Allergy Season Is Here

Spring is finally here and with it comes the dreaded allergy season. For those who suffer with seasonal allergies in the Spring and Fall here are a few tips to help you through this season.

  1. Wash your face and hair at night before bed. Pollen that is in the air outside can stick to your skin and hair and it’s important to remove that before snuggling in for the night.
  2. Wash hands after handling your pets. When we are having seasonal allergies and inflammation the body becomes sensitive to other types of allergen such as pet dander, dust and molds. Also, if pets are outside they could be covered in pollen.
  3. Change sheets regularly and pillow case daily. Seems like overkill but if your allergies are intense worth investing in a few spare pillow cases.
  4. Eat local honey. Research shows that small doses of allergens may act as a primer for the immune system. It allows your immune system to recognize the allergen and fight it more effectively. A small amount works well, but do not overdo it.
  5. Sunglasses can keep pollen out of your eyes when outside for extended periods of time.
  6. Avoid exposure to chemicals, perfumes, smoke and harmful detergents and cleaners, especially during this time.
  7. Get plenty of restorative sleep! An excellent way to boost your immune system.
  8. Get some acupuncture. There are some great points to open you up and stop your itching!

Gift Baskets, Yoga/Acupuncture classes and More!

December is here and with Christmas and the holidays please know that I am here to help reduce your stress. Just a few things to to note:

– Most insurances run the calendar year. If you’ve met your deductible and want to get in a couple more times before the end of the year let me know!

– Most flex spending accounts expire the end of the year so if you have dollars to use, schedule and appt to use it up before it’s lost! I’ll be working a full schedule the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve for those with time off who would like to get in.

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– I have some lovely gift baskets available for purchase ($100 each). Each one includes a card for a treatment along with some other goodies like Arnicare, Tiger Balm, a pain patch, massage oil, room spray, soap, lip balm, tea and snacks. A perfect gift for someone in your life who has everything already and doesn’t need more stuff. Give the gift of health! Inquire with me and come pick one up. Supplies are limited.

– I’m doing 2 more yoga/acupuncture combo classes in the next month. Click on the links below to check out details and sign up. Hope to see some of you there. They are always enjoyed by everyone and no better time to take a little extra care of yourself!! No experience needed. Come breathe, move and relax.

Friday 12/09/16 at One Powered Yoga in Reading w/ Karen Cullen 7:15pm

http://www.onepoweredyoga.com/workshops-events/

Friday 01/06/17 at Yoga Moves in Stoneham w/ Lori Lambert-Osburn 6:30pm
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/home?studioid=7886

As always, I want to thank you for being wonderful patients and for your referrals. I hope everyone enjoys this holiday season and has a healthy, happy 2017 as well!

Take care,

Jay

Health Fair Thanks

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A huge thank you to all who stopped by my table at the 2016 Health Fair at the Stoneham Middle School. It was a pleasure speaking to all of you and I enjoyed letting you know a little bit about what I do as an acupuncturist and my practice. Also very much enjoyed networking with some of the other vendors at the event and hope to work with you soon. I hope everyone enjoyed the seaweed snacks we gave away (they were all gone!). The raffle was a big hit and  an area woman is the proud winner of the basket which included three free treatments (!) and a bunch of assorted goodies – including hydrosols made by yours truly! I hope to do more of these type of events in the future!! Get in touch if you’d like to continue the conversation or set an appointment. Spring is the best time to get acupuncture as your body is more receptive to healing and change (with the seasons changing now as well).

White Salad

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Since so many of you loved my last salad post I decided to share another one which has been a huge hit for me over the years at many Spring/Summer events. It was served yesterday at my family’s Easter dinner as a first course. Inspired by a dish I had in a now defunct Ogunquit eatery over ten years ago, this salad is a crisp, healthy, different addition to any menu! Delicious! Enjoy!

White Salad

2 whole endive, chopped

1 bunch napa cabbage, chopped

1 large fennel bulb, sliced very thin with a mandoline

3-4 stalks celery, sliced very thin with a mandoline

1 medium sized daikon radish, sliced very thin with a mandoline

Parmesan cheese, shaved

 

Dressing

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup champagne vinegar

squirt of fresh lemon juice

pinch of herbes de provence

1 tbs. dijon mustard

1 tbs. nutritional yeast

salt and pepper

 

Transitioning Into Fall

Transitioning to Fall

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With the fall season fast approaching and the beginning of the yin cycle, the energy of plants is moving down into their roots – preparing for winter. This season is a time for the body to begin gathering energy for the colder months to come as well.

The large intestine and lungs are the organs associated with fall. The lungs are responsible for the circulation of qi, and are also very susceptible to cold and illness. For this reason, it is important to stay healthy and warm during the season – an immune boost treatment can be great at this time. If the qi circulation is compromised, muscles will not be able to warm the body properly and  you may encounter issues with digestion that you normally don’t have as well. Read more