Favorite new glass with a healthy lemon, ginger "mocktail" of course!

Rest. Relax. Replenish.

Carrie Procinsky,

Oncology Nutrition Consultant

I hope everyone had a Happy Holiday Season and a chance to rest, relax and replenish with loved ones!

Our visit to Canada was magical. We spent three nights in Kananaskis at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, and I spent a lot of time going for walks, watching my kids play hockey, laughing and playing card games with family and friends, and reflecting on the year ahead.

I am not one to set New Year's goals, but this year I chose one goal that would encourage self-care and more relaxation. Nutrition has always been a huge passion of mine along with so many mind-body modalities such as Reiki and meditation. My goal this year is to learn a relaxation technique I plan to incorporate into sessions with interested clients, so I signed up for a guided imagery course. Guided imagery is a form of meditation where another person guides you into your imagination toward a specific goal(1). Guided imagery may help alleviate stress, decrease anxiety, improve sleep quality, promote relaxation, and potentially reduce cancer-related pain(2). Anxiety and depression are serious concerns, affecting over 60% of cancer patients, which can significantly reduce quality of life(3).

Relaxation therapies such as guided imagery may also decrease adverse physiological reactions such as loss of appetite, nausea, lack of energy, coughing, and ulcers after chemotherapy treatment(4).

To learn more about guided imagery, the Rogel Cancer Center offers some great guided imagery podcasts. I am thrilled to blend this powerful modality into my Oncology Nutrition offerings beginning March 1st.

And of course, some favorite calming foods we encourage clients to eat include: green leafy vegetables, avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish. Chamomile, valerian, passion flower, lemon balm, and Tulsi tea are great options to incorporate as well.

In health, Carrie

1 https://hypnosissolutions.net/the-guided-imagery-handbook/

2 Danon https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9291932/

3,4 Song https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3832338/

New Year, New Intentions

by Anna Clarissa Lueneburg

Client Relations Manager
 

Seven years ago while backpacking in South America, I was staying with a Chilean family of beekeepers during the holidays. For the New Year, they taught me a family tradition they do every year. It is a ceremony of sorts to set intentions for the coming year. I found it to be a beautiful tradition and I have practiced it every year since. 

On a piece of paper, I draw a line down the middle. On the left side, I write all things I wish to leave me and remain in the past. For example, stress or worry about things not within my control. On the right side of the line, I write all the things I wish to come to me in the new year. Examples can be: I wish to enjoy every day to the fullest, I wish to deepen my relationships with my loved ones or to have a healthy relationship with my mind, body and spirit. Then I rip or cut the paper on the line. I take the right side and tuck it away somewhere that I can revisit from time to time. With the left side of the paper, I burn it. I burn away all the things that I wish to stay in the past.

Disclosure: open flames can be dangerous so if you do this, make sure you are outside and/or in a safe environment for burning paper. Outside is also best for proper ventilation so you're not breathing in smoke.

As the left side of the paper is burning, I usually feel a weight lift off me. My mind is free to welcome and focus on my intentions for the new year. I encourage you all to try this ceremony for yourself and leave in the past anything that may not benefit you and welcome your new intentions for the new year. 

Photo: Taken during a native ceremony on the farm where Anna learned the New Year burning tradition.

Did you know in most states in the U.S. you can order your own labs? As nutrition consultants, we are unable to order lab work for you and at times you may find it challenging to order it through your doctor's office. We always encourage checking with your medical team first but please know you can often order your own at your out of pocket expense. Please let your consultant know if you have questions on how this works and what labs would be helpful in customizing your nutrition plan.

Ulta Labs works great for us. Learn more HERE.