There are powerful immune enhancers and anti-microbials in this version of chicken soup which go to work quickly and help you recover much faster.

This recipe is taken from The Makers Diet by Jordan Rubin:

It is best to use all organic ingredients when possible

1 whole chicken, cut up, extra fat removed
2-4 chicken feet (optional)
1 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
3-4 quarts cold filtered water
8 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
6 stalks celery, coarsly chopped
3-4 medium onions, coarsely chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
4 inches finely grated fresh ginger
3-4 small to medium zucchini, coarsely chopped
2-4 Tbsp celtic sea salt
4 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 bunch parsley, chopped

Place all ingredients except coconut oil and parsley in a large stock pot with a heavy bottom. Bring to a boil and skim off the scum that rises to the top with a large spoon. Add in the coconut oil, place a lid on the pot, turn the heat down to the lowest setting, and cook for 12 to 24 hrs barely simmering. About 1/2 hour before serving, remove chicken from the pot, allow it to cool a little, and remove the meat from the bones. Return the meat to the pot. Meanwhile, place the parsley in the pot and cook another 5-10 minutes. The small bones are very soft, and may be given to your dog or cat.  Jewish folklore says that the chicken feet are the secret to a successful broth. If you can find these by all means use them, but it will still be great if you can’t. Here’s to your health!

The cranial sacral system has a rhythm like the cardiac and circulatory systems do.  Restrictions or compressions reduce or inhibit the cranial rhythm causing stillness or non-movement in this system.

Compressions or restrictions are caused by injury or trauma and can cause dysfunction and disease in the body.  Some symptoms and conditions that cranial-sacral therapy can address are:

Chronic pain – especially in the neck and back

Headaches – tension, migraine, cluster.

TMJ dysfunction

Auditory problems.

Arthritis

Cranial-sacral therapy can be used alone or with other types of massage or therapies. Your therapist will determine the areas of compression or restrictions and use gentle, non-intrusive techniques to release those areas.  (See video) As an added benefit it is also deeply relaxing.  You will remain fully clothed during the session. Some clients who find it difficult to relax during a Swedish massage get much more relaxed with cranial-sacral therapy.

We ultimately cannot relieve all stress, nor would we want to. Some stress will keep us motivated, filled with passion and vitality to accomplish things that satisfy our spirits. It’s when the stress levels get too high for too long  and actually cause physical symptoms of pain and illnesses, that we need to look at lowering the stress levels. So catching the first signs of symptoms of stress is important.   The most common symptoms of stress are sleep disorders, GI disorders, hypertension, skin disorders, anxiety and lack of joy in one’s life. The list is really endless as each person places their stress differently, so being aware of your own mind, body and spirit is important.

So how can acupuncture help with stress levels?  There are many “tools” that an acupuncturist can use  - for example herbal formula’s, various acupuncture points, auricular (ear) acupuncture, tui na (massage), moxa, etc. For today, I am going to specifically talk about auricular (ear) acupuncture.

According to TCM theory the ear is a microcosm of the whole body, much like reflexology is of the feet.  Auricular acu-points are closely related to the central nervous system which is why it is so  effective for relieving stress and calming the nervous system.

A  medical study published in Anesthesiology (7/03) used ear acupressure to relieve stress and anxiety in patients being transported to the hospital in ambulances. Some received real acupuncture points (the acupuncture group), and some received fake (sham) points ( the control group). At arrival, the stress level in the acupuncture group decreased sixty-six percent. In contrast, the stress level in the control group increased by ten percent. Such studies indicate the effectiveness of acupuncture in stress treatment.

I personally have felt the amazing calming effects of auricular acupuncture after being in a fender bender and seeing my son hit the windshield (causing the spider web effect on the window) with his head (the seat belt didn’t work – another story).  Even though my son had no injuries – much due to the Santa hat he was wearing – I had trouble driving afterward.  I could actually drive fine, but when I stopped, got out of my car, I would start to tremble.  My hands would just shake, I couldn’t “will” them to stop.  Three days after the accident I drove to an acupuncture treatment where I arrived trembling and shaking and very nervous about driving.  The acupuncturist mainly treated me using auricular points and when I left the office, I was no longer trembling and the fear I felt while driving had disappeared.  I never had the shakes again!

I recently came across an article where the military is using acupuncture for not only pain but also to help with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).  They obviously found the results to be effective and how great to give something back to the men and women serving this country. If you know any military personnel with PTSD, anxiety or depression check out www.zazendayspa.com to find out details to discounted or free acupuncture treatments.

Much more to say about the use of acupuncture and stress relief….. more to come.

Connie M. Warden L.Ac. Chinese Herbalist

So here are the community outreach programs we offer:

First, there is the SPA DAY’S we give to two community members each month.  These are given to people who have been nominated because they fall into two categories, 1) A person going through an illness, trauma or unfortunate life situation and 2) A person who is a CARE TAKER for someone in an unfortunate life situation.  So if you know of anyone (this could include yourself) please nominate them at Za Zen Outreach Program.

Secondly, we have a monthly Community Member Appreciation program where each month we give a professional organization (ie, nurses, EMT, teachers, police officers etc) a chance to come in and experience a massage or facial for $38 (orig. $60) as a way to give back to those who give so much to our community.  Keep checking the website ZaZenDaySpa.com to find out when your profession may be up.  Also, we could use some suggestions – just comment to this or email us!

Thirdly, we sponsor a Community Treasure Hunt in the fall!  For two Saturdays in September we give clues to find the Zen Stones (stones with inspirational sayings and quotes), located outdoors in the community that can be exchanged for free and discounted services at Za Zen Spa. There is also a grand prize of a 6 month Za Zen Lifestyle Progam!  Six months of spa and wellness treatments!

Hopefully this will get out our “secret” and we can be involved in bringing the Beauty of Spirit to Denver, Littleton, Lakewood  and the surrounding community,

Part of my training was receiving treatments as well as performing them on other students. During 3 ten week periods I was receiving 2-3 treatments a week. I received lymphatic drainage, hot stone massage, Steam treatments, reflexology, body scrubs, mud wraps, in addition to academic classes such as Pathology, Neuroanatomy, and Spa Management. We also practiced on each other outside of class to refine our technique. The classes were 4 nights a week and the first few weeks it felt as though I was sipping from a fire hose. I was a single mom of a 5 year old boy, trying to establish myself as a CMT, planning a wedding for June of ’06 and a full time student. What was I thinking when I chose back to school?

After the first month I realized something interesting. In spite of my busyness and non-stop life, I felt ok. I wasn’t as tired as I thought I would be. I seemed to have more energy than before when I hadn’t been as busy. I was finding time to volunteer in my son’s kindergarten class, complete my assignments before the absolute last minute, and I had a desire to eat healthier, something that hadn’t even occurred during my Diet and Nutrition class. I was making the time to get up early and walk to a lake nearby, I watched the sunrise more and I had mental clarity about what I wanted to do with my life, my time, and with my physical and mental resources. Where had this come from? Is this what my instructors were speaking of when they said we needed to find ‘balance’ in our lives?

What I did not realize at the time was that even though I was in a class, my body was being cared for, I had brief moments to check out from the real world and check in with myself. Even in the midst of desperately trying to remember all the steps of a mud wrap and not get the mud on my hands, clothes and the sheets, I was able to step into an oasis of calm and lay back to receive, replenish and nourish on a regular basis.

I know now the power of consistent treatments, and the benefit of experiencing new treatments. I realize that the best results come from combining different approaches with a schedule. It isn’t just a bout taking the time. It’s about making the time regularly to be the best you possible, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Me Time Article

Here you can post questions, answers, feedback, articles or little tidbits you might have, pertaining to:

• Our Spa
• Spas in general
• Health issues related to our services i.e. dry skin, joint pain, acne
• Or just say Hi

If a response is requested, we will do so as quickly as we can. Please keep in mind though, if you are wanting to set an appointment or you are wanting information right now, might we suggest you give us a call during business hours so that we can help you more promptly.

To create a post, you must first register by clicking on the link to the right, near the bottom. After that, log in and start typing. It’s that easy.

If you are a current client of ours, thank you so much for your support. If you have yet to visit us, we hope you will choose in the near future to stop in and see what we have to offer or visit us at our website www.zazendayspa.com .

We hope you enjoy this new service and all the benefits it can bring you on your journey that we call a Za Zen Lifestyle.