Published: Mar 4, 2009

1. tasty treats for the season

If you’re looking for something special to serve your guests in the spa, try approaching your menu from a seasonal point of view. Jacqueline O’Neill, from Silken Tent in Glenview, Illinois, a licensed Acupuncturist and Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine, recommends focusing on warming foods during the long winter months. “The traditional Chinese medical viewpoint finds that in order to stave off ailments throughout one’s life, it is extremely important to eat with the seasons. This not only means eating foods in season but more importantly, we should introduce certain temperatures and tastes during different times of the year,” says O’Neill. “In winter, one should choose more warming, slightly sweet and nourishing foods as these support deeper physiological processes within the body. Summer is a time for cooling off, so foods that are colder and a bit acrid in nature should be eaten.” She shares a recipe for organic walnut granola, an omega-filled snack. (See number 2 below.)

2. organic walnut granola

Toasted oats
Toasted walnut pieces
Black sesame seeds
Agave nectar
 
After toasting oats and walnuts, mix all ingredients. While still warm, sprinkle with Agave and roll the mixture into bite-sized balls.

Benefits:

• Walnuts support the body’s basal metabolism.
• Agave is a natural sweetener that allows for a slow rise in blood glucose levels, and it has expectorant properties.
• Black sesame seeds strengthen essence, which is the body’s substantive and energetic reservoir.
• Oats support the digestive system.

3. healthy skin is beautiful

If you have a natural and all-encompassing approach to skin care, we have the organization for you. Founded just last year, the Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners hosted their first annual conference in Chicago. Based upon the motto “Healthy, beautiful skin starts from within,” members of the AHSCP resolve to practice only healthy, holistic skin care techniques; use only healthy, natural, organic skin care products, and address skin care issues with a holistic approach that considers proper skin care, nutrition, emotional factors and lifestyle choices. The organization was founded by Elina Fedotova, a cosmetic chemist, herbalist and esthetician who owns Elina’s Herbal Skin Care Clinic in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Elina Advanced Skin Care in Chicago, Illinois. For more information on joining the association or attending educational events, visit www.holisticskincarepractitioners.org.