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Elderberry Gummies for health!

12/15/2014

Elderberry contains powerful antioxidants (often used in the treatment of flu), making it a great immunity boosting treat that you can give to your kids or enjoy yourself!

Note: Honey is not recommended for people with severe deficient immune system or children under 1 year of age due to the very small risk of botulism. Nursing mothers should substitute honey with another sweetener or stevia if appropriate.

Ingredients:
2 -1/2 cup filtered water
1/3 cup dried elderberries
½ cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
½ cup gelatin (Note: If you like firmer gummy like the ones you get from the store, you can add more gelatin)

Directions:
1. Make a tea out of the elderberries: Bring water to boil, then add elderberries and simmer for 5 minutes, or until dark in color
2. Drain, reserving the liquid. You should have about 2 cups
3. Add in honey and vanilla and allow to cool
4. Stir in gelatin (it’s easier to stir into room temp liquid) until all clumps are out and mixture is uniform
5. Heat in a saucepan over medium-low until gelatin is all dissolved
6. Pour into a glass container to set
7. Allow to set in the fridge
8. Cut into approx. ½ inch by 1 inch cubes, or as desired
9. Take one or more daily, as desired
10. Store in the fridge

Experience with the amount of honey and gelatin for taste and texture. I personally like it with less honey than what the recipe calls for. It provides a touch of sweet without being too sweet. Enjoy!!!

Karen Chan received her Masters in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine from ACCHS in Oakland, California. With a passion for preventative care and nutrition, she has been helping her clients in the East Bay achieve a more balanced and healthy lifestyle since 2009.
4287 Piedmont Ave, Ste 106C, Oakland, CA 94611 || (510) 384-9226

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Yes, the flu season is here!

12/13/2014

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Are you prepared? I am a big believer in preventive care as some of you already know. This time of the year it is more stressful due to the holidays, not to mention you will be around a lot of people out shopping, at office parties and everything in between.

For preventive care I always have the herb formulas Yin Qiao San or Gan Mao Ling around so I can use it at the first sign of the “feeling of something coming on”. These are in a convenient pill form so I can take them with me wherever I go. I take my preventative herbs year round faithfully to help protect myself, my patients and my love ones so I don’t pass it on to them. Colds and flus get thrown back and worth so protecting the people around you will also keep you from catching it back.

I also use Cloud of Protection by Nieves. If someone coughs or sneezes around your space, you can spray this anti-bacterial and anti-viral spray to fight off germs. It is all natural and smells great. I use it in the office after I treat someone with a cold or a flu. It really clears the air and offers a cleaner environment to breathe in.

Your immune system plays a big part of keeping you healthy. Make sure you eat a warm and balanced meal. In TCM, we believe in eating for the season just like dressing appropriately for the season. This is the time to nourish your body so eat slow-cooked warm food. This is not the time to detox, eat cold salad and “rabbit food”, you can have that again in the summer.

Getting enough sleep is very important and if you can squeeze in a 10-15 minute power nap at any time, it will make a world of difference to rejuvenate the body. Don’t have time to take a power nap, just close your eyes and tune out for 5 minutes. This simple step can help your

body recharge. Don’t have 5 minutes? just imagine being out of commission for at least 2 weeks. You won’t be good for the loved ones around you or to yourself. So yes, you can squeeze in 5 minutes for yourself. Tough love :)

Take a moment to breathe deeply when you are in a stressful situation. This simple step can reset your stress hormone to calm you down. Managing your stress can assist your immune system to keep you healthy.

One more thing, keep your hands off your face to avoid germ transfer from your hands to your open orifices (eyes, nose, mouth). I know I sound like a broken record but I can’t stress how important this is. I know you heard of all these tips before but that’s because they work. I am not trying to reinvent the wheel but keeping these tips in mind will keep you healthy so you can have a more pleasant holiday with friends and family.

What if you are already sick with the flu!

First things first, do not go to work and get other people sick. You already know this may come back to you at some point if you contaminate someone else. Unfortunately, once you are sick you will have to ride out the illness but you have the power to reduce the time and the severity of the illness by getting plenty of rest, stay hydrated (drink warm or hot liquid only, cold beverages makes the flu last longer) and take herbs. These tips will help shorten the duration and severity of the flu. If need to, seek help from your practitioner.

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