It's not easy being green...

Springtime is here in Los Angeles and I am so happy to announce I have completed my course in Chinese Nutritional Therapy.  Incorporating dietary recommendations from acupuncture practice has helped me greatly throughout the years and has always been a dream of mine to pass along to my clients.  This is especially impactful when you consider that the first vitamin was isolated in 1926 (it was Thiamin for you trivia junkies out there btw).  So that means that less than a hundred years ago modern western nutritional science was just beginning, meanwhile a practice like acupuncture originated over 3000 years ago.  

I named Sun/Shadow Studios to embrace the contrast in our nature: the light and the dark, the old and the new, the structure and the flow, the science and the art.  Allowing the play between the two is, in my opinion, more powerful than following any plan or program to the letter.  I blame the Gemini in me for reserving the right to never have to choose ;)

Part of my work with clients is helping them understand how their emotions may affect their choices and behaviors around food.  The weather and time of year also affect our mood (hello seasonal affective disorder).  I love helping people incorporate nutrition and movement practices that support them through the different eras of their life.  

​Spring is traditionally a time where the snow is thawing, or depending on where you live there may be a rainy season and things are more damp. We need this to happen so the water can go into the ground and nourish the plants as they say "April showers bring May flowers."  

Problems arise if we are not able to circulate the water in and efficient way, there may be floods, or mold if water gets trapped.  The same happens in our bodies.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine (known as TCM for short) dampness is associated with sadness or depression.  Physically this can manifest as unsexy symptoms like lethargy, colds, phlegm or edema.  

The main recommendations for this time of year are to help move energy upwards and outwards and to work in harmony with the energy of the season.  We want to encourage the seeds of action that have been germinating all winter during holiday gatherings to finally bloom. Practices like eating more of the color greens (think things that sprout up out of the ground like leeks chives, scallions, cilantro, mint, and romaine) and moving a bit more help disspel excess water and encourage new growth.

I love how this benefits body, mind and soul.  Think about how you feel after you've had a good cry and you've released actual physical water from your body.  You feel lighter, maybe calmer, right?  Or maybe you've worked up a little sweat... how do you feel then?  

However, many times when we are sad we may reach for heavier foods to comfort us or we may just feel like becoming one with the furniture (been there, done that!).   And while rich moisturizers may be great for that trendy "glass skin" look, heavier foods like meats, fried foods, baked goods, cheeses & eggs can "trap" the moisture making us feel more weighed down.  

Another saying that comes to mind here is the physics quote based on the observation of Issac Newton, "Bodies in motion will stay in motion, bodies at rest will stay at rest." It may feel counterintuitive to get up and moving or make a nice hemp seed basil pesto (seeds are a great lighter alternative to nuts at this time as well fyi), but it can be just what is needed to put you back in balance.  

So if you're feeling a little waterlogged or wanting to get some more pep in your step then experiment with eating more greens and moving a bit more.  And if you're wanting to know more of how to apply these practices reach out to me via email [email protected] for more information on how we can work together.