Ailments & Conditions, Recipes, All Things Chinese Medicine and Lifestyle Blog Posts
Barack Obama only wears grey or blue suits, Mark Zuckerberg wears the same grey t-shirt every day, and I eat the same breakfast every day. By doing this I beat what psychologist call “decision fatigue”. I pop my slow cooker […]
At Gardenvale Chinese Medicine, we sometimes use ear seeds as an adjunct to acupuncture .An adhesive plaster with a small bead can be placed over acupuncture points on the external surface of the ear. Ear seeds can also be great for […]
Did you know Acupuncture is now a thing! Of course we all know acupuncture is a fantastic treatment that can help an array of health issues, but it can commonly be referred to as a non-evidence based practice. Meaning there […]
Acupuncture for lower back pain, demonstrated by an acupuncturist who gets it.
Chinese medicine has an interesting approach to food and eating for better health…
When is it appropriate to take antibiotics? How to know if your infection is viral or bacterial.
Living Food Chef & Educator Renee McCready from Raw Flow Food has created this beautifully balanced, vibrantly green and perfectly pungent spring recipe for us to enjoy.
Nick explains the importance of taking some mental time out during the busy, stressful and ‘mad’ times in our lives!
Plantar Fasciitis: What a pain in the ……heel! Have you ever overdone it pounding the pavement, or been on your feet all day and noticed the bottoms of your feet are aching? Then in the morning instead of feeling better […]
Ever wondered how your herbs are made? This short time-lapse video shows Nick making up a unique herbal formula for one of his clients in the dispensary at Gardenvale Chinese Medicine. For more videos you can visit our YouTube channel […]
This vibrant salad is delicious, healthy and very easy to make. Ingredients such as lettuce, kale and spinach are rich in soluble fibre which is essential for good digestion. These greens also contain lots of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, iron, […]
Nick explains the importance of sleep in maintaining good health. For more videos you can visit our YouTube channel here.
Rice-paper rolls are one of our favourite dinner and lunch box solutions. Wrapped in pliable rice-paper sheets you can make rockin’ rolls with any fillings you or your family fancy, and to suit any season. Here is a delicious Vietnamese inspired recipe […]
Ingredients: 1 large head of cauliflower 3 tbs coconut oil, melted 1 tsp sea salt 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp sweet paprika 2 tsp ground coriander 1/2C tahini, plus extra for drizzling 1 handful parsley, finely chopped A squeeze […]
Nick discusses why cooked and warming food is often recommended over raw food. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine dietary advice, cold and raw food can often stress the gut, especially in cold and damp weather. For more videos you can visit […]
To make this a more filling main meal, add this delicious sesame salad. Ingredients: 3tbs lemon juice 6tbs extra virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed 1tbs lemon thyme leaves 300g green beans, trimmed 4 blue eye trevalla steaks 2tbs light olive oil […]
This light and tasty salad is great on its own or when added to a main, such as our blue eye trevalla with green beans recipe! Ingredients: 4tbs olive oil 1tbs soy sauce 1tsp sesame oil 2tbs lime juice 1tsp sugar […]
Ingredients: 300g assorted Asian greens such as bok choy, choy sum, snow peas or bean shoots 4 swordfish steaks 4 stems coriander 8 kaffir lime leaves 4 stalks lemongrass, halved 4 green chillies, sliced Pepper and lime to serve Method: […]
We all know the saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”, and it’s true! A good breakfast provides energy and improves concentration, learning and creativity. Eating a nutritious breakfast can even help with weight loss, as it kickstarts […]
The herbs in this dish clear the lungs and the digestive system. The beef and beans warm and build yin. Serves 4 Ingredients: 500g borlotti beans, soaked overnight and drained 300g steak, chopped into small cubes 2 onions, chopped 3 […]
Watercress is perfect in autumn as it strengthens your lungs, Qi and Yin. It can help relieve a dry, sore throat, phlegmy coughs, restlessness and even grumpiness. Serves 4 Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets, skin off 600g potatoes 150g flat beans, […]
Pad Thai is popular because it tastes great! Here’s Michelle Bridges’ healthy homemade take on what’s often a rather greasy and fatty restaurant choice. Instead, this nutritious version can easily be converted into a vegetarian or allergy friendly meal, and a […]
Basil is a wonderful herb to eat in summer as it is cooling and drying. The combination of tomatoes, olives and vinegar in this recipe encourages energy down and enhances the cooling effect. Ingredients: 3 cups basil leaves, torn in half […]
Parsley is a wonderful herb to eat in summer because of its detoxifying qualities. Eating parsley is a fantastic way to naturally fight the germs that thrive in the warmth of summer. Parsley is also useful in removing damp heat, […]
Traditional Chinese medicine pays close attention to the yearly seasonal changes and the effects they have on your health. Spring represents a time of growth, movement and change. Moving from the harsh features of winter into spring can be a […]
Tabouli is one of our favourite salads and a delicious accompaniment to almost any meat or meal. Tabouli is traditionally made from cracked wheat in the form of cous cous or bulghur, but can just as easily be made with wheat and […]
Watermelon is a great treat on a hot summer’s day. Sweet and cooling, watermelon benefits the bladder and spleen, encourages urination and eases sore throats. Mint has aromatic and cool properties. Eating mint can help with diarrhea, painful menstruation and […]
Finally we can wake and shake off the dregs of the cold damp winter. The arrival of spring brings warmer temperatures and less frost, the trees begin to bud and flower and the grass starts to grow. In Chinese medicine […]
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) doesn’t mean you’re just really tired! Daily fatigue annoys all of us but remember CFS is a seriously debilitating illness.
Seasonal vegetables with rice or noodles are a healthy food option in any season. With spring on the way, it’s a great time to try this delicious and easy recipe with fresh spring vegetables. Sesame oil is strengthening and calming […]
Living in a temperate climate, as we do in Melbourne, means we have four relatively distinct seasons. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) living in sync with the seasons and your external environment is important for optimal health and wellbeing. […]
Menstrual cycle and mental health Despite recent studies that have found a correlation between mental health and the female menstrual cycle, conventional medicine still overlooks this connection when addressing mental health related issues. Women often suffer the rollercoaster ride of […]
This is a perfect winter dish! With its simple mix of meat and spices it’s not only delectable but will nourish and warm you (and Josh, whoever he is..?) deep from the inside. Lamb warms your digestive system and directs […]
Did you know you have ‘wind points’ at the back of your neck and at the base of your skull? This is usually not common knowledge. However, according to Traditional Chinese medicine these ‘wind points’ are commonly affected by over-exposure […]
Mushrooms are terrific in autumn as they remove phlegm and toxins. They also relieve fatigue and boost energy. Barley is also an energy booster and improves physical strength. It can also help with indigestion and diarrhea. Thyme can ease the […]
This warming and calming soup improves digestion, builds energy and strengthens key organs such as the liver, lungs and kidneys. It may also help people with diarrhea, rheumatism, or with problems swallowing. Serves 4 Ingredients: 3 leeks, sliced 1 tsp butter […]
Detox is certainly the buzz word for the beginning of the year. Throughout the summer we put our body through its paces with more rich food, alcohol and often less exercise. Come February we feel bloated, sluggish and foggy in […]
Asparagus are cold, sweet and bitter. They help counterbalance heat caused by the environment. Asparagus are now in season so here is a great soup that can cool you down when summer eventually arrives. Serves 4 Ingredients: 50g butter or […]
– A root or two is mighty good for you! This soup recipe is jam-packed not just with one or two roots, but with multiple delectable and very colourful root vegetables. It is so easy to make and so full of goodness that […]
Cauliflower, pea and fried tofu curry This is a delicious and warming vegetarian curry stuffed with protein and goodness. Cauliflower is from the same family as cabbage, broccoli and kohlrabi and shares many of their health benefits. Both peas and […]
This traditional spinach pie is not only delicious, but also high in protein. Protein is essential for strengthening and nourishing our bodies. Ingredients 1/4 cup olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 bunch shallots, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed […]
Kick-start your day and your metabolism with this easy and delicious porridge Ingredients: ¾ Cup Quinoa, rinsed & drained 375 ml low-fat milk 1/3 cup cranberries 2 tbsp raisins ¼ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped Method: Combine quinoa with 500ml water […]
Eggplant is in season now (summer and autumn) and is a great food for your blood. It both moves and cools the blood. It can also help reduce imbalanced flow, reduce stagnation and relieve problems caused by overeating meat. Enjoy […]
Here is a cooling, cleansing salad using dill and cucumber. Dill is good at detoxifying the gastrointestinal tract and soothing for a sensitive stomach. Cucumber clears heat and cools the body, which is perfect for either during or after a hot […]
Here is a list of foods, drinks and herbs that are cooling: Cooling Foods Apples Asparagus Avocado Banana (not eaten excessively) Basil Broccoli/Cauliflower Cabbage Melons/Papaya Celery Chrysanthemum (tea) Crab (not eaten excessively) Cucumber Duck Eggplant Grapefruit Lettuce Mung Beans Pears […]
Ingredients: 1 cup of tahini (or any nut butter) 1/2 cup agave 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats or old-fashioned oats 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans (any nuts) chopped up bar of dark chocolate Method: Preheat […]
This delicious recipe is grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free and vegan. Serves 6 – 8 Ingredients: Berry filling: 3 cups of organic berries – I used a pint of blueberries and 1 cup of fresh strawberries, sliced 2 […]
Here’s a ‘sweet’ idea for your weekend breakfast cook up Makes 24 pancakes Ingredients: 3 cups blanched almond flour ½ cup heavy cream 8 eggs ½ cup salted butter, melted ¼ cup agave nectar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon […]
Ingredients: 3 bananas (about 1 ½ cups) mashed 3 eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon honey 1/4 cup vegan palm oil shortening 2 cups blanched almond flour 1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt 1 teaspoon baking soda Method: Place bananas, […]