I caught myself in the mirror the other morning and thought, “When did I start looking like my passport photo?” You know that look - tired, a little puffy, like life has been…a lot. That’s when I had to remind myself: my skin isn’t betraying me, it’s tattling on me.

That’s the thing about East Asian medicine. Your face is basically your body’s snitch. Dry patches? You’re dehydrated. Puffy eyes? Probably ate nachos at 10 pm. Wrinkles deepening? Hello stress, my old friend. Instead of blaming your moisturizer, East Asian medicine asks: what’s happening inside that’s showing up outside?

Here’s how I keep my skin (and sanity) in check at home:

Let’s start with a little honesty: modern life keeps us very still. Between working at desks, driving, watching Netflix, scrolling... most of us are spending hours every day in a seated position.

But here’s the thing - our bodies weren’t designed for that. And over time, this sedentary lifestyle can lead to what researchers now call Sedentary Death Syndrome - a very real, very preventable collection of health problems that stem from too little movement.

Did you know that what you do outside the treatment room can help your acupuncture results last longer? Small, mindful habits can keep your body in balance and support the work we’re doing together. Many times when we find ourselves on the acupuncture table, it’s because we’re ready to do things a little differently. That doesn’t always mean huge changes - just a few small shifts in daily life can set us on an entirely new path within a few months. Here are a few simple things to try:

Ah, summer. You gave us sun-kissed afternoons, breezy patio dinners, and - let’s be honest - probably more SPF “oops” moments than we’d like to admit. As the season starts winding down, our skin is waving a little white flag, begging for some post-summer TLC before the cool, dry weather rolls in.

Here’s how to give your skin the spa day it deserves (without the spa-day price tag):

Recently, a patient of mine inspired me with the idea that she was “reclaiming some of her time” by cutting down on bad habits that snuck in over the summer. I love this way to reframe our patterns and become a little more self-aware. So often we get lazy and lackadaisical when the days are long and we think we have all the time in the world to get things done. Realistically, for most of us, we end up just burning that time doing silly things or distracting ourselves. We forget routine helps us; along with other things that we know is a priority…like eating well, stretching or exercising, or even the simple act of drinking water. The end of summer is always when we’re burned out, let things slip, and need to shape up before school starts/ prep for Q3!

When I sit down to write these letters, I try to share something I’ve been working through in my own life. This time, it’s about feeling our feelings. Not figuring them out. Not fixing them. Just being with them in the body.

Back-to-School Reset (Even If You’re Not Going Back to School)

It’s that time of year again - back to school! For those of us with kids, this usually means earlier mornings, packed lunches, and a general return to structure. But even if school isn't part of your daily life, this season often brings a natural shift - like a second “new year” - and a great opportunity to check in and reset.

Here’s how I’m getting my family (and myself) ready for the transition this fall:

Let’s talk about something small and breezy: finding your purpose. You know, that one tiny thing that makes life feel meaningful and worth waking up for...no pressure.

Here’s the truth: a lot of us walk around feeling like we should know our purpose, like it’s a book we lost in the library of life and now we’re just too embarrassed to ask the librarian. But here’s the good news: your purpose isn’t hiding in some far-off mountain temple or buried under a to-do list. It might just be closer than you think.

In a world with “hacks” for everything– weight loss, energy, mindset, stress relief, perfect skin;  you name it… I’ve got one that is so simple, yet so effective. It’s an ancient, time-tested method that has proven to have results EVERY single time… for all of the above! 

Intrigued yet??

It’s simple. It’s easy. It just requires some intentional thought and time. 

What is my “ultimate hack?” you say.... (drumroll please)....

In the medicine we practice, the Summer season is the season of joy. But some days it feels hard to keep up with the pace of the world. The news is heavy. The weight of injustice, cruelty, and suffering presses in. It’s difficult to balance joy with some of the images we see. 

Lately, I’ve felt it more in my body - in my chest, my breath, in a kind of quiet fatigue that sits with me even when I’m trying to be still.

I recently had a big birthday—and like a lot of people hitting a milestone year (maybe?), I found myself doing a little life inventory. You know the one: Am I living the way I want to? What needs to shift? What do I want more of?

This month we’re doing an “earthing” challenge in the office and I have to say, it's been very enjoyable to recalibrate in such a simple way! The definition of “Earthing” is to have direct contact with the surface of the Earth with a bare body part, like your feet or hands. In our case, we are challenging ourselves to spending 5 minutes a day grounding ourselves with the energy of the planet.

You always have something to do.

There’s a list on your phone, another in your notebook, sticky notes on your mirror, calendar alerts that ping before you can even remember what they were reminding you of. You move from one thing to the next with practiced efficiency: tasks, errands, emails, workouts, calls. When one thing ends, you’ve already lined up the next three.

Let’s talk about hormones - not the raging, throw-a-shoe-kind (well, those too) but the ones that keep your body running like a well-oiled, emotionally stable machine. 

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about motivation—not the Pinterest quote kind, but the deep, internal kind that actually gets you up and moving when the couch is calling.

Truth? Mine had been a little MIA. Life has been full and busy, and somewhere in between “just making it through the week” and “someday I’ll get back on track,” I realized… I hadn’t felt that spark in a while.

Even though it's mid-May, and spring might be winding down, there’s still room for one last seasonal reset—and this time, we’re talking about cleaning. But not just any cleaning…cleaner cleaning. The kind that smells like lemon and lavender and leaves your conscience as fresh as your countertops!  

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is often praised for its natural, glow-boosting anti-aging effects—but its benefits go much deeper than just reducing wrinkles. Rooted in East Asian Medicine, this treatment supports overall wellness by addressing the face and the body as a whole…

Do you ever get stuck in thought loops?

Rehashing a scenario, or feeling anxious about an upcoming event?
I do this often (possibly right now). So I figured—what better subject to write (and vent) about than the plague of overwhelming thoughts, especially in such a crazy time for the world.

Let’s be honest - when it comes to taking care of our skin, it’s easy to feel like you need a second mortgage to keep up. Between high-priced serums, laser packages, and injectable trends that come and go faster than a TikTok dance, it can all feel overwhelming (and expensive). But here’s the good news: you don’t need to go big or go broke to get real results.

Spring in Colorado brings fluctuating temperatures, dry air, and increased sun exposure due to the high altitude. Here’s how to adjust your skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and hydrated: