When a woman is pregnant she takes extra care of her diet, nutrition and overall needs. And, as most women would confess, she does it for the sake of her baby. Once the blessed event has come and gone, however, that all goes out the window and the needs of the baby are first and foremost… and only.
In most cultures (and as recently as 50 years ago here in the West) women are celebrated after giving birth, and are Read More
Someone asked me, “Is there anything I can do without seeing you?” Can you offer a quick tip to help my overall health and well being? I always answer “Yes!” There are many, simple things you can do that take almost no time that will leave you feeling healthier and happier.
First of all, do you ever get outdoors? Do you have a relationship with the outdoors? Do you participate with the outside?
Are you trapped inside 12-14 hours a day? If you are, I can already tell that you are out of balance.
Get up and walk outside. Go to a window or a door. Look outside. Have the relationship change. Connect. All of a sudden you are changing the relationship. Take a couple of deep breaths. That changes your blood chemistry. It changes the balance between Yin and Yang. Be in relationship with the outdoors.
At East West Essentials we love to eat, as we always say, and we can’t get enough of our Quinoa Cereal (for breakfast or a great snack!). This is a great way to start your day. And remember to always eat within 45 minutes of waking, and what you eat for breakfast will determine your metabolism for the rest of the day. Don’t skip this important meal, embrace it!
Quinoa Cereal
Sprinkle cinnamon and stevia to taste.
I have a secret and I want to share it with you. I want to expand your perspective on your health and your life. This is the story of Chinese Medicine. It might just be a grain of thought that enhances your life that you will get from a conversation with me. This is from thousands of years of study and observation. There are some very deep treasures.
One of the treasures is the “Chi” because in Western medicine it has no place. In Chinese medicine it demonstrates and materializes in our health. I want to talk to you about that and how it runs through the body. It comes through breath and it comes through food. It is how you eat, when you eat, what you eat. It is how you participate in your life as a human being–it is how you live.
People say, “There is something wrong with me,” and ask if I can help them with some food ideas. Our idea about food is that it is a universal experience. It doesn’t have to be spiritual.
The same is true Read More
Breastfeeding can be a challenge – we know from experience! And adding to that a crying baby? That’a a tough road. Luckily we have our expert and co-founder Dr. Jeanne Wilson to help!
Did you know it could be allergies?
First thing to check is what YOU have been eating because that is what you baby will “eat.” Begin by eliminating any chemicals most likely to contribute to crying such as caffeine, alcohol and food additives.
Some other common foods that can upset a baby’s sensitive stomach (some babies are more susceptible than others) are Read More
Throughout my life I’ve had a love-hate relationship with sleep. As a kid, I never wanted to go to bed and seemed to rise with the sun. As a teenager and in college I could not get enough sleep, and even went through a period where I lined my windows with aluminum foil to block any trace of the sun! These days I take what I can get. Some mornings require more coffee than others, and some nights I toss and turn and can’t seem to get any shut eye. Sound familiar?
We’ve all heard that you should get 8 hours of sleep a night, but the numbers differ for everyone. In truth, there is no “one size fits all” for adult sleeping patterns. Most need anywhere from 7-9 hours, while others need only 6. And you can, in fact, get too much sleep. Oversleeping can often signal another problem, such as depression.
The best way to determine if you are a 6 or 9-hour sleeper is how you feel. Do you wake refreshed and generally get through the day without caffeine or excessive yawns? Then you are probably right on track. If you find yourself feeling sluggish, maybe you need to adjust your schedule to allow for a bit more rest.
Quality of sleep is also an important factor. Do you sleep peacefully through the night, or do you wake up often? If so, try to identify the reasons. If it is for frequent bathroom trips, try to stop drinking beverages after 6pm. Does the early morning light disturb your slumber? Maybe you need a sleep mask.
Before you turn to sleeping pills that will offer only a temporary respite, try a more natural approach. There is a great homeopathic remedy called “Field of Flowers,” that can be used to treat anxiety, but also helps provide a very restful night of sleep. It is also important to take daily supplements and vitamins to support your overall health. Good luck, and sweet dreams!
We all know how hard it can be to get a picky little one to eat at mealtime. But should we “reward” kids when they finally eat? Is that bribery? This great question was just sent in by a client… see what the East West Essentials team says!
Is it dangerous to associate dessert with being “rewarded”? Example: Eat your food and you’ll get a cookie!
I don’t know if I would use the word “dangerous,” but it’s not a good idea in my opinion. There are many books out right now Read More
We’re going vegan this Recipe Friday! Here’s our East West Essentials‘ vegan take on a classic recipe. Yum!
White Bean Kale Soup
Yield: 3 Quarts
Ingredients:
Weight loss can be a issue for all of us, and when you add arthritis and a regimen of medication it can be even more of a challenge. Dr. Jeanne Wilson help us answer that very question today!
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis (diagnosed when I was 2) and taking Remicade (8 yrs now). Additionally, I had my son 1 month before my 42nd birthday. I was 13 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight when I started gaining back weight. Now I’m 33 lbs away from my goal. I should mention that I am peri-menopausal. Good times! Any suggestions?
My first question would be if you are on any other western medication? Remicade is usually diagnosed for Colitis.
Also I don’t know if you have tried any of our East West Essentials Cleanse or Diet plans? If you do, I would suggest you check with your physician that is monitoring your Remicade medication or any medication you are taking for your RA. If they feel its OK, I would suggest for you our Optimal 7 foods for 7 days program as it contains a very clean protein powder that is colostrum based, is gentle on the digestive system and good for your immune system which may be compromised with the long use of Remicade.
I would also recommend Read More
As much as we may work out at the gym we still can use some assistance when it comes to building lean muscle mass. Did you know that the East West Essentials Optimal Protein Powder (used in our Optimal Cleanse programs) is a great way to help?
The Optimal Protein Powder colostrum derived protein is designed to increase uptake of blood glucose and facilitate the transport of glucose to the muscles, which keeps energy levels up. It also can slow the rate of protein breakdown (catabolism) that occurs after a vigorous workout. It speeds up protein synthesis, which results in lean muscle mass without an increase in the amount of stored fat. Colostrum improves the assimilation of nutrients, which leads to improved energy levels and performance. Also, the immune factors in the Optimal Protein are designed to help athletes to minimize their susceptibility to infections while being able to keep up with their workouts. 
