By Chia Chia Cheng, CNFM, L.Ac.
My commercial rent is due in a few days. I’m currently looking for a new office mate via Craigslist.
Last week I was so distraught about the prospect of paying full rent. I woke up Wednesday morning with intense pain in both knees. I could barely walk a regular pace that day. I also had a muscle spasm between my shoulder blade and spine.* It felt like I had 3-4 nails lodged in the deepest part of my back muscles.
I kept wondering if this was caused by the sourdough bread and cherries I’d eaten the night before. Am I that sensitive to gluten and fructose?!!
The culprit, I realized a week later, was anxiety. Anxiety is the intangible form of stress disguised as an irrational perception of reality.
When you carry anxiety in your body, this drives the inflammatory process. In my case, what I was able to control on a daily basis with herbs, nutrition and exercise became overreactive.
I didn’t do much during those two days. I ate clean, skipped exercise, and slept. I prioritized emotional connection with others over production (of work).
I also reminded myself to breathe. Breathe deeply. This too shall pass.
Anxiety tends to make me freeze in the quicksand of terror. By reaching out to my community I received support and guidance on what my next step is to problem solve.
Did you know that brushing your scalp and hair releases tension in your head? I like to breathe intentionally while brushing my scalp and hair from all directions.
[*The area between the shoulder blades and spine is called the psychosomatic area. Whenever you have pain here, ask yourself what emotion is involved at that moment.]
I want to share a few of my favorite things with you in the food, fitness and hair categories.
FITNESS/EXERCISE
36 inch High Density Foam Roller
This foam roller is a must have to your home gym. I have exercises on my Youtube channel that uses this full length foam roller to help relief shoulder, neck, and hip pain.
There are so many core and balance Pilates exercises you can do using a smaller inflatable ball. This travels well, too.
Theraband Resistance Bands
Most PT exercises will use elastic bands instead of weights. These travel well since they take up so little space in your suitcase. You’ll never miss doing your therapy exercises again!
These are a necessary addition to your home gym or travel kit. Looped elastic bands are great for strengthening muscles in your hips and thighs (inner and outer).
Hypervolt Plus handheld massage device by Hyperice
I recently discovered this device at a friend’s house. I used it on my thigh, back, legs and foot. Holy, Batman! I’m convinced I need this tool in my box! It’s easy to hold. The well balanced design is ergonomic for even small hands. I used it for a half hour and never lost my grip on it. Hypervolt Plus comes with several attachments. Combine this with a foam roller and you may have the answer in your hands for muscle and connective tissue pain relief!!
HAIR
Mastey Traite Shampoo and Conditioner
After I gave birth to my son, I developed chronic psoriasis at the base of my hairline. The lower portion of my scalp was very itchy and dry. This was likely due to blood deficiency. I was nursing and recovering from childbirth.
My hair stylist recommended Mastey Traite Shampoo. It’s sulfate free, fragrance free, and paraben free. After two weeks of daily use, my scalp was back to normal. I leave the lather on my scalp for 2-3 minutes before I rinse. I’ve been using this product for 14 years. The conditioner is a great product, too.
Two 32 oz bottles Mastey Traite
Single 32 oz bottle Mastey Traite
Moroccan Oil Hydrating Conditioner
I love the way Moroccan conditioner smells in my hair. The hydrating one is very moisturizing. It sits light on the hair and scalp.
Moroccan Oil Treatment is the dreamiest product I’ve ever tried. At $44 for 3.4 fl oz. this bottle lasted me almost 2 months. I admit I’ve only purchased this product once. I keep thinking I’m going to order it again but I haven’t. I found another product that works well for a fraction of the cost.
I’ve seen Hask hair products at Target and Rite Aid. This is an economic alternative to the Moroccan Oil Treatment. It has a light fragrance and adds a layer of shine to hair.
Hask Monoi Coconut 5 to 1 Leave In Conditioner Spray
I tried this product yet. I’ve been using one by Shea Moisture (see next item). I’m including this one because I like Hask shampoo and conditioner. Plus this product is sulfate free, gluten free, color safe, and paraben free. Which makes this a must try product!
Shea Moisture is a line of hair care products sold in drug stores, grocery stores and Target. I started using their products when I ran out of Mastey Traite Shampoo and didn’t know Amazon was a carrier. What convinced me was their story of Sofi Tucker, founder of Shea Moisture. (You may read it on the product label.)
I really like that Shea Moisture products are made with fair trade ingredients. They are also free of sulfates, paragons, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, and petroleum. Shea Moisture products are color safe and never tested on animals.
Per my experience in store selections are greater than what Amazon offers.
Phillips #11 cushion hair brush
I currently use this hair brush. I have one in my bathroom and one in my car. During the years when Scalpmaster wasn’t available on Amazon, I used Phillips #11. I was told my an Amazon vendor that the Scalpmaster (made in France) was discontinued. Phillips #11 is made in China. The bristles are slightly thicker in diameter than the original Scalpmaster. It is a suitable substitute. I’ve used this model for almost a decade. Makes a great practical gift! My cousins ask for a new hair brush every Christmas.
Scalpmaster cushion hair brush
My cousin introduced the Scalpmaster metal bristle brush to me when we were 20 years old. She found it at her local health food store. The Scalpmaster was made in France and costed $20. That was in 1990.
Looking at the uncapped bristles you’d think they would be an assault to the scalp. On the contrary, the Scalpmaster offers a pleasant massaging experience every time I brush my hair. This brush is so popular I couldn’t find it on Amazon for several years. It’s also popular among dog groomers/owners. Go figure.
I gave the Scalpmaster as presents for Christmas several years in a row. My cousins, sister and nieces all love this product. They still ask me to order brushes for them. Even when it’s not Christmas.
The current listed price is less than $6, which means it’s made in China. The original brushes made in France were $18 on Amazon. This one works for the price. The head is heavier than the Phillips #11. The base that the bristles sit on is a half inch wider than the Phillips #11.
FOOD
A friend introduced me to organic dandelion tea. It tastes richer than other herbal teas. I’m not a coffee drinker. Dandy tea gives me a hot morning drink that is heartier than my collection of herbal teas. I add 1 scoop of collagen to add protein and collagen to support my body nutritionally. It also gives me some substance without breaking my fast. FYI the 2 lb bag is the better deal.
Vital Proteins makes a collagen supplement that contains the most diverse kinds of collagen. The cattle is grass fed and pasture raised. Costco offers the best price for this product. ($30 for 24 oz.). It’s flavorless but will slightly thicken your coffee or tea. Vital Proteins Collagen dissolves easily into cold or hot liquids. This is a great source of collagen to grow healthy connective tissue (including hair and skin!).
Ghee is a allergen free fat source that can be used for cooking or added as a fat source. I add Vanilla Bean Grass Fed Ghee to my morning tea. The ghee provides the fat to get my digestion and metabolism going without having to eat. Adding 1 tsp of ghee provides me with an hour of energy. The Vanilla Bean is a very pleasant flavor, too.
Paleo Valley Grass Fed, Grass Finished Beef Sticks
These beef sticks are tasty! Unlike the ones Trader Joe’s carries, Paleo Valley Beef sticks don’t have greasy texture. Summer sausage, jalapeño and regular are all great flavors. They are slightly speedier than the grass-fed beef sticks sold at Trader Joe’s ($1.69). Grass finished means the cattle ate grass their entire lives. Which is why Paleo Valley costs a bit more.
Raw Organic Black Sesame Seeds
You can add black sesame seeds to your salad, onto of grilled salmon, beef or chicken, or into any stir fry. Ground up sesame seeds add a mild nutty flavor to tea or coffee. Black sesame seeds are packed with omega 3s. Research has shown black sesame seeds to help with a list of conditions such as hypertension, blood sugar balance and healthy growth of hair.
Go Raw Sprouted Sunflower Seeds
Since bulk bins are no longer a thing during COVID I turned to Amazon for my favorite ingredient for salads. Sprouted sunflower seeds are packed with protein, omega 3s and minerals. The sprouting activates the nutrient of the seeds brining out more nutrition per serving that the non sprouted variety.
Raw Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds by Harvested for You
Since bulk bins are no longer a thing during COVID I turned to Amazon for my favorite ingredient for salads. Sprouted pumpkin seeds are packed with protein, omega 3s and minerals. The sprouting activates the nutrient of the seeds brining out more nutrition per serving that the non sprouted variety.
Organic Hemp Hearts by Manitoba Harvest
Organic Hemp Hearts are another source of protein and Omega 3s. Put these in salads, yogurt, cereal, energy balls, or anything else you can think of.
Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, a mineral that keeps your thyroid healthy and functioning. Eating 3-4 raw Brazil nuts a daily will feed your thyroid and keep it healthy.
Do you have any favorite hair products that are made with plant based ingredients? What are some kitchen essentials that you love? I want to learn about them. Let me know at [email protected].
