by Debra Arko Novotny | Jun 22, 2016 | Acupuncture
I’m a firm believer in a good night’s sleep. It can reduce stress and help you enjoy the day. Acupuncture for insomnia is effective for many people. We all have a time in our life that we can’t sleep it might be nothing more than an occasional thing.
The Many Causes Of Insomnia
- What’s on your mind?
If we have a lot on our minds, it can race across the screen in our mental eye. What was it he said to us today? Are you ready for the presentation tomorrow? Why are you and your spouse fighting so much? All valid questions but not right before bed.
When we let our life go to sleep with us, we have a cruel lover for a night partner. It can wake us hours later or hold us hostage not letting slumber take us.
Acupuncture for insomnia will help so will definite herbal and supplemental mixtures. As a health coach many clients never visit the office, we simply work with a phone consult and natural medicine. If you’re local, add acupuncture to health coaching.
Learning how to stop an overzealous mind is the first order of business. Therapy like dry needling another name for acupuncture assists along the way.
Quiet your mind message written over grey background
- Did you unwind before bed?
I call it mindfulness or meditation. It’s taking the time to breathe deeply and release the day. Inhale saying something like I am filled with peace and as you exhale say mentally I release this day knowing all is well. Remember you can’t change the past and the future is yet to be written.
- Are you sleeping in front of the TV?
Many clients have a TV in their room or fall asleep on the couch before going to their bedroom. Both are not healthy habits. I could go on about electric emissions affecting your body, but there are countless studies regarding it. EM Watch has interesting information and so does the ever popular WebMD about how TV and other devices into your bedroom.
- What did you eat or drink today?
Our stomachs are connected to our head if you doubt it, think how sugar gave you a rush then let you crash during the day. Heavy food takes time to digest, wine converts to sugar hours later for a reverse effect of regular sweeten. Foods that you’re sensitive to yet still eat often have an adverse reaction during the middle of the night. The reaction is insomnia. We don’t think of it as a response, but it is when food disagrees with our own chemistry.
- Are you in pain?
Acupuncture for insomnia is the number one relief when the patient has pain. It not only helps you sleep it relieves pain more effectively than any other form of natural medicine. Many pain management patients prefer acupuncture injections for the pain relief. Sarapin is a natural plant that stops pain like cortisone but without the side-effects.
- Are you overweight?
Carrying extra pounds around is hard work during the day at night it leads to other problems like bursitis an inflammation of the bursa. Being overweight guarantees inflammation in your joints making you stiff waking you early often. Acupuncture can help with the inflammation and overweight problems. Being overweight is not the end of your life and if you’ve struggled with weightloss consider our health coaching
- Is the other person in bed keeping you up?
Have a partner or spouse in bed, how about a pet? If they can’t sleep, you might be able to either. There are times my husband wakes me and I wake him. If you’re a light sleeper, consider looking into the new mattress that decrease motion.
Acupuncture for Insomnia An Excellent Treatment
When you can’t sleep, it can be acute or chronic. If your insomnia lasts more than 10 days then we couple acupuncture treatment with herbs or proper supplements.
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by Debra Arko Novotny | Jun 1, 2016 | Recipes
Right now you’re saying Brussels Sprouts Salad really? What if you can find a way to have this super healthy recipe for this vegetable and love eating it? Let’s first talk about reasons why you want to think about this recipe and give it a try. Cruciferous vegetables offer better choices for DNA protection and are foods that provide protection again cancer.
Brussels Sprouts Salad And Protection Against Cancer
Brussels sprouts come packed with special cholesterol-lowering benefits when you steam them for cooking. I like cooking them for a better flavor too. This is one food that is a healthy recipe whether it’s cooked or not!
Sprouts have a particular fiber-related component that does a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract when they’ve been steamed. Their unique binding process makes it easier for bile acids to be expelled, and the outcome is a lowering of your cholesterol levels.
Brussels health benefits in the area of DNA protection in recent research showed they improve the stability of DNA inside of our white blood cells. These blood cells are what protect us from disease even cancer. Certain compounds in Brussels sprouts to block the activity of cancerous enzymes that occur in the body.
Cruciferous vegetables contain high amounts of glucosinolate. This is what gives mustard greens, Brussels sprouts, turnip greens, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, or broccoli their slightly bitter taste it gives you the best protection against cancer.
Let’s talk about your thyroid function. A current study, suggests that eating this vegetable can improve the function of this gland which can affect your energy, weight, and overall emotional health. Some cultures such as Germany eat a more cruciferous vegetable than American diets, and they have lower issues with Thyroid function and cancer.
Still not convinced? What if I can offer you an Amazing Brussels Sprouts Salad Recipe?
Amazing Brussels Sprouts Salad Recipe
I’m not a fan of Brussels Sprouts Salad so the idea of eating much of them isn’t appealing to me and many others. For me, I wanted a healthy recipe that has anti-cancer benefits. I’ve learned its all in the preparation and dressing! You can create a salad that others will ask for the recipe. It’s pretty simple, and this recipe is large enough to take to a BBQ or other summer party.
Because Brussels Sprouts Salad is great at other times of the year, keep this recipe handy all year long.
- 5 cups shaved Brussels sprouts washed and raw. You can do this with a handheld cheese shaver. Or you can steam them for 6-8 minutes to release the flavor and contrast with the apples.
- 1 apple (thinly sliced) I have tried tart apples and sweet apples depending on the time of the year. My favorite our crisp ones to offset the steamed sprouts.
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
- 3/4 cup pumpkin seeds or pomegranate seeds to add color.
- Other add in’s can be avocado bites, sliced grapes or try different nuts and seeds to your liking.
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil. Some clients have tried flavor infused olive oil, our favorite is Mango!
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup
Directions:
- Decide to steam then shred or just shave the sprouts. If cooking place enough water in a pot that your steamer screen sits above the water. Bring to a boil with a lid on the pot. Reduce heat, add fresh sprouts [removed outer layer of loose leave, wash and dry] to pot. Steam for 6-8 minutes. Cool before shredding/shaving by placing in the refrigerator and cut when cold.
In a hurry, skip the steaming and shave the sprouts into a large bowl once cleaned. Add sliced apples, nuts and seeds.
Dressing:
- Whisk together dressing ingredients and set aside.2. Decide to steam then shred or just shave the sprouts. If cooking place enough water in a pot that your steamer screen sits above the water. Bring to a boil with a lid on the pot. Reduce heat, add fresh sprout [removed outer layer of loose leave, wash and dry] to pot. Steam for 6-8 minutes. Cool before shredding/shaving by placing in the refrigerator and cut when cold.In a hurry, skip the steaming and shave the sprouts into a large bowl once cleaned.3. Thinly slice apple (leave the peel on) and combine all salad ingredients together in a large bowl.
4. Drizzle dressing over salad, and toss until everything is well mixed.
5. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to two days.
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