Avoid the Holiday Stress and Chaos. Acupuncture: The Natural Chill “Pill”

Acupuncture is long known for it’s balancing and restorative effect on the body. Acupuncture’s first action is to increase circulation of qi and blood thereby relieving stress. Anytime we feel pent up and tense, our qi and blood is being restricted. In order to feel good, qi and blood needs to flow freely.

Acupuncture also releases endorphins and serotonin within the brain and has a deep relaxing effect on the body/mind. This is felt shortly after the needles are inserted and as you breath and relax you will begin to feel your body release it’s tension. Many people fall into a blissful meditative state and some people simply fall asleep as the acupuncture gently re-balances and restores their mind and body.

A medical study done at the University of California found that acupuncture decreases the sympathetic nerve activity during mental stress, lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Many people feel less stressed and more energetic after as little as one treatment and have a marked improvement after 3 to 6.

If you are in need of a de-stressing, or simply want to avoid it in the first place, you can schedule your body/mind balance tune up and be in and out in an hour and on with the rest of your week, blissed out instead of stressed out.

Just call or email to inquire about available appointments. Simple as that.

There is no reason give in to overindulgence, especially when the consequences are so undesirable. All it takes is a little extra effort and a little bit of planning to breeze through the festivities while staying healthy and fit AND still being able to participate in all the fun.

Here are a few easy tips to help keep you on track this season:

• Make a habit of having a fresh green juice or smoothie every day during the holiday season. It will flood your body with nutrition, give you a healthy focus and curb unhealthy cravings.
• Set a goal to do some form of exercise every day, even if all you can fit in is 15 minutes. You can jump rope for 15 minutes and get a pretty darn good work out! Or see how many pushups and situps you can do within 15 minutes. The goal is to stay consistent and make it a priority to maintain a certain level of activity and not drop off the exercise wagon.
• Maintaining an organized healthy eating and exercise schedule will keep you in control instead of cascading out of control once the holiday party circuit begins.
• Speaking of parties…never go to one hungry. This will only cause you to eat more than you need throughout the night. Try to have a small healthy snack before attending so you aren’t ravenous when you arrive.
• Fill your plate with mostly fresh veggies and take smaller portions of everything else. The key to enjoying a party and not feeling like you’re missing out is to use portion control. A couple sample size bites of a few desserts isn’t going to throw you off track, nor is one glass of wine or a beer. But 4 glasses of eggnog and 7 pieces of pie most certainly will.   
• Believe it or not, these next two months can be great time to incorporate a cleanse. It can be a one day cleanse, a week long cleanse or a month, you pick. It’s very empowering to commit to doing something so healthy for your body and mind during a time when most people are actively destructing their health. You will feel incredible, be less inclined to overindulge and lose weight (if needed) instead of gaining fruit cake and pecan pie pounds…which, astoundingly, can pack a whopping 810 calories and an astronomical 65 grams of fat – per slice! Holy heart attack!
  You will start the New Year in a very desirable place instead of  having to do damage control. Something to consider for the more adventurous souls out there…   
• And lastly, don’t make too much of anything. Keep it simple and uncomplicated. Just enjoy the holidays by choosing consciously and wisely. Your body will thank you for it. 

• 1 Cup Organic Old Fashion Oats
• 2/3 Cup Organic Coconut Flakes (either raw of toasted)
• 1/2 Cup Organic Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, Peanut Butter, Hazelnut Butter, or other Nut Butter of your Choice (preferably raw)
• 1/2 Cup Organic Flax Meal (or whole flax seeds ground at home in a grinder)
• 1/3 Cup Raw Honey, or Maple Syrup  
• 1 to 2 TBSP  Organic Barberries (or substitute any dried berry of your choice)
• 1 TBSP of Cacao Nibs
• 1 to 2 TBSP Organic Hemp Seeds
• 1 to 2 TSP Organic Chia Seeds
• 1 TSP Organic Vanilla Extract
• Dash of Organic Cinnamon
• Pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt, or Unrefined Sea Salt

Instructions:

Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl or food processor, mix until completely combined. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and allow to chill for approximately 30 minutes. Once chilled, scoop the batter out and press into balls. The size is up to you. If the dough is too crumbly to stick together, simply add a little extra honey or nut butter. If desired, and you’re feeling a little fancy, the balls may be rolled in coconut flakes or cacao powder to coat them. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated.