Natural Health Resource Review, March 2001

NATURAL HEALTH LIVING
            By Leslie Custer, MA

Natural health! Eating tofu, sitting in a crossed-leg yoga position: this is supposed to be natural? For some it is: for others, the concepts of natural health living can be quite overwhelming.
As people become more aware of their responsibility towards their own health, they are gathering resources, searching for an answer, looking for an understanding which will help them live happier, healthier lives. That's one reson you're reading this now. So, let us help you on your journey by exploring this concept of natural health--the resources that are available, and what it might mean for you.
What is natural health living? How might different health care modalities influence my life? And how do I begin to understand and incorporate these concepts into a way of living? There are many interesting wellness options available. The purpose of the Natural Health Resource Alliance (NHRA) is to provide an opportunity to explore a variety of health care modalities. There is Reiki, hypnotherapy, herbs, acupuncture, magnetics, etc., etc., etc.. It's easy to understand why many people become overwhelmed and inundated as to which therapies and modalities will work best for them. But, through the use of an open mind and willingness to explore both yourself and new ways of living, you may come to understand, incorporate and appreciate the values espoused by those who live with intention towards health and happiness. A balanced life!? What a concept.
The Natural Health Resource Alliance seeks to expand one's concept of health--intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Illness is not just a physical thing. Our whole life can be affected. If illness is a part of your life, it is important to work with the changes that occur rather than against them. By taking more personal responsibility towards our own health, we begin to see how we may have perhaps participated in manifesting or maintaining illness in our lives. Through this recognition comes changes and better health. That is where the NHRA may be of help. We invite you to explore the options available to you, to gain an understanding of the different wellness modalities available and to choose what feels right for you. Ultimately, the decision is yours. Natural health living can lead to a more balanced, healthy, and fulfilled life. Let us be a part of the solution.

                  Leslie Custer, MA 765-5726
                                                                            Writer's Biography

CHINESE KITCHEN CORNER            By Barbara Boss, PhD., L.Ac
                                                                      659-9697

The topic for the March/April issue of the NHRA newsletter is the Chinese-style balanced diet. The Chinese classify the nutritional and healing aspects of foods by comparing their flavors, their yin-yang properties, the type of movement they induce in the body (e.g., if they induce sweating, stop vomiting, promote bowel movements, etc.) and the organ systems they predominately affect. In addition, no one type food preparation method is recommended by the nutritionists in China. Too much raw food is seen to weaken the channel responsible for digesting the food we eat. Fried foods can be recommended when an individual is too yin (cold-natured). The ideal of each meal is to achieve harmony within by balancing the yin and the yang (hot).Consideration for the yin-yang nature of the seasonand climate is also given in this approach.
In the category of yin foods, we find most raw fruits and vegetables, lettuce, seaweed, milk, yogurt, fish from cold waters, clams, crab, tofu, barley spinach, swiss chard, curry, parsley, chili peppers, coriander, tamiri (soy sauce), sugar and salt. Hot spices which cool the body promoting persperation are seen as yin. Items found in the yang catagory are : most meats, shrimp, mussels, yams, walnuts, green onions, squash, mustard greens, mango, lycii nut, garlic, ginger, basil, thyme, oregano, black pepper, bay leaf, cloves and miso. The method of cooking can be either yin or yang as well. The lighter and quicker methods (steaming) are considered yin, while baking, deep-frying, roasting and braising are more yang in nature. Stir-frying is classified as neutral. By balancing yin and yang, the tastes of the foods consumed,and being aware of what types of movement each induces and what organs are energetically affected, the Chinese strive to create harmony in their bodies. They have shown that proper dietary balance keeps appetite normal and food cravings at a minimum.

                  Source: Traditional Chinese Medicine by Carol Hart, Ph.D, and
                               Magnolia Goh, L.Ac. (1998)
Writer's Biography