Growing up with a Japanese background, fermented foods were always served on our table. From a small child, I have always been a fan of natto ,fermented soy beans (but to some it can be an acquired taste). When I would stay with my aunt in Mie prefecture, Japan, I remember watching her cutting up different vegetables and mixing together all the ingredients for tsukimono (pickled vegetables). This dish was brought out at every meal providing a delicious layer.

Japanese people have a long history of eating tsukimono, it was invented long before there was refrigeration. The techniques in making it can be quite simple   by salting, vinegar brining or fermentation. The vegetables are loaded with essential vitamins (A and C) and are a good source of fibre, potassium and calcium. These fermented vegetables are loaded with healthy probiotics which help maintain a healthy gut and intestinal flora. Other benefits are, increased metabolism and a healthy balance of  alkaline and acidity in the stomach. The other benefit is that it doesn’t need to be heated, so the enzymes are still in tact and helpful for overall digestion.

Can you get any better than that?  Try making your own tsukimono with your favourite vegetables or buy it at your local asian food store.

For more information this is a great book : Quick and Easy Tsukiomo : Japanese Pickling Recipes  Ikuko Hisamatsu

I have patients ask me all the time, what should I do or not do after a treatment?

My advice every time, listen to your body and take care of your self. It sounds rather vague so here are some tips:

First off, I believe that the treatment starts even before the session begins, give your self some time even if it’s arriving 10 min before your treatment.  Take time for your heart rate to slow down, let your mind relax.  Turn off the external world, put the cell on silent, sit and be still. I know it’s hard for us busy people but believe me it’s worth that extra time to transition from the external world to your internal world.

After the treatment, rest…. you don’t need to lay down and take a nap even though it would be a bonus, but my advice, do all your errands before, so  you don’t need to be engaged right away in the external world.

Savour the relaxed energy boost (as I like to call it). You all know what I mean.

Resting the body and mind sets the healing in motion, if you’re feeling tired after a treatment chances are you probably need it.

Be gentle with exercise, walking of course is fine, but please no running or bootcamp after a session.

Avoid alcohol and coffee, before and afterwards, at least for half a day or a whole day if possible. These both dehydrate the body and you want to stay hydrated with water or herbal tea, in case the body needs to flush out any toxins after the session.

Some patients feel like something is different after a treatment. They may have difficulty focusing or concentrating. It’s the bodies way of healing internally, shutting down the external stimulation and allowing the body to heal its self. Increase awareness in emotions is also a common one, it’s a wonderful sign that the body is releasing his/her emotions naturally. There is only so much that we can keep inside and acupuncture treatments can help to melt those tight barrier away. With a professional reading the signs from the body, they can help facilitate letting go of those emotions.

If possible, stay in that “acubliss” place for as long as you can. All those wonderful electronic devices and social engagements  can wait!  They  might keep us connected to the rest of the world, but what about you staying connected to yourself?

Eat a nourishing meal, with intent and don’t forget to chew! Slow down, breath and try to be mindful of healing your body with the power of food.

Now, I hope that you can incorporate some, or all of these tips. Try it for your next session…..

Liza Shibata R.Ac on the “A Channel” morning show May 2006.Interview and demo for uses of acupuncture during pregnancy and labour.

Holistic Tips and Recipes :

What better way to start the morning on a cold winter day, then with a hot bowl of congee. This breakfast is traditionally used in Chinese homes to promote good health and long life. Congee is a grain based porridge that can jump start your digestive system, tonifies your blood and qi, and harmonizes your digestive organs. It is easy to make the night before in a crock pot or over the stove on simmer  for 2-4 hours stirring often.  When making congee you want to make sure your using stainless steel, glass, or a clay pot when cooking.

4 servings

1/2 cup short grain brown rice

1/4 cup millet

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

5 cups water.

Millet is used in this recipe as it is also very nourishing for the spleen. Chopped root vegetables, beans, lentils, and medicinal herbs can be added before cooking and simmered right along with the grains.

A variety of cooked greens such as kale, spinach, collard greens, or Swiss chard.

Cooked beans, tempeh or tofu.

Roasted pumpkin seeds and/or sesame seeds.

Sauteed sea vegetables or strips of nori seaweed.

Sautéed onions, ginger and garlic.

Baked sweet squash.

Combine in crock pot and cook on low overnight (8 hours). You should adjust the proportions of grain to water until you get the consistency of congee that satisfies you the most. Increase serving size as desired. For added flavor, you can add your favorite appropriate spices .Your health care practitioner may suggest specific flavorings or added nuts, fruits, vegetables or herbs that would be most beneficial to you.

The Chinese say the longer you cook the congee the more medicinal it is.