allergies: an overactive immune system?

Drip, Drip, Drip.
Seasonal allergies are the result of an overactive and over stimulated immune system.
They start in early spring with tree pollens. Which leads to late spring bringing grasses.
Next summer and fall brings weeds and molds. If that's not enough ....dust mites will cause year round allergies. For your enjoyment and information, I put together a slide show presentation here http://www.slideshare.net/drrinde/approaches-to-allergies-1203577 .
Check it out and get started on the basics this year. This year I am looking at ways to help modulate (calm the immune system). My favorite cornerstone herbal treatment is Urtica dioica (common name Nettles). It will play a role in the treatment guide that I am developing. The key is to balance (not supress) the immune system.

Personal change

Making personal change is an art as much as a science. When we set our sights on making a change (ie. exercising again, eating healthier,etc.) its easy to fall into the perfectionist trap. Once focused on perfection, procrastion sets in. Its absolutely essential to give up the need to be perfect, and just START. Once you have started; the goal is now within reach. Waiting for the right moment and when every thing is lined up perfectly is a recipe for standing STILL. JUST START. Let it be messy or imperfect, and create movement and the change will actualize.

January Newsletter Now Available

This Month's newsletter is now available @ http://mim.io/92dd1
If you would like future newsletter's emailed to you
go to www.drrinde.com and subscribe on the home page.
I hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Adam Rinde, ND

Chai Tea

My enjoyment with Chai Tea has reached an all time peak. I actually dreamt about it a few nights ago. All right, I will admit it , I have a soft addiction to Chai Tea. Phew, I feel better now. Since I hardly ever drink coffee this has become my morning thing especially on a cool, damp Washington state morning. One of my instructors in Botanical Medicine, Dr. Glenn Nagel provided me with this great recipe some time ago. I enjoy it probably because of its effect on the circulatory system, digestive system, and nervous system. I find when those systems are in balance, life is pretty good!



Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon of Fennel
6 Pods of Cardamon
12 cloves
2 Tablespoons of Cinnamon
1 Tablespoon of Ginger (dried)
6 Black Pepper Corns
3 cups of water.
1-3 Bags of Black Tea per each cup of water (caffeinated or decaffeinated)
3 cups of milk (substitute, soy milk, almond milk, rice milk)
honey to taste (or granulated sugar)

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil and add solid spices. Cover, reduce heat, and allow to simmer. Ten minutes is sufficient, but soaking the spices longer will continue to add to the flavor.
2. Bring the water back up to a rolling boil, then turn down the heat. Add tea, and allow to infuse according to the directions on the package (usually 3-5 minutes, covered).
3. Remove the tea and spices. (IE. strain them off). leaving just the liquid.
   Add milk, and bring back to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, and add honey to taste. (you can use sugar if thats your thing) Stir for thirty seconds, and then turn heat to low to keep chai warm while serving.
   

Or you can go to Starbucks and spend $4.50....

Milk...Sort Of…

I just finished my first glass of Trader Joe's Organic Whole Grain Drink.

It's Gluten Free and Dairy Free and fortified with Vitamin D, A, B12, and Calcium. Made from organic brown rice, amaranth, millet, and quinoa….and its pretty good!

I am burning out fast from almond milk, soy milk, and rice milk and this will give me a great option. Some downsides? It has 0 protein. But, it only has 5 grams of sugar. It has 3 grams of fiber and only 2.5 grams of fat.

Stress of the Holiday's

This is the week where stress seems to tippeth over. I have seen it repeat itself year after year. We have evolved internally apart from our families. And , this one week... each year... we return to an operating system (IE family) that uses technology from 5, 10, 20, even 30 years ago to function. We return with the expectation that their will be a kind and loving experience. And, when it doesn't, then disappointment prevails. The most functional families evolve to adapt to the growth of the individuals. When families don't evolve they use constructs and beliefs that are outdated and no longer truly valid. To survive this conundrum peacefully it takes patience, appreciation, and surrender. More, it takes appreciation for what family meant to our past, our history, and who we are today.

Diabetes

It never seems to lose its effect. When I meet someone challenged with Diabetes, I think about the tremendous amount of diligence required to prevent complications. Seeing a diabetic measure thier blood glucose levels reminds me of the incredible atmospheric changes taking place in the cells of our body on a moment by moment basis. The orchestration of so many process required to maintain an optimal blood sugar levels is just fascinating. To be thankful of my body and its brilliance is something I would like to focus on today.