Nov 15 2013

Thanksgiving, Stress and Yummy Food

The holiday time is almost upon us .  In just two weeks it will be Thanksgiving and time to start shopping for holiday gifts.  If you are looking for gifts to give this holiday we will have gift certificates available for purchase starting Tuesday, Nov. 19th.  You pick the $ value of the gift certificate you wish to give at the time of purchase.

Some of you have asked what our holiday hours will be.  Thanksgiving week we will be closed only on Thanksgiving day, Thursday, Nov. 28th.  If you eat too much turkey come on in Friday or Saturday, as acupuncture can clear food stagnation.  The only other hours that will be different in November is on Saturday Nov. 23rd we will only be open from 9-10am.  If you work during the week and Saturday is the only time you can come in talk to me because the week before or after I can open early or stay here late.  I want to make sure you get the treatment you need.

Now that we’ve talked hours lets talk food!

Holidays can be a stressful time of year.  We have to drive in traffic and shop in crowded stores.  We are stressed over what to buy and how much to spend or not spend.  Time with family and friends is fun but that can be stressful too.  The holistic approach to stress is not to pop the latest anti anxiety pill but instead to increase the bodies melatonin through food.  Eating a diet high in complex carbs increases melatonin because these foods maximize tryptophan.  The body uses tryptophan to produce serotonin and serotonin produces melatonin.  Foods that supply melatonin on their own are sweet corn, daikon radish, rice, tomatoes and bananas.  Foods high in tryptophan are spirulina, soy products, brewers yeast, almonds, chicken, PUMPKIN SEEDS and TURKEY!!!

And what is the most popular food this time of year?

TURKEY!  Is it a coincidence that turkey is one of the foods high in tryptophan?  Tryptophan calms moods, induces sleep and reduces stress!  That is just what we all need during this happy but stressful time!  Did our ancestors know this long ago?  Maybe!

PUMPKIN SEEDS and PUMPKIN are seasonal veggies that are perfect this time of year.  Pumpkin seeds not only help minimize stress but they also have the ability to destroy intestinal worms.  Cooked pumpkin is just as useful.  Pumpkin has the ability to regulate blood sugar and discharge mucous from the lungs, bronchi and throat.  How perfect that they are seasonal during allergy, cold and flu season!  Pumpkin soup!  Yum!

YAMS and SWEET POTATOES  strengthen what we acupuncturists call spleen qi and also remove toxins and builds fluids in the body.  Signs that your spleen qi might be deficient are fatigue, weak limbs and loose stools.  Take advantage of this yummy orange food and your overall body will feel better.  Adding honey and cinnamon are not only delicious but the combination of the two is great for minimizing the symptoms of winter colds.  If you have issues with night blindness add some spirulina powder…you will have less stress and your vision will be better!

CRANBERRIES don’t really have a seasonal use but they are another popular food this season.  If you have a problem with calcium absorption eat and drink them in moderation.  If you have a UTI they are your best friend.  Cranberries are bitter, cooling and alkalizing and can clear out infections in the bladder.  Juice is the best form with no sugar added.

TOFU:  Tofu turkey is a common vegetarian substitute for turkey.  Some people are against the consumption of soy products or believe soy should only be eaten in it’s fermented form.  As a vegetarian, I personally find it just fine in moderation…but that’s just me.  Paul Pitchford, author of Healing with Whole Foods advises that eating tofu in massive consumption as some Americans do can contribute to kidney/adrenal weakness, loss and greying of hair, impotence, frigidity, and a decrease in sexual sensitivity.  Eating it in moderation however is beneficial.  Tofu contains easily digestible protein, B vitamins, and depending on how it is prepared a high calcium content.  It can relieve inflammation in the stomach due to it’s cooling nature and also can neutralize toxins in cases of alcoholism and amoebic dysentery.  For people cold in nature adding ginger and other warm spices is best, especially in winter.

That’s all for now!  Eat well, enjoy your holiday season…and of course, come in and get some acupuncture!

 


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Contact Us

1927 E. Grant Road
Tucson, AZ 85719
520-777-7444
info@gpcacupuncture.com

Hours

Tuesday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Friday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

We are closed Sunday & Monday.