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Issue: Spring 2009

In The Studio This Spring

Introduction To Meditation Classes With
Gina Fox.

BirthConfidence With Ingrid Holmes And Annie Fogarty.

Embracing The Intensity:  Transforming The
Pain In Labour With Rhea Dempsey.

In Other News...

Yoga For Fertility Retreat At Clearview Retreat  

Welcome friend

Introduction to our Spring Newsletter
What a relief to be welcoming in the Spring!  While we celebrate the end of the cold, dark depths of winter, consider also that Spring, the season of renewal, growth and creativity, also calls us to awaken dormant parts of ourselves as well.  As we experience increased daylight and warmer days, our bodies also start to open up and flow in a different rhythm to what we've experienced over winter.

Whether we are conscious of it or not, we need to move our energy from the deeply protected interior we retreat to in winter, and start to literally open ourselves up and give ourselves a good airing out.  Spring cleaning is not just a housekeeping exercise, but a great physical and mental process to practice as well.  Consider this the time to start new projects, break old habits and re-energise for the year ahead. 

You can accomplish this with any number of simple lifestyle measures: do a gentle post-winter detox; start a new exercise program; finally join that meditation class you've been procrastinating over or simply lighten up your diet by starting to include some of this seasons finest new foods in your diet.

In our Spring newsletter, we're pleased to be able to bring you some great ideas to help you make the transition this Spring.  If you haven't seen your health practitioner for a while, now is a great time to review your health, set some goals and have a general tune-up to maintain (or achieve) wellness.  

Don't put up with hayfever, irritability, winter weight gain, sluggish energy, lingering immune issues or persistent annoying health problems.  Spring is the time to start the new regime that sees a new inspired, energised you! 

We hope you enjoy our Spring Newsletter and look forward to seeing you at Fertile Ground Health Group again soon.

Milly, Charmaine and the team at FGHG
tel: 03 9419 9988
www.fertileground.com.au 

psst:  We all know someone who could benefit from a Spring detox, pre or post conception care, fertility support, a relaxing massage, or simply, better health with services from one of our wonderful practitioners.  If you know someone who would enjoy our Newsletter, then just press 'forward' on your email. 

Boosting Health And Energy:  Detox This Spring 
The word detox is is overused and tends to conjure up unpleasant images of overly restrictive dietary regimes.  Having said this, Spring does present us with the ideal opportunity to create change in our diets.  Follow a few simple guidelines and start off Spring with renewed energy and vitality.

What To Include More Of In Our Spring Diet:  Choose fruit and vegetables that are in season.  Remember to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables within a wide range of colours - greens, reds, oranges and blues.  This will ensure a rich source of all vitamins and minerals required for optimal health.  Aim for 5 to 7 serves of different vegetables each day and 2 to 3 serves of fruit.  Along with the variety of fruit and veggies, increase your fish intake especially sardines, mackerel and wild salmon.  Aim for at least three serves of fish a week.  Alternatively, organic chicken, legumes, nuts and seeds are a wonderful source of protein.  Have some natural yogurt daily, to enhance digestive function but chhose one without added sugar.  Have more wholefood cereals such as oats, wholemeal sourdough rye or spelt breads, brown or basmati rice and wholemeal pasta.  Remember to drink plenty of water and consider the addition of a fine quality detox tea, such as our Spring Cleansing Detox Tea.

What To Reduce In Your Diet This Spring:  Go easy on stimulants such as coffee, cola drinks, alcohol, chocolate and sugar.  Don't forget the hidden sugars in low fat foods, commercial breakfast cereals, packaged convenience foods and of course, cakes, biscuits, chocolate and lollies.  Food and drinks that give you an immediate boost are ultimately depleting and will exhaust the adrenal glands and deplete the body of key nutrients such as zinc.   By cutting out these items, you are giving your liver a rest and after a week or two, you will notice the difference in increased levels of energy.  Other foods to reduce include deli meats, bacon and fried foods all of which can add an additional burden on the body's detoxification function.

How Will I Feel After 2 - 3 Weeks:  After following these few simple guidelines, you and your family will be feeling more energised and ready for the challendges of the year ahead.  Other effects may be a clearer skin, improved mood, improved digestion and it may well be that your clothes are a little looser and you might even be a few pounds lighter.

Spring:  A Chinese Medicine Perspective
 In Chinese medicine, Spring is viewed as a time of new beginnings, when the yin of winter (stillness, coldness, long nights, darkness and dormancy) starts to convert to yang (movement, warmth, days getting longer, lightness and rebirth).  Seeds are germinated, new shoots appear and pollens are released.  This "young/new" yang is relatively unstable in nature - we see this in the weather which can become quite unpredictable and changeable (especially in Melbourne!).  These fluctuations lead to the generation of wind, which importantly carries pollens in order to spread new life.  However, these characteristics of Spring also present challenges to our immune systems.

The concept of the Lung in Chinese medicine includes not only the anatomical organ, but also includes the nose, throat, skin (and pores) and the sclera (whites) of the eyes.  It is therefore considered the most external of the organs and the most easily affected by our external environment.  Hence, it is known as the "tender organ".  When our Lung is strong and functioning well, it is able to protect our body from the fluctuations of the world around us so that sudden weather changes, wind/draughts, virus's etc won't affect us.  However, if it is compromised, we can become susceptible to these outside influences, disrupting our immune systems and leading to problems such as hay fever, allergic asthma, conjunctivitis, hives and colds/flu.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can strengthen our Lungs to harmonize our body's immune response to the fluctuations of Spring, thereby preventing or minimizing these common Spring-time disorders.  For anybody who suffers from annual "Spring fever", it is preferable to start treatment before the symptoms arrive (prevention IS better than cure).  However, both acupuncture and herbal medicine can also relieve these symptoms if they have already appeared. 

Relax Rejuvenate Refresh - Spring Massage Offer

What better way to prepare your body and soul this Spring than with a heavenly massage at Fertile Ground Health Group.  Let one of our experienced Massage Therapists wisk away the Winter cobwebs, leaving you feel refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to take on the new season. 

Detoxing this Spring?  Massage helps rid the body of built up toxins by increasing blood flow as well as improving the removal of cellular waste using techniques that stimulate lymph drainage.  It is also well documented that massage improves mood and feelings of well-being - wonderful after the gloomy dark Winter months.

At Fertile Ground Health Group, our patients are draped in fluffy towels and comforted with toastie warm wheat bags in our dedicated candle-lit warm massage room.  Experience the benefits of massage by taking advantage of our Spring offer.  See below for details...

Spring Recipe:  Tabbouli Salad With Parsley, Mint & Quinoa (pronounced keen-waa) 
What better way to welcome in the warmer weather than with a light, tasty dish celebrating seasonal ingredients found in Spring.  Our gluten free Tabbouli salad has been devised by Naturopaths and is rich in leafy greens, protein, iron, calcium, magnesium and beta carotene.  An ideal lunch or served as an accompaniment to dinner, this flavoursome dish can be served as is or with the addition of boiled eggs, goat feta cheese or tinned fish for added protein. 

Ingredients:  1/2 bunch flat leaf parsley and 1/2 bunch mint.  Wash thoroughly, dry, pick off leaves and chop finely.  Add 1/4 finely chopped red onion or 4 finely chopped spring onions, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 - 2 tbsp olive oil, plenty of fresh black pepper, a pinch of good quality sea salt and 3 tbsp lightly toasted pinenuts or walnuts.  Add 1 cup of Quinoa to 2 cups of water.  Bring to boil and reduce heat to simmer for approximately 8 - 10 minutes til 'al dente' (soft but not mushy).  Drain and rinse in cool water.  Combine all ingredients together and enjoy this tasty, nutritious salad.

What To Pick And What To Plant This Spring
In days gone by, the change of season bought a renewed array of our favourite fruit and vegetables, long missed over the previous year.  After months of eating winter fruits high in immune boosting vitamins A and C such as oranges, mandarins and passionfruit and warming winter vegies perfect for soups and warming stews, the prospect of spring fruit and veg was a refreshing one.  With the advent of modern farming methods, eleborate storage and transport as well technical greenhouses and pesticides, seasonal fruit and veg has become a thing of the past.  We are spoilt for choice with seasonable produce available year round.  But this privilege comes at a cost. 

Seasonal fruit and veg, preferably organic, benefits not only our health but the greater community and economy.  Seasonal produce contains beneficial nutrients relevant to that season and has an increased flavour and taste due to the fruit ripening on the vine.  Think sun ripened and hand-picked strawberries eaten from the vine. Seasonal produce is generally grown locally, supporting local farmers and communities.  Alternatively, out of season stock requires pesticides and chemicals as well as lengthy cold storage and transport, leeching produce of valuable nutrients and contributing to environmental pollutants. Modern farming and storage methods also increase the cost of our produce. 

When shopping this Spring, look out for the beautiful array of seasonal fruits including grapefruit, Ellendale & Murcot mandarins, avocado, Lady William apples, strawberries & blueberries, pineapple and pawpaw as well as the wide array of lighter vegetables including asian greens, spinach, silverbeet & lettuces, globe artichoke, asparagus, peas & beans, broccoli, cabbage & carrots.

Seasonal fruit and vegetables.   Eaten as nature intended!

Get Ready For Spring With: Spring Cleansing Detox Tea
Cleanse your body of toxins gently and efficiently with our light and delicious Spring Cleaning Detox Tea.  Detoxification is a way to assist the body in eliminating any build up of toxins, which we accumulate in everyday life expecially in city living.

Our Spring Cleaning Detox Tea has been created and blended by Fertile Ground herbalists using the finest quality organically grown herbs including Calendula, Red Clover, Dandelion Root, Nettle Leaf and Burdock.  This light, pleasant tasting tea stimulates detoxification of your cells, kidneys, liver and lymphatics whilst improving your overall health and wellbeing.  Spring Cleansing Detox Tea is also great for your skin!  Enjoy daily.

New Product This Spring At Fertile Ground Health Group
Goji Berries are back in stock.  Goji Berries are highly nutritious, packed full of antioxidants and tase delicious. We have sourced our Goji Berries from a quality organic supplier and included in our range is the ever popular dark chocolate covered Goji Berries.  Combine the well documented benefits of antioxidents and flavanoids found in dark chocolate with the powerhouse of vitamins and minerals in Goji Berries and you will discover that nutrition never tasted so good!

We Would Like To Welcome You Back This Spring 
As the new season approaches and thoughts turn to renewing our energy for Spring, we would like to welcome you back to Fertile Ground Health Group.  Whether it has been a week, a month or a year since your last appointment, we would like to help you transition through this period. 

Massage:  Be one of the first 10 people to call for a massage booking and receive 10% off your treatment.  Gift:  Be one of the first 20 people to call and make any other appointment and receive a Spring Cleansing Detox Tea with our compliments at time of appointment. 

You must mention our Spring Newsletter when making your next appointment to redeem these offers. To take advantage of these great offers, call us on (03) 9419 9988.

The Latest Addition To The Fertile Ground Health Group Family!
As you may remember from our Winter Newsletter, our Kinesiologist, Amanda Olsen was pregnant and due to give birth in August.  We are thrilled to announce that Amanda gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl, Harriet on Monday, 17 August weighing 7lb 3oz. 

Our warmest wishes go to Amanda and Ben.  Welcome to the world Harriet!

In the Studio This Spring

At Fertile Ground Health Group, we are excited to be expanding our workshop space to provide our patients with relevant and informative workshops and courses.  These courses are run by both Fertile Ground practitioners as well as independent facilitators in our workshop space, The Studio. These courses cover a variety of topics and vary season to season.  To enquire about rental availability in The Studio, please call our Practice Manager Kellie Greene on (03) 9419 9988. 
 

Introduction To Meditation Classes With Gina Fox
Meditation has emerged as one of the most powerful self-help tools for regaining and sustaining good health, enhancing fertility as well as boosting immunity, keeping you healthy during the colder months!  Our Introduction to Meditation five week course is designed to help you establish a regular meditation practice, manage stress and improve your mental and physical health and wellbeing.  Your meditation teacher is Gina Fox, who is also a Naturopath with FGHG.

Classes will be held over five weeks commencing Wednesday, 14th October to 11th November from 5:30 to 7:00pm in The Studio at Fertile Ground Health Group. Course cost $120.  For enquiries and bookings, please call  Gina on 0405 624 666or email gina@fertileground.com.au  

BirthConfidence With Ingrid Holmes and Annie Fogarty
BirthConfidence is a workshop run by Ingrid Holmes and Annie Fogarty.  This informative workshop focuses on teaching breathing techniques, active birth positions as well as specific massage techniques and acupressure points for labour and birth. 

Annie and Ingrid believe in the importance of partners and support people learning practical skills which can be used throughout labour and birth.  This 3.5 hour workshop will be held on Saturday, 12th September from 10.00am to 1.30pm.  The cost is $150.00 per couple plus $50.00 for each support person.  For more information, please visit http://www.birthconfidence.com.au/. 

Embracing The Intensity:  Transforming the Pain In Labour              With Rhea Dempsey
Embracing the Intensity is a 2-day workshop for pregnant women, their partners and support people to increase resources for normal, physiological childbirth.  Discover what to expect and how to deal with it through dynamic labour rehearsal, breathing, movement, sound release and support strategies.  Explore psychological, relationship and environmental dynamics which can affect your birthing potential.  Identify, reframe and transform your relationship with pain.

Classes will be held on the following dates:
October 24 & 25 and December 5 & 6. 
Course cost $450 per couple. 
For further information or bookings, call 03 9513 9164 or visit www.birthingwisdom.com.au

In Other News...

Yoga For Fertility Retreat At Clearview Retreat - 3pm Friday, 2nd October to 4pm Sunday, 4th October
The Yoga For Fertility Retreat offers women an opportunity to retreat from their world and give themselves their own undivided attention without outside pressures or influences.  Retreat includes:  2 nights accomodation, fertility inspired cuisine, yoga and relaxation classes, guest facilitator and take home gift pack including guided relaxation cd for healing, OM Mama fertility aromatherapy oil, bath pack, heart shaped rose quartz crystal, take home notes and on-line support. 

Cost:  $485.00 single / $460 shared.

For full details:  www.williamstownyoga.com.au email susanne@williamstownyoga.com.au