Hello again and welcome to our very first e-newsletter! By incorporating e-newsletters into our practice we are now able to stay in contact with you on a more regular basis and keep you up to date with the latest research and most tantilising recipes!
This year we will also be focusing more on education in the clinic. The topics will vary month to month according to your requests on what you would like to know more about. All of our workshops will be free and limited to small groups to ensure all your questions can be covered in the session. At this stage the first series of workshops we have launched relate to our range of 100% Vegan Mineral Makeup - Inika. Everyone likes to feel and look good, however many of us don't know the tricks of the trade in using our makeup to accentuate our natural highlights. For this reason every second Saturday afternoon in the clinic we will be hosting a "hands on" Inika afternoon where you can experience the makeup first hand and get tips on how to use it. Mardi from Inika, will also be visiting the clinic once a month focusing on how best to apply eye makeup. These "About the Eyes" workshops will also be free and limited to a handful of people so please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested in attending.
Autumn is here so the time is ripe to strengthen your immune system and ensure you are able to cope with the cooler weather. The secret to getting sick less is to build a strong, healthy immune system. This can be done through dietary advice, exercise and supplements designed to boost immune resistance and reduce the incidence of infection. We are exposed to viruses and bacteria on a daily basis, however some of us are more likely to fall sick. This depends on how effective your immune system is. If you already have an infection, there are natural medicines that can minimise the time which you are sick and help to prevent it from recurring. Factors that contribute to a weaker immune system are:
Stress
Lack of exercise
Lack of sleep, rest and relaxation
A diet low in fresh fruit, vegetables and lean protein sources
Exposure to environmental pollution and extremely cold weather
It is always important to see your practitioner before you get sick to find out the best immune building approach for you but here’s a few tips to get you started:
Eat a diet high in colourful fruits and vegetables rich in immune protecting nutrients
Avoid sugars as sugar depletes the immune system
Minimise stress
Get adequate sleep as this is when your body repairs itself
Acupuncture in the Prevention of Winter Illnesses
Have you ever wondered why some people never seem to get sick, while others catch every “bug” going around the office? Have you ever received a vaccination, only to become ill in the days following?
A review of clinical trials on the effectiveness and safety of inactivated flu vaccines has found that there is a large gap between evidence and policy for their use. The evidence from these trials suggests that administration of the flu vaccine has little or no effect on outcomes such as hospital stay, time off work or mortality. Unfortunately, the success of a vaccination relies heavily on the correct vaccination being chosen for particular strain of virus, and the influenza virus changes on a yearly basis.
There are things you can do that help build your immune system so that you are less susceptible to colds and flus no matter what the strain. Acupuncture has repeatedly been shown to have a positive effect on the immune system. One of the more recent published studies has shown that Acupuncture is effective in counteracting impairment of the immune system associated with anxiety. A variety of immune parameters were measured by blood tests prior to and after the treatments. Improvements in immune function at a cellular level were discovered in all participants.
There are also a number of herbal formulas that can be taken to help prevent illness, or improve recovery time once ill. It is important to speak to your practitioner about your condition, medications, vitamins and herbs being taken, as some herbs are contraindicated in certain conditions, or incompatible with certain medications. We recommend that all patients have a check up once every three months to ensure that their health plan is meeting their daily needs.
Recipe Corner
Chunky Lentil Soup taken from Heidi Swanson's book, "Super Natural Cooking"
Ingredients 1 1/4 cups green french or black beluga lentils, picked over and rinsed2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1 large yellow onion, chopped2 cups diced butternut squash1 can crushed tomatoes1 cups water or vegetable stock1 teaspoon fine-grain sea saltpinch of smoked paprika or pure chile powder (optional)torn fresh basil leaves, for garnishfreshly grated parmesan cheese for garnish extra virgin cold pressed olive oil for garnish MethodBring 5 cups of water to boil in a large saucepan, add the lentils, and cook for 20 minutes or until tender.Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy soup pot over medium heat, then add the onion and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in the squash, tomatoes, and water and continue cooking until the squash is tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the lentils and stir them in, along with the salt and smoked paprika. Let the soup return to a gentle simmer, then taste and adjust the seasoning if need be.Serve, topped with the basil, parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serves 4 to 6.
Workshops
At the moment, mineral make-up is all the craze and is seeing a high amount of publicity, however not all mineral make-ups are the same. At Red Suva we stock Inika for one simple reason: it does not contain talc, other fillers or chemicals such as bismuth oxychloride or perfumes which often irritate the skin.
The next Inika Workshop will be Saturday 14th March at 3.30pm at Red Suva. Feel free to bring a friend. Numbers are limited so please RSVP to Juanita on 3357 6295 or via email: juanita@redsuva.com.au Light refreshments will be provided. Book early to avoid disappointment. Saturday workshops will be held fortnightly depending on numbers.
Thursday, April 2 is the next of our "About the Eyes" Inika workshops where Mardi, Inika's make-up artist will demonstrate the tricks of the trade to enhance your eyes. Once again numbers are limited so please let us know as soon as possible whether you would like to come so we can secure a place for you. Our "About the Eyes" workshops will commence at 10am. Please find below the dates for our "About the Eyes" workshop series:
Thursday 7 May 10am - 11.30am
Thursday 11 June 10am - 11.30am
Inspirational thought for the day
"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls" Joseph Campbell
ka Workshop will be Saturday 14th March at 3.30pm at Red Suva. Feel free to bring a friend. Numbers are limited so please RSVP to Juanita on 3357 6295 or via email: juanita@redsuva.com.au Light refreshments will be provided. Book early to avoid disappointment. Saturday workshops will be held fortnightly depending on numbers.