Chinese medicine, acupuncture and natural therapy

Food – It’s Not Just About Nutrition!

Chinese medicine has an interesting approach to food and eating for better health…

To Take or Not To Take Antibiotics

When is it appropriate to take antibiotics? How to know if your infection is viral or bacterial.

Tenderized Greens for Spring

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.

Mindful in the Madness

Nick explains the importance of taking some mental time out during the busy, stressful and ‘mad’ times in our lives!

Making Chinese Herbal Medicine

Have you ever wondered how your herbs are made? This is a short time-lapse video. It 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 here.

Superfood Salad

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, magnesium and potassium. Serves 4 Ingredients: 250g kale or cos lettuce Pinch of sea salt

Give Your Sleep A Little Respect

Nick explains the importance of sleep in maintaining good health. For more videos you can visit our YouTube channel here.

Rice-Paper Rolls

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 with mint and minced pork. The pork can easily be replaced with minced chicken or

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

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 of lemon juice Lightly toasted pine nuts, to serve Method: Preheat oven to 170ºC. Line

Eat the Banana

Nick discusses why cooked and warming food is recommended over raw food. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine cold and raw food can stress the gut. especially in cold and damp weather. For more videos you can visit our YouTube channel here.

Blue Eye Trevalla with Green Beans

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 Method: Mix the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, garlic and lemon thyme together in

Sesame salad

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 1tsp finely grated fresh ginger 20 snow peas, trimmed 140g oyster mushrooms, quartered 30g coriander

Asian Infused Swordfish with Greens

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: Line 4 bamboo steamers with non-stick baking paper and allow paper to generously overhang steamers

Warming Winter Breakfast

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 your metabolism. Further, research shows those who have breakfast tend to eat better during the day.

Chilli Con Carne

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 bay leaves 2tbs olive oil 500g tomatoes, peeled and chopped 3 okra, sliced pinch of

Salmon and watercress salad

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, trimmed, cut into 4cm lengths 2 medium zucchinis, trimmed 1 bunch watercress, leaves picked 1tbs

Popular Pad Thai – the healthy version

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 quick weeknight favourite for both adults and kids. Serves 4 Ingredients: 200g dried rice-stick noodles 300g

Basil and tomato salad

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 black pepper 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 500g cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup black

Parsley Salad

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, easing urinary tract infections, clearing ear infections and even helps to get rid of bad

Tasty Tabouli

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 gluten free alternatives such as quinoa or millet. Wheat is cool, sweet, strengthening and calming

Spring Has Sprung!

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 the season of spring relates to a Yang energy, which creates a growing upward and

Simple Spring Stir-fry

Seasonal vegetables with rice noodles (or zucchini spirals for no carb option) are a healthy food option in any season. Sesame oil is strengthening and calming for the liver, and broccoli is particularly good in early spring. You can also substitute the ingredients in this recipe with other delicious spring vegetables such as cabbage, carrots,

What to Eat for Winter and Warmth?

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. Each season we’re blessed with a variety of delicious and healthy fruits and vegetables. Many

Hormonal Balance & Mental Health – Maybe It’s Not All in Your Mind!

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 their menstrual cycle in silence. When help is sought, important psychiatric treatment and/or medication is

Lamb Rogan Josh

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 warmth to the lower parts of your body. It improves circulation, blood production and lactation,

Common Sense To Beat The Common Cold

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 to cold and wind, and this can be the precursor to catching the common cold.

Mushroom and barley pilaf

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 common cold and associated symptoms such as headache, cough, aches, pains and a sore throat.

Leek and Potato Soup

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 diarrhoea, rheumatism, or with problems swallowing. Serves 4 Ingredients: 3 leeks, sliced 1 tsp butter or oil 1L chicken stock 4 potatoes, cubed 1 sweet potato, cubed Pepper Handful fresh

Feb Fast could turn to Miserable March!

Feb Fast 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 the head, desperate to detox, vent, clear and purge. And so the ‘Feb

Asparagus Fever!

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 vegetable oil 2 sprigs thyme 1 onion, chopped 2 potatoes, scrubbed and finely chopped 500g

Root Vegetable Soup

– 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 it’s hard to believe. It will soothe your tastebuds, strengthen your digestive system, nourish your blood,

Winter warmer vegetarian curry

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 cauliflower can help strengthen the digestive system. Tofu is a source of protein often used

Spanakopita

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 1kg spinach 2 tbs dill, chopped 250g fetta, crumbled 150g ricotta 3 tbs parmesan, grated

Hanza Pie

Here is a delicious, high protein vegetarian recipe. Ingredients: 1 cup cooked brown rice Shredded, wilted chard Crushed garlic Chives 250g ricotta 2 tbs yoghurt 1 egg Crumbed fetta (small piece) Handful of grated cheese Method: Mix 1 cup of cooked brown rice with shredded wilted chard, crushed garlic and chives. Stir through 250g ricotta, 2

Quinoa Porridge

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 in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer,

Baba Ganoush For Your Blood & Tastebuds

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 this easy recipe for a tasty eggplant dip, great to have as a snack with

Pressed Cucumber Salad

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 spell of weather. Ingredients: Cucumbers, sliced paper thin 1/2 tsp salt in 1 cup water

Keep Cool With Cooling Foods & Herbs

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 Peppermint Plums Rhubarb Rye Seaweed Sesame Soybeans Spinach Water Chestnuts Cooling & Strengthening Foods Coconut

Tahini Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

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 the oven to 175 degrees C. Grease cookie sheets or use parchment paper. In a

Berry Cobbler

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 tablespoons maple syrup (you could also use honey, brown rice syrup, coconut nectar or whatever

Gluten Free Pancakes

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 baking soda 1 pinch celtic sea salt Butter for frying Method: In a Vitamix, combine

Paleo Banana Bread

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, eggs, vanilla, honey and shortening in a food processor Pulse ingredients together Pulse in almond

Tranquil Soup

Try this fantastic soup to get your family through cold and wet weather. Ingredients: 1 whole chicken 1 brown onion 5 celery stalks 1 whole leek 4 carrots 2 spring onions 1 bunch asparagus 4 silverbeet leaves, shredded 1/2 cup snow peas, sliced 2/3 cup broad beans 2 bay leaves 2 garlic cloves Fresh chopped

Lingering Pathogen

The concept of a ‘lingering pathogen’ has been around for a long time in Chinese Medicine. It applies when you haven’t been able to shake that cold or flu, or you haven’t fully recovered or simply not felt quite right since getting a ‘bug’ a few months ago. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using the modalities

Warming Kale & Chicken Stir Fry

According to TCM the bitterness of Kale is great for the liver and it has stomach strengthening and pain reducing qualities also As the temperature starts to cool now, it’s important to change the way we eat. Using foods and recipes, which have warming and stomach nourishing qualities will help prepare us for the cold

Shiitake Mushroom with Tofu

Shiitake mushrooms are good for the stomach, blood and energy. Peas are an excellent toner for the spleen in Spring. Peas also help qi to move in the appropriate direction – and ease hiccups and coughing. People who are cold or deficient may need to add ginger to this meal. Ingredients: 3 dried shiitake mushrooms

Lentil-Walnut Bake

Feel a little less “mental” with some more lentil Food is like medicine for both the body and the mind! The ingredients in this recipe are not only warm, strengthening and comforting, but lentils and walnuts can also help us feel grounded and able to cope better. Wheat germ is pungent and can help lift

Warm Lentil Salad

Lentils are cheap, nutritious and also very delicious! According to Chinese Medicine lentils improve circulation, and strengthen your heart, kidneys, and constitutional essence. Lentils enhance the health and appearance of your complexion and your hair. And lentils support your will-power and encourage feelings of being calm and content. This simple warm red lentil salad is

Traditional Chinese Medicine 2

An attempt to explain Traditional Chinese Medicine – Part 2 This article will attempt to explain how the different modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are applied to improve health or treat disease. The key modalities of TCM are acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy and exercise. Acupuncture Acupuncture is based on the theory of Qi.

Traditional Chinese Medicine 1

An attempt to explain Traditional Chinese Medicine – Part 1 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a unique system of health. It evolved over thousands of years in China, stemming from the Taoist philosophy. TCM looks at health as a system of balance. If the balance is comprised in any way this may lead to ill