As usual, when I start creating in the kitchen I can’t stick to a standard recipe.  But rather, I use the culmination of a few different recipes and my own creative ideas are in my toolbelt - which can lead to miraculous results, or inedible disasters.  This one is a keeper - inspired by a Fresh Nectarine-Ginger Cake recipe from my favorite Minnesotan grocery store, my mothers Zucchini Bread recipe, and from my own knowledge of healthful (and tasteful) nutrition.  Feel free to twist it anyway you like it!

 

This bread is perfect in the late summer, when nectarines and other stone-fruits are in perfect season.  The spicy ginger and hearty squash will help lead your taste-buds into the coming fall season, while the sweet and juicy fruit keeps you in the present summer.  This bread uses all natural sugar sources, virgin coconut oil and whole wheat and flax seeds for a heart healthy twist.  The virgin coconut oil also gives a subtle nutty flavor.  It is a common misconception that coconut oil is bad for your health, but in fact, it has many amazing qualities when ingested to benefit the cardiovascular system, digestion, weight loss and kidney function.  For further information, check out this resource: http://tinyurl.com/5en5l9 

Still not satisfied?  Try subbing your family’s favorite oil in the recipe - such as extra virgin olive oil, walnut oil or canola oil.

This healthy bread is a great substitute for typical muffins, which are often high in animal fats and refined sugars and flours.  Not only will it satisfy your morning sweet tooth, but will give you great nutritional benefits and help keep your energy up with its low-glycemic nature.  Great for individuals concerned with diabetes, heart disease, weight management, menstrual discomforts or other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Enjoy!

 

In good health,

Erin

 

 

Healthy Nectarine-Ginger Bread

 

2 Eggs

1/3 Cup Coconut Oil

Zest of 1 lemon

1/3 Cup Honey

1 Tsp Almond Extract

1 Tsp Ground Fresh Ginger

3 Nectarines (medium-sized), cubed into ¼-1/2 in pieces

¼ Cup Candied ginger, finely chopped

1 Cup Shredded Zucchini

1 ½  Whole Wheat Flour

1 Cup White Flour

2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seeds

1 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp Baking Soda

½ Tsp Salt

½ Tsp Cinnamon 

 

½ Nectarine, sliced (for decoration on top)

Brown Sugar, about 1/3 cup (for sprinkling on top)

 

•Preheat oven to 375°F

•In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, almond milk & coconut oil.  Grate the zest of one lemon, grated fresh ginger and almond extract into mixture. Add honey & beat until smooth. 

•Mix whole-wheat flour, white flour, flax seeds, baking soda, baking powder, salt & cinnamon in a separate bowl.

•Incorporate the flour mixture into the wet mixture, until batter is smooth.

•Add the nectarines, candied ginger pieces & zucchini into batter until mixed

•Lightly grease a large loaf-pan and pour the batter in - only filling 2/3 of the way full (if there is any batter left, make into muffins or a smaller pan.  Can also substitute and use a pie plate, depending on the size of the loaf desired). 

•Decorate the top of the batter with sliced nectarines, sprinkle brown sugar and pat-down into top layer of batter. 

•Bake for 50-60 min, until brown on top and inserted knife comes out clean.

•Cool, remove from pan & serve.

 

Great with morning coffee!  Serves 8-6.

 

 

Have you been struggling with a health problem for quite some time, been looking for natural relief and live outside the greater New York City area?  Then, look no further! 

Here at the Berkley Center, we offer an in-depth phone consultation to women who can benefit from Chinese Herbal Medicine, but live too far away to come for an in-person consult at our center.  Over the phone, we will spend about an hour discussing your present and past health concerns, and overall state of health.  This will help give me  a working diagnosis to come up with your personalized herbal formula.  In addition to the consultation, I will ask that you send a digital photo of your tongue to our office email address for further confirmation of diagnosis.  As your body responds to the herbal formula, we will check in regularly to adjust the prescription as needed.  The change in symptoms and tongue will be the main reference used over the course of your treatment to evaluate progress.  All herbal prescriptions will be written specifically for you, and filled by the reputable pharmacy I work with here in the city: www.kamwo.com.  They will prepare your formula, and drop-ship it to your door - wherever in the world that may be. 

I have been working with women around the country in this capacity, with astonishing results.  Improving energy, reducing fatigue, promoting/assisting with weight loss, reducing acne, alleviating painful menstruation, and reducing hot flashes are a few of the conditions successfully treated from a distance with Chinese Herbal Medicine. 

Don’t let distance be the reason for not seeking treatment for your concerns.  If you see an acupuncturist already and are looking to add an herbal component to your treatment, I will be happy to work with your current Acupuncturist in serving you best.  Chinese Herbs are a natural, powerful and clinically effective way to help women with hormonal, menstrual, and digestive concerns.  Give us a call and let us know how we can serve you best.

In good health,
Erin

I wanted to update you on the new information listed on the “Resources” page on the Berkley Center for Women’s Health website.  There are some great listings for Obstetricians, Gynecologists and Reproductive Endocrinologists in Manhattan that I highly recommend.  Also, there are some lifestyle resources such as Life Coaching with Joanna Lindenbaum, Fitness with Patricia Moreno to help you live a life you love in a body you love, Legal Services for reproductive health with Amy Demma, JD, and amazing Childbirth Classes with Denise Spatafora.  Check them out!

Here at the Berkley Center we believe in an East Meets West approach to women’s healthcare, and in the power of holistic treatment.  While we offer a variety of services to help our patients with lifestyle, nutrition, stress and illness, we cannot reach all aspects of a person that constitute wellness.  For that reason, we pair up with other resources in our community in an effort to offer excellent and well-rounded care for those seeking it.  If you have any comments or questions regarding anyone of our resources, please feel free to contact me at any time. 

In good health,

Erin

When it comes to health, everything is connected.   Traditional Chinese Medicine, like any other treatment option, is merely one piece of the puzzle.  Diet, Lifestyle, Exercise and Stress all play a part in transforming physical ailments into health.  Many of my patients go on “cleanses” -  some they have found out about on their own and some that I have encouraged them to try.  Responses to this have been anywhere from life-changing to no change (or, in some cases, worsening).  So, what’s the reason for this?  I decided to do a little research of my own.

Starvation Cleanses, such as a juice fast, directly oppose Traditional Chinese Medicine principles of health and longevity, so I tried to find middle ground that could link modern nutritional science with the ancient medical art I endorse.  I’ve listened to many lectures, studied Chinese dietary therapy and had personal experience with many of the cleanses out there, and I decided to spend this past week reasearching and going on one of them myself.   My partner, Jason Borbet, also agreed - which makes any serious life change easier to stick with.  We started every morning with liver cleansing lemon juice & olive oil tea, loaded up on more supplements than we normally take, and a “power smoothie” made out of fresh fruit, purified water, flax seeds and medical grade rice protein powder.  The rest of the day consisted of a whole foods diet based mostly on Mark Hyman’s book:  “The Ultra Simple Diet.”  Essentially, what we were doing was an Elimination Diet Cleanse. 

The purpose of Elimination Diets/Cleanses are to eliminate potential foods that may be causing inflammatory or toxic reactions in the body.  Many common allergens include: Corn, Soy, Nuts, Wheat/Gluten, Dairy, Eggs and Sugar.  People may experience severe reactions when indulging in such foods, making it an obvious choice for them to avoid that substance.  Others may experience subtle reactions that can lead to inflammation-related disorders later in life (Chronic Fatige Syndrome, Diabetes Type 2, and Fibromyalgia, to name a few), or even have an adverse effect on a woman’s menstrual cycle.  For these individuals, the Elimination Diet can help to unlock the bodies inner wisdom.  Once certain foods are eliminated for a certain period of time and re-introduced, people who were having subtle allergic reactions before may encounter a more severe reaction this time around, allowing insight to dietary habits that may be leading to their health concerns. 

The dietary experiment Jason and I did last week illuminated many things about “cleanses,” on a general scale.   The first, is that they are not necessary for everyone, and should be carefully evaluated based on individual needs.  The second, is that nutritional supplementation can be a truly beneficial part to this process, but should also be administered based on individual needs as over-supplementation can tax the body unnecesarily (not to mention waste financial resources as well).  And finally, that they are doable:  an elimination cleanse does not have to be about starvation and deprevation.  In fact, there are many satisfying meals and foods to enjoy!  We had a fun time preparing foods in a more creative way since our ingredient supply was reduced, and never went hungry.

In the end, my conclusion is that total body “cleansing” of any kind is an extreme measure - meant for only certain individuals and under the care of a healthcare professional.  When trying to change your diet - for weight management of for health concerns - it is best to start with small steps that are easy to sustain.  My favorite philosophy and as my mother always said:  “Everything in Moderation” - its the right idea, but not always applicable in a world of excess. 

If you are interested in learning more about a healthy way to ”cleanse” on your own,  I highly suggest Mark Hyman’s books:   The Ultra Simple Diet &  UltraMetabolism.