Port Moody & Coquitlam Acupuncture - Acupuncture Port Moody | Coquitlam Acupuncture | Acupuncturist

Summer Smoothies!

5/20/2015

Summer is almost here! Time for smoothies.
I just made these 2 in my Vitamix and though I'd share the recipes with you, so you can taste how yummy they are.

- Breakfast: 1 cup of almond milk, 1 tbsp raw cacao, 1/2 banana, 1tbsp almond butter, 2 ice cubes.
- Afternoon snack: 1 cup of coconut milk, 1/2 avocado, 1 cup of raw spinach, 1 cup of fresh strawberries, 2 ice cubes
Bon Appetit!

Clara
Registered Acupuncturist in Port Moody

Pregnancy acupuncture

Are You Drying Up?

10/7/2014

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

How to figure out YOUR perfect diet

11/6/2013

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

College Freshman 15: Be Gone!

9/6/2013

Going back to school? Or College? We all know about the freshman 15, and all the weight gain that occurs during the college years. Here's a graphic from TheBestColleges.org on including exercise as part of a weekly routine. Eating a balanced diet and implementing an exercise regime, while in college, will help each student perform better, be more alert and pave the road to success!

Clara Cohen
Registered Acupuncturist in Port Moody

Please include attribution to TheBestColleges.org with this graphic.

I had WHEAT in France and I felt great!

8/9/2013

About 2 years ago, I decided to check out the gluten free diet, to see what all the fuss was about. I don't have Celiac, I just wanted to experiment. The results surprised me (Read about it here) and I continued on the journey to healthy eating without gluten. Then June 22th this year, my husband and I flew to France for a 3 weeks well deserved holiday! My friends, my patients and my hubby kept asking me how I was going to survive being gluten free in the country of my ancestors. I mean, we're talking croissants, baguette, pastries, all gluten, all the time!

My decision was to enjoy everything, including the food, so I knew I would have to eventually experience lots of bloating, foggy head, headache, bowel issues, cystic acne and fatigue. I kept waiting for these symptoms to occur, but after 4 days, still nothing. After 2 weeks, no acne, no headache, no bloating, no fatigue. Our days consisted of croissants, fruits and coffee for breakfast, baguette and cheese with a salad for lunch, some hiking, walking, biking, kayaking or sitting by the water, and then afternoon pastries. We usually finished the day with a great dinner with bread, wine and more desserts!

www.HungryForChange.TV

What is going on here? Why is it that wheat in France didn't affect me as it does in Canada? I have talked to people about it and started researching the reason behind this mystery. Apparently Europe standards on GMOs and food additives are different than our North Americans. I found many articles like the one below, and finally shed a light on why so many people in north america have food sensitivities.

http://topinfopost.com/2013/07/10/10-american-foods-that-are-banned-in-other-countries

We need to demand better standards for ourselves and for our future generations. Eating organic and a wholesome diet may also help. Avoiding processed food at all cost, buying from local farmer's market, growing our own garden, and cooking our meals may, at least, keep us from some illnesses.
If you have any comments, feel free to share.

Clara Cohen
Registered Acupuncturist in Port Moody
Healing Cedar Wellness

Delicious Summer Salad

5/30/2013

Coquitlam acupuncture

This is an easy to make salad, perfect for summer.
It is full of nutrient dense vegetables, and can be enjoyed by meat or fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike. It is gluten free and dairy free. I always make a big batch as it keeps for a week in the fridge. Your family will love it!

Makes 5 servings as a complete meal

Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup of cooked and drained chickpeas
- 1 bunch of asparagus
- 1 red pepper cubed
- 1 orange pepper cubed
- 2 cup of white mushrooms sliced
- 1 bunch of cilantro chopped
- Olive oil
- Fig Balsamic vinegar (or regular balsamic vinegar)
- Sea salt
- Choice of the following depending on your preferences: 2 chicken breast, or 6 oz of salmon, or 8 oz of tempeh, cut to bite size.

Directions:
Steam the asparagus until tender, then cut into bite size.
Sauté the mushrooms, asparagus, and the meat, fish or tempeh, until tender with 2 tbsp of olive oil and 2 tbsp of fig balsamic vinegar.
In a salad bowl, toss the red & orange pepper, the chickpeas, the cilantro, a dash of sea salt, and 1 tbsp each of olive oil & fig balsamic vinegar. Add the sautéed mixture and toss again. Voila!

Clara Cohen
Registered Acupuncturist at Healing Cedar Wellness in Port Moody

Asparagus & Salmon Quinoa (Gluten Free & Dairy Free)

4/21/2013

I love Quinoa and what can be done with it. You can have it for breakfast with almond milk, walnuts and a dash of maple syrup or cinnamon (great on a cold winter morning), or for lunch as a salad. This recipe is easy, and I usually make a big batch on Sunday evening, so my husband and I can take it to work a couple of times a week. For the olive oil, I use our local supplier Tri-Cities tasters because their products are amazing, but if you don't live around Port Moody, then shop locally in your area for an infused chipotle oil.

Serve 4

Quinoa: 1 1/4 cup dried
Asparagus: 1 bunch diced
Mushrooms: 2 cups sliced
Red pepper: 1 diced
Green pepper: 1 of diced
Wild Salmon: 6 oz

Tri-Cities Tasters Chipotle Olive oil
Chili powder: a couple of pinches
Sea Salt: a couple of pinches

Directions:
- Cook the quinoa in 2 1/2 cups of boiling water (always rinse before cooking), until the water is gone (about 15 minutes).
- Bake the salmon for 15 minutes at 425 degree. Then flake it into pieces.
- Sauté the asparagus, mushrooms and peppers with 2 tbsp of chipotle olive oil until tender, add the chill powder and cook for 2 more minutes.

Once everything is cooked, baked and sautéed, mix it all together, add the sea salt and 2 tbsp of chipotle olive oil. Voila!
Serve warm and enjoy!

Clara Cohen
Registered Acupuncturist
Healing Cedar Wellness

3 Tips To Healthy Meal Planning (With recipes)

3/2/2013

I assume you know what a nutritious diet consist of, so I won't talk about healthy nutrition. We are all aware of what's good and what's bad for us in terms of food (at least, I hope so). All we need is to be prepared.

Here are 3 tips to help you be prepared:

1- Meal Planning: this is the hardest one for people, but it pays off tremendously in the end. My husband and I spend our Sunday evenings cooking for the week (okay I cook, he keeps me company). We drink a glass of wine and have great conversations, our bonding time if you will. For about 2 hours, I cook our weekly meals. I make 3 to 4 different dishes (see below for ideas) and put them in containers. I hard boil eggs. I cook meat and fish which can be paired with a salad as a quick meal. We both bring our food with us to work. We eat real, nutritious food, and also save money!

2- Keep snacks handy: if you're hungry and you're away from home, the easiest thing to do is stop somewhere and grab food. Unfortunately, there aren't many healthy options around. Keep water with you at all times; have nuts or seeds handy (they make a quick, healthy and fulfilling snack, and don't need a fridge); and make your own trail mix, ensuring you keep a bag in your car or purse.

3- Eating out: you need to be mentally prepared for this one. There are healthy choices at most restaurants and coffee places. Not perfect choices, but at least options. Order foods that are wholesome, such as grilled and sautéed meat or fish, with vegetables, and with the least amount of sauce. No bread, no dessert, but enjoy a glass of wine if you wish. Remember, you're there to enjoy the people you're with. At the coffee shop, have a tea, coffee or any natural beverage, no food unless you brought some nuts to munch on. At the convenience store, fresh fruits and unsealed nuts or seeds are probably your only healthy options.

Here are some healthy menu planning ideas:

Breakfast:

2 Brown Rice Cakes with almond butter, 1 apple & Green tea (this one is for people that just need a light start to their day);
1 Cup of cooked quinoa, with 1/4 cup of almond milk, chopped walnut, cinnamon & chia seeds (this is for people that have tendency to feel cold easily);
Smoothie with one avocado, an apple, 1 juice of a lemon, kale, spinach and celery with ground flax seeds (this is for people who have tendency to feel warm often);
1 omelete made of 2 eggs & 2 egg whites, chopped mushrooms & grilled asparagus, sea salt and pepper & green tea (for those who like some savory food upon waking).

Lunch & dinner:

Thai Coconut Chili
Cooked quinoa with sautéed veggies (asparagus, garlic,mushroom, red & yellow peppers all chopped), add sea salt, paprika and olive oil. Option to add cooked chopped chicken or salmon
Grilled meat or fish, with a big salad (mixed greens, sliced tomato, sprinkle goat cheese, sunflower seeds, olive oil & lemon juice)
Ratatouille Gluten free lasagna
Salad as a meal: arugula, chickpeas, tomato, red & yellow peppers, walnuts, add chopped grilled tofu, meat or fish to it, dressing (olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt and Italian seasonings).

Snack:

Handful of nuts or seeds with a fruit
2 hard boiled eggs with cucumber slices (perfect for a warm summer day)
Almond butter on apple slices
Plain goat yogurt with berries
A glass of wine with a piece of dark chocolate (great evening snack)
Mashed yam with cinnamon & nutmeg & cashews (great for the cool winters)
Smoothie: parsley, beets, strawberries, and almond milk.

You've heard it before: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Once you start being prepared for most of your meals, eating healthy won't be that difficult.
To health!

Clara Cohen
Registered Acupuncturist at Healing Cedar Wellness in Port Moody

9 Ways to stay healthy and prevent illnesses

2/1/2013

Achieving balance in life is not always easy but it should be what we all thrive for. We all know what can impact our health, and what to avoid (i.e.: drugs, smoking, stress...), in order to stay grounded. Let's focus on what we can DO to prevent chronic illnesses and live a long happy life.
Defining health:
- Eating a wholesome non processed diet that suits you need.
- Go play outside, get some fresh air daily no matter what the weather is like.
- Exercise: whatever you enjoy, hiking, swimming, playing sports, yoga, tai chi.
- Get some sleep, go to bed every night at the same time, practice deep breathing and
let your body relax.
- Having family and/or friends support is crucial to your wellbeing.
- Do you have a purpose, a goal, a vision? Work on it daily.
- Listen to your favorite music, dance, sing and fill your soul with harmony.
- What are you passionate about? what makes you happy? what makes feel alive?
- Use natural therapies for preventive measures: get massages, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments regularly, talk to a Naturopathic doctor, use infrared saunas, talk to a counsellor...

3 Clues you think you're eating healthy, but you're not!

11/29/2012

What is a healthy diet? It's all relative, really. To some, it means not eating out, to others it might be eating fruits and vegetables daily. But really, how good are your eating habits? Here are clues indicating you're not eating that healthy after all.

1- Your recycling box is full
Great, you contribute and do your part for the planet, but it also means you eat a lot of packaged food. Most of these are processed and not whole. Here's a list of not so healthy packaged foods:

Cold cereal: if you cook quinoa or steel cut oats, then great, anything else has been processed and stripped of nutrients.
Juice box: eat the whole fruit and get the full spectrum of vitamins. Unless you juiced it yourself, this is pure sugar.
Yogurt container: you can make your own, or at least buy the natural organic kind, not the fruit or flavored ones.
Cracker box: even though it maybe advertised as organic and low fat, it is still processed, unless it's raw or you baked it.

2- You're eating whole grains and buy natural organic food.
Patients often tell me they eat whole grains, mostly consisting of bread (which still has sugar in it and preservatives), crackers, whole wheat pasta, and whole grain cereals. Most of these are often processed with white flour and other ingredients, and most don't contain much fiber or nutrients. Eating organic is a good choice, but some of these products are not fully organic and sometimes still contain preservatives which are not natural or easily absorbed by the body.

3-You're vegetarian, eating low fat, gluten free...
Being vegetarian is relative to what you eat. It could mean eating fries, pancakes and cookies all day long. As long as you eat healthy and whole foods, it doesn't matter if you eat meat, fish or are vegan.

The low fat craze of the 80's is not as prominent anymore, but some people still believe that eating avocado, nuts and seeds, and adding olive oil to their salads will contribute to weight gain. These foods are full of nutrients and provide essential fatty acids required by the body to stay healthy.

You've chosen to eat gluten free, perhaps because you have been diagnosed with Celiac disease, have a sensitivity to wheat, or simply think it is healthier for you. However, it won't provide perfect health unless you eat real wholesome food. There are many gluten free products out there that are processed and stripped of fiber and nutrients, which basically negates any health benefits.

So what else are you supposed to eat? Is there anything left? Sure, and here's some help.

I believe in the 80/20 diet. Eating healthy 80 % of the time and having a little less good food for the rest.

80% of the time, eat the following:

Nuts and seeds: raw, roasted, sprouted or even making milk out of them.
All fresh fruits and vegetables: cooked, steamed, raw, stir fried, grilled...add spices, olive oil, sea salt, or cook them in wine (I'm French, after all).
Fresh wild fish, wild meat or organic meat (Free of hormones).
Quinoa (not a grain by the way), brown or wild rice, buckwheat, sprouted grains.
Sweet: raw honey, stevia.

20% of the time, consider some of these:

A glass of wine.
Dairy: hard and older cheeses (goat is best), goat yogurt, raw milk.
Brown rice cakes, home made granola bars.
Dark chocolate, at least 75% cocoa.

Look for recipes that are simple, quick and delicious, and enjoy the benefit of a healthy diet. Start slow, introduce new foods and eliminate one processed food each week. Plan ahead. Before the start of the week, hard boil a few eggs, grill salmon, cook some quinoa, and make a veggie stew. Bring nuts and seeds everywhere so you're never caught without options to eat healthy when out of the home. It will become a habit in no time, and you will reap the benefits of optimum health.

Clara Cohen
Reg. Acupuncturist at Healing Cedar Wellness

Follow Clara

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."

Acupuncturist Coquitlam

Give Acupuncture a Try!

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

Coquitlam Acupuncture

Natural healing

Published Articles:
- Self Growth
- Vitality Link

Archives

December 2016
October 2016
December 2015
October 2015
September 2015
June 2015
May 2015
February 2015
January 2015
October 2014
July 2014
May 2014
March 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
June 2012
April 2012
March 2012
January 2012

Categories

Disclaimer
Clara Cohen.com Terms And Conditions Of Use
All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner of www.claracohen.com will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.This terms and conditions is subject to change at anytime with or without notice.