Slow Down and Look Around You

This weekend, I had the privilege of playing golf at a beautiful course that overlooked the Hudson Valley.  Saturday's weather couldn't have been nicer and a group of us went on a 2 hour motorcycle ride through Ulster County, NY.  Being on the back of the bike as a passenger allows me a bit more freedom to really engage in the surrounding environment.  We drove down winding country roads where horses, cows, chickens, turkeys and all sorts of fields painted a beautiful and interactive scenery no canvas could hope to compare.  The clean fresh air, blue skies filled with puffy white clouds provided the perfect light and temperature.  The smell of freshly cut hay, babbling brooks and crisp creeks gave curtsey to the wondorous aromas of the various trees, flowers and late summer foliage.  I tried to soak it all into my memory so that during the dark, cold, winter months, I'd have fond memories of the seasons to come.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  slow down and take a look around you.  Appreciate this season and take advantage of the wonderful weather we've been enjoying.  Go for a walk in the woods, take a canoe ride on a lake, and if you can't get out of the city...take advantage of our great city parks here in the Big Apple.  But slow down.....you don't always have to be in a hurry.  It's good for your head and your health!  Happy Monday!

It's Not Too Late To Register For My Lecture!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Click on this link http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128512167180707 and register NOW for my lecture on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Your Everyday Well Being. 
It's this Saturday, so ACT NOW!

The Acupuncturist Gets Needles Too

Every so often, I visit my mentor for a 'tune up', as I call it.  If I were a Catholic, I'd compare a visit to my acupuncturist like a visit to the confessional...all truths, no secrets and absolution...except the absolution I receive during my 'tune ups' are for mind, body and spirit - not just for the soul and no 'Hail Marys' for punishment.  I have known my mentor for many years now, both as eternal student and patient.  He knows me better than I know my own socks.  At the end of my session with him, I walk away feeling calmer, more centered, healthier and surpirsingly more energized.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you have an acupuncturist that you are comfortable with, stay with that person and together, you will nuture your mind, body and spirit.  You'll be healthier in the long run and your occassional 'tune up' will be prolific, because your practitioner will know you so well.

Lower Your Blood Pressure and Pulse The Organic Way

Everyone needs a timeout every once in a while...even the dog.  A day or two in the country with no newspapers, radio, television, unnecessary human interaction can do wonders for your blood pressure, your heart rate and your overall wellbeing.  I thought I'd take the advice I give my own patients and try it out for myself.  After two days of doing nothing but sitting under a tree watching the dog observe the horse playing with the pony who was studying the deer outside the paddock guarding her foal who was playfully paracing around a chipmunk eating a nut - I began to relax, and center myself to the natural environment.  We took short walks around the perimeter of my cousin's farm, munching on wild berries, observing wildlife in the pond; we picked greens and squash blossoms for our breakfast that were prepared with eggs from the chickens down the road.  The afternoon was much the same...say nothing, do nothing; just sit and absorb the sights, smells and sounds around us.  Dinner was very much the same - fresh greens accompanied by organic goat burgers from another farm in the area.  Bed by 10 and up at 5am to the singing of the birds.

There's something to be said for the quiet, naturalness of a farm.  Nothing goes to waste and when nature is allowed to 'do it's thing', all is right in the world.  We returned from the farm with a goodie bag filled with greens from the garden (a little bag of fairy dust you might say); the dog is walking around with her old bounce to her step, and I'm feeling more relaxed and rested; we're ready to meet and greet our Monday morning patients with a smile and another fine story.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you can manage to stay on a farm like I did for 2 days, it'll do you a lot of good.  You'll sleep better, eat better and feel better.  Appreciate that there are still little 'heavens' out there and support your local farmers.  And while you're sitting on a chair under a tree soaking up the sights, smells and sounds, remember what an old friend of mine would tell me:  Relax, Absorb, Participate, Share and Enjoy.  Pay it forward.

With gratitude to Connie Rovigo and John DiGregorio of Cavallo Jewellers, Red Hook, New York. http://www.yessy.com/cavallojewelers

Change is Good

A dear friend of mine sent me this quotation yesterday.  I thought I'd share it with the masses.  It went like this:
Change requires leaving our comfort zones and plunging headfirst into uncomfortable situations. True, this causes some pain and discomfort for a moment, but it's the quickest path to generating long-term fulfillment.

Today, when challenges overwhelm you, keep going and know there's Light right behind them. ~YB

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  change one bad habit at a time and you will benefit from not wasting your time, energy and health.  Whether it's cigarette smoking, lack of exercise, poor eating habits, dysfunctional relationships or hazardous practices - get out of the merry-go-round of rote and stop playing a bad game.  In the long run, you'll win, your health will benefit, you'll be happier and those around you will also benefit from your peace.

Golf and the Kickboxer..Diversification

A big thank you to all who have been writing and sharing this blog with me.  I'll be taking a few days off to go play golf....yes, you read it right---I'm going golfing!!!

I went to the store yesterday and bought my first golf skirt.  It's not dworky, but a civilized, understated navy blue culotte.  I've packed my 'magic' golf shoes, my straw hat with the gosgrain navy ribbon, my golf shirts, my momentus, and away I go!!!  Good grief, I'm turning into my mother!!!  (Well, that wouldn't be such a bad thing).

There's not much of a difference between golf and Muay Thai kickboxing at the end of the day.  Yes...one is an activity and the other is a sport.  But concentration, form, and perseverence (endurance in Muay Thai) are all common elements here.  After taking up the activity of golf, I understand why professional athletes love the game so much...it's cerebral and mathematic; but it's also very social.  Now, being the social butterfly that I am - I'm looking forward to a few days of chit chat, fresh air and using the opposite side of my brain...essentially, I'll be 'clearing my head'.

Here's Your Tip of the Day:
Diversity is the spice of life.  Break up your usual routine today.  Do something different, eat something different, try a new routine at the gym.  Walk your dog around a different block; buy a different shade of lipstick.  It will get you to 'think out of the box', clear your mind and take your thoughts away from the rote and mundane.

I'll be back next Thursday.  For now, I'm going to leave the wraps and gloves home and go listen to the birds!!

Oh My Quads!!

Well, after a few days of running on the treadmill and doing literally a thousand squats, lunges, monster walks and every other type of leg/butt strengthening exercise....it hurts to sit today!!

Yes, folks!  I've got 'quad burn' today.  This gives new meaning to the word 'toilet' for a girl.  But, I'm  really happy about it....I'm waking up my muscles, releasing that lactic acid and the toxins that have been building up for the past few years and guess what??  My butt is about 1/2 inch higher than it was when I first started this blog!  My jeans fit and look better and best of all.....I FEEL BETTER!!!
I had my checkup with my surgeon this morning who thinks I'm doing really great and it's more physical therapy this afternoon.  SO WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE QUAD BURN?

HERE'S YOUR TIP OF THE DAY....
Take it from me, when you haven't worked out for a while or you do a lot more than ususal, this is quite common.  Nice hot baths with epsom salts or a hot shower followed by my famous chinese linament or tigers balm rubbed into the quads does wonders.  If you're had-core, then just take a rolling pin or mopstick and roll it back and forth over the quads, like you're pizza dough.  Drink lots of water, green tea and make sure you eat good lean protein.  You'll get over the burn, be back at the gym tonight and ready for major action this weekend.  Tomorrow is going to be a nice day here in Manhattan....I think it's gonna be a good day to jump some rope...see you out there!!

Yoga and More!

Well, today I went back to my morning yoga class after almost 6 weeks.  The comment my teacher and fellow yogis (after welcoming me back) was..'wow, you look great!   You lost weight!'.....NOTHING could have made me feel better today!  All this hard work and commitment to good health and fitness is paying off because it's being noticed!

For the first time in almost 2 years, I was able to do a full and DEEP Warrior 2 pose and a true Chair pose!  No knee pain at all!  All that physical therapy has been paying off.  My chattarongas were on the money and we ended class with gratititude and respect for oneanother and our practice.  My yoga teacher, Johanna, couldn't have been more supportive and kind and attentive.

Feeling like a superhero once again, I went straight for that treadmill after class and did 2 miles.  I started off slow at a 12 minute pace.  After a while, feeling like I was going nowhere fast, I stepped up the pace to a 9:30 mile.  I finished strong.  I share a 1/2 grapefruit with my trusty dog and enjoyed a protein shake.  I'm on track!  I'm back!  I'm healthy and strong!!

Namaste!

Wall Street Journal

Today, The Wall Street Journal featured Acupuncture as a lethal weapon to fight many different types of diseases and health conditions. 
Here's a snippet of what the WSJ had to say:
Does It Work?
Arthritis of the Knee: Acupuncture significantly reduced pain and restored function, according to a 2004 government study.

Headaches: Two 2009 reviews found that acupuncture cut both tension and migraine headaches.

Lower Back Pain: Acupuncture eased it in a big study last year
Cancer: Has proven effective in reducing nausea and fatigue caused by chemotherapy.

Infertility: Improves the odds of pregnancy for women undergoing in-vitro fertilization, according to a 2008 review of seven clinical trials.

Addiction: Often used to help quit smoking, drinking, drug use and overeating
Read all about it!
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748704841304575137872667749264-lMyQjAxMTAwMDIwMzEyNDMyWj.html

Today is the First Day of Spring!

Today is the first day of Spring and it's Saturday.
Dust off your running shoes and clean off your bike.

Today's the first day of Spring...make it worth your while!

Laughter and Love Are Great Medicine

Today is Nurse Sooki's 14th Birthday!!!!  Let's all send my trusty clinic therapy dog best wishes for 14 more years of adventure!!  My favorite furry friend is getting grilled fish and chicken today...two of her favorites!
Sooki's healthy tip of the day:  fatty omega 3 fish is great for the joints, digestion, skin and hair.  Take it from the Blonde Bombshell (and that ain't me!), she's been getting her fish, chicken, beef, occassional rabbit, duck and rooster along with fruits, veggies and salads for years....no wonder I'm broke!  She eats me outta house and home.  But, Nurse Sooki Sez:  Eat well, exercise, love, laugh and get lots of physical petting and hugging - you'll live long, happy and healthy!  And let's not forget....some good street garbage and junk food every once in a while does wonders for all of us!
Take it from the dog....she knows best!

Check out Nurse Sooki Sez:  Woofs of Wisdom From the Nurse Dog of Wall Street, available at http://www.blurb.com/.  It's Nurse Sooki's very own book about her Tales on Wall Street as a Therapy Dog!!

Swim, Sweat and Sun For Good Health

I just spent 5 wonderful days in South Florida swimming in a salt water pool, sweating it up in the gym, playing golf and eating remarkably well for being on holiday.  Those 'fat' pants were fitting a bit better and after the end of the five days, my knee is feeling much, much more improved!
 
Here's your tip of the day:  swimming is great exercise and quite therapeutic for those suffering from joint pain.  When done with proper form, swimming can give you a great aerobic workout, without impact to the joints.  All body parts are worked while you're in the water and if you mix up your strokes, you'll avoid becoming bored by doing repetitive laps.  So, if you can get to a pool, mix up your workout and take a dip!  Take along a friend and swim side by side...companionship in the water is fun and keeps the pace going.

If you are suffering from joint pain from injury or you have arthritis, come in for a treatment...acupuncture and low level laser therapy are highly effective for the treatment of these pathologies.

The warm weather is coming and so is Spring!!!  So, start getting busy and get healthy!s

36 DAYS TO TOTAL WELL BEING AND HEALTH

I'm committing myself to the next 36 days to getting back into fighting condition, losing at least 10lbs and getting back into my summer clothing.  I realized that this past Wednesday was Fat Tuesday and hence, it is the Lenten season for Catholics.  40 days of reflection, contemplation and sacrificing something that means much to a person in preparation for their season of rebirth and resurrection.
I am not a Catholic, but having had knee surgery 2 weeks ago and being in the journey of rehab, I've realized that over the past two years, I've 'let myself go'.  The shocker was to try on a pair of 'fat' pants and realizing that they are now barely fitting!!!  I turned around and looked in the mirror and realized where all that good food and no running has gone...guess!?
So I am committing myself to getting back into fighting form over the next 36 days, losing at least 10 of the 20lbs I've put on in the past two years and at least getting those 'fat pants' to be loose.   As some people will celebrate Easter and rejuventation, I will celebrate Spring and being in tip top health again!  Then, my goal will be the final 10 and commit to keeping it off and keeping fit for life!
I started this committment yesterday, Sunday, because most people start a lifestyle change on a Monday...DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!  Don't wait for the doomed Monday to roll around, start your own road to great health today!!!
Begin with looking inside yourself and finding out who you really are, what makes you 'tick', and who you know you can be - and that's your very best!
So, over the next 36 days, I will be giving you tips on detox, diet, exercise, mental stability in tough times and yes...my own progress - the trials and tribulations of the journey.
I might not ever be in the ring to fight again, but there is no reason why I can't look and feel like a champion once again!!
Stay tuned and let's all get involved with this one!