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3 Reasons to Try Acupuncture

1/9/2015

If you've never given acupuncture a try, you're missing out! Check out the 3 reasons why you should try acupuncture, and let me know if you have questions. Clara

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During the fall season, the leaves are slowly drying and eventually falling off.
We're the same! Okay, not really falling off, but our skin tends to dry up and flakes off.
As we age and reach the fall of our lives (yep, I'm there now), our bodies start drying up too (I know, not fun!). If you suffer from dry cracked skin, dry stools, dry mouth, and/or dry hair, and (yes I will go there) dry vagina, the solution is a little more complex than just drinking water.

In Chinese medicine, in order to replenish the loss of body fluids, we recommend to both hydrate and lubricate!

Hydrate: drinking more water, herbal teas and eating more watery foods such as cucumber and watermelons.
Lubricate: eating food containing essential fatty acids such as nuts and seeds, avocado, fatty fish, and coconut oil.

Stay moist this season!

Clara Cohen
Registered Acupuncturist in Port Moody
Healing Cedar Wellness

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I am living the canadian dream!

7/1/2014

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Since I was a child, I've always wanted to see "le grand nord'. Pictures of the Rockies, grizzly bears and dog sleighs have fed my childhoods imagination for years. When Europe started to open up and English became a requirement for many jobs, I decided I needed to master it. Did I want to go to England since it was closer? Not exotic enough in my opinion. This was my opportunity to finally see the beautiful land I have read and dreamed about.

I arrived in Vancouver on November 7th and until the following March, it rains everyday. “Mon Dieu!”

I am an aggressive french driver and found the speed limit too low and the people too hesitant and cautious. I guess I also am an aggressive walker, when I arrived last at a bus stop, it is normal for me to pass in front of the line up and get in first. I don’t see what the fuss is about when people complain about my behavior.

I learned new words daily like “Jay walking” which doesn’t have a french translation because in France, we cross the streets anywhere anytime and it’s not considered an offense. I’m often baffled by abbreviation which are not found in the dictionary such as TGIF, R & R, or TLC and I’m too proud to ask someone the meaning. This generation is probably LOL about my confusion. Twenty years ago, there was no Google, we actually used real books!

Everything here seemed big: large houses, wide roads, big cars, lots of space, big malls, big movie theaters and big people. Also everything here seemed to be the longest and the biggest. In Toronto, Young Street is the longest, there is the biggest bookstore, the best burger in the world and the highest tower (at the time the CN Tower was the tallest structure). Do Canadian need to compensate for something?

At first, everything seemed modern, advanced and better in my eyes. Yet some mysteries remained: the way I have to pull a cord to have the bus stop. A cord? Really? Isn't that archaic? In France, we press a "stop" button.

And what's with the way they dress here? Always casual, wearing jeans or track pants. The food portions are enormous and I don't think my french palate likes the Macaroni and cheese dish from the pre-packaged box or the monstrous pizza slices with the thick dough. All you can eat? I don’t get that concept either. And why is cheddar orange? isn’t cow milk cream color? At the supermarket, why is there a whole aisle dedicated to chips and soda? Or one just for cereals? Does anyone cook from scratch?

And let's not talk about Canadian men. After being here for a few months, I realize, not one man has approached me, winked at me or whistled: rien! Am I that ugly? I start to seriously wonder if my mom has lied to me all this years telling me I am beautiful.

I have never seen so many Tv channels and so many commercials in the middle of a movie, it is very annoying. I am used to choose from 6 channels and commercials are only before and after the show.

These my first impressions, today I am a proud Canadian! I can sing the Canadian anthem in English and in French and I like it better than the bloody, gory french one.

I have been ice skating on the Ottawa canal, Dog sleighed around Mont Tremblant, Skidoo in northern Ontario, whitewater rafting in Jasper, hiked above lake Louise and kayaked on Vancouver Island. Canada is breathtaking and so much open space still boggles my mind. I have crossed the whole country twice, once in summer and once in winter and both times were magical and surreal. I flew to beautiful New Foundland, to see Whales and puffins, and went fishing for mackerel. I have pan handled for fool's gold in Yukon, skied in Whistler, and seen grizzlies, cougars, coyotes and even spotted a lynx or two.

I watch CFL with my husband and have been to a Grey Cup final, seating just a few rows from Gordon Campbell and seen Jean Chretien lining up at the HotDog stand. I eat popcorn at the movies, make PBJ sandwiches and eat sushi, fried rice, Dahl, and my personal favorite Pacific smoked salmon. I love Okanagan wine, maple sirup on a beaver tail, and Nanaimo bars. I wear a baseball cap when I run, a hockey jersey during the Olympics to support the Canadian team, gumboots on a rainy day while walking my yellow Labrador in the trails surrounding my neighborhood, and a Roots jacket because it looks cool. I love the fact that I can wear Yoga pants to work and not look out of place.

I really appreciate that men don’t hackle or harass me when I’m walking down the street. My husband is a very handsome Canadian man who looks hot in a nice pair of jeans and treats me as an equal.

I love this multi-ethnicity way of living. I have learned so much about other cultures since being here and without traveling the world. My best friend is a Canadian Ismali whose family comes from Uganda. My other great friend is from Quebec and when we speak, we use franglais as it comes naturally and makes so much sense to me now.

I speak both national languages (granted I am still trying to master this damn english, pardon my french), I practice and teach Chinese Medicine, wore a Sari at my best friend’s wedding, and every week I have coffee with my Polish friend to whom I speak Italian with. I vote, pay my taxes, give to charity and enjoy driving at a safer speed.

Canadians are known for being nice. What’s wrong with that? I love how people are polite and sensitive to my feelings, how they never make fun of my accent (not in front of me anyway), how politically correct they often try to be and how their intent is never to offend. They don’t go on strike every two minutes like french people do, they don’t butt in front of me in a line up (last week at the theater, one man actually did cut in, but I’m sure he was french). Have I offended someone? So sorry. After all I wasn’t born here, it’s not in my DNA, but I try most of the time. I am Canadian and proud of it even though I still don’t like orange cheddar.

As a child I would have never imagine I could be fortunate enough to live here and become a citizen. Canada is forever my home.
THIS is my Canadian dream!

Happy Canada Day!
Clara Cohen

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3 Ways to Improve Your IVF Journey

5/21/2014

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1 in 6 Canadian experiences fertility issues. During Canadian Infertility Awareness Week, I wanted to talk about the 3 main ways to improve the IVF journey many couples are embarking on. Although IVF may not have been their first choice in conceiving a child, future parents may able to conceive through this procedure. #CreatingFamilies #CIAW

If you have any questions regarding acupuncture in the support of IVF protocol, feel free to contact me.

Clara Cohen
Registered Acupuncturist
Healing Cedar Wellness

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What Does Acupuncture Do and How Does it Work?

3/20/2014

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I often get this question from new patients and this is what I usually tell them.

If you have any questions regarding acupuncture and its benefits, feel free to email me or give me a call.

Clara Cohen, Registered Acupuncturist
Healing Cedar Wellness

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3 Ways to Make 2014 Your Best Year Ever!

12/31/2013

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Starting an exercise program, eating whole foods, and sleeping longer are all great ways to feel better, and are often included among peoples' New Year's resolutions. But wouldn't it be easier to stick to these, if you worked on being happier overall? So here are 3 ways to make 2014 your best year ever!

Go play outside

Be kind to others:
Babysit your friends' kids, cook for a neighbor, hug people for no reason, smile at strangers, open doors, tip more or volunteer. Write a recommendation on LinkedIn for your co-workers, a Google review for a small business you really enjoy, a testimony for your teachers, massage therapist or acupuncturist :)

Be kind to yourself:
Book a massage and take charge of your health. Sink in a bubble bath weekly. Learn something new, or register for a course. Plan a weekend getaway. Take time to read, sing, laugh and dance, even if it's in your living room and by yourself :)

Reassess:
What hasn't been working for you in the past year? It's time to make some changes and find solutions to problems. Do you deserve a raise? Then just ask! Communicate your needs to others, learn to say no, and ask for help. Basically implement new ways to make your life easier.

Remember what makes you happy and DO IT OFTEN!
One of my patients told me, years ago she sang in a choir and hadn't done so for years. It used to bring her immense joy, so this year she vowed to get her voice back and sing again.

Being kind to others will bring you joy, being kind to yourself will bring you peace, and reassessing your priority will make you whole.
Here's to a great year filled with health, happiness and kindness!

Clara Cohen
Registered Acupuncturist in Port Moody
Owner of Healing Cedar Wellness

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How to figure out YOUR perfect diet

11/6/2013

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Your best friend is raving about her new raw diet, so you decide to give it a try. But it doesn't work for you. Maybe it made you tired, or gain weight, or more health issues showed up suddenly. Why is that? Because your friend and you are completely different individuals.
Or perhaps, what worked for you in the past ten years, suddenly isn't. Why? Because each of us evolve, our body changes, our lifestyle changes, our jobs, or our location even. All of this plays a major role on our health and our body needs for nutrients.

So here's what you need to consider when it comes to YOUR diet:

What is your ethnic background?
Are you always cold? or always too hot?
Do you produce a lot of mucus and have greasy skin or hair? Or are you more on the dry side?
Where do you live? A damp place or a cold dry one?
What is your lifestyle? Do you exercise, or you sitting at work all day?
How is your health in general? Is your immune system okay?

Depending on your age, by now, you hopefully have figured out a few things that work, when it comes to your digestive system. Maybe you know certain foods give you heart burns, or diarrhea, or headaches. But you're still searching for a healthy diet that works for you. Try to aim for a diet that makes you feel energetic, clear minded and prevent you from getting sick. No matter what, the basic rule is to eat a wholesome real food diet, to buy local and in season.

Now, let's figure out YOUR best diet:

Your ethnic background will determine what foods suit you best. If you're from an asian descent, dairies will probably not agree with you, as the asian diet does not contain dairy. If you're from a danish or german descent, very spicy foods may not agree with your system. So look at your ancestors diet and stay close to it, for the most part.
Are you often cold, when others are just fine, do you live in a cold place? Avoid icy drinks and raw foods, add more warming foods instead. Are you hot all the time? Maybe menopause is playing havoc with your body, then avoid alcohol, and spicy dishes, add cooling foods instead.
If you're someone who has tendency to have excess mucus (nasal drip, stuffy nose, greasy scalp & skin, yeast infections, stuffy chest, cysts…), you may need to avoid all mucus forming foods for a while (i.e.: dairy, wheat, sugar). Add clear broth soups, lost of greens, asparagus, and kale. On the other hand, if you're dry (skin, stools, hair, dry mouth especially at night), then you may need watery foods such as cucumber, watermelon, apples, pears, and lubricating foods such as nuts and seeds, fatty fish (Salmon, halibut), and avocado.
Your lifestyle also can dictate what diet suits your body. For sedentary people (desk job, students, bus driver), eating small meals throughout the day is best. But if you're on your feet all the time (landscaper, hairdresser, delivery person), then have 3 sitting down meals/day.
And finally, look at your overall health, are you tired, do you get sick often, are headaches plaguing you daily? If your body is out of balance, you may need the help of a professional to get you back into optimum health. Talk to your acupuncturist, naturopath, chiropractor, massage therapist or family doctor. You may need to tweak your diet, add supplements, and/or therapy in order to feel at your best again.

Life is a constant ebb and flow cycle. Adapting to change and listening to our bodies, will in the end benefit us tremendously. If you have any questions regarding this article, feel free to contact Healing Cedar Wellness or Clara via e-mail or phone.

Clara Cohen
Registered Acupuncturist, DTCM

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Today is Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Day #AOMDAY

10/24/2013

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I graduated 10 years ago and cannot believe how time flies! On acupuncture & oriental medicine day, I am still amazed on how incredible chinese medicine is. I have treated hundreds of patients over the years and have been often surprised by its healing abilities. I truly love my job and feel blessed to be able to enjoy my practice daily and embrace every challenge with passion and determination.
And isn't this fitting that on AOMDAY, I find out I have been voted favorite acupuncturist, again this year, in the Tri-Cities? And the clinic I own, Healing Cedar Wellness, also made the list for favorite place for a massage. Hard work, dedication and passion always pays off.

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How did you get into this?

10/17/2013

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My fitness days!

I often have a similar conversation with my patients, whereby they want to know how I got into acupuncture. They see how I really love what I do and the passion I have in educating people about the benefits of Chinese medicine, and what it has to offer. And this is what I tell them.

I had been working in the fitness industry for over 10 years, managing 2 fitness clubs, personal training and teaching aerobics. Life was good. I was doing triathlons, adventure races and running marathons. My friends were all fitness buffs and we spend our time hiking, training or eating!

But somehow I felt this wasn't enough! I was meant for something more...
I've always been drawn to anything connected to health improvement. I constantly devoured magazines and books on natural health. I treated myself to good food, supplements, and the use of practitioners such as chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopaths, homeopaths, and acupuncturists, to keep my body and mind in balance.

When personal training, often clients would complain about having a migraine, or not sleeping, or having painful periods. I was frustrated because I wasn't sure how to help them. So one quiet Friday night, I sat at work and decided to change my career path.

It took me almost 2 years! Yes, you read it right, 2 years of research before taking the plunge. I visited and read about many colleges, talked to different practitioners about their craft, their burn out rates, their incomes, the good, the bad and the ugly of their fields.
In the end, Chinese medicine really called out to me.

I hadn't told anyone of my decision and my research. Now that I was sure, and had a plan to start school in 4 months, it was time to share my exciting news. Well, let me tell you, my balloon deflated real fast! Everyone, I mean everyone, my family, my friends and long time clients, all thought I had lost my mind.
This is what I was told:
- Acupuncture? Seriously?
- Why rock the boat? You have such a great job.
- You're too old (I was 33 at the time) to go back to school.
- 5 years? How will you support yourself and pay for tuition?
- Have you lost your mind?
- Why would people get acupuncture from you, you're not Chinese!

Not one person supported me in this choice. I panicked. Maybe they were right, I was crazy! I started doubting myself and rethinking the whole thing. But in the end, I followed my heart and my gut, and took the plunge anyway. I went to school full time while working part time, had not much of a social life (my free time was spent studying), and didn't travel (no money) to France. But it was all worth it.

THIS was the best decision I have ever made, bar none!!! I love what I do so much. I teach it to eager students, who I hope I can inspire to become as passionate about Chinese medicine as I am. I help patients on a daily basis and feel blessed to have such a great fulfilling career.

Follow your gut, dream without limits, don't be afraid. It won't be easy, but the reward is that much sweeter.

Clara Cohen
Registered Acupuncturist, DTCM
Healing Cedar Wellness

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Popping the Balloon of Potentially Harmful Ailments

9/11/2013

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Alternative medicines and treatments have long been considered as sort of a saving grace, especially for a 35-year old widow and mother of two future NBA superstars. I’ve always been the obedient patient when it came to my doctor’s prescriptions for chronic pains. Back then, I endured menstrual cramps and PMS with regularity; coming to a point where taking medicines and exercising became a frustrating ordeal. But when my sister introduced me to acupuncture, I got intrigued right from the onset. At first, I wasn’t fond of the idea of someone sticking needles all over my body, but as I delved deep into the benefits of this alternative treatment, I suddenly felt the urge to become a human pin cushion for the sake of taking care of my family’s future.

Before, I had this perception about the importance of planning for the family’s future that involves a lot of traditional “piggy bank” saving methods. I used to allocate 20% of my income for the long road ahead; not knowing that – in more ways than one – my life insurance has its own way of providing my family with a suitable financial safety net. In hindsight, planning for the future isn’t such a bad idea; however, dealing with present day problems is still my ultimate objective.

I read about a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine claiming that “alternative treatments often get short shrift in standard healthcare because doctors are generally unaware of the science showing that they really are effective alternatives to drugs and medication.” These researchers compiled data from close to 18,000 people who took part in studies that analysed the effectiveness of acupuncture. Again, being the submissive patient, I hopped on the bandwagon and got a firsthand experience of this alternative treatment. To my amazement, with just a couple of acupuncture sessions in a nearby Vancouver facility, not only did it alleviate the constant menstrual pain, it also popped the balloon of potentially harmful ailments. After discovering acupuncture, I have now fully understood my body and mind; as a result, I can confidently watch my young ones grow and develop as basketball players.

Amanda Dawson
Guest Blogger

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Clara's Blog

"I love my job!
My patients keep me humble daily, and helping them reach their health goals is the best reward of all. And every morning I cannot wait to go teach and inspire students to love Acupuncture as much as I do. If I can make a difference in someone's life on a daily basis, I feel I have reached my own goal."

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"I feel blessed to a have supporting husband, a loyal dog, amazing friends and to live in beautiful Port Moody, BC"

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