Need a Breath Mint?

Spring season is coming up (and I’m not talking baseball) and what better way to ‘spring clean’ than to detoxify your body from environmental factors; second hand smoke, burning fuels, pesticides. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, one of the first organs to be effected is the Lungs; air passageways from our nostrils connect directly to our bronchi, that directs are into our lungs.

There are certain foods which help detox the lungs such as spicy or pungent foods. These help to move “sticky” energy within the lungs as well as discharge any residue from environmental toxins. Foods in this category include onions, garlic, ginger, and chilies. The raw form are definitely stronger in function, however for those who find it a bit too pungent, add it to your cooking to flavor your dishes, or add thin slices of red onion to your salad. My Sunday morning fave? Diced red onion with smoked salmon!

Get creative and better your health! Gooooo San Francisco Giants!

Sour Grapes!

Living in San Francisco, California, a world class city of great eats, makes it easy to hang up my apron and head out for dinner or take-out food to go. What makes eating out guilt-free is that I make it a habit to detoxify from the weeks or months past of food consumption of savory and sweet eats! Fortunately, I have the luxury of providing myself with a cleansing acupuncture treatment, however for the general public, here are some valuable tips everyone can do at home.

Clear out the heat! Dining out often means eating dishes rich in seasoning. This produces a “heat” in the body, causing an energy imbalance, which is very drying and uncomfortable to the body’s natural temperature and system. Tofu, cucumber, and banana are “cooling” foods that are wonderful toxin neutralizers. They cleanse the body of harmful heat, moisten to help in digestion, and regulate body temperature.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! If there is one thing all of us can do anytime and anywhere, is have a tall glass of water. We must make it a healthy habit to consume at least eight glasses of water a day. The simple act of drinking water regularly, not only hydrates and regulates the body’s temperature, but flushes out toxins from within, and cleanses the organs.

Pucker up! Sour foods are a great source of countering the effects of rich and greasy foods on the body. It aids in dissolving and breaking down fats and accumulations, and also helps digestion. Foods characteristic of the sour property are: lemons, pickles, sour apples, and plums.

Helpful Tip: keep a pitcher of water with lemon and cucumber slices in the refrigerator at all times. This will help to clear the heat, hydrate the body, and dissolve rich and greasy foods all at once.