Nurture & Flo Wellness Clinic

Ever feel like you could tell the time without even looking at the clock because you wake up at the same. time. every. night? 🌙

Traditional Chinese Medicine has an interesting way of looking at this. The 24-hour day is divided into two-hour periods, each associated with a different organ system. Because of this, the timing of recurring symptoms—including disrupted sleep—can be one of the pieces of information your acupuncturist considers when looking at your overall pattern.

The key word here is one.

The TCM body clock isn’t a diagnostic cheat sheet, and waking at 2 AM doesn’t automatically mean there’s something wrong with your Liver. We also want to know how easily you fall back asleep, whether you’re hot or cold, what’s happening with digestion, stress, energy, your menstrual cycle if applicable, and everything else that makes your health uniquely yours.

So yes, when your acupuncturist asks, “What time do you wake up?” we really do want the oddly specific answer. 😂

Swipe through for a look at some of the nighttime hours through a TCM lens. 🌙🌿

September mornings call for something a little warmer. 🍎🍐

This Apple + Pear Baked Oatmeal is an easy way to make the most of two of the best things showing up locally right now—and it makes the house smell *very* good while it’s baking.

**Apple + Pear Baked Oatmeal**

2 cups rolled oats

1 apple, diced

1 pear, diced

2 eggs

1¾ cups milk of choice

¼ cup maple syrup

2 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ground ginger

1 tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

Mix everything together, pour into a greased baking dish and bake at 350°F for about 35–40 minutes, until golden and set.

Make it on the weekend and you’ve got breakfast ready for a few mornings—or eat it warm from the oven with yogurt, nut butter, or an extra drizzle of maple syrup.

The September grocery list is already being put to good use. 😉🍂

The seasons are beginning to change, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine, that’s something we pay quite a bit of attention to. 🍂

Autumn is associated with the Metal element and the Lung + Large Intestine systems—a season connected with breath, boundaries, dryness, grief, and the process of letting go.

You might even recognize some of the patterns that tend to arrive for you around this time each year: drier skin, seasonal allergies, changes in digestion, respiratory symptoms, or simply a shift in how you feel as the light and weather begin to change.

One of the things we love about TCM is its reminder that our health doesn’t exist separately from the world around us. Our needs can change with the seasons, and our care can change with them.

Swipe through for a little introduction to autumn through the lens of Chinese Medicine and some simple ways to support yourself as we move toward fall. 🍂💚

There is something about getting into the water that can change the whole feeling of a day. 🌊

A swim in the ocean, a jump off the dock, floating in a lake, or even just wading in far enough to wonder why you thought this was a good idea. 😂 The cool water, fresh air, movement, and complete change of scenery have a way of bringing us right into the moment.

Did you know? Being in and around natural water is sometimes referred to as “blue space,” and research has linked time spent in blue spaces with positive effects on wellbeing, including relaxation, mood, and stress.

And no, it doesn’t need to be a cold plunge, a wellness practice, or something you track. Sometimes a swim can simply be a swim, and feeling refreshed, playful, connected to nature, and very much alive is reason enough.

So while everyone starts talking about fall, we’ll be squeezing in a few more late-summer dips while we still can. 🌊☀️💚

One of the unexpected joys of this summer has been spending more time in the garden.

There’s something grounding about tending to plants. You quickly learn that not everything grows at the same pace. Some things flourish with very little effort, while others need a little more patience, a little more attention, or simply a change in conditions.

It’s a gentle reminder that growth isn’t always linear, and that progress often happens quietly, long before we notice the results.

In many ways, our health can be similar.

Some seasons are about growth. Others are about rest, healing, learning, or simply maintaining what we’ve already built. Each serves a purpose, even if it doesn’t always feel exciting in the moment.

As we move through August, we’re taking a cue from the garden and appreciating what’s growing, celebrating what’s flourishing, and trusting that some things simply need a little more time. 🌿💚

When people talk about health and wellness, it’s often framed in terms of goals, metrics, or things we feel we should be doing.

But what does feeling well actually mean to you?

For some people, it’s waking up with energy. For others, it’s sleeping through the night, spending time with loved ones, feeling less anxious, moving without pain, having the capacity to do the things they enjoy, or simply feeling more like themselves.

One of the things we are continually reminded of in clinic is that wellbeing is deeply personal. There is no universal definition and no single path that gets us there.

As healthcare practitioners, our goal is rarely perfection. More often, it’s helping people feel a little more supported, a little more connected to themselves, and a little more capable of showing up for the things that matter most to them.

As July winds down, consider taking a moment to reflect on what feeling well looks like for you in this season of life.

The answer might be different than it was a year ago, and that’s okay. 💚

When was the last time you did something simply because it was fun?

As adults, it’s easy to fill our days with responsibilities, obligations, and all the things that need our attention. Productivity is often celebrated, while hobbies, creativity, play, and simple enjoyment can end up feeling like luxuries or things we’ll get to later.

Yet these moments are often the ones that leave us feeling most connected to ourselves and the people around us. Whether it’s spending an afternoon in the garden, playing a board game with family, reading a good book, trying a new hobby, swimming in the ocean, or laughing with friends, there is value in making space for things that bring us joy.

Summer has a way of reminding us of this. The longer days invite us outside, encourage a little more spontaneity, and offer opportunities to reconnect with the things we enjoy simply for the sake of enjoying them.

Not everything needs to be productive to be worthwhile. Sometimes joy is reason enough. ☀️💚

A friendly summer PSA!! Just because you’re spending more time at the beach, in the garden, on vacation, or enjoying a patio with friends doesn’t mean your healthcare providers have disappeared for the summer. 😉

In fact, summer can be one of the nicest times to book in. Schedules are often a little more flexible, life can feel a touch less hectic, and there is space to tend to the things that are easy to push aside during the busier months of the year.

You don’t have to wait until stress is high, your back is sore, your digestion is acting up, or September arrives and everything feels chaotic again.

Sometimes the best time to care for yourself is when things are actually going pretty well.

Just a little reminder that we’re here all summer long if you need us. 💚

One of our favourite ways to celebrate summer produce is with a simple galette. 🍒

Less fussy than a pie and every bit as delicious, galettes are a wonderful reminder that things don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

This Cherry Almond Galette highlights one of our favourite July ingredients: fresh BC cherries. It’s the kind of recipe that feels right at home at a summer gathering, shared around a patio table, or enjoyed with a cup of coffee the next morning.

Simple ingredients, seasonal fruit, and a little bit of time in the kitchen.

That’s our kind of summer. ☀️💚

🍒 Cherry Almond Galette

Ingredients:

- 1 prepared pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 3 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss cherries with maple syrup, cornstarch, vanilla, and almond extract.
3. Roll pie crust onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Spoon cherry mixture into the centre, leaving a 2-inch border.
5. Fold edges over the fruit and brush crust with egg wash.
6. Sprinkle with sliced almonds.
7. Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbly.
8. Cool slightly and serve as is or with vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy. Preferably outdoors. ☀️

Hello, July ☀️

This month’s moodboard is inspired by sunshine, connection, adventure, nourishment, play, and all the little moments that make summer feel magical.

As summer settles in, you’ll find us sharing a little less and soaking up a little more of the season. We’ll still be popping in with inspiration, updates, and reflections throughout the month, just at a gentler pace.

Of course, our clinic doors remain open, and our team is here if you need support. If you’ve been meaning to book an appointment, have a question, or are looking for guidance on where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Wishing you a beautiful July filled with sunshine, connection, and plenty of reasons to smile. 💚