2018
It is said that Spring is the time of the free and easy wanderer. The ancient Chinese classics say it is a time to let down one's hair. Loosen up a little. A lot of difficult transitions are happening and by realizing it is partly just the nature of this season, you are free to be as 'go-with-the-flow' as you can be. It will benefit you greatly.
When it comes to food, go for fresh spring greens and veggies. Stay away from salty foods like chips and soda and just grains and starches in general. Salty foods and carbohydrates encourage the body to store, but Spring is the time for letting go of things. Try to incorporate a little soureveryday as it will help the body's strength and integrity during Spring's strong outward motion.
Spring is a great time to start exercising, but a common mistake is going too hard too quick. Start off slow. Go for some walks. Do a stretch session and spend 30 minutes just stretching. Taiji (Tai Chi) and Qigong are great ideas as they are perfectly balanced workouts. Slowly increase the amount of exercise, but wait to go hard until at least mid-April or early May.
Hopefully by incorporating these simple techniques, you will be able to spend less time sniffling and more time enjoying this beautiful weather!
In health and love,
Joseph, Emaline and the TLC team
Since the shift of the Chinese New Year, people have been asking how to help themselves more health-wise this year. As everyone has experienced, there has been a lot of wind and weather fluctuations, and some may have circulation issues come up a little later on in the year.
Here are some great tips to help staying healthy this year:
Scrub Brush
When in the shower, instead of using bar soap to clean the skin, use a natural bristle scrub brush!
Pick one with semi-hard bristles made of natural material (plastic or sponge loofahs are definitely okay, but just not as effective). Use a liquid soap (Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Soap is a great option) and use the soapy scrub brush to scrub the skin for cleaning and exfoliating.
You can use this over your whole body, paying close attention to the upper back and neck. You can even use the scrubbing on your face to de-congest the sinuses and increase blood flow. Using this form of body cleaning will greatly increase circulation in the whole body and help kick out any external wind you may have caught during the day.
And peppermint is a wonderfully natural pungent herb that helps with keeping the pores open and releasing any built-up pathogens in the skin layer.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is not only delicious, it is an amazing herb for opening the sinuses and lungs and releasing congestion and pathogens from the upper part of the body (which is absolutely perfect for this year!). Make sure to use whole, organic, fresh peppermint tea. The bagged kind (of any tea) is almost always the scraps from the tea-factory floor, and parts of the tea that aren't as usable (like the hot dog in the meat world! without the tastiness).
We have incredible peppermint tea at TLC, or if you are a good ol' Kentuckian and grow peppermint in your backyard you can pick that, boil it in filtered water for 10 minutes or so, and drink your own divine homemade tea!
(Also, though iced tea is refreshing in the summer, the cold is hard on the stomach and esophagus and especially bad for acid reflux, so keeping drinks hot or room temperature is best!).
Wear a Scarf
So simple, and so effective! The Chinese tend to think Americans are a little silly with their clothing choices- wearing sandals late into the fall, and quick to pull out the t-shirts and shorts in spring. When it feels warm in the sun, it is easy to want to shed our clothes, but the transition seasons of fall and spring are the easiest time of the year to get sick. This is the most important time to stay covered up from the elements and dress appropriately for the season and environment.
With the wind of spring and fluctuating temperatures, it is extra easy to catch a cold. Wind is a carrier of many things- some life-giving things like seeds and some threatening pathogens like viruses. One of the easiest places on the body to "catch the wind" (like "catching a cold") are on the neck and feet. Thus, it is best to wear covered shoes until it is truly warm (about May), and wear a scarf
around the neck (anywhere from wool to cotton, just as long as it is covering the neck and back of the head). This will help keep you safe from the wind and healthy during this dramatically windy year!
If You Feel Like You Caught Something
If you've been out in the day and come home and feel that feeling like you may be getting sick, then do all the above at once! Take a super hot shower, use the peppermint soap with scrub brush, focusing especially on scrubbing over the lungs (chest and upper back) and neck. Don't be afraid to really scrub! Pretend you are whisked away to a Vietnamese spa getting a skin exfoliation (if you haven't experienced it, they rub really hard until the skin tingles and is almost sore--but it is great!).
Once out of the shower wrap up in a lot of blankets, drink the peppermint tea, eat hot porridge (that's out of the ancient Chinese medical texts), and rest. If you sweat, that's great! Sweating is one of the body's natural defenses to kick out pathogens. It literally goes out the pores, like when a fever breaks. Your body burns up and kicks out the pathogen! A self-healing built-in mechanism that is pretty remarkable.
Also, we have a huge herbal medicinary and we ready ourselves each season to treat every individual variety of sickness as it manifests. So, if you need some help, we are here. Don't hesitate to give us a call.
All the best this Spring!
The Light Clinic team :)
It is said that Spring is the time of the free and easy wanderer. The ancient Chinese classics say it is a time to let down one's hair. Loosen up a little. A lot of difficult transitions are happening and by realizing it is partly just the nature of this season, you are free to be as 'go-with-the-flow' as you can be. It will benefit you greatly.
When it comes to food, go for fresh spring greens and veggies. Stay away from salty foods like chips and soda and just grains and starches in general. Salty foods and carbohydrates encourage the body to store, but Spring is the time for letting go of things. Try to incorporate a little soureveryday as it will help the body's strength and integrity during Spring's strong outward motion.
Spring is a great time to start exercising, but a common mistake is going too hard too quick. Start off slow. Go for some walks. Do a stretch session and spend 30 minutes just stretching. Taiji (Tai Chi) and Qigong are great ideas as they are perfectly balanced workouts. Slowly increase the amount of exercise, but wait to go hard until at least mid-April or early May.
Hopefully by incorporating these simple techniques, you will be able to spend less time sniffling and more time enjoying this beautiful weather!
In health and love,
Joseph, Emaline and the TLC team
Since the shift of the Chinese New Year, people have been asking how to help themselves more health-wise this year. As everyone has experienced, there has been a lot of wind and weather fluctuations, and some may have circulation issues come up a little later on in the year.
Here are some great tips to help staying healthy this year:
Scrub Brush
When in the shower, instead of using bar soap to clean the skin, use a natural bristle scrub brush!
Pick one with semi-hard bristles made of natural material (plastic or sponge loofahs are definitely okay, but just not as effective). Use a liquid soap (Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Soap is a great option) and use the soapy scrub brush to scrub the skin for cleaning and exfoliating.
You can use this over your whole body, paying close attention to the upper back and neck. You can even use the scrubbing on your face to de-congest the sinuses and increase blood flow. Using this form of body cleaning will greatly increase circulation in the whole body and help kick out any external wind you may have caught during the day.
And peppermint is a wonderfully natural pungent herb that helps with keeping the pores open and releasing any built-up pathogens in the skin layer.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is not only delicious, it is an amazing herb for opening the sinuses and lungs and releasing congestion and pathogens from the upper part of the body (which is absolutely perfect for this year!). Make sure to use whole, organic, fresh peppermint tea. The bagged kind (of any tea) is almost always the scraps from the tea-factory floor, and parts of the tea that aren't as usable (like the hot dog in the meat world! without the tastiness).
We have incredible peppermint tea at TLC, or if you are a good ol' Kentuckian and grow peppermint in your backyard you can pick that, boil it in filtered water for 10 minutes or so, and drink your own divine homemade tea!
(Also, though iced tea is refreshing in the summer, the cold is hard on the stomach and esophagus and especially bad for acid reflux, so keeping drinks hot or room temperature is best!).
Wear a Scarf
So simple, and so effective! The Chinese tend to think Americans are a little silly with their clothing choices- wearing sandals late into the fall, and quick to pull out the t-shirts and shorts in spring. When it feels warm in the sun, it is easy to want to shed our clothes, but the transition seasons of fall and spring are the easiest time of the year to get sick. This is the most important time to stay covered up from the elements and dress appropriately for the season and environment.
With the wind of spring and fluctuating temperatures, it is extra easy to catch a cold. Wind is a carrier of many things- some life-giving things like seeds and some threatening pathogens like viruses. One of the easiest places on the body to "catch the wind" (like "catching a cold") are on the neck and feet. Thus, it is best to wear covered shoes until it is truly warm (about May), and wear a scarf
around the neck (anywhere from wool to cotton, just as long as it is covering the neck and back of the head). This will help keep you safe from the wind and healthy during this dramatically windy year!
If You Feel Like You Caught Something
If you've been out in the day and come home and feel that feeling like you may be getting sick, then do all the above at once! Take a super hot shower, use the peppermint soap with scrub brush, focusing especially on scrubbing over the lungs (chest and upper back) and neck. Don't be afraid to really scrub! Pretend you are whisked away to a Vietnamese spa getting a skin exfoliation (if you haven't experienced it, they rub really hard until the skin tingles and is almost sore--but it is great!).
Once out of the shower wrap up in a lot of blankets, drink the peppermint tea, eat hot porridge (that's out of the ancient Chinese medical texts), and rest. If you sweat, that's great! Sweating is one of the body's natural defenses to kick out pathogens. It literally goes out the pores, like when a fever breaks. Your body burns up and kicks out the pathogen! A self-healing built-in mechanism that is pretty remarkable.
Also, we have a huge herbal medicinary and we ready ourselves each season to treat every individual variety of sickness as it manifests. So, if you need some help, we are here. Don't hesitate to give us a call.
All the best this Spring!
The Light Clinic team :)
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Center
The Center is an auspicious energy this year, with the #9 purple Wealth star. This star belongs to the Fire element, as brings in the energy of flowing wealth into your life. The Center is of the Earth element, so focus on Wood and Fire to enhance and brighten it. Enhancers: Fire element décor and colors such as purples, reds, pinks and oranges, candles, Himalayan salt lamps, and images of fire. Since this is the #9 star you can also have 9 candles or 9 Chinese coins to enhance the wealth aspect of this star. Fresh flowers and fresh flowing energy is great for the center this year. The health of the home is the center, so it is always important to take special care of this area. Then it can spread auspicious energy in your home and life! In additional to flowers, Wood element décor such as plants, bamboo, a Wu Lou (Chinese gourd), images of lush landscapes and greens and browns are wonderful as enhancers. Also the traditional fengshui money plant helps as well. 
Southeast
The Southeast continues with great energy from last year! It is brimming with awesome and auspicious energy, so make the most of it this year! This 2018 year auspicious star #8 visits, making this one of the most lucky and auspicious areas. Energy of wealth is doubled here, as both the Southeast and the #8 star represent Wealth and Prosperity. The Southeast is Wood, and the visiting star is Earth. Wood controls Earth (as trees roots grow through the earth), so you need your fengshui remedies to help this slight imbalance. Enhancers: The Fire element can help strengthen the Earth of the visiting star. Fire decorations include the color reds and purples, from candles to throw pillows to rugs. Himalayan salt lamps are wonderful example of moderate fire energy. The Earth element can also help, such as crystals (especially amethyst, pyrite and citrine in the bedroom), decorations in square shapes (the shape of Earth), as well as earth colors. Earth colors are tans, browns, yellows and oranges. You can also strengthen the wealth energy with images of wealth. You can have something that represents wealth to you, or more classic fengshui wealth enhancers such as gem trees, Chinese coins, wealth vases, money frogs and fengshui fish. The Southeast is a good area for children to study, and rose quartz is a great romance enhancer. Especially focus this year on keeping the Southeast, Southwest and Northwest clutter free inside and outside the home to promote auspicious Qi! Limit: Noise or groundbreaking in the SE this year. 
Southwest
The Southwest hosts auspicious star #6 in 2018. So the whole South quadrant is auspicious this year! This star helps support career goals and gives you wings to fly with your dreams. This star is also of the Metal element, and the Southwest is of the Earth element. Enhancers: Strengthen Earth element energy with quartz crystals, pottery, and landscapes and yellow colors. To activate the Metal star, this is also a good area to have a chime or singing bowl you “ding” periodically. Find a subtle way to bring an item or image to this area that helps with your career success. A small amount of Water colors such as black or blue will aid in the bedroom with health. Limit: Fire colors such as red as well as candles. 
Northwest
The Northwest has a very auspicious star this year of overall luck and success. This is the area of helpful people and blessings. The visiting energy to the Northwest is from star #1 of the Water Element. The Northwest is the element Metal. Just like the Southwest, there would be little you had to do to help this area, except the Grand Duke/Tai Sui is visiting this area this year. This is a very challenging energy, so it is best to keep this area without any renovation work or too much activity. Cures: Metal and Water colors, such as black, blue, gray and white, as well as items made of metal or with water. Water cures may be a painting with water, fountains, or mirrors . Metal cures may be singing bowls, a Wu Lou/guord, Chinese coins, or metal Buddha sculpture. Place something in this area that has a sense of inspiring energy, such as galloping horses, or bring in this energy in the form of a sculpture. To cure the Grand Duke energy, place a Pi Yao/Dog pair opposite the location of the Grand Duke. In 2018, that means the Southeast area of your home facing the Northwest. Avoid: Fire colors and objects. 
Northeast
Just as the North, the Northeast switches from an auspicious energy in 2017 to an inauspicious energy in 2018. Star #3 is in the Northeast this year, and is the energy of bad luck, quarrels and overall negative energy. It is a Wood element star, so can be helped by Fire (which drains Wood), and Metal (which controls Wood). Cures: Fire and Metal colors and décor. Metal décor and cures have been mentioned many times before: metal statues or bowls, as well as the colors of white and gray. Fire cures are the colors of red and purple, candles, Himalayan salt lamps or candle holders, and a strong light source in this area that is kept on most of the time. Keep this area quiet. Avoid: Wood and Water color and décor. |
East
Last year the East had a beautiful energy star, but this year hosts negative star #7. This star relates to unexpected challenges related to protection of you and your home. The visiting star is Metal, and the element of the East is Wood. These is also clash, as Metal cuts Wood (just like you use an ax to chop down a tree). East in general is connected to energy of family well-being and health, so the goal with fengshui this 2018 year is to the neutralize potential negative effects of this star. Cures: You can focus on Water element cures (to drain visiting Metal-element star), like fountains, mirrors, images of water, a blue rhinoceros, as well as the colors of water (blue and black). If you use a bowl of water, change it often to keep it fresh and with clear intention. Limit: Limit crystals in the East, as they are of the Earth element, and Earth strengthens Metal, as well as metal windchimes. Also avoid the fire colors of red hues and candles. Avoid too much activity and renovation in this area. 
South
The South has auspicious star #4 this year, and gets a break after a very challenging star energy last year. This fengshui star promotes love of learning and academic success, as well as creative endeavors and luck in romance. The South belongs to the element Fire, and the #4 beneficial star belongs to the Wood element. This year, you will have to keep Fire at bay so as to not burn this auspicious star, and to keep all the element happy. Enhancers: Focus on Earth energy to drain and tame the Fire energy. This involves crystals, including fiery ones such as carnelian and amethyst. Also earth colors such as tans, yellows and beiges . This is a great area for fresh flowers that are healthy and happy. Books or a bookshelf in this area will strengthen the academic success this star brings. Blue decor is good if this is your office or bedroom, as well as a task light and globe for studies. Love enhancers such as hearts, statues of love, or traditional fengshui love enhancers like Mandarin ducks, Dragon and Phoenix, or double happiness signs will enhance romantic potentials. This is also a good area to display your vision board, especially for your personal and love related life! Spend time in the South to enhance creativity, romance and academics! Limit: Metal wind chimes and Metal ornaments , Fire colors such as reds. 
West
The West continues to host a challenging energy, as it did in 2017. This year, the #2 illness star visits the West. This star is of the Earth element, and the West is of the Metal Element. Cures: Metal fengshui cures help drain the Earth energy. These include metal singing bowls, metal objects or the Metal color white or gray, as well as the traditional fengshui cure of a Wu Lou, metal Buddha, Medicine Buddha, or a Kuanyin sculpture. A saltwater cure and Wu Lou protection gourd area also helpful to negate the illness star. Avoid: Fire colors and objects, such as candles and the colors red and purple. Keep the area calm, avoid renovatoin and do not use this area of the house very often this year. 
North
As opposed to the auspicious energy North held last year, it is hosting the #5 yellow star, one of the most challenging fengshui stars. Additionally, the 3 killings energy is in the North this year, so it is especially important to keep this area as undisturbed as possible. The #5 star is of the Earth element, and the North is of the Water element. Metal will be the most helpful energy in this area for this year to drain the Earth. Cures: A protective metal Buddha statute, singing bowl, metal bell, 6 Chinese coins, as well as the 6 hollow rod metal wind chime will be helpful for this area this year. Metal colors such as gray, white, silver, gold and copper are also helpful. A saltwater cure is also very helpful here this year. Avoid: Fire and Earth element colors and décor. Avoid renovation work in this area and keep it quiet. 
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