ESEMA Healing Arts | Acupuncture, Herbal medicine and Doula services » Healthy Living

Delicious Sweet Potato Bake

Erin — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:10:59 +0000

This dish is a response to the famous sweet-potato casserole of the Midwest, which is full of sugar and artificial ingredients like marshmallows (literally robbing any healthful benefits from the lovely yam itself). If you want to impress the folks at your Thanksgiving dinner, try out this recipe! Not only does it taste scrumptious and capture all the wonderful flavors of the season, but it is full of health benefits and real ingredients. The bonus – you can make it a day in advance for less stress in the kitchen on cooking day. Take a look after the jump!

Yams For Your Health

In Chinese medicine, sweet potatoes are known for their spleen tonifying ability. The spleen is responsible for the digestion of all the food we take in, and then transporting the nutritional content throughout the body for healthful use. The energy of a healthy spleen is strong – maintaining metabolic function for the whole body and able to stand up against suppressants like stress and poor diet. In order for the spleen to properly coordinate this important function, it requires tonification through various means – such as acupuncture treatments, herbal tonics and nutritional therapy. To nutritionally keep your spleen happy and functioning at its best, sweet potatoes are one of the best foods.

In addition to the systemic benefits of sweet potatoes from the Chinese Medicine perspective, they are packed with beta carotene – an antioxidant that reduces aging and inflammation (just like pumpkins and other orange veggies). So not only are you benefiting the harmonious state of your digestive system by including sweet potatoes in your diet, but you are also adding rich beautifying agents to your health care regimen. The best way your body can absorb these important nutrients, which are fat soluble, is to add butter to your sweet potatoes. Lucky for us, this recipe takes care of that pairing for us.

Delicious Sweet Potato Bake

5 sweet potatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup real butter
2 whole eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup agave syrup
2 tablespoons organic half and half

1/4 cup real butter, softened
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Clean sweet potatoes, leaving most of the skin on and slice into large pieces.
Boil sweet potato chunks until soft and cooked through, drain from the pot and place potatoes into a large mixing bowl.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In the large bowl, mash the sweet potatoes and add salt, 1/4 cup butter, 2 eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, agave, and half/half. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup butter, flour, brown sugar, spices and chopped pecans. Mix with a pastry blender or your fingers to the consistency of course meal. Sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture.
Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until topping is crisp and lightly browned.*

*May store completed dish in the refrigerator for one day before baking. Only bake when ready to serve.

A Brief History of Medicine

Erin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:07:13 +0000

“Doctor, I have an earache…”

2000 BC ~ “Here, eat this root.”

1000 AD ~ “That root is heathen; say this prayer”

1850 AD ~ “That prayer is superstition, drink this potion”

1940 AD ~ “That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill.”

1985 AD ~ “That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic.”

2000 AD ~ “That antibiotic is artificial – here, eat this root!”

~author, unknown

Going around full circle, I wanted to share this enlightening, humorous and fun short poem sent to me by one of my patients. A lot of today’s movements are going back to the beginning for useful advice on health, medicine, nutrition and body care. As we become more conscious of the impact our decisions have on our health and the planet – organic, “green” and natural are coming back into fashion. Food is another great example, as we move out of the grocery shelves (while less money up-front and quick in preparation) and back to the farmers market (what you’ll save in health care bills far compensates the cost up-front, and promotes sustainable agriculture for farms just like our ancestors).

The same is true for acupuncture, herbs and other complimentary medicine practices – which may seem like a luxury, but are actually more like insurance. We are a clinical practice, focused on the medical needs of our patients through detailed health history discussions and sending them home after treatment with, well, roots (like the ginseng root pictured above). While there is no question that modern technology has given us incredible tools, stepping back – in some cases – is more like taking a step forward.

Some of my favorite resources for stepping back and staying modern:

Gorgeously Green – Do it yourself (and from the garden!) skin and beauty-care products

Suncoat Cosmetics – Formaldehyde, Toluene & Phthaletes Free (aka: Toxin-Free) Nail Polish

Sara Snow – Advice on Green Living for all areas of your life, from the family of Eden Organics

Erba Organics – Organic & natural body products for baby and mom

Healthy Bitch Daily – On the front-lines of hip and healthy, this daily email will keep you in the know

“In Defense of Food” - One of many wonderful books on healthy eating by Michael Pollan

The Intensati Method: A Great Way to Feel and Look Your Best!

Erin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:14:30 +0000

Fitness guru Patricia Moreno has authored her first book, in response to her revolutionary work-out program developed to align the body, mind and spirit. A long-time student of Patricia’s, I have experienced first-hand the immense benefits to her system: a stronger body, a clearer mind, a more precise focus and increased confidence. While retraining thought patterns from negative to positive and strengthening core muscles, her guidance offers lasting results. The strong dance influence and positive affirmation make her program fun- the best part of all. The Intensati method provides a complete work-out, and has my enthusiastic endorsement.

As a practitioner of mind-body medicine, I understand the importance of addressing this connection in all areas of our lives. All to often is exercise seen as a “burden” or “cumbersome” – a necessary evil in life. Rather, movement is the foundation of life, and should cultivate gratitude, positivity and spiritual growth along with physical changes. The Intensati Method does this, beautifully. Not only transforming our bodies, but also our thoughts. Contrary to yoga, which is another form of exercise I often recommend, Patricia’s routines provide additional cardio training without harsh impact (such as running), an important health aspect for many individuals.

Check the Intensati website for class times. If you are unable to attend a class with her personally, she has trained a whole team of inspiring instructors who offer Intensati classes across the United States. With the release of her new book (in stores now!) and work-out DVD’s, anyone can practice this revolutionary program anywhere.

If you are ready to change your relationship to exercise, to yourself and the world around you, check out the important tips from Patricia Moreno. Her knowledge, experience, and magnetism will inspire you to truly “live a life you love, in a body you love.”