For the Love of Pink

Acupuncture Road continued

Two days ago, I had my first moxibustion treatment and I loved it. 
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing.  It is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi (energy), and maintain general health.
My acupuncturist is a warm, supportive and compassionate Chinese woman in her late forties going through the 
mid-life transition as well. Besides, she specializes in women's health. Without her I would be lost. I have been 
seeing her regularly since two months and my peri-menopausal symptoms have been improving gradually. 
Although my days could be still very challenging at times, my nights are great. I sleep well and I'm not drenched in 
sweat. She begins my treatment with some Tui-na Massage, then she inserts needles, or as I call them little angels onto acupoints on my back for 15 to 20 minutes; then on my face, head, whatever is needed that day.  
The last 15 minutes of session, she ignites the moxa and holds close to the needle, which generates heat to the point and the surrounding area. 

I lay there and contemplate life re-discovering myself, forgetting all the worries.

Acupuncture Road

The Acupuncture Road to freedom. Sounds cliché, doesn't it?

Well, not for me. So, before I expand on it,

I would like to share some laughs with you.

The patient and the acupuncturist-doctor:

Translation:

Patient: Are there any side effects with acupuncture

treatment?

Doctor: Yes, you will be able to work again next week.

Here is another one

Patient: Could acupuncture have

side effects?

Doctor: Well, you could expect

freedom from all the symptoms possibly.

Seaweed stories - Nori the Red Algae

The day was approaching the noon hour - critical hour for my belly-a before she would whisper eat, eat, eat.

As my body was dressed in a maxi coat of crashing fatigue, I was not able to move around the kitchen and do anything which would require rather substantial amount of energy.

So, I decided to move nothing but my eyes to look around - which could be rather distressing at times, as we peri-girls know - for ingredients to be used to prepare some delicious or perhaps less delicious edibles with the least amount of energy.

And there it was - a package of Nori, rich in vitamin B1 and calcium, which helps combat mental fatigue (according to some websites).

I spread some sushi rice on one sheet, that fortunately was cooked the day before, put two leaves of basil from my garden, julienned green onions, a little dab of mayo, wasabi and few drops of raw apple cider vinegar and rolled the nori into a cone. I also put some soya sauce into the cone instead of dipping the nori in it - it seemed too much work. And Voila! I hopped on my bed and enjoyed this appetizer À la Japanese in Ancient Romans style.

Japanese chefs, please don't condemn me! The Red Algae was not upset at all.

It is just a simplified version for perimenopausal needs, especially at times of crushing fatigue. In fact, you could put as many ingredients as you want. My poor version required the least amount of effort.

The Peri Tree

When I look out of the window I see a tree.

I call it a peri tree. You might wonder why?

It has as many leaves as I have peri symptoms.

Nevertheless, I am in love with this tree.

Soon, the leaves are going to change color

and fall on the ground, just to be buried under the

blanket of snow, nourishing Mother Earth

so will my symptoms fade away......