Natural Alternatives Center for Wellness

  Winter Wellness  with Dr Sephanie Lipnicki, DACM, LAc I want to share a poem that I first heard on the show Little Bear  - when my cousin’s son was little and I would watch him while she worked. Little Bear was a Maurice Sendak creation - of Where the Wild Things Are fame, and they shared this poem  - which always makes me think of the Winter Solstice - which is at the end of the week, the poem wasn’t Maurice Sendak’s, it’s actually anonymous: Whether the weather be fine,  Or whether the weather be not,  Whether the weather be cold,  Or whether the weather be hot. We'll weather the weather,  Whatever the weather,  Whether we like it or not! Anonymous In NJ where I am, we  experience a change of seasons, so we need to weather the weather whatever the weather. But we can make it more tolerable by taking steps to stay by dressing appropriately, eating foods for the season, taking steps to exercise in a way that keeps us healthy, and mak...

 Congee Basics and Variations Dr Stephanie Lipnicki, DACM, LAc Ingredients:   3/4 -1 c of rice (I like to use Sushi rice, but any long grain white rice will do) 7-10  cups of chicken brother, vegetable broth, bone brother, water (the amount of liquid will depend on the thickness you like) Salt to taste (I add very little at the end) Really those three ingredients make a basic congee! Some people rinse their rice, I do not.  Stovetop Method: 1. Put liquid of your choice into your pot and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and add your rice. Next bring the rice and liquid back to a boil, once boiling lower to medium and simmer for about 20-35 minutes, stirring occasionally (you don't want the rice to stick to the bottom of the pot. 2. I generally add cooked protein and veggies to my congee after it has started to thicken (ideas for combos below). If adding raw meat you can add now as well, just make sure pieces are small or shredded. Same thi...

 The Separation of Yin and Yang. . . [Originally published April 2011] I had every intention of blogging on a topic every week and at the very least, once a month.  Well it’s been well over a month, and March came in and out like a lion for me and my family as well. I can remember sitting in classes learning about Chinese Medicine and all of its wonders. The root of all things Chinese Medicine could be broken down into Yin and Yang, always intertwining as one waxes, the other wanes going on and on until death when Yin and Yang separate and that which exists changes forever. My maternal grandmother passed away on March 14th, just before the Ides of March (my Uncle said she always told him beware of the Idea of March). She was 92 years young and I am certain that had she lived another 92, I would still feel like I did not have a long enough time with her in my life. She had a stroke on a Wednesday evening  and my Uncle found her early Thursday morning. It was a stroke docto...