Ailments & Conditions, Recipes, All Things Chinese Medicine and Lifestyle Blog Posts
Let’s talk about sex… and baby making.
We spend most of lives in fear of getting pregnant, but now it’s now time to clear up some questions about the birds and the bees. Please send through any other questions you have, there is no such thing as a silly question. When should we have sex? Most women who I see have been
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Sleep Hygiene
Sleep Hygiene Hi it’s Jane and Nick from Gardenvale Chinese Medicine. A lot of our patients have problems when it comes to sleeping, either problems falling asleep, or trouble staying asleep. Today we thought we would share some tips and tricks for good sleep hygiene. It’s a bit of a buzz word lately, “sleep hygiene”,
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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,
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Hydration
Nick and Jane talk over hydration Simple tips and tricks to keep hydrated and to be aware not to drink too much.
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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
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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
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Simple 3 Ingredient Sugar Free Crepes
Spice up your weekend breakfast with these simple sugar free 3 ingredient crepes. Ingredients 110g flour/GF flour 2 Large eggs 230 mls milk Method Whisk flour and eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking – this should create a lovely pourable batter. Heat large frypan
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Supercharged Meatballs
Cooking Tips & Tricks For Supercharged Meatballs Tips on how to make your meatballs superfood worthy (and extra delicious): Use almond meal as your binding agent for gluten free balls and blood sugar stabilisation Add bone broth powder and grass fed gelatine for gut support A pinch of seaweed flakes adds important trace minerals, such
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Apple Crumble for Breakfast
Apple crumble for breakfast?! Yes indeed. Making some simple swaps turns this dessert into a nutritious breakfast. Enjoy warm or cold with your favourite yoghurt. Filling: 4 cups of peeled and sliced apples (4 med) 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Topping: 1/2 cup almond
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Tongue Diagnosis
We have discussed Pulse Diagnosis so we thought why not touch on Tongue Diagnosis. Tongue Diagnosis is another tool used in a TCM consultation to reveal how the body is functioning. As you can tell by the image, when looking at the tongue we look at its colour, shape, coating and movements. These characteristics highlight
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The Pulse
Each and every consultation with our practitioners involves them feeling your pulses. But why do they do this? The pulse is a very important diagnostic tool in TCM. As you can see in the photo above, Nick has 3 fingers placed over the pulse. This is because of the three sections of the pulse, Cun
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Festive goji berry bliss balls
These delicious bliss balls are the perfect snack to bring to a festive gathering. Goji berries are high in antioxidants, especially zeaxanthin which helps the eyes. They contain large amounts of vitamins A and C, which together with the antioxidants help the immune system. They also contain beta-carotene, which is known for its ability to
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Apple Muffins
Super easy and nutritious apple and cinnamon gluten free muffins. Ingredients 3 eggs 2 apples 3 Tbs maple syrup 1/2 tsp natural vanilla extract 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 cup almond meal 1 tsp gluten free baking powder Method Pre heat oven to 170 C Combine ingredients in blender/food processor Pour combined ingredients into a
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Tips for surviving hay fever season
We have been having lots of patients coming through the clinic recently with Hay Fever symptoms. So, we have a few tips to survive the hay fever season: Hydrate Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration places significant stress on the body which may exacerbate hay fever symptoms. Avoid the wind
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Coconut Kefir yoghurt
Kefir contains up to 62 strains of yeast and bacteria including the probiotic bacteria lactobacilli. These are all an important part of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. This in turn can assist with: Gastrointestinal disorders, Weight management, Immune modulation and, has been shown to assist with suppressing the bodies inflammatory response to allergies and asthma.
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Breaking the Fast
The importance of gut health Break the fast with this protein rich vegetable slice curtesy of the Natural Nutritionist along with some cooked and cooled rice made with coconut milk. Cooking and cooling the rice creates resistant starch which is so important for our gut health. The added coconut milk will provide us with healthy
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Back Stretching
Watch the video as Nick demonstrates back stretches to assist with pain relief
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Neck Stretching
Watch Nick’s demonstration of neck stretches to assist with pain relief
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COVID-19 New Protocols
We are open for acupuncture appointments! To keep you safe, happy and healthy we have introduced some extra measures in clinic and wanted to share them with you. New protocols include: One person only in the waiting room. People are to wait outside until ushered in. Everyone who enters is required to sanitise there hands.
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Keeping you Happy and Healthy
We are open for business, but taking extra measure to make sure you stay safe and healthy during this time.
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Alcohol and the festive season
Nick and Jane’s tips and tricks for alcohol and the festive season
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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.
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Huang Qi (Astragalus) Miso Soup
This nourishing miso soup with astragalus will help to to support your immune system. In Chinese medicine Huang Qi (Astragalus) root is a herbal tonic used to strengthen qi. While miso traditionally made from fermented soya beans, contains probiotic bacteria to support a healthy gut. Ingredients: 2 Cups of (bone broth, veggie broth) 4-5 slices
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Acupuncture and Pain Relief
Nick explains how acupuncture works for pain relief. To read more click here
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How does acupuncture work
How does acupuncture work? This is a question I get a fair bit, especially after people see how effective it is for assisting with symptoms of pain. It is all about Qi and healthy blood flow Qi represents healthy oxygenated blood flowing through your body. If you have a healthy movement of Qi, you should
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Healthy breath healthy body
Something I get asked a lot in clinic is what can I do at at home to help with stress, pain due to injury, gut issues perhaps? The answer is healthy breathing. Dr Belisa Vranich has a great book ‘Breathe’ that goes in to detail on how breathing works. How to retrain yourself to breathe
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Thai Beef Salad
KEEP COOL, THAI STYLE Here’s great and easy recipe to try on the weekend, or on any hot day. It’s yummy and cooling, and is usually a great hit with the kids too. Serves 4 Thai Salad 500g Beef rump steak/ substitute with tofu for vegan option Zucchini noodles (can be made using spiralizer, veggie
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Foam Rolling for Gluteal muscles
Nick demonstrates foam rolling for the gluteal muscles.
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Tips and tricks for the festive season
Nick provides some tips and tricks on how to avoid the trauma of overindulging during the festive season.
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Foam rolling for upper back
Nick demonstrates foam rolling to relieve stress and pain through the upper back, shoulders, neck and other areas.
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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
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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
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Menopause, a Chinese medicine perspective!
Menopause As women, we will have approximately 500 periods in our lifetime. Our periods begin between the ages of 10-18. We continue to menstruate until menopause (the change of life) begins at the age of 45-55. Menopause represents a hormonal change in the female physiological process. Certain levels of hormones such as oestrogen will not
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Belly Breathing
Nick discusses the importance of breathing properly, and demonstrates belly breathing
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Unprocessed Wheat Free Snack
These delicious lemon and coconut balls are wheat free, and are the perfect unprocessed snack for afternoon tea, or for a lunchbox treat. Ingredients 1 1/4 cups of almond meal 1 1/2 cups of desiccated coconut 4 tbsp melted coconut oil 2 tbsp rice malt syrup 1 lemon zest and juice extra coconut for rolling
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Postpartum
Jane and Nick talk about the fourth Trimester in pregnancy, postpartum.
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DIY Nasal Wash
Method Use boiled water to make sure it’s sterile. Add enough salt to make it a similar strength to seawater. Here you can use a traditional neti pot or a syringe or even Tupperware sauce bottle Gently pour in one nostril at a time
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Acupuncture for Tennis Elbow
Watch as Nick uses acupuncture on Jane to assist with pain associated with tennis elbow.
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Over Indulgence
Nick and Jane discuss some ways you can be prepared for the season of overindulgence.
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Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients: 1 head of cauliflower 1 tsp olive oil Method: If grating then cut the cauliflower into large pieces. Grate the cauliflower on the large side of the cheese grater, or pulse in a food processor until it is rice size Remove excess water by transferring cauliflower to paper towel and squeeze/press Heat a large
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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.
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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.
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Mindful in the Madness
Nick explains the importance of taking some mental time out during the busy, stressful and ‘mad’ times in our lives!
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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
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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
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