinese medicine, such as:

• dairy (cow's milk products)
• peanuts and tree nuts
• chocolate
• wheat
• shellfish
• eggs
• fish
• soybeans and soy products (eg soy milk, tofu, tempeh but read all packaged food labels)

As part of the program, aim to avoid these foods for a few months if you can. Your acupuncturist can suggest alternatives, such as a good brand of rice milk to replace cow milk and soy milk. We can also direct you to recipe sources for making your favourite meals without the problem ingredients above.

Once you've had several weeks away from the problem foods, you can bring them back one at a time, testing each one a few times to check for delayed reactions. For example, when re-introducing wheat you can try baked products three or four times over a week or two, starting with a small amount and building up, and checking your reactions as you go.

Hayfever can really impact on a person's quality of life.  This intense, short program is a great way to get the symptoms of hayfever under control, and heal the body's imbalances to create good health for the future.

New 4-5 week treatment programs for people with hayfever

For more information, please contact your acupuncturist
or phone the clinic on 9938 2182

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This post is brought to you by Lois Nethery, acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist at Ocean Acupuncture in Curl Curl.

---

Ocean Acupuncture is a natural medicine centre of independent health practitioners. The views expressed in this blog are the author's only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the other Ocean Acupuncture practitioners.
The information presented in this blog, and on the Ocean Acupuncture website, is for interest and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for health or medical information or advice. For health or medical advice, please consult your health professional.

Best "fish oils" ever!!

We just keep hearing more and more evidence of the incredible healing effects of fish oils. They are anti-inflammatory so they're great for conditions like arthritis or autoimmune disorders where inflammation is a factor.

They also contain DHA, a fatty acid that is essential for brain development and therefore very important for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children, as well as adults who suffer from conditions such as depression, anxiety or stress.

In Chinese medicine, fish oils could be said to nourish the Yin as they have a cooling, nourishing and lubricating quality. As they benefit the brain, we would also say that fish oils strengthen the Kidney organ complex (Chinese medicine makes links between body systems that aren't immediately obvious from a Western medicine perspective!).

If you keep hearing about all of the amazing benefits of fish oils, but are reluctant to take them because:

• you're vegetarian
• you're worried about contamination from pesticides, heavy metals and other toxins
• you don't like the fishy taste
• you experience reflux after taking them
• you can't get your kids to take them
• you prefer to get your nutrients from food and not supplements

Then you will be pleased to know that there's a fantastic Omega-3 oil containing DHA that is:

• great for vegetarians - contains only plant-derived substances
• of very high purity, with all ingredients pesticide-free and/or organically grown
• pleasant, mild tasting and easy to use as part of your normal diet
• easy to digest for most people
• kid-friendly - because it's food, they won't know they're having it!!

The key thing that sets this product apart is how they get the DHA - it's incredibly clever!  You see, fish don't make their own "fish oils".  Big fish get fish oils from little fish, and the littlest fish get them from the algae in their diet.

Flax flower

The people at Udo's Oil have isolated this algae and cultivated it in pristine conditions. The result is a vegetarian source of DHA that is naturally free from contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides, with a naturally mild taste.  They combine this clean DHA with naturally-cultivated, cold-pressed super-food plant oils like flaxseed and evening primrose for Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. The ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 is carefully balanced for optimum health benefits.

This incredible super-food oil can be used in salad dressings, stirred through cooked food, drizzled into smoothies and even mixed into cake icing to make naughty food a bit healthier!!

(When heated, it loses a lot of it's important health-giving properties, but stirred through cooked food before serving is fine.)

So rather than popping capsules of fish oils or holding your nose while you swallow it in liquid form, why not grab a bottle or two of this amazing natural wonder food and get regular Omega-3, Omega-6 and DHA boosts throughout the day!

Call the clinic on 9938 2182 or contact your practitioner directly. 
Discounts available for bulk orders.

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This post is brought to you by Lois Nethery, acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist at Ocean Acupuncture in Curl Curl.

---

Ocean Acupuncture is a natural medicine centre of independent health practitioners. The views expressed in this blog are the author's only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the other Ocean Acupuncture practitioners.
The information presented in this blog, and on the Ocean Acupuncture website, is for interest and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for health or medical information or advice. For health or medical advice, please consult your health professional.

Parenting workshops with a difference

For all parents who are looking for loving, effective ways to relate to their children and create a harmonious home:

Love in Action: An approach to discipline

A home of harmony and cooperation is possible for any family given the right tools. In this introduction to LOVE IN ACTION parenting, early childhood educator Galit Fisher works with parents of children under 12 to show them a recipe for a more loving way to resolve family conflict. Galit reveals ways to talk with children in a way that brings out the best in them. Come and join an interactive workshop where discussion is encouraged. Carers and teachers are also invited.

Discipline and Personality Types

Understanding your child's temperament (and your own) is the key to creating a harmonious home and resolving family conflict. This LOVE IN ACTION workshop, run by popular parenting expert Galit Fisher, will give parents tools to bring greater cooperation and more effective communication between parents and children. Learn how to bring out the best in your children by making the most of their natural abilities and how to recognise what your child's needs are when they act out or refuse to cooperate.

Discipline and Communicating with your children

Better behaviour is easily achieved when you speak your child's language. In this practical LOVE IN ACTION workshop popular parenting expert and teacher Galit Fisher will teach you to identify what your child most values and the most effective way of communicating. When a child feels loved and heard the result is a more harmonious home, with greater cooperation and less conflict. Share your parenting challenges in this interactive workshop.

Download the full brochure at: http://www.hkcc.nsw.edu.au/files/full-brochure.pdf

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This post is brought to you by Lois Nethery, acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist at Ocean Acupuncture in Curl Curl.

---

Ocean Acupuncture is a natural medicine centre of independent health practitioners. The views expressed in this blog are the author's only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the other Ocean Acupuncture practitioners.
The information presented in this blog, and on the Ocean Acupuncture website, is for interest and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for health or medical information or advice. For health or medical advice, please consult your health professional.

Seeds and sprouts to grow and eat

The Wood element relates to Spring and the colour green, and Spring is when new green shoots emerge from the soil. Surrounding yourself with new life is a wonderful way to embrace the season.

Now is a great time to get out into the garden or start a herb garden on your windowsill. Grab some pots, a bag of potting mix and some seeds. It’s the perfect time to plant basil to ensure a good supply to go with your summer tomatoes. Coriander, parsley, chives and mint are easy to grow and so useful to bring some colour and life to your meals. Ordinary scrambled eggs become a delicious treat when garnished with freshly picked herbs.

Watching your seeds sprout and grow is great visual therapy for the Liver in Spring, helping you to connect with the cycle of the seasons and harnessing the power of your subconscious to engage the body in regeneration and healing.

Sprouts are also great to eat. They’re cooling and cleansing according to Chinese medicine dietary therapy, and they help to free the flow of stuck Liver Chi-energy. As the seed germinates into a sprout, nutrients become much more available and plentiful, such as vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and free fatty acids. This makes sprouts easier to digest than their seed counterparts, and provides a powerhouse of vitality.

How to make your own sprouts:

Place one part seed to at least three parts purified or spring water into a clean, large, wide-mouthed jar and cover with mesh or cloth (I use a Chux secured with a rubber band!).

• Soak as specified below, drain well and keep in a warm dark place (or on a dish draining rack covered with a cloth), ideally with the jar mouth tilted down for full drainage.
• Rinse morning and evening and drain well as above, until sprouted (if using alfalfa, radish, red clover or mustard then after three days continue the sprouting process while exposed to indirect sunlight, to create chlorophyll).
• Remove hulls by placing sprouts in large bowl of water and gently shaking them, reaching underneath to scoop up loose hulls. This is essential for alfalfa and radish as the hulls easily rot. For other sprouts it’s optional, according to taste.

Seed -- Soak time -- Days to sprout

• 2 tbsp alfalfa &/or red clover -- 6 hrs -- 5-6 days
• ¼ cup radish &/or mustard -- 6 hrs -- 5-6 days
• ½ cup lentils &/or fenugreek -- 8 hrs -- 3 days
• ½ cup mung beans -- 8 hrs -- 3-5 days
• 1 cup wheat, rye &/or oats -- 12 hrs -- 3 days
• 1 cup aduki, chick pea, soy*, other legumes, grains -- 12 hrs -- 3-5 days
• 2 cups sunflower seeds -- 12 hrs -- 2 days

* Soy must be rinsed 4 times a day to prevent rotting


Source: Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

Sprout salad with French-style dressing

Enjoy your home-grown sprouts in a salad with this French-inspired dressing. It combines pungent and sour flavours to raise your Yang energy up and cleanse the Liver and Gallbladder.

Place 1 heaped tablespoon of Dijon seed mustard in a bowl. Gradually add good quality extra-virgin olive oil, stirring constantly. The mixture should become thicker and become creamy. When oil starts to bead on the top, it’s time to add the juice of a few lemons, tasting until you get the balance you like. Season with natural salt and a hint of (optional) crushed garlic.





See also: Zingy Spring Salad

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This post is brought to you by Lois Nethery, acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist at Ocean Acupuncture in Curl Curl.

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Ocean Acupuncture is a natural medicine centre of independent health practitioners. The views expressed in this blog are the author's only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the other Ocean Acupuncture practitioners.
The information presented in this blog, and on the Ocean Acupuncture website, is for interest and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for health or medical information or advice. For health or medical advice, please consult your health professional.

Recipe: Zingy Spring Salad

With lots of green fresh herbs, sweet-sour green apple and tender sprouts, this is a great salad to rejuvenate a stagnant and congested Liver in Spring. The dressing is a combination of therapeutic flavours – Sour, Sweet, Pungent and Salty. The fifth therapeutic flavour – Bitter –comes from the herbs, so that the cleansing and renewing energy enters all of the channels and organ systems, giving you a gentle all-over detox with an emphasis on Liver and Gall Bladder cleansing.

Enjoy this salad as an accompaniment to grilled fish, or with tahini and avocado spread on sourdough bread.

Serves 1 as a light meal, or 4 as a side salad with other dishes

Salad

Few stems of watercress
Few stems of coriander
Few stems of parsley
Few stems of basil
Few mint leaves
1 green apple, diced
Handful of alfalfa sprouts (or combo eg alfalfa & garlic etc)

Dressing

Sour: Juice of ½ lime (or lemon, or 1 tbsp raw unrefined apple cider vinegar)
Salty: Splash of tamari (or medium soy sauce)
Sweet: Splash of mirin (or few drops of maple syrup or honey)
Pungent: 1 tsp minced ginger
Sweet/Sour: 3 sundried tomatoes, finely chopped


Roughly chop all herbs, including soft stems, and combine with the apple and sprouts in a bowl. Adjust proportions of herbs to taste. If serving later, pour a little lime juice over chopped apple to prevent browning.

Combine all dressing ingredients, check balance of tastes and adjust if desired (Sweet, Sour, Pungent and Salty). Dress and toss the salad and serve immediately.



See also: Growing your own sprouts

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This post is brought to you by Lois Nethery, acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist at Ocean Acupuncture in Curl Curl.

---

Ocean Acupuncture is a natural medicine centre of independent health practitioners. The views expressed in this blog are the author's only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the other Ocean Acupuncture practitioners.
The information presented in this blog, and on the Ocean Acupuncture website, is for interest and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for health or medical information or advice. For health or medical advice, please consult your health professional.