The best way to counter this vulnerability is to slow down for a few weeks, open up some space for extra self care like massage, acupuncture, yoga and make things consistent where you can (i.e. eating regularly, sleeping regularly). From a dietary stand point it is a good idea to counter the light, cold foods of summer with moist, heavy and warm foods. What does this all mean? Look at your diet and let go of the raw food, make it your side dish. Add in soups and stews which are grounding and moistening and consider warming everything up, either by cooking or by adding some warming spices like curry, ginger, cumin, cardamom, etc. Flavors that balance the body through the fall are listed below. Try incorporating these foods into your meals and see your digestion strengthen and your energy transform.

SWEET: Grains, root vegetables, yellow and orange vegetables, nuts, seeds, meat, butter, ghee, beans and lentils.
SOUR: Citrus, vinegar, pickled foods, yogurt
SALTY: Sea salt, seaweed

Curried Pilaf with Cilantro, Basil and Pine Nuts

2 cups of basmati rice
1 small onion, diced
1 teaspoons curry powder
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
¼ cup basil or parsley, chopped
Juice from 1 lime
1teaspoon sea salt
¾ cups raisins
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups hot water
¼ cup pine nuts or almonds, dry roasted

In a medium pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion for about 10 minutes to allow it to sweeten in flavor. While the onion is cooking, prepare your basil and cilantro, dry roast your nuts, and turn on your teapot to heat up some water. Once the onions are ready, add in the curry powder, raisins and rice, stirring until everything is coated. Add in 3 cups of hot water, cover the pot and let simmer until the rice is nice and flaky, about 20 minutes. At this point you may add in the cilantro, basil, limejuice and pine nuts. Enjoy this dish on its own or serve it with tofu and vegetables for a well-rounded and delicious meal.

Check back next week for Fall Tea Recipes to get you grounded for the season!

Laura and Beth

Laura Kauffmann and Beth Hooper are Chinese medicine specialists and founders of She Essential Beauty. For more information, visit us on the Home Page.

In yoga, the energy of the heart/fire is located in the fourth chakra, the great spiritual center where inner purification takes place and divine love unfolds. Fire gives us a light that warms us physically, and opens us to compassion, emotionally. Some yoga postures that help open the heart and center the body include Cobra (Bhujangasana) and Dancer King (Natarajasana). All week we will be experimenting with lots of heart opening and fire cleansing techniques. Here are a few postures to get you started if you want to embrace the summer season with a little movement and meditation in motion.

Dancer King / Natarajasana

Stand with your feet on the floor, hip distance apart. Focus the eyes on a specific point straight ahead for balance. Bend the right leg and grasp the top of the right foot with the right hand. Draw the leg up and back, keeping it in line with the hand. Hold the pose and breathe normally. Exhale, slowly lowering the arm and releasing the leg. Repeat with the opposite leg.

The Dancer King is an active and dynamic pose and contains an ascending energy that mimics flames rising from a fire. As you lift into the pose, the chest and heart open bringing fresh energy and blood into these areas. Circulation is stimulated and the body benefits from increased Qi and blood flow.

Cobra / Bhujangasana

Lie on your stomach with the legs extended backward and feet pointed.

Place your palms firmly on the floor, wrists in line with shoulders. Inhaling, raise the head, neck, shoulders and chest. Lift your trunk until the navel is in contact with the floor. Look forward. Hold and breathe normally. Exhale and slowly return to the floor.

In yoga, Cobra is the sign of Kundalini, the divine cosmic energy. This energy is represented by a sleeping serpent coiled at the base of the spine. When the Kundalini is awakened through the practice of yoga, it rises up and purifies our chakras. It is the purifying effect of the fire element that burns up blockages and frees the mind from constraint.

Yoga can have so many advantages to your health. Visit these links below to learn more. Calm your mind, open your heart and feel the wave of energy within you you.

Jaya Yoga Center
Yoga Journal

Laura Kauffmann and Beth Hooper are licensed acupuncturists and beauty entrepreneurs, living working and practicing yoga in NYC.

According to these principles, all food can be categorized according to taste, temperature and direction of flow. Summer is a time to naturally lighten up the diet and eat more cooling foods. Taking a trip to your local farmers market can make it really easy to plan a cooling meal and calm that internal heat. Choose from a variety of cabbages and lettuce, add in vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, beets, corn, cucumber and zucchini, and pair that with fruits like strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe and lemon. All these foods have the same thing in common, they cool the body down and clear heat. See a full list of cooling foods below, followed by our favorite juice recipe.

Cooling Foods

FRUITS:

Banana, cantaloupe, grapefruit, pears, watermelon, tomato, apple, apricot, fig, orange, peach, persimmon, lemon, strawberry

VEGETABLES:

Cabbage, seaweed, snow peas, white/button mushrooms, asparagus, beets, bok choy, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, dandelion greens, eggplant, endive, potato, pumpkin, lettuce, spinach, summer squash, turnips, zucchini

GRAINS:

Millet, white rice, pearl barley

Watermelon Juice

Watermelon is the fruit of summer and happens to be quite healing. Not only does it quench thirst, it is known for relieving irritability, dispelling heat toxins from the body (sores, boils) and promoting urination. It can be used for such symptoms as irritability, sores, fever, edema, and constipation. Drink up!

Ingredients:

4 cups of watermelon
2 cups of water
1 cup of ice (optional)
1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon agave nectar
Mint to garnish

In a blender, add all ingredients and blend until smooth. Garnish with a few sprigs of mint. Enjoy!

Laura and Beth

Lemon eucalyptus oil is steam distilled from the eucalytptus citriodora plant and has a citronella like scent. Using a 20-30 % dilution in an alcohol or oil based carrier can have a very strong effect on mosquitos. Other essential oils that have mosquito repellent ability and can give your DIY repellent a really nice scent include lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, citronella, clove, cinnamon and lemon balm. These oils all need to be diluted in an alcohol or oil based carrier. Our favorites include jojoba oil and witch hazel.

Jojoba oil is a very light oil and soaks into the skin nicely. It has a long shelf life and is a very nice moisturizer. Witch hazel has a strong skin soothing effect and is recommended for use if you tend to have very sensitive skin. On it’s own or with a little peppermint oil, it also makes a great “after-bite” remedy.

The trick to using a natural repellent is that you need to reapply more frequently than a chemical repellent, but you will smell nicer, and probably feel calmer too.

When designing your own blend, keep this in mind:

TOOLS:

1 funnel
1 4oz glass spray bottle
Certified Organic Essential oils (listed above)
Certified Organic Witch Hazel
Or
Certified Organic Jojoba Oil

METHOD:

¼ oz Essential Oil Blend (80% lemon eucalyptus and 20% blend of other secondary essential oils mentioned above)

¾ oz Witch Hazel or Jojoba Oil

Using the funnel, pour your essential oils into the spray bottle. Add in your jojoba oil or witch hazel. Screw the cap on and shake up the ingredients. Your product is now ready to use. You should shake before each use, and apply every 2 – 3 hours. Essential oils also have anti-bacterial qualities so this should keep all summer, as long it is stored in a cool dry place.

Let us know what your favorite mixture of essential oils are and how your repellent worked for you!

Laura and Beth

Eat Local Honey

One teaspoon daily, on your favorite whole grain bread, is packed with immune boosting medicinals as well as bits and pieces of local pollen, which in turn, boost your immunity to local plants. Use raw, unpasteurized local honey for best results.

Cook With Immune Boosting Mushrooms

Maitake, shitake and reishi are the “Power Mushrooms” that pack a punch. Not only will they help with allergies, but they also boost your immunity to other pathogens that commonly attack as the seasons change. Added to stir-frys and light summer broths, these mushrooms boost up your immunity and keep your sinuses free and clear. They are already showing up at local farmers markets, so get cooking!

Take Propolis

This waxy resin is collected by honeybees from botanicals to create the cement-like structure of the bee hive. It has many immune boosting qualities and may help boost immunity from allergies. Propolis should not be taken if you have a bee allergy. Easily found at your local green market or health food store.

Astragalus To The Rescue

Astragalus is a traditional Chinese herb that boosts immunity specifically for the respiratotry tract. Taken by itself or within a Chinese herbal formula, astragalus has many benefits to the immune system. Ask a qualified herbalist to recommend the best way for you to add astragalus to your diet.

Flower Power

For those of you with itchy, watery, burning eyes drink one cup of chrysanthemum tea daily. Make a compress from the tea bag and place it directly on the eyes. This common Chinese herb is one of the best for treating eye problems, so stock up on it and drink one cup daily and watch those tears disappear.

Use Your Neti Pot

Happy sinuses make happy people! A neti pot is a traditional ayurvedic pot used to cleanse the sinuses. Clean sinus cavities can be a preventative for those with a propensity for chronic sinus problems. Neti pots can be used to enhance immunity of the upper respiratory tract and are easy to find at your local health food store. Use ½ teaspoon of seasalt and a ¼ teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup of warm water. Cleanse twice daily for best results, first thing in the morning and right before bed.

Let us know your favorite natural remedy for allergy relief. We’d love to hear from you.

Laura and Beth

Laura Kauffmann and Beth Hooper are licensed acupuncturist and board certified Chinese herbalists practicing in New York City.

Eat liver cleansing vegetables like dark green leafies, asparagus, ginger and daikon. Pair these with pungent herbs like garlic, chives, leeks and green onions. The liver is most stimulated by astringent flavors, so add lemon and lime into your diet and you will have helped the liver and digestion awaken from its deep winter rest. You will benefit greatly from the lightness that follows as the body and mind WAKE UP.

Green Vegetable Stir Fry

2 leeks, chopped
1 handful of asparagus, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons minced ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 head bok choy, chopped
2 cups snow peas
1 bunch Chinese broccoli, chopped
1- 2 teaspoons Braggs’ amino acids or soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Lime juice from ½ of a lime
4-5 Thai basil leaves finely chopped (regular basil is a good substitute)
A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Heat a large skillet on medium high heat for about 2-3 minutes. Add 1-2 tablespoons of canola oil, minced garlic, ginger and leeks. Sauté for about 1 minute. Add chopped, rinsed green vegetables, stir and cover for 2 minutes. Uncover and toss veggies with Bragg’s amino acids or soy sauce and limejuice. Toss with Thai basil. This can be eaten as a side or to make it an entrée, add jasmine rice, a scrambled egg and tofu, now you have beautiful, healthy basil fried rice.

Enjoy!

The change of the seasons signifies an energetic shift in our environment. This shift is most notable in the spring and fall when the Yin of winter is transforming into the Yang energy of spring and summer and then again in the fall when Yang is transforming into Yin. It is at these seasonal changes that we are most vulnerable to exacerbations in chronic diseases, such as asthma or allergies as well as acute illnesses, such as the common cold. Getting treated with acupuncture at this time of year is a great way to help your body adjust to the changes that happen with the seasons.

Spring is a time of re-birth and growth. It is governed by wood energy according to the five-element philosophy in Chinese medicine. Its natural expression is an upward and outward movement with a rootedness to the earth. This is clearly seen in the blossoming of a new plant as it pushes through the ground and opens up. It also can show up in a desire to spring clean, in getting rid of the old and making room for the new. When harnessed, the wood energy of spring can translate into dynamic change and the ability to push through difficult obstacles in your life. However, when it is not harnessed, it can become stagnant and cause frustration and stress.

The organs associated with wood are the Liver and Gallbladder in Chinese medicine. These organs are responsible for the smooth flow of qi in the body. This organ system has an incredible capacity for regeneration, but it can also become stagnant easily. When Liver/Gallbladder qi is stagnant it can cause the following symptoms: depression, moodiness, poor digestion, bitter taste in the mouth, muscle and tendon tightness, menstrual irregularities , migraine headaches and a general feeling of stress.

The goal with an acupuncture treatment is to release the stagnation of qi so that it can flow smoothly, bringing the body into balance with its environment. In the spring, moving stagnant qi allows you to take advantage of the extra energy available to as the days get longer and the weather gets warmer with less stress and frustration. So, if you haven’t had acupuncture in awhile, this is an ideal time to get back on the table. And, if you’ve never had acupuncture this is a great time to give it a try.

Other things that we recommend to help your body adapt to spring include:

1. Regular exercise. This can help to move stagnant qi, but make sure you include an adequate amount of stretching into your exercise routine to prevent injuries as the weather changes.

2. Eating fresh, organic, local produce. Some foods we recommended include: spinach, celery, dark leafy greens, yams, dates, peanuts, onions, cilantro, bamboo shoots and mushrooms.

3. Spending time outside in nature to make sure you connect with the earth and observe the re-birth and growth going on around you.

According to the Chinese zodiac, the rabbit represents a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. Rabbits are calm and cool, yet ready for sudden and quick changes. They have the ability to think and act fast without being frazzled. The rabbit encourages us to focus on taking advantage of our resources, creating a peaceful environment, learning new things and building strong relationships. It is a good time to negotiate, rather than force issues. But don’t expect things to just start happening, let the zodiac be a guide to create all things positive. Focus on the mantras of the rabbit and bring balance and happiness back into your life.

Strengthen Relationships

Relationships gain strength through communication, negotiation and good listening. I am a fond believer that what you don’t communicate ends up running your life. Communicate clearly with confidence, in a way that empowers others and leaves you feeling empowered too. Listen to your partner, child, sibling, friend: It is one of the greatest gifts you can give and get.

Create a Peaceful Home

Rabbits always have a “secure” and trusted route to their “rabbit hole”. Setting up your home to look and feel calm can give you a sense of security that opens the door to the peace we all strive to create in our living spaces. Your home is related to your yin and the more secure and grounded you feel in it, the more healthy and grounded you will be. You can take this a step further by looking at your body as the vessel (home) to your soul. Let this be a year that you attend to your physical ailments, strengthening your body and mending old injuries will leave you feeling happier and healthier for sure.

Learn Something New

Learning new things is a rabbit quality and taking on a new endeavor in a rabbit year usually comes with ease. The rewards of studying something new this year has the potential to grow a business, create new projects, gain more experience and increase monetary growth. Feeling uninspired? Take a class and create the changes you need in your life to move forward.

Be Resourceful

Rabbits are known to be very clever and resourceful. Take on this rabbit trait and tackle difficult situations with a different mindset. Use your inner resources, be imaginative, be more efficient with your time and money. All of these things are traits of the rabbit character and can be useful tools to practice successfully during this metal rabbit year.

Happy New Year!

Laura Kauffmann and Beth Hooper are co-founders of She Essential Beauty, entrepreneurs and share a philosophy that beauty comes from within.

The winner will be announced in a week and will receive the following products in their gift set:

Herbal Bath Salts
Organic Facial Serum
Calm Room Spray
Sweet Lemongrass Body Butter
Organic Herbal Lip Balm

This is a great opportunity to try our natural and organic skin care from head to toe.

Happy holidays and enjoy!

Laura and Beth

By entering our contest you are in agreement with the terms and conditions stated below. A winner will be chosen at random and notified on 12/6/2010 and will be announced in the She Essential Beauty Newsletter, Omala Newsletter and Yada Yada Yoga Newsletter on 12/7/2010. She Essential Beauty has 15 days to fulfill gift box to winner once they provide a mailing address. Gift box will be sent via UPS ground or USPS priority mail. Open only to residents in North America. If an item in the gift box is not available it will be replaced by an item of equal or greater value.

Our favorite skin nourishing harvest includes kale, collards, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and pumpkin. Not only are these veggies loaded with beta-carotene, but they also have high fiber content and many detoxifying benefits. Wild salmon is another wonder food for fall. Loaded with omega-3’s, two or more servings per week for a few weeks can enhance the luster of your complexion.

Beta-carotene can also be found in skin care products that use carrot root oil and carrot seed oil. These ingredients have an incredible effect on the moisture content of the skin. Along with oils like primrose and rose hip, which are high in omega-3’s, products that contain these ingredients are wonderful additions to your fall/winter skin care regime.

It makes sense to address your skin care in a two-fold manner. While loading on serums and moisturizers will give you immediate results, the long lasting effects come from a balanced diet that adjusts to seasonal shifts and our internal needs.

Visit last week’s blog entry for a yin nourishing curried squash soup. Visit our shop for the following products that contain a high content of beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids: Organic Facial Serum, Organic Night Serum.

Laura Kauffmann and Beth Hooper are Chinese medicine practitioners and organic skin care entrepreneurs, as well as co-founders of She Essential Beauty.