A Balanced Life

Happy National Iowa Day

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Happy National Iowa Day! The Hawkeye State. The 29th state to join the United States.
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While many people just think of it as a fly-over state where we make our own clothes, tip cows, and watch corn grow (yes, when I was at a dance competition in Las Vegas some lovely ladies from California actually asked us those questions), Iowa truly has so many amazing qualities and gifts to offer.
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According to the U.S. News & World Report in 2019, Des Moines, Iowa is the 5th best place to live in America… in America! People, Des Moines is awesome. Des Moines has the feel of a big, little city giving you the best of both worlds. It’s small enough you get around the metro area in about 20-25 minutes but big enough to host a Kate Spade Outlet… Need I say more?
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The country side may be flat throughout the central area with some rolling hills and gorgeous plateaus/ rock formations/ valleys (according to The University of Iowa’s Geological Survey this area is referred to as the Paleozoic Plateau) in the northeast side of the state. Growing up we’d travel through Dubuque a couple times a year to get to my grandparent’s house and it was always just so beautiful to drive through. The seasons we experience are dramatic, but that makes it all the more wonderful. I live for the transition of the seasons, there’s nothing like waking up to the sound of birds with the smell of spring in the air after months of a harsh, cold winter. But then I feel the same about the crisp cool air and the changing leaves in the fall. And I don’t care if you hate the snow or cold, there’s something magical when you walk outside for the first time after a snow storm. It’s so quiet and peaceful, even in the middle of a city. The blanket of snow silences the world and it always takes my breath away… and not just because it’s cold.
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For other Mid-Westerners who may be mislead, the true saying is “Iowa Nice.” We may not smile to every person we run into but we do hold the door open and are kind and polite. While a degree of passive aggressiveness is also an expected undertone. It’s all about balance after all. And that’s all I’ll say about that. 🙂
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And I can’t not mention the Iowa State Fair. We didn’t go much growing up but since college I’ve gone mostly every year and there’s just something about it. I mostly go for the people watching, the animals, and the variety of food. It’s a staple for most Iowans in August.
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I’m a born and raised Iowan but I do have perspective- living in Bloomington, MN for three years and traveling a good amount around the states and even one extended stay in China. While all areas of the world have their unique gems to offer, I’m thankful to live in Iowa.
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I would love to hear the things you love about Iowa!
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* Photo credit: Amanda Sengbusch

Long Time, No Post

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Hey friends! Man, it’s been a while since I’ve posted. Please insert all of your favorite cliche sayings about time flying by, being busy, etc. etc. 🙂
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But as a Licensed Acupuncturist I’m learning to appreciate all seasons of life and for the last few years, I felt compelled to draw inward and take time for more internal reflection, meditation, and growing. Now I’m ready to buckle down and start providing you with all my tips and tricks, expertise and recommendations for living your best life.
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As always, take what resonates with you and leave what doesn’t. What works for one person may not work the same for the next person. Life is all about trial and error and in that we find true growth.
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Happy 2020!
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Why I Exercise

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This article, Why Exercise and Endorphins Make You Happy, has great information and explains the benefits of exercise. My main motivation to exercise and move includes how I feel afterwards. I may not “work out” every day, more like 3-4 times a week, but if I don’t exercise, I have to at least stretch for 10 minutes or so- otherwise I just feel so tight and constricted- I blame my liver qi stagnation!

My days are usually off to a great start if I jump out of bed and get a good work out in… not gonna lie, most days it’s an, “ok… I can do this,” and a roll out of bed. But I know once I’m up and going I’ll be so glad I did!

While Mayo Clinic explains some benefits of exercising: controlling weight, disease prevention, improving mood and energy, and promoting better sleep, it’s also motivating to have a little more detail of what’s going on in your body simply by moving each day!

Read the article: Why Exercise and Endorphins Make You Happy to find out what YOU are doing for yourself every time you exercise!

Photo Credit: Jenna Niggeler- during our trip to Beijing, China, in 2013!

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Ways to Incorporate Acupuncture Into Your Life

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Happy Tuesday everyone! This AcuTake article consists of 15 fabulous ways to incorporate acupuncture into your daily life- written for 2015 but just as true for 2016!

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Photo Credit: Amanda Sengbusch

Give it a read. I challenge you to pick 3 options to give a try for the remainder of January.

While all of these suggestions are so great, two things I can’t stress enough to my patients are # 6 and #9.

Let me know how you plan to incorporate acupuncture into your daily routine!

Lifestyle Adjustments for Winter

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Winter is the season of the kidney. According to the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, by Maoshing Ni, this is when “all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, yin dominates yang.”

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This is visible in the trees and plants and even the animals. It’s natural for us to be more quiet and reserved during the winter. In the fall I shared some tips for adjusting your lifestyle according to the seasons so here are more tips to help make winter a little more tolerable.

Some recommendations from the Yellow Emperor are:

“Retire early, get up with the sunrise”

Is anyone else struggling to adjust to it getting dark at 5:00 p.m.!? It seems to be more difficult this year, so I find it helpful to go to bed a little early and attempt to sleep in a little extra… Obviously this is not always easy/possible but it’s good to be mindful of the change.

“Stay warm, avoid the cold, keep pores closed, avoid sweating”

Eat warm foods and drink warm drinks to help warm your body.  Be sure to layer up and keep your skin covered – your skin is your largest organ and can be very susceptible to the wind and cold, wind and cold are very common causes of EPIs. When your skin pores are open, your chances of getting sick (from an EPI) are increased.

“Conservation and storage philosophy”

Just like the bears hibernate, it is helpful to conserve your resources and energy. The winter corresponds to yin, as opposed to yang. Yin is internal and more hidden. In order to have enough yin, it is helpful to rest.

During the winter I like to stay in, cuddle up by the fire, and drink warm tea. What about you?

Happy Holidays!

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I hope all you wonderful people are having a fabulous holiday season! I know I am. I’m still enjoying all the delicious Christmas cookies my mom baked and our decorations are definitely still up! I just love this time of year. Yes, even with the snow… it is Iowa after all. 🙂

I want to thank you for all of your support while I embark on this whole, new-to-me, blog thing. It’s been a great experience and I’m so excited to grow and learn about all things being well and balanced with you.

With the New Year coming up, the talk of resolutions is also upon us. I enjoy making resolutions. Unlike the typical resolutions you may think of, I write my resolutions as goals, which I then keep visible throughout the entire year. Usually my “resolutions/goals” include what I want to learn, read, or do the next year. Just remember to keep your goals SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.

What do you hope to learn, read, and/or do in 2016?

What do you want to learn from Being Well and Balanced?

Also, while you’re getting ready for your New Year’s Eve celebrations and looking at pictures from all the Christmas parties, just remember what good ol’ Abraham Lincoln said:

“There are no bad pictures, that’s just how your face looks sometimes.”

Happy New Year!

Using a Jade Roller as a Part of Your Daily Routine

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I just love my jade roller!  I use it daily on my face in the morning and at night if I remember, to help reduce redness, puffiness and wrinkles.

I use the larger end for my forehead, cheeks and chin area, and the smaller end to roll over my eyes. When using the jade roller, remember to roll up and away from the center of your face to enhance the lifting affect and increase blood and oxygen flow to the area.

Jade is naturally cooling in temperature, so no matter where you store it or how often you use it, it’s always cool to the touch – which feels so great if you tend to be a little warmer in temperature, like myself.

I found my jade roller on Amazon – when you are picking one for yourself, be sure to look for one with a larger and smaller roller (as pictured above). This will help you reach all areas of the face easily. And don’t forget, with the holidays coming up this would make the PERFECT gift for the natural beauties in your life!

Why do some people tend to get sick more than others?

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You may wonder why some people get sick while others do not. Those that tend towards sickness most likely have some internal deficiencies or imbalances.

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The specifics are difficult to explain and one of the many reasons for all of my education and training! Basically, a certain substance in the body is either not able to fulfill all of its functions or the external pathogenic invader is really strong. If the EPI is strong, but the right qi of the body (part of the body’s defense) is also strong, the person tend to not get sick as often. If the EPI is strong but the right qi is deficient, the person tends to get sick.

If you’re starting to feel less than your best, read my post about responding to cold and flu symptoms for more information on what is going on and what to do next.

Giving Thanks

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Being thankful is a powerful way to improve the way you see life. Once you start realizing all of your blessings, you begin to see even more.

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I know I can’t list all of the things I’m thankful for, but here’s a start:

God

My family

My fiancé

My friends

My acquaintances

My health

My family’s health

My mind

My body

My soul

My education

My acupuncture practice

My experiences

The world

I know it’s pretty general, but basically I’m thankful for everything in my life! And I’m so thankful for YOU, reading this post 🙂
Have an amazing Thanksgiving!

Does Holiday Eating Affect Your Digestion? TCM Can Help!

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The holidays are officially here with Thanksgiving this Thursday! I just love the holidays – family time, giving thanks and all of the amazing food! But with all this glorious food, usually comes overeating and digestive upset.

Whether you are always hungry, never hungry, crave sweet, salty, spicy, or bitter food, or have stomach pain and distention, Traditional Chinese Medicine can help. Digestion is the center of your health and if it is not in tip top shape, you may have some symptoms. Stop in to your local acupuncturist to see how Chinese medicine can help you!

If you are one of the many people who tend to overeat, I recommend you to try to eat mindfully. This consists of really being present when you eat: smell the food, chew each mouthful fully, and remember to set your utensil down after each bite. I just read some more helpful tips on the Huffington Post.

I also know sometimes you overeat, especially during the holidays – and I don’t blame you! I’m right there with ya. If you find yourself uncomfortable after meals or snack times, be sure to have some ginger tea or peppermint tea on hand. When I find my digestion in need of some assistance, I love to brew some ginger or peppermint tea.

Ginger is warming and helps promote digestion and alleviates symptoms of nausea and indigestion including: gas, bloating, and stomach cramps. Ginger is good for you if you tend to be cooler in temperature.

Peppermint is cooling and also alleviates symptoms of nausea and indigestion including: gas, bloating, and stomach cramps. Peppermint is good if you tend to be warmer in temperature.

If your digestive system needs extra help to handle the holidays, come and see me! I will be in the clinic this Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Call the Acupuncture Wellness Center at (515) 556-3304 or visit our website to make an appointment today!

Happy Thanksgiving!