Upgrade your Breakfast!
Our mouth is already watering from this luscious looking Farmer’s market breakfast made by our lovely acupuncturist @brookie.mackie! She will be at @shopharborside today from 3-8 for community and private acupuncture!
I’ve been trying to upgrade my breakfast lately. Subbing in Japanese sweet potatoes with grass-fed butter for my gluten-free toast habit.
Menopause Miso
Chicken Broth with Yellow Miso and Lotus Root
Serving size: About 2
2 Cups chicken broth – benefits blood, essence or Jing, spleen, stomach and Qi. Enters the kidney channel.
½ Cup yellow onion julienne– warm, counteracts damp and cold, improve blood and Qi circulation
2 Tablespoons water
¾ Cup tofu – builds Yin, blood and is a Qi tonic that supports the kidney
Small handful spinach – promote Qi and Blood and Yin
2-3 inch piece lotus root thinly sliced– counteracts heat and promotes Qi circulation
2 Scallion, green part - warm, tonifies yang, eliminates cold and supports blood circulation and digestion.
1 teaspoon miso – soy same as tofu benefits, naturally fermented foods are invaluable for digestion, warming, benefits the kidney,
1 Tablespoon goji berries – tonifies kidney Yin
Dash white pepper – counteracts damp
1 Tablespoon ginger, julienne– warming stimulates digestion and boosts circulation
½ Teaspoon sesame oil – counteracts heat and tonifies Yin
2 Medium shiitake julienne – blood and Qi tonic, supports spleen stomach and liver
Directions
Lightly cook the julienne onion and shiitake mushrooms in the 2 tablespoons water, add the chicken broth, ginger, goji and lotus (do not peel lotus, allow the hot broth to slightly braise.) bring to a simmer. Add the white pepper, tofu and miso (Thin the miso with a little stock then add back into the soup. Long cooking or boiling destroys miso’s beneficial organisms.) Add spinach and sesame oil and serve, garnish with scallions.
Options:
Seaweed is great for strengthening kidneys and building Yin so you could use dashi granules or make a broth using kombu and bonito flakes.
Add poached egg if you want more protein, should be antibiotic and hormone free if possible. Chicken eggs supports blood and promotes blood circulation, it also supports essence and Yin.
Honoring Menopause
In many Eastern cultures, menopause is often welcomed and honored as a time of transition for women. Many studies show that few women in Asian countries experience issues and symptoms during this transition, while in the West, we suffer needlessly!
Anxiety, night sweating, hot flashes, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, weight gain are among the most common issues that I see in my clinic for those going through menopause. In Chinese Medicine theory, it can be well managed with diet, herbs, and acupuncture with fewer risks and side effects than contemporary western solutions like hormone replacement therapy.
Kidney Yin deficiency (the common pattern found in Eastern Medicine for menopausal symptoms) can be managed with eliminating excessive sugar, poor quality meats, quitting smoking, reducing stress, and trying to not "burn the candle at both ends".
As we know now that food IS medicine, check out our blog for a yummy Menopause Miso recipe that supports both the Kidney Yin and Yang functions to help reduce unwanted menopause symptoms.
The Revolutionary Body Clock!
There is nothing I love more than when Modern Medicine catches up with the teachings of Ancient Medicine. Eastern Medicine relies on a system where specific organs self regulate at different times of the day. This body clock has been used to diagnose and treat for thousands of years, and is especially helpful with sleep issues. 🌚 ☯️
During a 15 year study of the impact of light on the health for more than one billion people, it seems that we now have substantial evidence of how our internal clocks transmit their timing information AND how our organs read time and do different tasks at specific times!!!!!!! 🤯🤯🤯
As you see in the image of the Eastern Medicine clock, each organ has a period of about 2 hours in which it is "on" and processing. Notice that the Liver time is between 1-3am. This is one of the most common times for anxiety insomnia. 😩
I call it anxiety insomnia because it seems to be a wakeful time where we spend an hour or two (or more!) laying in bed thinking about any possible stressful issue that we could possibly bring into our heads instead of sleeping. When that happens it is a sign that the Liver is imbalanced and unable to process and detox correctly. This is just one area where this helpful clock can be used in the treatment of so many issues. We can use this clock for so much thanks to the teachings of Ancient Medicine! 💪🏽🙏🏼👏🏿
Lavender, Holy Basil + Rose Tea at Haborside Wellness
Brooke will be serving this yummy HOLY BASIL, ROSE & LAVENDER LEMONADE at our @shopharborside location today from 3-8!! Yum!! Recipe and pic courtesy of @mountainroseherbs
Recipe: Lavender & Holy Basil Infused Lemonade
Ingredients:
6 cups water
2 cups fresh lemon juice (don’t thrown away the lemons peels! Compost them or make citrus infused cleaning vinegar)
3 tbsp dried holy basil
3 tbsp dried lavender
1 cup simple syrup (2 cups water 2 cups sugar- heat water on stove top and dissolve the sugar into it. Store in the fridge and keep on hand for iced teas, cocktails, and lemonade like this! Step it up a level with my Peach Lavender Simple Syrup.)
Method:
Heat 2 cups of the water in a small saucepan on medium.
Once the water is heated, add the lavender and holy basil.
Allow the herbs to steep in the water as it cools for 20 minutes.
In a large picture, stir together lemon juice, simple syrup, and the remaining 4 cups of water.
Strain the herbal infusion into the pitcher and stir. Serve over ice.
Community Acupuncture at Harborside!
Our lovely Brooke will be at our @shopharborside location Wednesdays and Fridays from 3-8 for community and private acupuncture. Come check her out! #acupuncture
#community #communityacupuncture #acupuncture #acupunctureforeveryone #communityacupuncture #rootandstem #dispensary #wellness #functionalmedicine #treatyourself #selfcare
Loving these eye pillows at Harborside!
@sswans really killed it with these new lavender scented hand stitched eye pillows for our @shopharborside location! We are so excited to add them to the relaxation list for our sliding scale Community Acupuncture treatments happening today from 2-8! Book now in our link!
#acupuncture #community #communityacupuncture #acupuncture #acupunctureforeveryone #communityacupuncture #rootandstem #dispensary #wellness #functionalmedicine #treatyourself #selfcare
Inspiration in the Kitchen!
The lovely @lyssandra_nativepalms is always inspiring us with great ideas in the kitchen!
🥑🍓🍈🌱
keepin' it fresh, clean, seasonal, and making it with puuure love is such a goood feeeling ...
PS. take note of this bootch ... higher alcohol percentage than the regulars. This one has ashwaghanda, turmeric, and ginger ... stress reducing, boozy bootch ...
PSS. Bootch still has a lot of sugar, so if you're avoiding sugar or have candida overgrowth, I'd refrain... #bearerofbadnewssorry
Our Fav Sauerkraut Recipe
Our Fav Sauerkraut Recipe
1 Big Head Purple Cabbage (or 3 small ones!)
2 - 3 Medium Carrots
2 Red Beets
2 TBL Celtic Sea Salt
Directions :
Chop all ingredients to your liking (we prefer a rough chop). Afterwards spend approximately 15 minutes of squishing all the above ingredients into a jar with the briny/salty liquid and fill to at least 1 - 2 inches above the kraut. Let the jar sit in a dark area of your kitchen or a room with decent air flow for at least three days, and up to two weeks.
Sauerkraut update! 🥬
I have to admit, it is so yummy! I'm pretty impressed with how easy it was to make delish kraut, and it goes so great as a summer bbq side! I understand it isn't a taste that everyone loves, so here is a list of its many MANY benefits that might help convince you to add it to your dinner plate.
🌟Packed with probiotics for gut health
🌟High in fiber for gut and heart health helping reduced heart disease
🌟Sulfer-containing Glucosinolates!! Powerhouses for all kinds of goodness. Studies link these to protective anti-cancer activity especially in the lungs and alimentary tract
🌟Glucosinolates found in brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, etc) encourage the liver during phase 1 metabolism helping rid the body of toxins, STRESS, inflammation....the list is long!
🌟Cruciferous veggies help the body process and excrete excess estrogen (estrogen dominance anyone??) and help balance hormones throughout the menstrual cycle.
Check out our stories page for a simple recipe rundown!!
A great day for acupuncture!
Another beautiful bouquet, another beautiful day for treatment @harborside_stores Wellness Center with @brookie.mackie!
We're offering Community-based sliding scale Acupuncture on Wednesdays and Fridays now!
#summerblooms #communityacupuncture #harborsideoakland #rootandstemchinesemedicine #acupuncture #oaklandacupuncture
Beyond the Pill - A Recommended Book!
Fabulous book by the fabulous @drjolenebrighten. So great to see my old office mate killing it with this must read #bestseller. 🌟💪🏼💯 There is so much great information in here that I would suggest it for anyone regardless of your birth control history.
💃🏻🕺🏽
#rootandstem #functionalmedicine #easternmedicine #acupuncture #acupunctureworks #labanalysis #eastmeetswest #labwork #topratedacupuncture #womenshealth #chineseherbs #herbalmedicine #6weekstoglow #health #wellness #eatwell #feelbetter #naturalglow #healthtips #bestofoakland #hormonesupport #hormonebalance
Wednesday Afternoon Community Acupuncture
Another beautiful bouquet, another beautiful day for treatment @harborside_stores Wellness Center with @brookie.mackie!
We're offering Community-based sliding scale Acupuncture on Wednesdays and Fridays now!
#summerblooms #communityacupuncture #harborsideoakland #rootandstemchinesemedicine #acupuncture #oaklandacupuncture
Friday Afternoon Community Acupuncture
Friday afternoon acupuncture? Yes please! 👍🏽 Brooke is here at our @shopharborside spot offering sliding scale community acupuncture today from 2-7!
Walk ins welcome!
Visit us at Harborside!
New sign from @sign_syndicalist and new hours for #communityacupuncture with Brooke at our @shopharborside location! Come see Brooke today and Friday from 2-7pm! 🤗
Soak up the very tail end of summer!
Loving these end of summer tips this month from one of our fav nutritionists @lyssandra_nativepalms !!!
It's August and we're full on into Leo season 👑🌻🏖
••• have you fulfilled some of your health summer plans and goals liiike ••• eating summer fruits and vegetables, being active outside, sunbathing, swimming, resting, spending time with friends, taking naps, getting inspired
••• f e e l i n g c r e a t i v e
Soak it up! And come see us for an acupuncture nap soon 💛
It's Summer Harvest Time!
It's time to enjoy the fruits (and bounty) of Summer! ☀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
***Here is a yummy way to enjoy with all those yummy tomatoes, peaches and fruit at the farmers markets***
😋from @lyssandra_nativepalms
breakfast • snack • lunch
☁️COTTAGE CHEESE☁️
...nutritionally... 15 g of protein per 1/2 cup (muscles, repair + recovery, skin, hair)
High in B12 (brain health + energy)
High phosphorous helps repair tissues and cells, especially to prevent sore and tired muscles
✨energetically✨
cottage cheese can help to ground you to the earth, as its deep minerals and proteins help to stabilize your adrenals and blood sugar levels— much needed for staying focused and calm (all the work and all the play can throw the body and mind for a loop)
>>> eat cottage cheese with fruit, savorize it with cracked black pepper and olive oil, you can even use instead of ricotta in lasagna...play around with it.
If you are lactose intolerant, maybe steer clear or take enzymes... 😋 #healthydigestion #protein #groundingfood #mentalfocus #clarity #healthyeating #summerfood #tomatoes #cottagecheese #adrenalsupport #bloodsugarstabilizer #summer #august #veggies #nourishyourself #rootandstem #oaklandacupuncture #oakland #acupuncture #bestofbay #oaklandacu #rootandstem #functionalmedicine #eastmeetswest #topratedacupuncture #feelbetter #eatwell #naturalglow
Spotlight on Chamomile
We absolutely LOVE Chamomile (and this gorgeous photo from @homesteadapothecary) --- especially on those days when you feel stressed out and agitated!
🌼
TIP: combine chamomile and peppermint with almond milk and a bit of honey for a soothing and oh so yummy drink. 🍵🧡
#chamomile #herb #herbalism #herbaltea #calming #stressrelief #rootandstem #everydayremedies #healthtips #eastmeetswest #balanced #calm #relaxed #oakland #bestofoakland #oaklandacupuncture
Let's talk about my "trying to drink less coffee" journey
I thought I would share an update on my "trying to drink less coffee" journey. Well....I'm falling miserably! 🙀
A while back I had my hormone and cortisol tests run and found that my cortisol "stress hormone" totally tanks in the afternoon (probably after the caffeine has spiked and then crashed). Not only that but I also have higher levels of estrogen effecting my progesterone levels. I suspected that my excess caffeine (2-3 cups of coffee😬) intake in the morning was messing with my cortisol, thus causing my other steroid hormones to go a bit bonkers throughout the month. Estrogen needs to be able to detox through the liver during your cycle, and if it builds up, it can suppress your progesterone production. The Liver in Eastern Medicine is responsible for detoxing stress, and if there are high levels of stress it will "attack" other organ systems effecting things like mood, digestion, weight gain, breast tenderness, etc. 😡
Low progesterone can cause an increase in PMS symptoms, insomnia-especially right before your period, irritability, and anxiety. All of which I was having!
After a good 3 months of limited coffee and focusing on green tea or just no caffeine in the morning, I felt amazing! I wasn't getting breast tenderness (excess estrogen) and my PMS was very minimal (increased/balanced progesterone). 🌈
In this past month, I've been back on 2 cups a day. I'm around day 13 and having the WORST breast tenderness, moodiness, bloating, blah! Caffeine effects everyone so differently, but I'm really noticing how quickly it changes my body. "Everything in moderation, including moderation" right??? 🌟
#rootandstem #functionalmedicine#easternmedicine #acupuncture#acupunctureworks #labanalysis#eastmeetswest #labwork#topratedacupuncture#womenshealth #chineseherbs#herbalmedicine #6weekstoglow#health #wellness #eatwell#feelbetter #naturalglow #healthtips#bestofoakland
Community Acupuncture : Wednesdays and Fridays at Harborside
Our lovely Brooke McClelland is at @shopharborside today! Her new Community Acupuncture hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:30-7:30. Walk ins available for sliding scale acupuncture $45-60!! 💃🏻💪🏾🌟🌈
#acupuncture #community #communityacupuncture #acupuncture #acupunctureforeveryone #communityacupuncture #rootandstem #dispensary #wellness #functionalmedicine #treatyourself #selfcare
Spotlight on Echinaea
Spotlight on #Echinaea 🌸 from our friends at @homesteadapothecary
Processing Echinacea flower and so many other plants these last two days! These beauties will make their way into our Kick that Cold formula in a month!
#echinacea #purpurea #plants #flowers #plantmedicine #plantpower #herbalism #handcrafted #herbs #eatyourmedicine #eastmeetswest #rootandstem #oaklandproud #bestofoakland #plantlove