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Monday 8am - 6:45pm Tuesday 9am - 6:45pm Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm Thursday 12pm - 6:45am Friday 9am - 4:30pm

http://www.balanceacupuncturecenter.com/

Balance Acupuncture Center, 550 West Main Street, Boonton, NJ (2025)

04/28/2025

This past weekend I attended the American Society of Acupuncturists annual conference meeting with my colleagues from the New Jersey Acupuncture Society. What a fantastic conference! I enjoyed getting to know colleagues from all over the country as well as learning new things about Chinese medicine (there's always something to learn) and getting excited about the goals for the profession. I can't wait for next year's conference! Thank you to everyone at the ASA for all that you do!
1. Most of everyone who attended from NJ.
2. My badge. I love that my colleague gave me the "be happy" ribbon. I chose the "humanity is universal" ribbon.
3. Photo booth fun at the banquet celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the ASA.
4. A slide of books I have to read, one of which I already have and have read.
5. Gifts from vendors and I didn't even get to meet every vendor. This is a full size bed for scale.
6. View from my window
7. Morning light.
8. Lovely 30 minute walk after today's seminars.

04/28/2025

This weekend I attended the American Society of Acupuncturists annual conference as part of the New Jersey Acupuncture Society. What a great conference! I had a blast meeting other acupuncturists as well as learning new things about Chinese medicine (there's always something to learn) and hearing about the exciting goals of the profession. Thank you to everyone at the ASA for all that you do!
1. Most of those who attended from NJ
2. My badge....I love that a colleague gave me the Be Happy ribbon. The Humanity is Universal ribbon was my choice
3. Photo booth fun at the banquet dinner celebrating ASA's 10 year anniversary
4. A slide of the books I want to read (one I already have and have read)
5. Tons of free swag, samples and gifts from vendors...and I didn't even hit up every vendor. That's a full sized bed.
6. View from my window
7. Morning light as I woke up
8. Enjoyed a beautiful 30 minute walk at the end of the day.

11/25/2024

Hello! You may have noticed that I've been a little quiet on social media recently. As we move closer towards the winter solstice, I've been feeling a strong need to slow down, get quiet and contemplate. During my moments of contemplation, some awesome ideas have come to me. These thoughts need some space to germinate, so with that I've decided to cut back on social media at least through early January. That includes ending my Instagram live Acupressure With Crystals sessions. I know that's disappointing to those of you who have been watching them regularly but I have two bits of good news for you...

1. You can still watch older sessions on my Instagram
2. They will be coming back in a different form....stay tuned!

Though I am cutting back on social media, I'm definitely not cutting back on my acupuncture practice. This tends to be a busy time of year in my office, especially for patients who want to use their flex spending before it expires at the end of the year. If you're interested in making an appointment, I highly suggest doing so sooner rather than later if you'd like to secure a date and time that's most convenient for you. Simply click on the link in my bio to schedule online.

Until I pop back on social media, light some candles and enjoy these longer nights!

10/11/2024

I cannot believe we saw the Northern Lights tonight! Nature is amazing!

10/07/2024

Energy is everything.

On Saturday I took a class called Clinical Energetics & Client Communication For Improved Outcomes, which was taught by Gary Strauss, a well known craniosacral and polarity therapist who lives in California. I took his class last year and loved it so much that I decided it was worth taking it again.

The key words in the title of this class are "clinical energetics". Gary taught me so much about seemingly simple things that can make a huge difference in creating space for healing. I noticed the change in my practice immediately after his class last year, and today I'm noticing the difference even more. I'm so grateful for teachers like this who embrace simplicity and a slower pace.

I know what I've written may seem cryptic, but it's hard to put into words the things I've learned. But what I do know is that when one of my patients came out of the treatment room she radiated an energy that I hadn't seen in her in a really long time, and she said, "I feel absolutely amazing".

I love what I do! Also, I love my office and the sunlight it receives. Many of my classmates this weekend work in places with no windows. I've done that, and I think it should be mandatory that every healing space has windows. The connection to nature is essential.

09/30/2024

Looking back through my posts over the last month, it struck me how the self-care tools that I shared are things that I do so regularly that they're practically automatic....and I didn't even share everything that I do. I don't have to make time for these things because I've already automatically infused them into my life. My day starts with stillness and matcha. My week includes hiking, strength training, journaling, meditating, and yoga. I drink water and tea throughout the day, and most of what I eat is close to the earth. For me, these self-care tools are my lifestyle.

My lifestyle wasn't always like this at all. There was a time when I lived on processed food, barely exercised, didn't journal and definitely did not drink enough water. Slowly over time I made changes, and today I've never felt healthier in my life.

If you're feeling like you need to make a change, start small. A lifestyle isn't created overnight. It's simple steps over time where we give ourselves grace when we fall away from the healthy habits we're creating. It's kindness to ourselves. It's enjoyable. It's uplifting. It's decompressing and invigorating.

As society moves towards a busy holiday season, remember to employ self-care when you can. Your future self will thank you for it.

And if you feel like you need a reset to get yourself started, schedule an acupuncture appointment! It's a great way to decompress your nervous system from the stress that sometimes keeps us feeling stuck.

09/28/2024

Stillness

Stillness is the greatest revelation. - Lao Tzu

This is one of my favorite quotes. I love it so much that I have a necklace with this quote inscribed on metal as a pendant.

My life is quite busy. Between my practice, serving as Secretary for the New Jersey Acupuncture Society, serving as Secretary for the Boonton Elks Lodge, planning Friendsgiving and spending time with friends and family as much as I can, sometimes my days start at 8:00 am and don't finish until 10:00pm or even later. Many days I leave my house with two meals for the day and a change of clothes (sometimes two changes of clothing depending on what's happening). It sounds like a lot, but I love all of it.

But how I'm able to balance that busyness is by intentionally spending time in stillness. It's quite common for me to spend hours simply sitting outside. I'll stare at the trees and watch the breeze cause the leaves to flutter. Lately it's been lovely to see the leaves start to change color. I watch the birds zip from tree to tree. Sometimes a red tail hawk sweeps through the sky. And many times if I'm home and conditions are right, I'll climb up the hill in my backyard and watch the sunset, like this one.

The stillness is where I decompress, where my mind slows down, where my breath deepens. I truly think that time in stillness is why I'm so productive when I work, and because of that I feel absolutely no guilt when I relax in my chair and take in nature.

As it gets colder, it'll become harder to do this, so these days I'm relishing my time outside in stillness as much as I can.

09/25/2024

There are many different ways to journal.

Recently I felt drawn (pun not intended) to journaling by drawing. I got this blank paper notebook and colored pencils and every few days or so I sketch or write. Mostly what I’m journaling is about goals I’d like to accomplish, and in moments when I’m feeling like I need a pick-me-up, I look back through the pages. It’s amazing how only doing that can help me refocus my energy.

Back in college, I had a larger blank paper notebook and watercolors. I still have that journal and the paintings bring me back to what I was experiencing in college.

I’ve done rapid journaling as described in Writing Down Your Soul by Janet Connor. I’ve carefully written down my thoughts and feelings very slowly and methodically.

All of these methods are beneficial to healthy mental processing. If you find yourself ruminating or feeling stuck, try journaling. It’s a wonderful self-care tool.

09/22/2024

Hiking is one of my favorite things to do and it's become one of my essential self care activities.

Breathing in fresh air, surrounding myself with nature, listening to the breeze through the trees, moving my body and breaking a sweat....these are the things that decompress my stress and rejuvenate my energy.

Today I hiked a fun loop at Hacklebarney State Park with Mike and fellow New Jersey Acupuncture Society board member and vice president Shara Resende and her family. Such a beautiful day for a hike!

If you're new to hiking, there are a few things you should know before you give it a try.

🌱Wear good hiking boots. You can get fit for a good pair at REI. They'll last for years and are worth the investment.
🌱Bring water. The amount may vary depending on the length of the hike and the conditions. For a 45 minute hike like today I had 20 ounces with me.
🌱Research the trail ahead of time. Start with an easy trail, not a moderate or challenging trail. The county or state parks websites are good at describing the trail. Websites like AllTrails have reviews from hikers, which are also helpful.
🌱Save a photo of the map on your phone before you head out for the trail (sometimes cell service is limited). If there is a trail map at the trailhead, take photos of it.
🌱 Understand what the trail markers mean. See the last photo for reference. I can't tell you how many lost hikers I've helped over the years because they didn't understand the meaning of these markers.
🌱Use bug spray. Nantucket Spider makes a wonderful tick repellent.
🌱Hike with others. I only ever hike alone on trails that are either full with a lot of people or I'm super familiar with the route, and even then I tell Mike where I'm going and what time I'm starting and when I should finish. If you're new to this, it's significantly safer to hike with others. Need a hiking buddy? Ask me! I'm down!

09/16/2024

I've been doing yoga for almost 30 years. A college professor recommended that I practice yoga to help improve my posture, and little did I know how much yoga would become a part of my life. It's one of my most favorite forms of self care.

Towards the end of a practice I like to rest with my legs up in the air. When I'm home I rest my feet against a wall or a chair, but when I'm outside during Boonton Recreation yoga I place a block under my sacrum and let my feet hang out in the air.

Also I love doing yoga outside. Breathing in fresh air during a practice is amazing.

If you're looking to try yoga, consider Boonton Recreation yoga. Classes are extremely affordable and Erika the instructor is wonderful!

09/07/2024

Matcha

I love starting my day off with a hot cup of matcha. I gave up coffee quite a while ago because I found the caffeine jolt to be too intense. I had palpitations, sweating and jitteriness. For a while I wasn’t consuming any caffeine, but I found I needed something in the mornings. That’s when I started drinking matcha.

Matcha has a lot of caffeine but it’s released slowly, providing a more even flow of energy that lasts over time.

Matcha is ground up young green tea leaves, which gives it a bright green appearance. It has several health benefits.

🌱High in antioxidants, which help stabilize harmful free radicals that can damage cells and lead to chronic disease

🌱Improve liver health, shown in a 2015 systematic review

🌱High in epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which some studies have shown may have anti-cancer properties (more evidence is needed)

🌱Helps with weight loss, shown in a 2020 systematic review

🌱Reduce cardiovascular disease, shown in several studies

🌱Enhance brain function, shown in several studies

It’s so easy to make. I put half a teaspoon in a mug and mix it with hot water. I like it this way but adding coconut milk and a little bit of honey will make it sweeter.

09/03/2024

I remember having a conversation with a patient about self-care shortly after reopening my acupuncture practice during the pandemic. At the time, she and many of my other patients were prioritizing self-care as a coping mechanism to the high stressors and limited healthcare at the time. As they re-entered society, it became harder for them to sustain their self-care practices, and my patient was sharing her struggle with me. She was tired, feeling like she couldn’t keep up and concerned she was at risk of reversing the health benefits she had experienced. Nearly every day while working from home she had been fitting in meditation, yoga, walks, cooking everything from scratch, reading, drawing, writing and taking online seminars. After she had listed everything she had been doing, she chuckled and said, “I’m sick of all of this self-care!” We both enjoyed a bit of a laugh at that notion.

As much as it can make us feel incredible, at times self-care can feel daunting. It’s another thing to do during the day. It’s something to try to fit in. I’ve heard all of the excuses - “I don’t have time,” “I’m too tired,” “I forget”, “I’m not good at it,” “My partner/kids/pets won’t give me space.” I totally get it….I’ve felt the same way too, but a little every day can go a long way.

So for the month of September, I will be sharing simple self-care practices I do on a regular basis, all of which are either free or very low cost. I highly encourage you to give these a try no matter how tired/busy/whatever the barrier may be.

Balance Acupuncture Center

04/28/2025

04/28/2025

11/25/2024

10/11/2024

10/07/2024

09/30/2024

09/28/2024

09/25/2024

09/22/2024

09/16/2024

09/07/2024

09/03/2024

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Monday	8am - 6:45pm
Tuesday	9am - 6:45pm
Wednesday	9am - 4:30pm
Thursday	12pm - 6:45am
Friday	9am - 4:30pm