Celebrate The Chinese New Year!

Posted on January 26, 2009 by eresko

 

“According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the Nian or “Year” in Chinese. Nian would come on the first day of New Year to devour livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that after the Nian ate the food they prepared, it wouldn’t attack any more people. One time, people saw that the Nian was scared away by a little child wearing red. The villagers then understood that the Nian was afraid of the color red. Hence, every time when the New Year was about to come, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. People also used firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. From then on, the Nian never came to the village again. The Nian was eventually captured by Hongjunlaozu, an ancient Taoist monk. The Nian became Hongjunlaozu’s mount”

This Monday, January 26th marks the first day of the Celebration of The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar or Gregorian New Year.  The Chinese New Year starts every year on the first New Moon and the celebration lasts for fifteen days, commencing on the first Full Moon of the New Year.  This year celebrates the Year of the Ox.  Each year is represented by its own animal; a Rat, Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Dog, Ox, Rabbit, Snake, Sheep Rooster or a Pig.  For babies born in the year of the ox, some of the traits they can expect to have include:  Dependable, calm, methodical, patient, hardworking, ambitious, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, tenacious. Can be stubborn, narrow-minded, materialistic, rigid, demanding.

Starting on the first New Moon of the year, the Chinese celebrate a different way each day.   The first day of The Chinese New Year is usually kicked off with a Lion Dance, which is meant to scare off the evil spirits and clear the way for a happy new year to come.  Throughout the fifteen days families visit their extended family, pay their respects to their elders, have gatherings with customary meals, exchange hong bao’s  (small red envelopes filled with money) & gifts, clean their houses to make room for good luck in the the new, wear red and decorate their houses with fresh flowers.  On the last day of the festivities there is a lantern parade which is meant to guide the wayward spirits home.  All these things symbolize a fresh start and help to usher in good luck, good fortune and happiness in the new year.

Some other superstitions practiced over Chinese New Year include:

  • Opening your doors and windows at the stroke of midnight on the first day of the new year to let the old year out and to let in the new.
  • Shooting off firecrackers to welcome in the new year.
  • It is said to be bad luck to wash your hair on New Year’s Day as it would wash away good luck.
  • Your house should not be cleaned on New Year’s Day, as you would sweep out the good luck, therefore it is customary to have a clean house prior to the festitivites.
  • All debts should be paid, negative attitudes and crying should be avoided as it will set the tone for the whole year.

If you live in or around the Portland, Oregon area there will be lots of Chinese New Year festivities going on for the next couple of weeks in Old Town, Chinatown.  The Chinese Gardens will be hosting a variety of events, some of which include, fortune telling, live music, calligraphy demos, storytelling, lantern making and the lists goes on and on.  The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine is also hosting a lecture on site January 27th, on New Perspective’s in Health,  so if you are in town I highly recommend you check out everything that’s going on downtown!

It is said that the attitude and appearance you express on New Year’s Day will set the tone for your year, so keep that twinkle in your eye, a kick in your step and I wish you good luck, health and happiness in this coming year!   Guònián Hǎo!  (Happy New Year)!

Sources:  Wikipedia, Jan 26, 2009,  Chinese New Year, Jan, 26, 2009 

Posted in Acupuncture, Chinese Calendar & Astrology, Exercise & Lifestyle, Fun Facts, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Chinese Guide to Eating during the Winter

Posted on January 22, 2009 by eresko

 

 

“Food can be considered the medicinal herbs that we take three times a day. Being aware of what we eat can help to maintain internal balance and prevent disease on a daily basis”

I recently attended a seminar held at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, A Chinese Medicine Lifestyle Guide for the Winter Season.  It was all great information, so I thought I’d share some.  In Chinese Medicine Winter time is the best time to preserve your health, build up your immunity, get good rest and keep warm.  It only seems natural that our instincts drive us in this direction.  The days are at their shortest, therefore we can and want to spend more time in bed, we crave more meats/proteins and warm foods, and we bundle up because we have cold hands and feet.  This isn’t a coincidence, our habits change with the seasons and it is the most beneficial to us to “go with the flow”.

Physiologically our bodies react to the change in the seasons.  Basically it’s a reaction to the duration of days vs. nights, our bodies adapt to the long nights and we naturally intend to preserve our health as we sleep more, stay inside, are less active and build up our immunity.  Essentially it is our bodies way of preparing ourselves for the coming Spring, so we are healthy and vibrant as the days become longer and we become more active.

In order to ensure a healthy body and attitude for the spring it only makes sense to eat the right foods, that both your body craves and your body will get the most out of!

Here are a few foods that are great to add into your diet during the Winter:

Venison, Beef, Lamb, Goose, Duck, Shrimp, Sea Cucumber, Goat Milk, Eggs, Tremella, Shitaki mushroom, Walnuts, Pine Nuts, Chestnuts, Daikon (White Radish), Black Sesame etc.  These foods are all warming foods and are high in protein. 

In addition to your high protein meats, remember to eat lots of dark leafy greens as well, these will help with the breakdown of the protein and create a balanced diet.

Some other good foods, to promote the immune system and fight common winter ailments, such as the flu, colds, coughs and general mallaise include:

Ginger:  Good to make as a tea, it’s very warming

Steamed Pears:  Good to moisten the lungs, good for dry coughs

Lotus Root, Daikon Juice, Winter Melon Soup, Walnuts and Soy Milk are all also good for dry coughs.

Peppermint Tea:  To clear the airways and relieve sinus congestion

Onions with Mustard Greens as a soup to relieve congestion as well

Baked Organic Oranges:  Eat with the skin to boost the immune system

Please take care of yourself this Winter and don’t be afraid to take advantage of the long nights and comfort foods, though moderation is always key!

Here’s to a warm, nourishing winter and a healthy spring!

Sources:  Acupuncture.com,  Tsueyhwa Lai, DAOM, LAc.

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Doctors Going Alternative?

Posted on January 15, 2009 by eresko

 Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s For All

For years, Dr. Ali Keshavarzian ignored “alternative” therapies because his Western-trained brain wanted more evidence that they actually worked.

But Keshavarzian also knew conventional medicine often needed some assistance. And when he learned his patients were seeking out natural products, acupuncture, meditation and massage, he took a deep breath and dived in.

Ten years later, Keshavarzian straddles both worlds, using Western treatments along with a variety of alternative approaches, a combination known as complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM. “CAM is looking at a patient as a human being, rather than a disease,” said Keshavarzian, a gastroenterologist at Rush University Medical Center. “Instead of treating ‘ulcerative colitis,’ I treat ‘Mr. Jones.’ “

From my point of view, as a promoter and for lack of a better word “believer” in alternative medicines, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, CAM, is my first line of defense.  I recommend everyone use it and I am confident in its effectiveness!  However, I realize, that my own perceptions are not necessarily held by a large population of people.

So, the intention of this blog was to spread the word and educate people as well as share information and sources that people may otherwise be unaware of and/or still unsure about.

I just found the above article in the Chicago Tribune reporting on the prevalence of CAM users, doctors included.  As the health paradigm continues to shift more and more towards preventative medicine and people begin to realize that there is something much more to CAM than a couple of needles, some incense and a bag of herbs, we may just see a shift in the overall health of our nation.

According to a national survey done by the National Institute of Health recently published this December, the number of people who use some form of CAM rose to 38%, as well as 12% for children.  Personally I only see these numbers rising, which is good for you and good for me!

This is good news for me, as in another three years when I’ve graduated and am looking to set up a medical practice of my own, I know there will be a definite market out there for me to treat.  And… this is good news for you as we are in the process of improving health care and maybe in the process even saving a little money, as well as improving your health!

“Studies show that $2.5 trillion is being spent in a system that is not improving the overall health of our citizens,” according to the institute. “Incidents of chronic disease are on a sharp rise and by 2023 will cost our nation $4.3 trillion.”

Proponents say CAM, which is also called “integrative medicine,” is a cost-effective solution.

Also, if you are someone who deals with one of the “five chronic conditions” help may be found in the form of some CAM and I encourage you take me up on my offer and try it out!

Five chronic conditions—mood disorders, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and high blood pressure—account for more than half of all U.S. health expenditures, according to the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, which advises the federal government on health issues. But these are the disorders that conventional medicine struggles to treat, according to the institute.

CAM is making its mark in the US and I urge you to try it if you haven’t already… it is a fascinating field and there is much we can learn from the different facets that make up what is CAM; acupuncture, herbs, massage, chiropractic, meditation practices and so much more.

Here’s to your Health in 2009!

Sources:  The Chicago Tribune, Jan. 14, 2009;  National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Dec. 2008

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Acupuncturist’s Without Borders

Posted on January 8, 2009 by eresko

goodglobe

 

Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) vision is to foster the creation of stable, peaceful global communities through its community-based acupuncture services and training which interrupt the cycles of unresolved trauma.

AWB’s mission is to provide immediate relief and recovery acupuncture services to global communities that are in crisis from disaster or human conflict.    

 This community based program was initially pulled together to help victims deal with the trauma in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.  The program deemed itself so beneficial that it has grown into something much bigger.  In addition to helping the people of New Orleans, they got to help victims of the Southern California fires last Fall and are in the process of creating a Veterans Program that helps returning vets deal with trauma in a group setting.  

Community based acupuncture is set on the foundation that people who have experienced trauma, in whatever form that may be, will heal better in a group setting.

Done in groups, community acupuncture can help break the isolation often felt after traumatic events. Even those who resist traditional treatment for Acute Stress Disorder are often willing to receive acupuncture. Treatments support rebuilding strength and resiliency, essential for the recovery process. Acupuncture treatments have a calming effect and help those struggling with anger, hostility and frustration.

AWB is also working on integrating community acupuncture into the standard disaster relief protocols used both for victims of the crisis as well as emergency responders.

I encourage you to visit their website and if you feel so inclined to even donate a little money to the cause!

Acupupuncturist’s Without Borders

Source:  http://www.acuwithoutborders.org/

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An Interesting Commentary on Allopathic Medicine…

Posted on December 29, 2008 by eresko

allopathbanner1

As I was just searching around on the internet looking for something good to post on my blog, this funny little video caught my eye.  I hope you find it just as entertaining!  Please watch!!!

Hope you all are healthy and happy and have a relaxing and fun holiday!

Source:   www.mercola.com, Dec. 28th, 2008

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