The term nightshade describes the alkaloid family of vegetables that contain a phytochemical solanine, within the subset called glycoalkaloids. These chemicals can be irritating and inflammatory to body tissues in certain individuals. . .
Read moreHow to Make JUN | Victoria, BC
Adding fermented foods and drinks to your diet, such as sauerkraut, home-made yogurt, kombucha, and JUN, are helpful ways to balance gut, skin, and immune health. These foods are loaded with good bacteria and live enzymes which can improve overall intestinal flora. . .
Read moreBest Gluten Free Sourdough Bread + Seed Bread | Recipes | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Wintering in the kitchen calls for seasonal nutrient dense foods and long cooking times to nourish the deep energy of our kidney system. . .
Read moreWhole Foods Meal Prep | Quick Veg Creations, Marinated Chicken, + Tahini Sauce | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Whole foods meal preparation is an essential part of my wellness routine. It's an investment of time in exchange for clear energy, clarity, health maintenance, prevention, and delicious convenient food! Although it may seem daunting at first, practice and values outweigh the effort once it becomes a part of your lifestyle. . .
Read moreParsnip Chips | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
It is the root that has the power to stabilize a plant, anchoring it and providing it with nourishment from absorption and storage. And it is in your intestine, your root, where vegetable roots impart their energetics. . . Roots, like human intestines, function and thrive according to their external supply of nourishment. If the soil is rich and vital, the plant will thrive. . .
Read moreSquash Porridge | Grain-free, Gluten-free, paleo, vegan | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
I often recommend squash porridge for breakfast over grain porridge as grains have a tendency to be inflammatory and mucus forming for those with spleen and stomach deficiencies. Why then, does Chinese medicine often promote the consumption of grains as a central part of one’s diet?. . .
Read moreJessica's AIP Pumpkin Bars & Pumpkin Plantain Bars | Gluten free, Dairy free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
According to Chinese medicine food therapy pumpkin is warming and sweet, enters the lung, large intestine, spleen and stomach meridians, tonifies qi, and regulates blood circulation, cold, damp, and phlegm. Plantain is cold and sweet, enters the large and small intestines, liver, and spleen, and regulates heat, phlegm, and wind. . .
Read more5 Protein Power Recipes | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
It’s important to eat some protein first thing in the morning since it helps to tonify energy supplies until lunch. In comparison, a breakfast that is lacking in protein and high in carbohydrate will cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate, resulting in inflammation, hypoglycaemia symptoms, foggy thinking, and/or cravings. . .
Read moreOrange + Cinnamon Scented Delicata Squash | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
It has a unique oblong shape, is mild-sweet in flavour, and its moisture is moderate — between that of butternut and kabocha. The insoluble-fibre rich skins of kabocha and delicata squash can be eaten. . .
Read moreHayley's Herbal Coffee | Coffee Alternative | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Coffee smells (and tastes) divine but unfortunately it doesn’t play well with my adrenal glands. My senses aren’t teased past tasting — if they are I start to get the jitters. The best way to discover whether coffee is for you is to try a good quality coffee, an americano, or cold-brewed coffee, and to observe your symptoms after consuming. . .
Read moreGolden Squash Soup | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Squash soups are creamy and sweet, nutrient dense, and perfect to refrigerate or freeze in portions for future meals ahead. Be creative with additions and toppings. . .
Read moreChange of Season Soup | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
The seasonal interchanges are traditional times of purification in many cultures. Consuming soups and stews as daily meals during each season’s closure or birth can. . .
Read moreGinger Cookies | Gluten Free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
The following non-conventional cookie recipe, made with sweet potato, is a yummy nourishing treat and a source of complex carbohydrate and minerals. According to Chinese medicine food therapy conventional sweet baking and ice cream cause an internal environment of dampness. . .
Read moreHerb Concentrates | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Herbs are incredibly high in antioxidants — compounds which fight free radicals and prevent oxidation. They contain anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-histamine, and anti-inflammatory constituents that will keep your gut microbes happy. . .
Read moreHow to Bake Spaghetti Squash & Recipes | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Baked spaghetti squash, mild in colour and taste, makes an especially great pasta substitute for those who don’t eat grains. For those who do consume grain or bean pasta consider this as a convenient and nourishing option that promises variety to your meals. . .
Read moreHayley's Pho | Gluten-free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
A few months ago my sister and I had a dinner date and had a craving to make home-made pho. We intuitively gathered the ingredients we wanted and went for it. . .
Read moreHemp Protein Pudding + Seasonal Fruit | Dairy-Free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Enjoy the following hemp pudding during warmer seasons, for breakfast or as a snack. Top with your favourite seasonal fruit and extra additions such as chopped nuts, seeds, tigernut, and cacao nibs. The protein, essential fatty acid, and mineral content will leave you feeling nourished and satisfied for hours. . .
Read moreCoconut Yogurt | Dairy-free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Coconut yogurt is a fermented dairy-free product that is created by adding beneficial bacterial cultures to warm coconut milk. With temperature control and time the natural carbohydrates in coconut milk and the added maple syrup serves as a source of food for the introduced beneficial bacteria, which transform the natural sugars into tart tasting lactic acid. . .
Read moreEat the Rainbow: Antioxidants + Chakra Talk | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
The colours in plant foods are produced by potent phytochemicals (plant chemicals) that benefit our body-mind in numerous ways as antioxidants alongside antioxidant-rich fat-soluble vitamins such as A, C, and E and other synergistic vitamins and minerals. Simply put, antioxidants prevent or slow cell damage by neutralizing free-radicals. They are natural skin beautifiers and are anti-inflammatory in nature. . .
Read moreTigernut Granola & Cookie Dough Balls | Gluten-free, Nut-free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Tigernut granola is a simple grain, nut, and gluten free breakfast option that can be served over chia pudding, coconut yogurt, or grass-fed yogurt. Tigernuts are small tubers that are naturally sweet, high in fibre, and a good source of vitamin E, C, phosphorus, and potassium. Therapeutically the tuber assists . . .
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