Category Archives: Nutrition

Changing of the Seasons

Changing of the seasons

A time to rest and digest!

In Chinese Medicine, encompassing the autumn equinox is associated with the Earth element and the stomach/spleen organs, two of the primary digestive organs of the body. That’s right, the spleen is a digestive organ in Chinese medicine.

It serves to transform and transport the food and drink in the body into energy and usable matter and it plays a key role in our immune system (like the biomedical spleen function), the condition of our digestion, the strength and tone of our muscles or the fleshy substance of our body and our general energy as well.… Read the rest!

Nourishing Fall Recipes

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It’s time for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), nourishing Fall recipes! 

The Fall equinox is around the corner and Starbucks has already brought back the pumpkin spice latte. You might have noticed the shift in the seasons already as our bodies usually sense the change in nature before our minds do. Plants and crops have slowed their growing phase and are starting to draw inward and ripen instead.… Read the rest!

Rise and Shine, It’s Springtime

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Spring is here!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Spring signifies new beginnings, new birth, and open and fluid energy. Some characteristics of Spring include:

Nature: Yang

Element: Wood

Organ: Liver/Gallbladder

Climate: Wind

Taste: Sour

Color: Green

Emotion: Anger

Spring from a Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Element: Wood

Wood represents rising and growing yang.… Read the rest!

You Set My Heart on Fire!

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The Heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is known as the ‘Emperor’ of all the internal organs. Its main function is to govern the blood and it is associated with the mind. However, it has many other characteristics and responsibilities that make it a unique organ according to TCM. 

Governing the Blood

By governing the blood, the Heart helps circulate it throughout the body, just like in Western Medicine.… Read the rest!

Maximize Fertility by Eating According to Your Cycle

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Fertility is greatly influenced by a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Eating and living based on what part of the cycle we are in helps keep us in balance and can increase fertility. A woman’s cycle can vary and doesn’t always look like a typical 28-day cycle. Your cycle changes and can be affected by:

Stress (our perception)Diet (excess/deficiency)Our upbringingMindset/emotionsExerciseInflammationTravelFriends/family relationshipsThyroid functionMetabolism (sugar/PCOS)Amount of sunlight vs blue lightPerceived safety/securityUse of birth control pill/over the counter prescriptions/fertility medsEnvironmental hormonesTrauma Menstrual Cycle Phases

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are FOUR phases in a menstrual cycle.… Read the rest!