Buddha Belly

Every once in a while I come across a book that shifts my perspective and really makes me think about life.  One of the those books I read recently is called 'Buddha In the Waiting Room.' It's a compilation of true short stories told from the eyes of a Western medicine doctor who is still practicing today in San Diego.  In the 1970s when MD's were still considered to be Gods, this leading MD challenged the Western medicine model in pursuit of alternative methods of treatment for his patients.  His curiosity of what really makes people sick and what really makes people well expanded way beyond prescription medications and surgeries.  He realized the cookie cutter model of 'you break it, i'll fix it'  for him did not constitute true healing.  He learned about acupuncture, energetic medicine, Shamanism, touch healing....all things that were soooo taboo at the time.  He realized that we are all active participants in our own health.  He paved the way for present-day practitioners of Eastern medicine because he validated the fact that the mind and body are connected.  That a person's emotions, feelings, and attitudes can have a significant effect on one's health.  What made this book so special was his modest and receptive outlook that he is a student of life, and that all of his patients and people he meets in his life are his teachers (hence the title).  This is a great read not only for those in the health field, but anyone inspired by people who search outside the box.

A lot of acupuncturists, healers, and bodyworkers will attest to the fact that many times patients come to the office in trends.  One week, for example, everyone has back pain in the same spot, or everyone is dealing with an emotional crisis with their partner.  Even better is when patients come in with the exact same thing I have!!! (Which by the way has happened way more times than I can recall).  Some may say this is pure coincidence, but I believe everything happens for a reason, and sometimes the energy you put out is the energy you receive.  This week 4 of my patients had the same digestive issues.  Gas, bloating, distention, pain...in short...they all felt like a bloated water buffalo.  Good digestion is probably one of the most important aspects to a person's health.  It ensures proper breakdown and assimilation of food, enables the body to eliminate properly, and keeps all systems working in unison.  Travel, stress, antibiotics or medications, poor eating habits, and the wrong foods/allergies are typically the causes of poor digestion.  Most people with digestive problems are in distress because it impedes on their daily life, stresses them out, and ultimately makes the digestive problems worse.  Take a deep breath....maybe make some ginger tea, and read on for a few happy belly tips...

#1 Relaxxxxxx.  Stress is probably the biggest culprit for digestive discomfort.  If you think about it, every major organ is in your abdomen.  In Chinese Medicine each organ has their own function, emotion related to it, and relationship with other organs.  The emotion of the heart is joy, the liver is anger, the kidneys are fear, the spleen is worry, and the lungs are grief.  This is often how we address emotions in Chinese medicine, by treating the associating organ.  Sometimes all you need is a few deep breaths, a walk outside the office... or maybe a massage to relax your mind and body.

#2 Start taking a good probiotic.  The good bacteria found in miso, tempeh, kefir, yogurt, and any fermented foods are key to keeping your immune system up, your digestion in check, your skin clear, and your belly happy.  Metagenics has a great probiotic that I use called UltraFlora Plus DF.  http://www.metagenics.com/products/a-z-products-list/Ultra-Flora-Plus-DF-Capsules.  I love love love love kombucha.  Kombucha is an ancient Chinese tea that has been around for thousands of years and is carefully cultured/fermented over a period of time.  The end result is an elixir of probiotics, enzymes, antioxidants, and detoxifiers.  Ive tried most companies and GT's Kombucha is by far the best.  It has the perfect amount of carbonation and sweetness.  Go to http://www.synergydrinks.com for products and store locations, but Whole Foods, co-ops, and most health foods stores sell them.  It got taken off the market last June when apparently a celebrity was in a car accident and it just so happened she was drinking a kombucha at the same time.  That was the rumor I heard which is ridiiiiiiiiiiiculous because although yes alcohol forms when something is fermented (as in beer), it is nowhere near the amount of alcohol that can be harmful to kids, adults, anyone.  There is less than .5% in GT's kombucha, and usually between 11-14% in a bottle of wine.  Trust me....millions of hippies are not sitting around trying to get drunk off of kombucha.  At the time I was in Hawaii when I heard the news (I was trying to find kombucha at a store) when they told me it was off the market.  They might as well have told me LuLu Lemon was shutting its doors.  I was that upset haha.  I actually called Whole Foods and Bristol Farms in San Diego to buy their last cases off the shelves, and was already planning what friend I could ask to go pick up my stash.  Yess....that's how much I love it.  Unfortunately every other kombucha lover had my same idea and you couldn't find it anywhere in San Diego.  After a few months of testing and realization it wasn't a secret recipe of drugs, sex, and rock and roll, the FDA put it back on the market.  I've tried them all....and my favorite flavors are Gingerberry, Passionberry Bliss, Guava Goddess, Trilogy, Cosmic Cranberry, Gingerade, and Strawberry Serenity.  Hahah I know I pretty much named them all...but I'm making a point that they are all delicious.  On their own, with or after a meal, you can't go wrong.  **When buying GT's Kombucha keep in mind they are very sensitive to movement (aka they have to be standing up at all times....if you put the bottle on its side in the grocery bag or car it will either explode when you try to open it or will be completely flat because you popped the seal.  Either way it's wasted.  Dont be freaked out by the little strands floating around in the bottle...those are from the culture, only occur in raw kombucha, and are healthy.  Bottoms up!

#3 Cut out dairy and/or gluten for a week.  The 8 major allergen groups are milk, eggs, crustaceans, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soybeans.  A lot of people can develop an allergen, or have one and never know it.  In Chinese Medicine, dairy naturally produces phlegm, so if you are a "phlegm-y" person, have chronic sinus infections, or cough a lot of phlegm, try switching to soy, coconut milk, almond or rice milk.  If you have to have dairy, go with goat or sheep milk which are less phlegm- producing than cows milk.  Gluten, which is the protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and spelt can inhibit the gluten-intolerant person from absorbing proper nutrients from food.  Gluten-free options are quinoa, flax, buckwheat, rice, millet, soy flour, and amaranth.  Your body is constantly changing throughout your life, and it is important to adapt to these changes.  That means just because you downed milkshakes and grilled cheese sandwiches as a kid no problemo doesn't mean you have the same iron clad gut you thought.  After a healthy meal of grilled fish, veggies, and quinoa, your body will be thanking you.

#4 Digestive enzymes: Digestive enzymes act as a catalyst that breaks down food so your body can absorb and utilize the nutrients.  I really like Metagenics SpectraZyme http://www.metagenics.com/products/a-z-products-list/SpectraZyme.  You will know if you need digestive enzymes if you feel your body isn't digesting your food...which you will knowww.

#4 Stay away from heavy, greasy and fried food.  Yes that's probably stating the obvious but these foods can wreck havoc on your digestive system over time.  Once in a while is okay... but minimal is key.

#5 Eat the same amount of food at the same time, every day: In Chinese Medicine the "spleen/stomach" system is in charge of transforming and transporting food to every organ and cell in the body.  In the Chinese classical texts we are taught that the "spleen likes regularity"...meaning it likes its routine and rebels when there is no food for hours or end, if food is eaten in a rush, and believe it or not if meals are eaten in a noisy/unpleasant environment.  Meals should eaten as if you're on a great first-date with yourself; seated, nice atmosphere, great food, company, and conversation. 

What's in Season?

Your body is your temple.  Eating with the seasons is one of the best ways to balance your body from the inside out.  Even though in San Diego the seasonal changes are not as drastic as other places in the country, there's a reason we don't need to eat watermelons in December.  Most people don't think about this, but the energy and time spent to get that watermelon to your kitchen table is not natural.  Yes...we have modern transportation and technology to eat anything we want any day of the year, but you'll find out that eating seasonally just feels better. Eating local, organic, and fresh not only supports your community but also tastes better and is more nutrient-packed than its shipped counterparts. 

Eat right now!

** citrus fruits are amazing!! blood oranges and baby tangerines are my favorite...sometimes you can find fresh blood orange juice at farmer's markets or specialty stores....fantastic! 

** tomatoes, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, fennel, leeks, parsnips, shallots, sweet potatoes, strawberries

If you want to pick your own strawberries there is a great u-pick spot in Carlsbad....http://www.carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/.  They will open in March! 

   

www.andreameyers.com has beautiful pictures of food! she's a food photographer and edible garden consultant...how cool is that!?

Strawberry Spinach Avocado Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette 

VINAIGRETTE
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar or white balsamic vinegar
6 ounces extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
SALAD
6 ounces baby spinach, washed and patted dry
2 cups strawberries, quartered
1 avocado, thinly sliced
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup rough chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation

1. VINAIGRETTE In the small bowl, whisk together the champagne vinegar, olive oil, honey, and sea salt.

2. SALAD: In the salad bowl(s), arrange the ingredients in layers: baby spinach on the bottom, then strawberries, avocado slices, pecans, goat cheese, and pecans. Serve with the vinaigrette.  YUMM!

In appreciation of books, life, and learning from others, I will end with a quote from another one of my favorite books... 

The physics of "The Quest": The rules of the quest are that if you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter resentments; and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher. And if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld." ~ Eat, Pray, Love