Monday, June 16, 2014

Got Turmeric?

  
I could go ALL day telling you the Amazing benefits of Turmeric and it's beautiful yellow/orange pigment called Curcumin. But it won't do a bit of good if you don't get it in you. So here is a yummy treat that will make every cell in your body sing...Golden Mylk.  Dr. Arjan Khalsa demonstrates in this video how to make it and below the video I have the recipe written out for you.
 
 

Golden Mylk

This is a 2 Part Recipe, Part one is the Turmeric Paste and Part 2 is the directions for the drink. Total prep time, Paste: 3 min, Mylk 2 min.
 
Part 1: Paste
 Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Organic Turmeric Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Organic Ground Pepper
1/2 Cup Purified or Distilled Water
Paste Directions:
Combine all ingredients into a sauce pan and mix well. Turn heat to medium high and stir constantly until it becomes a thick paste. This does not take long so watch close. Save in a small jar in refrigerator to combine with Mylk.
 
Part 2: Golden Mylk
Ingredients:
1 Cup Organic Almond, Coconut or Hemp Mylk
1 Teaspoon Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil
1/4 Teaspoon or more of Turmeric paste (due to it's detoxifying properties, I recommend trying it with  1/4 Tsp. for a few times, then increase to taste up to 1 Teaspoon)
Organic Honey to taste
Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients except honey into a sauce pan. Heat on medium high. Stir constantly , do not allow to boil. Pour contents into cup, add honey to taste.
 
Enjoy! Now, It's time for me to go make myself a cup of Golden Mylk.
 
I would love your feedback and if you would like more information about how to use Specific Phytochemical-Packed foods to help reverse Specific conditions check out Conquering ANY Disease , by Jeff Primack. Also, there are some great ideas for getting more Turmeric in your life in the Cooking with Qi Cookbook. It is loaded with delicious recipes, healing sauces and regenerative desserts formulated to accompany the Conquering ANY Disease System.
 
May Health and Happiness be Yours,
Truly,
Shannon Reissman



Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Part 1 of the Inflammation Connection.

 











This has become a daily conversation. As a Massage Therapist for almost 20 years, I increasingly work on people who struggle with weight loss, chronic pain, and other conditions who resign themselves to thinking that that is just how they are supposed to feel "at their age".


IT'S NOT OK TO JUST FEEL OK ALL OF THE TIME!


Inflammation is the root cause of many conditions. The proper balance of Omega-3 rich foods is a vital first step to reversing the harmful effects of inflammation overload throughout the body. Omega-3 fatty acids produce hormones that help reduce inflammation throughout the body. Omega-6 fatty acids produce hormones that help the body create inflammation for the very necessary healing response to injury or illness. Unfortunately, the typical modern diet is inundated with Omega-6 as it is found in almost every processed food on the grocery store shelf (and don't think that just because you bought your protein bar at the "health food store" that it must be healthy. We will get into that conversation another day.) This overload of Omega-6 in our diet alters the delicate balance of the essential fatty acids to the point we produce more inflammation than our bodies can handle.

The ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 in our diet (depending on the source of information) should be roughly 1:2. So, our daily intake of Anti-Inflammatory Omega-3 should be almost even with the Pro-Inflammatory Omega-6's. The modern Western diet has a ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 of nearly 1:20.  This has the devastating effects of creating metabolic syndromes and inflammatory diseases that are reaching epidemic levels in our modern society*.


We do not naturally produce Omega-3 in the body, so we need to add more to our diet, while reducing our intake of the pro-inflammatory Omega-6 foods. Although my friends with a more aggressive approach may disagree, I usually suggest that people start by removing one form of Omega-6 from their diet and adding one form of Omega-3. The goal is to create new habits that will stay with you for the rest of your life and not make you crazy in the process. The best place to start is with a high quality Omega-3 supplement. My favorite is Nordic Natural's Ultimate Omega, a fish oil based product for the omnivore. And for the vegetarian or vegan they have Algae Omega that has both DHA and EPA forms of Omega-3. The non-marine sources of Omega-3, like Walnuts, Chia and Flax, are great to get in your diet but it is very difficult to consume enough to effectively impact the inflammatory process. These foods contain the ALA form of Omega-3 which has to be converted in our body to DHA and EPA.


Adding Omega 3 to our diet is the easy part. The hard part will be whittling away at our Omega-6 intake. The main sources of Omega-6 (Linoleic Acid)  in our diet are vegetable oils. They are very prevalent in processed foods. Reading labels is key. Soybean oil and Canola oil are NOT your friends! The exception is the amazing coconut oil (we will definitely have a talk about this soon) and  the Omega-9 rich avocado oil and olive oil.


Please keep me posted on your progress!


For even more information about the connection of inflammation and the balance Omega fatty acids, check out Conquering ANY Disease: The Ultimate High-Phytochemical Food Healing System, written by Jeff Primack.


May Heath and Happiness be Yours,
Truly,
Shannon Reissman, LMT
Advanced Food-Based Healing Instructor
www.FiveRingsWellness.com
You can also find me on Facebook.


*Danaei G, et al. The Preventable Causes of Death in the United States: Comparative Risk Assessment of Dietary, Lifestyle, and Metabolic Risk Factors. PLoS Med 2009;6(4)

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Grow your own Smoothie Garden



A great way to get more fruits and vegetables into our diet is to make Smoothies. To clarify, and possibly start a brawl, blending is FAR superior to juicing. When we blend we are able to break down and utilize the WHOLE food in a way that we can better absorb it and get the benefit of vitamins, minerals AND the Phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are plant-based compounds that have been found to assist functions in the human body and studies have shown that they have potential to reverse many diseases.  I will share more about the amazing Phytochemical on another day. 


Growing your own smoothie garden is a great way to offset the cost and have the peace if mind knowing how it was grown. Here is a great link I found the other day that will get you started.


http://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/grow-a-smoothie-garden/?sssdmh=dm17.731777&esrc=nwdi041914


In the  meantime, if you would like to dig deeper into what Phytochemicals are and how to use Specific foods to help reverse Specific conditions check out Conquering ANY Disease at

http://www.fiveringswellness.com/ecommerce/book-conquering-disease.html
Please post below what you are growing in your Smoothie Garden.
May Health and Happiness be yours,
Truly,
Shannon




Friday, March 21, 2014

Spring... Time to plant some seeds.

 
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap,
but by the seeds that you plant."
 -Robert Louis Stevenson

Finally! Spring is here and the air is filled with palpable buzz of energy as we move away from Winter's necessary time of resting and storing our energies. In these first days of Spring we are called to prepare the ground for the expansive growth that lies within. Over the next week take the time to plant some seeds both literally and figuratively.

The Wood (Tree) Phase of the Wu-Xing (Five Phases of Tradition Chinese Philosophy) governs the Creative Process.  Planning and visualizing energies are activated now and tasks that seemed daunting a few weeks ago, now seem possible. Our vision is clear and the possibilities are endless! So write it down... Now! I know that sounds harsh but it is very easy for the energy of the Tree (Wood) Phase to get carried off with all of these great ideas and not stay grounded enough to complete the task. Those of you with strong Tree (Wood Element) influences know who you are! Dreaming, planning, creating is your Nature, but organization, discipline and completing things...not so much, right?! So, for now, let those creative juices flow, get the ideas out of your head and out into the world where they can come to life.

It is important for Tree to bring in friends or colleagues that have tendencies toward the other Four Phases Energy to provide balance to your vision. At the very least, find ways to incorporate the other elements into the process. Allow Earth's energy to ground you and keep you in the present. Bring in the discipline of Metal Element to remain focused on what it is that you would like to see happen.  Water, the Mother of Wood, will feed your spirit and allow things to flow smoothly. Utilize Fire's energy to stoke the flames that keep you energized to see your plans to fruition. It is in the harmony of the Five Phases that makes things work, when any are out of balance and one is more prominent or weaker than the others is when things fall apart or plans become scattered.

Wu-Xing or Five Phases
"Spring is the time of plans and projects." - Leo Tolstoy

Regardless of what those plans and projects are, Now is the time to prepare the garden and plant the seeds that will grow in the coming months. If you have a project or business that has been a stagnant, utilize Wood's energy to bring new life and vision to your endeavor. Maybe it's time to let those in a position to assist in your vision know about the ideas you may have held quiet that are now ready to start germinating. Take the time now to let your creativity flow, plan, visualize, so you have clarity when the time comes to Spring into action.

I look forward to reading about your dreams and plans in the coming week. Please share and leave a comment, let's watch as the seed grows into a Tree. You can also follow us on Facebook or on our website FiveRingsWellness.com.
 
 Many Blessings,
 
  Shannon

 If you would like more information on how to utilize the Five Phases in your daily life, check out "Master the 5-Elements" by Prof. Tonya Storch and Qigong Practitioner Jeff Primack.

 
 




Friday, December 20, 2013

The Metal Element: Breathe & Let Go




"Breathe In, Breathe Out...  Letting go...That's what its all about."
                                                                     -Ricki Byars Beckwith




 Metal governs the Lung and Large Intestines, so these words from Ricki are truly the Mantra for the Metal Element, both figuratively and physiologically. Like autumn leaves in the breeze with no want for what you are letting go, with each breath allow yourself to let go of all that does not serve your highest purpose.  The Metal Element calls us to cut away that which is no longer needed and create clear boundaries in all aspects of our lives.

The past several weeks may have found you getting rid of clutter in your house, your desk at work or setting clear boundaries in a relationship. Look back at this time as preparation for the Winter's season of Resting and Storing Energy ahead. The transition into Winter (Water Element) as great a time for Meditation, Breath work and clearing your digestive system with a short Smoothie Fast.

For those who are new to concept of the Traditional Chinese Five Element Theory, the Wu-Xing, or Five Movements are meant as way to observe the Qi, Energy, as it dances through our lives. We have tendencies toward certain elements but from moment to moment, all of the elements shift one to the next, balancing, taming and harmonizing each other. When any of the individual elements become stagnant or excessive we develop imbalances in our energetic anatomy which can eventually effect our physical structure. With the Season of Fall the Metal Element is at it's strongest and is most easily observed. Next blog will dive into the Water Element.



Friday, March 22, 2013

Observing the Dance of the Five Elements Within a Project



The smell of Big Plans and Big Projects is in the air with the coming of Spring.


 With the thought of some friends of mine who are embarking on Earth Changing Ventures, I write my first real Blog to share a little bit of Eastern thought on the inner workings and subtle energies that surround any endeavor.

 The enthusiasm that gets a project off the ground can get lost in the details as it gets underway, making it hard to see the venture come to fruition. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Five Element Theory provides a simple yet profound guide to seeing a project from start to finish. Using the Five Elements at work gives a means to harmonize with all involved in the endeavor. Everyone has natural tendencies towards certain elemental expressions. For example, some people are naturally good organizers or good with numbers. That same person may get totally stressed out when a co-worker comes up with yet another great idea on how something could be done. Awareness of which elements are being expressed can reduce conflicts and help individual talents shine.  Great managers are able to maximize people's strengths and minimize their weakness in order to keep things flowing as smoothly as possible.


The most common diagram of the Five Elements (Wu-Xing in Chinese) is the cyclical pattern seen below. Here the outside circle shows the energy flowing from one element into the next in an endless cycle like the seasons of the year. The internal arrows show how the Elements balance each other so that no single energy over powers another.



An older form of the Wu-Xing is the Daoist model that you see here to the right, holds Earth as the Center. Both models are very useful, just different ways of looking at the subtle flow of energy.
 
For this discussion we will focus on the Earth Centered Wu-Xing, with the Earth being our grounding and centering Force as we navigate through the stages of our Project. We will refer back to the cyclical model for a clearer understanding of the balancing or controlling forces of the elements later. As you read the following information, note that the related expression of each of the elements is capitalized.
 
 

As the Infinite Potential takes the form of a thought in your mind the Dance of the Wu-Xing is set in motion...

 
 CONCEPTION
 
With the spark of the inspiration, the subtle energy of the Universe moves into a more concrete form as the Idea is conceived. The Earth Element energy Feeds this new Idea in the womb of conscious thought. Earth's true nature is to Nurture, however, like any parent it must selflessly let go when the time comes to birth this Idea so it can express itself in the world of form.
At this stage the Growing Vision of the Idea surfaces to take form as the Wood(Tree) Element. With the Wood Element you can feel the Energy growing as the Visioning process is fully under way. One easily Sees the many possibilities... write them down to get a clear picture of where the Idea is headed!
 
As we are called to Action by the Fire Element, the enthusiasm of the new venture brings more energy. Fire naturally attracts those who are willing to contribute their energy to help, literally feeding off the excitement you exude. Take the time to thoughtfully gather the Energy that will see it through.
 "Wait a minute!", says the Metal Element. "You can't go into this all willy nilly!  How much is this going to cost?" Still talking while following you with a ledger and a calculator, Metal continues, "How much time will it take? What materials are you going to need?" The Metal Element calls us to set clear parameters for our Project.  Answer these questions at this stage of the game and Metal will provide firm support to the project structure and fewer surprises later on. 
 
At this point a powerful force in nature... the Water Element gives us the Courage to push through the "What if's" and worries about being able to accomplish your goal. Water can move mountains, call on its energy to conquer any fears that may be holding you back from moving forward on this journey. Address any limiting beliefs then step into the stream...
 
 EXPANSION
 
At this phase of our Project we come back to the Ever Present Earth Element as it holds the Space for the Thousand Things to arise. It asks us to return again and again to the Moment so as not to get carried away by the Thousand Things as the project unfolds. During this stage the Wood Element is in full bloom, with the Planning of each step of the Project. The most Artistic of the Elements, allow it room to Grow. The expanding Tree (Wood) energy is the fuel for the fire within. Fire Energy will provide open Communication among the people involved and  to the powers that be. Warm and sincere, with a Joyful presence, Fire can melt the Heart of even the most stern of official. "You catch more flies with Honey", Fire says in a disarming Southern accent.
 
Of course there are the Details. Metal LOVES details.  For any venture to work you must have the funding to support, the permits, the blue prints, etc. Let the Metal person handle it. They will gladly tackle any situation that arises quickly and Efficiently. Metal also reminds us to Breathe through any bumps in the road. Nothing ever moves along as originally planned, draw from the depths of Stillness (yes, rest) and Contemplation that the Water Element offers to allow you to conserve your energy. Much like the stillness in Winter that stores the energy for vibrant life to return in the Spring.
 
 HARMONIZING
 
So far, we have focused on the forward movement of the Phases of the Five Elements. Let's take a moment to look at the built in mechanism for maintaining harmony within an organization. As Earth will remind us, its All about Balance...
 
Looking at the Cyclical pattern of the Five Elements above, the arrows inside refer to the Controlling or balancing phase of the elements.  Managing the energies involved in such an endeavor can be tricky, but very interesting as you observe them interact.
 
 It takes the Fire to Melt the Metal to keep Metal from becoming too Controlling.  Metal trims the Trees(Wood) so it is possible to See the Forest through the Trees. It takes the Trees to hold back erosion of the Earth Energy so that  Earth does not give too much of itself. The Earth provides the space for Water, keeping doubts and anxiety at bay. Water cools the flames of Fire so that the candle doesn't burn at both ends keeping you from your target. Being aware as these subtle energies arise, will  give you the tools to manage any project with grace and ease.
 
  COMPLETION
 
As you wrap up the Final Stages of this endeavor take a moment to step back and view the big picture of what has been accomplished. This final expression of the elements invites you to Rest (Water) in the Sacred Awareness (Metal) of the Joy (Fire) that the Vision (Wood) is Complete (Earth). With this, the Energies dissolve into themselves and return to their original form of Infinite Potential as a thought of Gratitude is sent back to Source.
 
 
 AWARENESS
 
 
  Take time observe the Dance of the Five Elements in every aspect of your life. The internal and external expression of the Five Elements gets easier to see with practice. Sometimes it will give you pause,  as in seeing someone lash out in anger over something not going the way they had envisioned. Sometimes it will just make you smile, observing a child grab everything in sight, exploring this amazing world.
 
The information I just provided only scratches the surface of the many ways to observe the Dance of the Wu-Xing. I invite you to share your comments and this blog if it speaks to you.  If you would like to learn more about how to make use of the Five Elements within you life I recommend reading, Mastering the 5-Elements, by Tanya Storch & Jeff Primack. It is available by following this Link. 
 
 
 
 
May Health and Happiness be yours,
Truly,
Shannon
 
and Facebook
 
 
 
Five Rings Wellness Center
MM29740
5111 Central Ave.
St. Petersburg, Fl 33710
727-391-1000
 
Copyright 2013 - Five Rings Wellness Center,  Shannon Reissman, LMT, PA  

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Food-Based Healing Meetup

Food-Based Healing Meet up is having a Pot Luck Meet and Greet!

Join us Sunday July 29th from 5-7pm.

Hosted by Shannon Reissman of Five Rings Wellness

at

The Sanctuary
5111 Central Avenue
    St. Petersburg, FL


Follow this link to RSVP Pot Luck Meet and Greet!

We look forward to seeing you there!