Sweet Potatoes are full of vitamin E and beta carotene along with many more benefits as listed in this picture.  

Also some of the benefits mentioned are also written in the ancient Chinese Medicne diet therapy books “Ben Cao Gang Mu” and “Sui Xi Ju Yin Shi”. 

According to TCM, sweet potato stimulates the Spleen and Stomach, thus supporting good digestion and elimination. 

Here is a lovely recipe for a wonderful sweet potato and coconut soup:

Ingredients:
1 tbsp of coconut oil or olive oil
1/2 red onion roughly chopped
1 clove of garlic crushed
1 large carrot peeled and chopped
1 large sweet potato chopped
1 heaped tsp of grated ginger root
1/4 tsp of turmeric
2 tsp of Marigold reduced salt vegetable bouillon powder
1/2 red pepper
75mls of coconut milk

Method:
Heat oil in large pan and gently saute the onion and garlic until they soften but do not brown.
Add the carrot, sweet potato, ginger, turmeric and bouillon.
Cover with boiling water and bring to the boil.  Cover and simmer for about 15 mins or until all the vegetables are soft.
Add the red pepper and coconut milk and blend until smooth and enjoy!

This is dairy and gluten free so perfect for anyone with food intolerance issues, which as you know we test for here through the Fitzwilliam Food Test Clinic!

Christmas is coming and I have just been given the closing times over the holidays for the Fitzwilliam FoodTest Clinic.

If you want to get your food intolerance blood test and results back before christmas then the cut off is Monday 3rd December.

Last blood tests for this year is 17th December but results will not be issued until after the 3rd January.

So if you are looking to get your test done don't forget to book your appointment soon :)

This Friday 23rd November Anam Mai Acupuncture will be at Balbriggan Pharmacy, Drogheda Street, Balbriggan from 10am-1pm. I will be offering taster treatments and also explaining how acupuncture works and how it can help you or your family. If you are passing please do pop in!

If you ever wondered about alternative treatments, but were unsure about trying them out, then call into the Ecoshop at Sonairte on Saturday morning throughout November from 10.30 to 1.00 pm and sample the wonders of acupuncture. On offer are Taster Treatments in Acupuncture, Fire Cupping, Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture and Moxibustion, at just €10 for 15 minutes. 

http://sonairte.ie/shop-cafe-market/eco-shop

 Labour which is intense in nature means most women will look for and use some form of pain relief during their childbirth. For those women who prefer to avoid or minimise the use of medical analgesia, acupressure is a safe, natural, and
easy to learn and apply technique, is an effective, drug-free alternative that
can significantly ease pain and reduce length of contractions experienced during childbirth.

 Acupressure is non-invasive and does not produce any of the undesirable or potentially harmful side-effects for mum or baby that can be associated with pharmacological pain relief. Using acupressure techniques gives birth partners a hands-on role and allows them to actively support the mother by providing emotional support and physical relief.

 It requires minimal instruction and can be taught to anyone, no previous knowledge of anatomy or massage required. It doesn’t interfere with a woman’s freedom of movement during labour and can be used in all birth settings, including water birth. For those who attend birth regularly it makes good sense to be familiar with acupressure   techniques as it is a very handy tool to have up their sleeves for use when required.
 
What is acupressure? 
Acupressure is a simple, safe and effective hands-on technique originating in China that involves the manual stimulation of specific points, known as Acupoints, on the body by applying pressure to them using the fingers, elbows, palms, or blunt-tipped instruments. The aim of acupressure is to relieve pain and discomfort, and to promote healing.

 Over 4000 years ago, long before the invention of
acupuncture needles, ancient Chinese medicine doctors would pinch, rub, press  and scrape designated points on the body to stimulate energy circulation.  So acupressure has been in use long
before acupuncture.
 
What else can acupressure treat during labour? 
Acupressure, like acupuncture, can be used to treat a variety of other conditions that may occur during labour and childbirth. For example, it can be used to help babies descend and engage, dilate the mother’s cervix, induce labour and strengthen contractions in slow, non-progressivelabours. It can also be used to alleviate nausea, combat fatigue in
protractedlabour and assist posterior positioned babies to turn to an optimal anterior position for easier birth.

Where can I find out more information on Acupressure for Labour ? 
There will be a Detailed Workshop on Sat 17th November 2012 from 11am-1pm at the CityNorth Hotel, Gormanston, Co. Meath, cost €95 per couple or if you prefer private classes can be arranged.  Pre booking is essential as class space is limited.  Call Niamh on 087 6307786