New Acupuncture Happy Hour hours!

I'm happy to announce, due to popular demand, Iyashi Wellness' Acupuncture Happy Hour hours are changing!!

Starting September, the Happy Hour hours will change to 5:00pm-7:00pm.

It's still every Wednesday at Casa de Tree (3741 Motor Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034)

(for one last Wednesday, tomorrow the 26th, it will run from 3:30pm-6:30pm)

Those of you who said you wanted to come but couldn't because of the original, earlier hours, you now can!

Some of the experiences people have shared with me after trying my Happy Hour:

• Immediate pain relief for a wife with severe low back pain and her husband from a headache. The wife had this to say:

  "My back pain was gone once I got home, and I had to lift a TV (yes we are in the process of moving) and the pain came back! BUT nothing like before. I have been fine since then, Thank you so much for your help. I felt great afterward too. So much more energy too! My mum is coming in about a month and I would like to bring her to HH, I am sure she will love it too. I am sure you will see us soon... After the move I am sure we will need your magic!" - F.F.

  
  
• A young woman feeling "ecstasy" after trying ear acupuncture.
  
• Women who usually suffer from cold hands and feet feel an immediate sense of gentle warmth wash over their entire body.
  
• Anxious customers feeling calm and serene.
  
• Tired, overworked customers feeling energized and alert.
  

These are just some of the experiences people have had trying ear acupuncture and ear acupressure. What will be yours?

When: Every Wednesday

Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm (starting Sept 2)

Where: Casa de Tree (3741 Motor Avenue, LA, CA 90034)
Why: Because you deserve a break - and the food at Casa de Tree is delicious to boot!

Hope to see you one of these Wednesdays

Summer eating and reading

We had a wedding to go up north to this past weekend, and we took advantage of the trip by splurging in restaurants that use local, seasonal, high quality ingredients: Manresa in Los Gatos, CA and Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA. Chez Panisse chef Alice Waters started the whole trend of cooking using seasonal, local, fresh ingredients, and as the originator of this wonderful trend, their food was indeed delicious. I had a beet with avocado salad and for my entree, albacore tuna with fingerling potatoes, artichokes, and spinach. The avocado was so creamy, rich and ripe! The moment I bit into a fingerling potato, it transported me back to Colombia, where part of my family is from. The potatoes in South America are a whole 'nother level of deliciousness one rarely finds here in the US. Potatoes originated in South America, and accordingly, there are hundreds and hundreds of varieties found only in the southern continent. But I digress here. Both the avocado and potato were so good, it didn't need any condiments. The essence of the vegetable was so pronounced, the flavor so alive, I just sat there enjoying each bite of the avocado and potato, not wanting it to end. The same went for the food we ate in Manresa.


When a vegetable is grown according to the season, organically, and locally, the taste, texture, color, and aroma is 100 times more delicious and intoxicating than a conventionally grown, genetically modified, agro-business manufacturing process. Organic, seasonal produce grows in accordance with the cyclical rhythms of nature, optimizing the essence of the produce grown during each season. It doesn't fight with nature, but works with nature. Or better put, nature supports seasonal produce with all of its Mother-Earth goodness to be the best, most delicious produce it can be.

I would like to encourage people to start shopping, if they haven't already, at their local farmer's markets for multiple reasons:

1. The organic produce is infinitely tastier than those found in chain markets.
2. The meats and fish found in farmers market are also infinitely tastier than those found in chain markets. They are also usually grass-fed, wild-caught and local.
3. We are supporting the "green" nature of shopping at a farmer's market. The farmers are local, requiring much less travelling to get to the markets than produce grown in a foreign country and shipped or aired across oceans to reach us. The carbon footprint of local produce is much smaller, thereby we would be supporting the reduction in global warming. By practicing organic, earth-gentle and -respectful farming methods, we would be supporting the health and longevity of our ecosystem.
4. We are supporting local businesses, i.e. farmers that toil the land in our backyard, so to speak. And living in a state where our deficit stands in the billions, we could spend our money more effectively by supporting local businesses.
5. Shopping in farmers markets fosters building of communities, getting to know your neighbors and local farmers. In the high-paced, high-tech world that we live in today, we often forget to interact with one another in a more human level, alienating us more and more from one another. And without human interaction, we are more prone to depression. Want to learn a sure fire way to beat the blues? Go to a farmers market under a big blue sky and see all the lively produce, people, cooked foods and entertainment!! You will leave the market feeling infinitely better!
6. It's good for you. Because I am a healthcare provider, I have to of course talk about the health benefits of eating a produce-heavy diet, and especially the benefits of organic produce. We are what we eat. By eating organic produce, we are ingesting food that actually nourishes us, not poisons us. Most Americans eat a carb-heavy diet, and if not, a protein-heavy diet with vegetable-heavy diet being the least of choice for many people. When we shift from a carb- or protein-heavy diet to a vegetable-heavy diet, the symptoms people were experiencing: discomforts, aches and pains, fatigue, bloating, constipation, headaches, PMS, high cholesterol, etc. begin to lessen or all together disappear. People also begin to notice becoming gradually averse to junk/unhealthy food as the shift to a healthier lifestyle takes hold. Imagine feeling physically, emotionally and mentally lighter, balanced and sharp, sleeping better, having regular bowel movements, skin clearing up, improved libido, and overall more energy?

So check out your farmers market and take advantage of mother nature's bounty! The fruits and produce in season right now are:

• watermelon
• cantaloupe
• grapes
• squashes
• zucchinis
• egg plants
• bell peppers

A book I highly recommend that talks about eating with the seasons, choosing a vegetable-heavy diet, and how to find organic resources in and around your home and nationally is called "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto." Written by Michael Pollan, he explains in details why it behooves us to eat like our grandparents, tips on how to shop healthily at local chain markets, and how to perceive eating and food from an empowered, liberated state = eating with joy and to enjoy, not calorie counting and with guilt.

Viva eating!!

Satisfied Acupuncture Happy Hour customers

Some photos from this week's Acupuncture Happy Hour.

The Beauty of Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine is so powerful and beautiful. It's very effective for acute (rapid onset, short term) conditions, like sprains, strains, stomachaches, headaches, colds, and inflammatory conditions like bee stings and conjunctivitis (a.k.a pink eye). This is because acupuncture causes an immediate reaction in the body to increase microcirculation into the affected area, that is to say, improve circulation of life-nourishing, oxygen-rich blood to the area, thereby improving the body's ability to reduce inflammation, attack bacteria and viruses, and improve self-regulating functions. The use of acupuncture also triggers the release of endorphins ("feel-good" hormones) in the body, thereby relaxing the mind and body and elevating the sense of well-being. Ever felt much better after seeing loved ones or a funny movie? This sense of well-being is analogous to the effects of an acupuncture-induced state of well-being.

But the real beauty of Chinese medicine lies in the ability to effectively treat chronic, long term problems, like irritable bowel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, infertility, menstrual problems, eczema, allergies, asthma, recurring body pains like migraines and backaches, and so forth. This is the real strength of Chinese medicine and a much necessary component in the conventional healthcare system. Because our medicine is still relatively new in the United States and due to the limitations placed by regulatory agencies, we Chinese medicine practitioners cannot practice many of the advanced treatments and protocols regularly practiced in Asia, like acupuncture anasthesia for surgery, high-potent herbal injections, bone-setting, cancer treatments, hepatitis treatments, etc. To compensate and until more acceptance is had by society and the larger conventional medical community, we practice what is really the strength - and tenet - of Chinese medicine: prevention and reigniting the self-healing mechanisms of the body.

Just after about a month or two of regular treatments, my patients begin to realize they are no longer having to be heavily dependent on their western medications.... some of them even all together forgetting to take their meds b/c their symptoms become manageable and reduced. This is because with continued "reminders" of improved microcirculation, release of endorphins, and other mechanisms science is only beginning to understand, the body begins to remember how to operate properly and optimally, as opposed to incorrectly and sub-optimally. It took the body months and years to become sick, so it will take time for the body to heal again, but with patience, commitment, and continued gentle reminders with Chinese medicine, it is now on its path to recovery and eventually optimal health - all done naturally.

After the patients are stabilized and well on their own two feet, it's my goal not to have my patients come back -- except for check ups or tune ups, should they wish. That's the beauty of the medicine that I practice: it heals from within, helping patients regain their self-healing ability!!

Women Rock!!

PACE Awards recipients 2009

The PACE Awards night on June 25th was truly inspirational.  All these women, more than 50 of them, who are small business entrepreneurs, working hard to make their dreams come true.  There were over 25 exhibition booths set up at the Music Center, with the women exhibiting their services, products, and ideas  --  floral designers, organic juice producers, solar energy contractors, jewelry and clothes designers, hair care suppliers, photographers, scrapbooking services, personal trainers, and the list goes on.

The highlight of the evening came when the five of us were called to the stage to get recognized for our hard-working efforts.  What was really neat was that the prior-year recipients of the Awards came on stage to introduce this year's top three prize winners.  The MC introduced  these prior-year awardees and updated the audience with their accomplishments since receiving the awards.  The top winner from last year was Hakika Keith,  the owner of Gorilla Life, Inc., the company that produces the namesake chlorophyll health drink, sold, among other places, at Whole Foods.  Gorilla Life came to fruition thanks to PACE's support and guidance.  Wow!

This year's first prize went to Deborah Stern, who runs her own organic, hand-made tamales business, La Guera Tamalera.  She learned to make the tamales from scratch from a family in Mexico.  With the money she received from PACE Women & Co. Microenterprise Boost Equity Awards, she hired additional help and can now pay for a commercial kitchen, which'll allow her to distribute her tamales wholesale.  Since receiving the award, she has secured five new wholesale accounts.   Go Guera!

Second prize went to two recipients.  One recipient, Karen Marcus, is an artist and prints and sells original artwork and greeting cards made from her original artwork.  The award money gave Karen the opportunity to have an office space where she can focus on creating her artwork as well as to store her cards.  Gotta love her business name: You're Not the Boss of Me!  The second recipient, Shannon Bizzy, is the owner of Bizzy Bee's Landscape Maintenance.  The award money allowed her to purchase more equipment for her full service landscaping company as well as to hire additional crew members.  

Myself and the fifth awardee received the "Entrepreneur Spirit Awards."  You know what I do. :-)  With my award money, I have been able to create more marketing materials to help me with visibility, like rack cards, update my website, and am currently in the process of creating new, custom business cards.  

The fifth awardee, Rossana Ruey, runs her own electronic waste recycling company, e-Recycling Stewards, Inc.  With her award money, she plans to take her company to the next level by creating a website and corporate identity.

Listening to all of these women's struggles, challenges and accomplishments made my heart burst with pride and also humbled me at what we women can achieve when we set our minds to do something.  We just need a little help from time to time to stay on track.  We small business entrepreneurs are so vital to the American economy.  As Ms. Kim Tachiki-Chin (Senior Advisor, Office of Congrresswomen Roybal-Allard, U.S. House of Representatives, 34th District) aptly remarked during the ceremony: "I'm sorry to corporate executives in the room, but it is the small businesses that are backbone of the American economy."   Amen.  

On the left is my super-awesome business advisor, Jackie Jones, from PACE. The woman on the right, Vivienne Lee, is from Citibank, the main sponsor of the Women & Co. Boost Equity Awards.

Pretty proud of the recognition and award I received

Luriko Ozeki, L.Ac. being recognized at the PACE Women Business Center

I am proud to announce that I was one of 5 recipients to receive an award money from the PACE Women's Business Center (WBC). The award money was distributed to 5 underserved female business entrepreneurs.

To celebrate, PACE WBC will be hosting an awards ceremony - Celebrating Women in Business - at the Music Center, tomorrow, June 25th from 5:30p - 8:30p.

As part of the celebration, there will also be about 50 business booths of women-run enterprises. Iyashi Wellness will be there. Appetizers and foods will also be provided by PACE WBC.

So come join the festivities and network with dynamic female entrepreneurs, community members, local community politicians, and bankers.

To read about more about this award and the five recipients, click here

Iyashi Wellness Happy Hour

Today's Happy Hour has been cancelled.  I will resume july 1st.  

The July 8th Happy Hour will also be cancelled due to the host restaurant, Casa de Tree, being closed for a week.

Regular scheduling will resume Wed. July 15th.

Thank you!