Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 16, 2016

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

10

Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 16, 2016 


THE JOY OF YOGA

STUDIES: ACUPUNCTURE

EFFECTIVE FOR DEPRESSION

Many people suffering from depression can find a 
natural and effective way to treat their symptoms 
with acupuncture, according to the latest study.

A study published by researchers from the 
University of York in the United Kingdom showed 
patients who suffer from depression may benefit 
more from acupuncture or counseling alongside 
their usual care, compared with usual care alone.

The researchers conducted a randomized 
controlled trial of 755 patients with moderate to 
severe depression from 27 primary care practices 
in the north of England. The patients were 
randomized to one of three treatment groups:

 302 patients had 12 weekly sessions of counseling 
plus usual care.

 151 patients had usual care alone.

 After three months of treatment, the patients 
were required to complete a Patient Health 
Questionnaire (PHQ-9), detailing what depressive 
thoughts or feelings they had over the study 
period. The outcome of the this showed that 
when compared with usual care alone, patients 
who received acupuncture or counseling plus 
their usual care showed a significant reduction in 
average depression scores, according to the study.

This is not the first time acupuncture has been 
touted for its positive impact on those suffering 
from mental illness.

 In 2012, a research study out of Hong Kong 
showed electro-acupuncture stimulation also 
reduced the severity of depressive symptoms to 
help patients dealing with depression recover 
faster using alternative methods.

 Researchers at the School of Chinese Medicine at 
The University of Hong Kong, Li Ka Shing Faculty 
of Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry 
in Kowloon Hospital conducted a study of a 
randomized controlled trial using Dense Cranial 
Electro Acupuncture Stimulation (DCEAS) on 
patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). 
DCEAS is a novel acupuncture treatment, which 
was developed by Dr. Zhang Zhang-jin, associate 
professor of the HKU School of Chinese Medicine.

For the study, 73 participants, ages 25 to 65 years, 
had been diagnosed with MDD and had suffered 
with the disorder from several months to several 
years.

 The volunteers continued taking their prescribed 
antidepressant medications (fluoxetine), and were 
randomly selected to be in the DCEAS group or 
the control group. Participants in the DCEAS 
group received dense cranial electroacupuncture 
stimulation, while the control group received 
noninvasive electroacupuncture (placebo 
acupuncture) for 9 sessions in 3 weeks. Each 
session lasted 45 minutes.

 Assessments given by both physicians and the 
patients themselves revealed that the DCEAS 
group had greater improvement in depressive 
symptoms, according to researchers.

 On the 21st day after receiving treatment, the 
DCEAS group had a greater improvement in 
both the clinical depression assessment and the 
self-rating depression scale. Furthermore, strong 
improvements were observed in the DCEAS 
patients as early as at day 3, and this continued 
until the end of the treatment.

 The findings suggest that DCEAS may be 
considered as an additional treatment for 
depressed individuals to achieve better clinical 
effects.

 

 References: http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/
mpacms/at/article.php?id=32819

GETTING STARTED / 

COMING BACK

Beginning or 
returning to your yoga practice can be a challenge. 
Life is in session and we have a million reasons why 
we haven’t begun. It’s a funny thing, it becomes all 
or nothing--either we are “on” and committed or 
we put it off and procrastinate. We know yoga is so 
good for us, or we’ve seen the magic of the practice 
work for others. Perhaps friends or doctors have 
recommended yoga in response to a particular 
problem we’ve had. 

 So how do we get started?! Your practice can 
begin with just one class, the very effort of making 
it there has power. Just one class can change our 
energy, relieve pain, and enliven the body. The 
experience can serve as our own personal wake up 
call. If the teacher not our favorite, we try others 
and find the one who we can connect with. Again, 
the effort of just making it to class is sufficient. 
Once over this hurdle, you’ll discover (or re-
discover) the benefits of a weekly practice. Ideally, 
attending class 3x per week is going to really 
improve your physical and emotional health, not 
to mention your energetic body! 

 Alignment, breath, flexibility and grasping the 
impact of the practices will come in time. 

 There is always opportunity for more. Yoga is a 
lifetime practice. It supports the student in every 
stage of life and meets you exactly where you are. 

 Cheers to getting started! See you in class. 

Namaste, 

Keely Totten 


FOOD AND DRINK


SO MANY CHOICES FOR SUSHI IN PASADENA

Sushi honorable enough for a samurai warrior to defend. 

If you are familiar with 
a corner restaurant 
on Green and Wilson, 
you know that Matsuri 
is the Emperor of Sushi. When you walk through 
their doors you are stepping off a train in the 
heart of Tokyo. Imagine the energy of a great 
city where the places of dining are venerated as 
shrines and not an indifferent meal sitting. The 
playful name of Matsuri means, Japanese Festival, 
and the conscious hope of the name speaks to the 
good-natured belief that all great parties include 
dazzling food and trusted friends. 

 I brought along a trusted friend on this trip to 
Matsuri, Sean Lorenzini. He hunts sushi the way 
Melville’s Ahab hounded the depths for whales, 
Sean being much in the same mold as myself, 
perennially found about the world and appearing 
fated to wander from one dining table to the next. 
Besides, it’s in Pasadena and it will save you a trip 
to downtown Little Tokyo

 Once seated we started off with a Sapporo Light 
beer and with the Red Snapper Carpaccio. It is 
an item that you may not find that frequently. 
We shared the dish, he on one side and I on the 
other, and we both agreed it was a savory sendoff. 
More of an appetizer than a meal, so we both 
yearned for our next plate and before I could 
say superfrignexbealladosciuos, the next dish 
magically appeared. “She’s Spicy Hot,” yes you 
read it right, this spicy tuna appetizer laid out on a 
thin mint wafer is scintillating. Actually it’s Shiso 
Hot, but a little writer’s exaggeration never hurt.

 There is one 
inescapable thing that all 
great sushi must possess, 
freshness. That is the 
fundamental element in any great Sushi restaurant 
and they ensure it at Matsuri. Papa San motors to 
the LA Fish Market at least five times a week to buy 
fish for the restaurant. Improbable, impossible, 
unimaginable you say, not to be found in this 
day and age! Pride drives that man to honor his 
guests. The delivery truck may sling fish at other 
restaurants but the emperor of sushi walks the 
docks as the fish is delivered and turns his keen 
eye to the best catch of the day. The gas is on me 
Papa San, put the pedal to the metal. I didn’t get 
the names, as I was offered only, Momma San, 
Papa San and Son of San. 

The entrees were fantastic, 
I always order a Spicy Tuna 
Hand Roll. I even convinced 
Ahab; of course he ordered 
the rice paper, while I got 
the traditional seaweed 
wrap. 

 Sake and Beer are available, 
I do recommend sitting at 
the Sushi Bar if seats are 
available. I did enjoy my 
meal! Next time the Live 
Scallops or Sea Urchin.

 It appears in this story 
that Ahab survives with 
a smile. Matsuri 1050 E. 
Green St. Pasadena (626) 844-2900 Please listen to 
my talk show on KLAA AM 830 at 5 PM Saturdays

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com

CARMELIZED ONION, BACON 
& WHITE CHEDDAR 

CHEESEBURGER

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 lb. extra lean ground beef

2 tbsp. Sierra Madre Seasoning 

6-8 white cheddar cheese slices 

12-16 bacon strips, cooked

6-8 whole wheat hamburger buns

1 jar Sierra Madre Grocery Company Caramelized Onion & Garlic Spread* 

(Available at Taylor’s Market - Sierra Madre) 

1 package arugula 

tomatoes & pickles optional

DIRECTIONS 

Lightly mix Sierra Seasoning in with ground beef and form into 6-8 patties.

Grill patties 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Place cheese to melt on burger while grilling second side.

Grill whole wheat buns, inner side down until lightly toasted.

Spoonful SMGC Caramelized Onion & Garlic Spread on cheese.

Top with bacon strips, arugula, tomatoes & pickles.

Smile and Enjoy!


MARY’S MARKET AND CANYON CAFE 

NAMED #23 OF TOP 36 MIND-BLOWING 
BREAKFAST BURRITOS IN LA.

The LOS ANGELES EATER recently discovered something that those who partake of the wonderful 
food at Mary’s Market already knew, Mary’s Market is among the best there is! The EATER says that 
Mary’s is the 23rd best breakfast burrito place in LA, “Mary’s is for locals. Tucked into the base of the 
Angeles National Forest, this roadside shack serves tasty morning burritos for well under $5. It’s as 
quaint as they come.”

 Now, that’s what they but us ‘locals’ know the truth, Mary’s Market is Numero Uno!

 

 Located at 562 Woodland in Sierra Madre, stop by with a good appetite sometime. Visit their 
website at www.marysmarket.com at check out the menu. (P.S. - They cater too!)