Chinese medicine, acupuncture and natural therapy

Wheat Free Breakfast

Here is a wheat free yummy easy breakfast.

When you are reaching for your next coffee, perhaps stop and ask yourself “what is your body really trying to tell you?” If you’re tired and looking for an energy boost, I suggest you try 15 minutes of lying down with your eyes closed, that’s what I do. Alternatively, try a five minute walk with some deep belly breathing. Oxygen always helps fatigue.

Hydration

Nick and Jane talk over hydration Simple tips and tricks to keep hydrated and to be aware not to drink too much.

Exercise and your menstrual cycle

For ladies who like to exercise in a more vigorous (yang) style, it may be important to tailor your exercise program with your menstrual cycle to improve your health. Below is an outline of what is happening to your body during your cycle, and how to exercise to help avoid injury and maintain good health.

Watermelon Salad

In summer it is important to eat cooling foods. These will encourage energy and activity, and can combat the summer heat. This salad is perfect for cooling down with it’s mix of watermelon, cucumber and mint. These are all known for their heat clearing properties. Ingredients 1 kg Watermelon cubed 1 Cucumber cubed 1 cup

Alcohol

Alcohol attracts a lot of attention, especially at this time of year. In Australia, we are known for binge drinking. European’s sip on it before a meal, and it is banned in the Middle East. In China, it has been used socially and medicinally for thousands of years. In fact, alcohol was first brewed in

Alcohol and the festive season

Nick and Jane’s tips and tricks for alcohol and the festive season

Over Indulgence

Nick and Jane discuss some ways you can be prepared for the season of overindulgence.

Bone Broth

Bone broth is rich with minerals and proteins. These assist to strengthen joints and muscles, as well as reduce any inflammation. In addition, collagen is responsible for healing the lining of the gut and will strengthen the digestive system as well as increase metabolism. The immune system will also be strengthened as collagen promotes the

Over Indulgence Tea

After the overindulgent festive season, many people ask about Chinese herbal medicine to assist with weight loss. Weight loss herbs selected will generally: Tonify spleen qi, Increase your energy, Enhance your immune system and Eliminate phlegm and dampness from the body. Herbs are selected according to your pulse and tongue diagnosis. However, a generic tea

Lotus Root Stir-fry

This stir-fry is perfect for spring. For this time of year steaming, stir frying or sautéing vegetables rather then baking is preferable. This will ensure food maintains it’s spring vitality. Spring is the season of the liver. The sesame oil will help to strengthen and calm the liver while the mushrooms will help support digestion.

Calf Injuries and the World Cup

A Chinese Medicine Perspective on Calf Injuries World Cup fever is here, with the final fast approaching, combined with school holidays, families are outside kicking soccer balls around. It is wonderful to see. The downside of all the activity, is the possibility of calf injuries, for example. the gastrocnemius muscle (calf muscle) is a muscle located at the

Warming Vegie Chilli

This warming vegie chilli (meat option included) is perfect for winter. Warmer foods are easier to digest and encourage your body to heal. Ingredients 2 medium onions (chopped) 2 cloves garlic (chopped) 2 medium carrots (chopped) 2 sticks celery (chopped) 2 red peppers (chopped) 250g mushrooms (chopped) 1 cup of Kale (chopped) olive oil 1.5 teaspoon chilli powder 1.5 teaspoon

Acupressure For Labour Pain

In addition to acupuncture, Chinese Medicine includes a range of treatment options including herbal medicine, diet therapy, cupping and acupressure. Acupressure involves the stimulation of acupuncture points by fingers, hands and elbows. Acupressure can be applied at home to keep up momentum in between treatments. Acupressure can also be used by partners to help their

Warming Conjee

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 on most nights, knowing that I will wake up to a nourishing and nutritional breakfast.

All about auricular acupuncture

At Gardenvale Chinese Medicine, we sometimes use ear seeds as an adjunct to acupuncture. An adhesive plaster with a small bead is placed over the acupuncture points on the external surface of the ear. Ear seeds can also be great for children or if you would prefer not to have needles. Most of you will be

Acupuncture for lower back pain

Acupuncture for lower back pain. Demonstrated by an acupuncturist who gets it. Acupuncture does not always have to be local or the site of the pain. Points are used distally or in different areas of the body. This can render a better result for pain relief. This treatment can avoid having to take clothes off

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.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain in can present in many different areas and with varying intensity. Chronic pain, usually present for a number of months, is often the result a specific injury, such as: lower back muscle strain or disc damage arthritis sciatic pain nerve impingement But it also might happen because of a treatment or procedure. An

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

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

Winter warming beef

(see vegetarian option below ) This is a lovely winter dish! With its simple mix of meat and spices, it’s not only delectable but will nourish and warm you deep from the inside. Beef will warm your digestive system and directs warmth to the lower parts of your body. It improves circulation and blood production,

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