Supporting Shen (Mind & Spirit), Especially in Perimenopause In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), food choices play an important role in treating the body, mind, and spirit with the TCM concept of Shen encompassing both mind and spirit. Additionally, in TCM, seasonal changes influence not only how mood issues manifest but also the dietary recommendations used […]
COOLING OUT HOT FLASHES WITH DIET
(A Traditional Chinese Medicine-based Diet) I recently returned from a 3-week vacation to Japan and of course, had fallen “off the wagon” regarding my diet—not for weight loss, but to control my hot flashes. Waking up hot in the middle of the night is where I draw the line. It is now summer and our […]
HEIGHT OF SUMMER (WATERMELON-FETA) SALAD
The Hot Flash DietTM recipe for July is a good choice to bring to a 4th of July picnic or a summer potluck dinner. It is also a great way to use up any extra watermelon to free up refrigerator space. Watermelon, cucumber, mint, and lime all have “cold” thermal properties according to Traditional Chinese […]
ARE YOU BEING SEDUCED?
How the Food Industry Gets You to Buy Their Products The sly marketing of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has contributed to our epidemic of obesity—in the US and around the world. UPFs are highly palatable edible substances formulated in food science labs using the broken down, refined, or reconfigured building blocks of food-carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. […]
Tabouli
The Hot Flash DietTM recipe for June is tabouli which contains “cool” and “cold” ingredients like bulgur wheat, cucumber, tomatoes, lemon juice, and mint according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Summer’s heat can predispose you to increased hot flashes, so eat more “cooling” foods at this time of year. This recipe serves 4 to 6 persons. […]
All Food Calories Are Not Created Equal
What has puzzled me over the years is how little some people claim to eat, but they still gain weight. After all, the conventional wisdom is that if one consumes 3500 calories more than they “burn,” one will gain one pound and if someone eats 3500 calories fewer than their metabolic needs and activities demand, […]