Sharon Skok, Acupuncture + Yoga

West Hollywood residents: fresh flower pop up at Grain Traders on Fairfax Avenue south of Santa Monica Blvd

Wishing you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving! As some of you know, I’m out of the office this week to rest a shoulder injury. It also helps the modified Stay at Home order in LA County. Public health officials are asking people to stay at home as much as possible this week and the following two weeks to limit community exposure to Covid 19. The positive Covid cases have significantly increased in the last few weeks which will amount to more community exposure. I will have limited acupuncture office hours next week - I’m hoping my shoulder will be better! Have a good holiday weekend!

Spent some time this weekend outdoors at Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. You need to reserve tickets ahead of time and definitely worth the trip. The Chinese gardens have some new additions, too. We are lucky in LA to have great weather to continue to enjoy and have access to outdoor activities with Covid 19. Numbers are going up in LA County and please continue to social distance, wear masks, and avoid indoor gatherings.

New business near my office - getting a buckwheat green tea and they gave me a the only cookie to try! #graintradersforteaandcoffee

It’s the big day! Polls are open until 8 pm. If you are in line before 8 pm you can cast your ballot. I early voted in person on Saturday! #vote

Hello, yogis! As some of you know, a few weeks ago YogaWorks informed all their teachers that they will be focusing on their online content for now and closing their studios (teachers furloughed status now became more permanent). Not sure how things will pan out for the yoga community (studios, teachers, students) when Covid 19 is someday behind us. I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who attended my yoga classes - whether once or if you were someone who attended i...t regularly over the last 18 years. I have been teaching in that Fairfax Avenue yoga room (see picture) for a long time - right after my teacher training in Fall 2001 when it was City Yoga. After teacher training, I first assisted in classes (thank you @rebeccabenenati for all the restorative mentoring), then subbing Hatha and Restorative classes, and then getting my regular 6 pm Sunday restorative class in probably 2002 (thank you @anthonybenenati and Rebecca). City Yoga was such a big part of my life (and really still is as I made many friends with students, fellow teachers, front desk staff, and my teachers). I was invited to stay on when YW bought the studio years ago and I continued to teach every Sunday night at 6 pm. Seeing this picture today makes me realize how much I will miss being perched on that stage and watching you all bliss out in your savasana and our conversations before and after class. Sending you a virtual hug and See more

Do you know I write custom herbal formulas? It’s part of my work as a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncture is one aspect of what I do but clients often need herbal formulas to achieve their health goal/focus. Sometimes I give ready made capsules if appropriate. There are other times when I write a more specific formula - someone may need something more customized for their individual case (taking certain herbs out and adding others in). I find I most often write these for fertility cases, but it’s appropriate in every area of TCM - gynecology, digestion, stress, anxiety, sleep issue, low energy, respiratory issues, and so many more (but those are a few more common areas) #tcm #traditionalchinesemedicine #acupuncture #acupunctureworks

Today’s lunch medley- quinoa, black beans, lime and lemon juice, cilantro, bell pepper, cucumber, olive oil, and dash of salt

When you come for your treatment, I will be looking like this: n95 mask + face shield. I air out the room between appointments as well as have a HEPA air purifier that re-circulates the air in the treatment room every 15-20 minutes. Also, I thoroughly disinfect all surfaces between clients. #acupuncturein2020

With Covid 19 safety protocols, I really upped my pillow game! 3 different and lovely vinyl covered options (one pillow does not fit all) that can all be easily disinfected. Another benefit - clients coming with damp just showered hair can no longer get the pillow wet and less laundry. #acupuncture #acupunctureworks #traditonalchinesemedicine

Today’s lunch creation: black beans, red onion, cilantro, corn, carrots, cherry tomatoes, lime and lemon juice, salt, and olive oil. Yum

Slow reopening rollout this past month to get my disinfection and safety procedures down. I am ready for you. This is what I look like when you come in for a treatment.

What’s your take on cilantro? I’m all for it. People seem to either love it or hate it. I’m putting this entire bunch along with an entire bunch of parsley, kale, and spinach into some meatballs. I love my greens. Cilantro has lots of fiber, Vit K, Vit A, manganese, riboflavin and folate.

45 minutes of vigorous activity can help manage the anxiety and depression that is showing up due to physical distancing.

It’s my 2 year anniversary of getting my @onepeloton bike! I love the bike - my energy is much improved, my asthma is 95% better, and I get cardiovascular workout more frequently because it’s right here in the middle of my apartment. It has been great during Covid 19 and I’ve started adding on warm up rides and cool down rides to get me ready for a class and to slow the heart rate down after. I’ve done 492 rides! So close to that 500 milestone. What are you doing to keep your energy flowing during Covid 19?

Today’s lunch. I’m getting better at making stuff at home.

My babe found split peas! I’ve been waiting to make this recipe since the OG shutdown (as things are moving in that direction again here in LA). Split peas, baby lima beans, barley, onion, celery seeds, celery, carrot, fresh parley, one potato, dried thyme, bay leaf, basil, salt, and pepper. Perfect with some fresh sourdough made on Saturday and salad.

Happy Saturday!! Sharing how great these warm packs are for tight neck and shoulders. It has uncooked dry rice and dried lavender flowers inside. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes. Place on shoulders and instant relief from the warmth and weight, and you get relaxing scent of lavender. this one is not new but I think you can still find these...

Farro tabouli plus garbanzo beans - tastes amazing.

Hello, pretty! 1 thermometer arrived! This one from a completely different company - the replacement one has yet to arrive. If the lost box arrives, I may go from zero forehead thermometers to 3!