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Summer Soltice is Here!

6/22/2015

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Summer is finally here, a season filled with abundant energy, long days and sunshine. To start off the season we attended Nancy's (our receptionist) wedding on June 20 to Ricardo Segura who is the son of Lynn Segura a partner in my office for the past twenty years. A joyful occasion to begin the summer season. Huge fun was had by all!


The beginning of summer is a time for renewal and healing, a time to release sadness, fear and the pains from your life. In ancient times, it was considered a time of fullness of life, worldly blessing and celebration. As a yang season, energy moves up and out with expansion, growth and creativity. Creativity could simply mean our body doing what it does to keep us alive and our heart reaching out to connect with the world around us.

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The element in summer is fire, the color is red, the organ is the heart and the emotion, joy! In Chinese medicine, the mind is linked to the heart and therefore our memory, thoughts, emotional well-being, and consciousness are also attributed to the heart and fire element. Nourishing and calming our spirits help us to realize our life's greatest potential as we find joy in the pleasant and invigorating weather. In order to remain in harmony with the environment of summer:

  1. Wake up earlier in the morning.

  2. Go to bed later in the evening

  3. Rest at midday.

  4. Drink plenty of fluids.

  5. Refrain from anger; keep calm and even-tempered.

  6. Pace yourself when working outdoors, exercising or just having fun.

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The warm weather and long days promote energy and activity as well as an abundance of fresh veggies and deliciously juicy fruits, so it’s beneficial to eat a variety of what nature provides for us. While eating foods that provide energy and vitality is important, cooling foods help us balance excessive heat in the body which is common in the summer months. Some symptoms of excess heat are profuse sweating, parched mouth and throat, constipation, and heart palpitations.

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Bitter flavors are cooling, descending and contracting. It helps to reduce excess heat and dries and drains dampness. It can ease inflammation and infections as well as encourages bowel movement. For the Heart, bitter clears heat and removes damp and mucus in the arteries, which helps lower blood pressure. The heat of summer is hard on the digestive system, so a diet of light and fresh food should be eaten. Heat producing foods should be eaten only in small amounts.

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These fruits and vegetables will help your body adjust its temperature and protect you during the long, hot summer days:

  • Watermelon
  • Apricot
  • Cantaloupe
  • Lemon
  • Peach
  • Orange
  • Asparagus
  • Sprouts
  • Bok choy
  • Tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • White mushroom
  • Snow peas
  • Spinach
  • Summer squash
  • Seaweed
  • Mung means
  • Cilantro
  • Mint
  • Dill

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These ingredients should be eaten in small amount in the summer months:
  • lamb
  • longan
  • dried longan
  • lychee
  • onion
  • kale
  • cinnamon
  • stir fried peanuts
  • fried foods

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Here is a great recipe for Cold Chrysanthemum Tea to help quench thirst and keep you cool.






Be well and enjoy the abundance of the season!

Marti
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Tassajara Zen Center where I do my anual volunteer work! A beautiful experience!
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Renewal Dinner for Ashby Center of Complementary Medicine

4/22/2015

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Our First Annual Spring Renewal dinner for the Ashby Center of Complementary Medicine happened on Thursday  March 19th. Nearly all the practicioners celebrated the coming of Spring and our community of healers at Comal, a restaurant in Berkeley. We all enjoyed the fantastic food and being together to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Goat, the coming of Spring, and our successful healing practices at ACCM. Pictured above from left seated Elizabeth Korza, Zoey Young, Haruna Joos, Sherry Yang, Rachel Peizer. Standing: Lynn Segura,Nancy Segura, Lia Willebrand, Marti Claudia Venn Lee Kennedy, Claudia Venn, Ana Castaneda, Michael Engelbert, Tara Stoop. 

Marti Raffled off gifts including one of her paintings of Plum blossoms. 
Flowers and fun enjoyed by everyone!
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Huge fun was had by all!
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Spring, Equinox, New Beginnings

3/20/2015

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The New Year is a time for new beginnings and the Chinese New Year also coincides with Spring which brings about new life, change and growth. If you are noticing the changes in weather and the new rotation of vegetables at the farmer’s market then you’ll understand that our lifestyle and diet should also change with the season.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring belongs to the wood element and dominates liver functioning. Spring cleaning is not only for your home, it’s also a time to clear out toxins from our bodies. This season is the perfect time for that. Eating the growing variety of vegetables and fruits available at your local market and incorporating a regular exercise routine to your week is one of the easiest ways to help your body renew itself.


Because seasonal health issues and allergies are sometimes frustrating to manage, keeping healthy liver function is vital. If the liver is not healthy, it could affect the spleen and the lungs. Chest congestion, sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes are some of the symptoms associated with disharmony between the organs. It is very important to cleanse the liver and lungs to bring balance and maintain vitality.  Acupuncture, herbs and eating the right foods can help to accomplish this balance.

According to Chinese Numerology the number in 2015 is the number 8 (2+0+1+5=8). Here are eight steps to stay healthy in the spring season:


1. Eat lots of green foods which are rich in chlorophyll in order to help accelerate liver rejuvenation.

2. Cook vegetables for a shorter time but at a higher temperature. Lightly steam or a quick stir fry vegetables.

3. Avoid too much dairy, fried foods, poorly sourced meats and large quantities of nuts.

4. Incorporate more pungent foods like garlic, ginger, green onions, basil, watercress, mustard greens, turmeric, cardamom, marjoram, cumin, and fennel. These help to ease the transition into spring when sudden changes in weather make us susceptible to acute illness.  

5. Incorporate more bitter foods like asparagus, amaranth, quinoa, radish leaves, citrus peel, dandelion, chamomile, milk thistle seeds, and Oregon grape root which have liver cleansing capabilities and help to lessen allergy symptoms.

6. Stretch. Stretching your body increases flexibility by bringing blood, oxygen, nutrients and removing waste from muscle tissue and tendons. Regular stretching also improves the function of your liver and gallbladder as well as your mind.

7.  Slow to Anger. Anger is the emotion associated with the Liver and Spring. Becoming excessively angry, and/or perpetually irritable adversely affects the liver.  Feeling angry or complaining constantly are self-indulgent and destructive responses. Your body’s biochemistry responds to anger by down-regulating serotonin and other feel good neurochemicals. You put yourself in a vulnerable and depressive state by allowing your anger to dominate your emotional landscape.  

8.  Be open to change. A key indicator of spring is the erratic shift of weather from day to day over the coming weeks.  In order to survive and even thrive, the natural world must be open to erratic and unpredictable changes.  Resistance proves harmful to plants, animals and even people without adaptability to unforeseen circumstances.

These subtle shifts in behavior and attitude foster a healthy environment in your body which keeps you in sync with the world around you. Be well and enjoy the energy of Spring! Now is a good time to schedule a series of Spring acupuncture tune-up treatments, to keep yourself balanced and in harmony.

Best Wishes,

Marti


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Traveling in Asia: A return after many years

2/18/2015

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Greetings!

In January, I began my travels to Indochine. My last trip to Asia was in 1998 to meet my 104 year old Grand Master Yang. I decided it was time to explore another region I had not yet traveled. My boyfriend was already in Thailand and suggested we meet in Vietnam. 

So many stories to share about the beauty of the land and the people. We began in the north in Hanoi, the cultural capital, and traveled down the coast to the ancestral town of Hoi An. We went to DaNang to see the caves of Marble Mountain and home of the largest statue of Kuan Yin (the largest I have ever witnessed).
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We continued on down the coastline and up to the French provincial hill town know as Da Lat. We visited monasteries, gardens and beautiful lakes and waterfalls. With our local friend, we experienced authentic Vietnam. He took us to minority tribal villages and tasted the local cuisine along the way.

The people of Vietnam have so much heart energy and that left a lasting impression.

Our last stop was Siem Reap, Cambodia to visit the temple of Angkor built in the 12 century and considered to be one of the wonders of the world.

I feel gratitude for the people of Vietnam and Cambodia. They shared warmth and kindness throughout our journey. I would love to share more stories with you when we meet!

Best Wishes,

Marti

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Happy Chinese New Year of the Sheep!

2/18/2015

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The Year of the Sheep, which starts on February 19th 2015 in the Chinese Lunar Calendar will be a gentler, less dramatic year. Tranquility and harmony play an important role in healing. Kindness and sensitivity toward yourself and others will help to nurture a generous heart that is open to acceptance of all areas of life.

Because Yin Wood is the year’s ruling element, the mood will be more tolerant and open-minded. The nature of Yin Wood, associated with flowers, grass, and the color green is more flexible and versatile compared to last year’s unbending Horse with Yang Wood element symbolized by large, solid trees. The Sheep is the strongest Earth element sign in the Chinese zodiac which brings grounding - a key in manifesting our dreams. Another theme of Sheep year is to express your creativity. Now is the time for artistic development and cultivation of beauty.

The year of the Wood Sheep brings fresh energies, new opportunities and challenges. Allow the calm of the Sheep’s vibrations to flow through you. 

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    Marti Lee Kennedy L.Ac., O.M.D.

    Marti Lee Kennedy, director of The Ashby Center of Complementary Medicine in Berkeley, CA, is a pioneer in the practice of Chinese Medicine in the United States.

    As an acupuncturist with foundations in Traditional Chinese Medicine, she focuses on fertility, pregnancy and post-pregnancy challenges.

    Dr. Kennedy believes that the integration of mind, body and spirit is the most important part of her work. 

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