HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

The Year of the Rabbit officially begins on February 3rd, 2011 and the elemental energies are again metal and wood, similar to the Tiger year we’re leaving behind. Therefore, some of the unpredictability and conflicts of the Tiger year will carry over to the New Year; however, Rabbit years are usually calm, creative, and positive -- a much-desired change from the volatile Tiger! Rabbit is a peace-seeking symbol, and we can expect that there will most likely be more effort at diplomacy politically. But don’t expect everything to go smoothly, because any accord is always underscored by discord.

The focus of this year will orient towards reviving the arts and culture, getting our financial house in order, cultivating intimate relationships, and building family and community. As a result, industries that will likely benefit include entertainment, finance, energy, especially alternative energy, commodities like metals and agricultural products, mining, shipping, transportation, and hotels. Industries that will continue to lag include forestry, textiles, media, newspapers, and magazines. Due to the still-weak economic conditions of the West, environmental protection may unfortunately take a backseat to economic priorities. Because of the inward focus on the Rabbit, domestic agendas at home will trump those outside of the border and the appetite for playing Big Brother internationally will assuredly wane.

Like last year, this Rabbit year is represented by the elements metal and wood. The metal element corresponds to the respiratory and immune systems, while the wood element correlates to the digestive and nervous systems. These organs and systems will be vulnerable for breakdown so be on the lookout for frequent colds and flu that turn into bronchitis and pneumonia, digestive disorders including acid reflux, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, diverticulitis, liver and gall bladder diseases, and injury and pain related to the neck and spine.

Now is a good time to start your art and spend time exploring cultural opportunities. Because it is also a good time to focus on relationships and family, consider bringing your special someone(s) along to an art show, on a historic walk, or perhaps try a culturally themed meal together. Strengthen your personal financial foundation by laying your finances all out on paper as they are now. Make a realistic saving goal and a reasonable paying off debt goal; then keep weekly track of your evolving financial picture.

In summary, the year of the Rabbit will be considerably calmer from the volatility and conflicts of the past Tiger year. You will still need to be on guard, like the rabbit, for sudden, unexpected changes that may throw you off balance. The good news is that peace, love, and family are the natural traits of Rabbits. Defend against assaults on your immune and respiratory systems and take care to keep your nervous system calm and your digestion flowing. Finally, work on your inner self spiritually so that no matter what challenges occur, you shall be connected to your unshakable faith in the positive, constructive, and creative energies of the divine universe as expressed through you and manifest in your life.

So, have a happy and prosperous new year!

All the best harmonious Qi,

Tom Pasley, LMT, NCTMB

Test your diet

Health test: Score your diet's Mediterranean quotient

Joe Rojas-Burke
The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.
01-31-11
Jan. 31--The Mediterranean diet is famous for staving off heart disease.
But there's growing evidence that the eating pattern -- heavy on vegetables, fruits, olive oil and fish -- offers some protection from a surprisingly broad list of health problems.
Among them: Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, certain cancers, diabetes, weight gain, and perhaps even infertility.

To rate how closely your eating habits fit the Mediterranean diet, use the following scale (adapted from the diet score created by Antonia Trichopoulou and colleagues at the University of Athens Medical School, Greece, with U.S. data from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study.)

Give yourself 1 point for each yes answer, and 0 for each no.
Vegetables: 4 or more servings a day
Legumes: 1 or more servings a week
Fruit: 3 or more servings a day
Nuts and seeds: 1 or more servings a week
Whole grains: 1 or more servings a day
Fish: 4 or more servings a week
Fats: More unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, than saturated fats, such as butter.
Alcohol: 1/2 to 1 drink a day for women; 1 to 2 for men
Red and processed meat: Fewer than 2 servings a day for women, fewer than 3 a day for men

Totals of six or higher put you in the range of highest benefit. Scores less than four mean you are getting little or no protection.