Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

What I Eat In A Day: Acupuncturist Paige Bourassa

Paige Bourassa, DACM, L.Ac., RHN
Author:
January 19, 2016
Paige Bourassa, DACM, L.Ac., RHN
Licensed Acupuncturist
By Paige Bourassa, DACM, L.Ac., RHN
Licensed Acupuncturist
Dr. Paige Bourassa is nationally board certified in acupuncture. She studied psychology at the University of Colorado, holds a doctorate in acupuncture and Chinese medicine (DACM) and a master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM) from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.
January 19, 2016

As an acupuncturist/herbologist/holistic nutritionite every day is a juggling act between assessing patients needs, coordinating schedules, herbs, vitamins, blood typing, running a one-woman business, and then — of course — actually doing acupuncture healing.

Trying to fit workouts and taking care of my wheelchair puppy leaves very little time for grocery shopping and slow-cooked home meals. Thank goodness for NYC restaurants that bring healthy and healing foods to me wherever I'm hungry. Here's a day in my food life, hold onto your hats ...

9 AM: Breakfast

This is the only meal of the day I know I have 100% control over, so I make it perfect. I'm usually eating after a workout so I need protein, fat and some carbs quickly and I want them delicious.

"Protein Oats" are something my uncle taught me in the back woods of Canada, I add a scoop of my favorite protein powder (which is a vegetarian protein powder packed with vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids) to some steel-cut oats. Stir, top with a bunch of almonds, organic peanut butter, bananas, and a drizzle of agave and I'm filled up with protein and ready to start the day!

1 PM: Lunch

By lunch I'm famished and usually in the swing of seeing patients, so I need something amazing to come to my door quickly. For this I have a couple of go-to's, but my favorite for the winter is Indie Fresh soups and bone broths.

They're amazing kidney nourishers and boost Qi. My favorite soup is their turkey and black bean chili which has 24 grams of protein and keeps me full without feeling heavy #winning.

3 PM: Snack

Although this is a beautiful and serene pic of apples and PB, my midday snack usually looks more like chomping a bite of apple then scooping a finger full of PB into my mouth while sending emails and trying to remember to pull my finger out before I bite it.

It's happened before, it'll happen again, I'm not judging myself for that one!

7 PM: Dinner

I like to end my day with a light protein and veg combo that leaves my tummy happy and won't keep me up with insane dreams (if you eat too heavy or too late, often you'll have those insane ex-boyfriend chasing you on a dragon's back while you're naked in class type of dreams ... you know what I'm talking about).

My go-to workweek dinner is at Little Beet Table on Park Avenue because they use local ingredients, are gluten-free, and they slow cook their salmon to preserve the nutrients, which also makes it beyond delicious.

That's a day in the fast lane of eating while trying to maintain balance. I like to tell my patients that like no two people are alike, no two diets should be either.

I've had the most success in my own life by eating according to season, freshness, my activity level, and then I try to stick to my blood type foods as well.

It's an ongoing conversation I have in my practice, and adding a little Chinese medicine food knowledge goes a long way when you're sick or lacking energy (hint: ginger for everyone)!

Photos courtesy of the author

Paige Bourassa, DACM, L.Ac., RHN
Paige Bourassa, DACM, L.Ac., RHN

Dr. Paige Bourassa is the founder of Shen Medicine, an Acupuncture wellness practice in the heart of New York City and Shen Medicine South, in Nashville Tennessee.

Paige grew up in Vancouver, Canada and became passionate about Alternative Medicine after having several remarkable experiences with it at a young age. After High School she enrolled in Canada’s first Holistic Nutrition program at the Canadian College of Natural Nutrition and graduated a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. From there she traveled extensively through Asia where her passion blossomed into studies as she began taking an interest in Ayurveda, an ancient East Indian medicine. After living in India for several months she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to pursue her Ayurvedic training further studying alongside the famous Dr. Vasant Lad at his Ayurvedic Institute. Following Ayurveda, Paige pursued a Psychology degree at the University of Colorado and began to assimilate what she had learned of Eastern Medicine with Western Psychology. Understanding that disease in the body is most often attributed to disharmony within the psyche/emotions, a concept called “Psychosomatic Illness”, Paige was drawn to the integrative philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine where everything is believed to be interconnected. After falling in love with the TCM approach to health science, she went on to complete a 4-year Masters of Science degree as well as a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Health and Science.

Read More About Paige Bourassa, DACM, L.Ac., RHN

More from the author:

The Essential Guide To Acupressure

Check out Relieve Chronic Pain Through The Power Of At-Home Acupressure Techniques

Learn more

More from the author:

The Essential Guide To Acupressure

Check out Relieve Chronic Pain Through The Power Of At-Home Acupressure Techniques

Learn more
Paige Bourassa, DACM, L.Ac., RHN
Paige Bourassa, DACM, L.Ac., RHN

Dr. Paige Bourassa is the founder of Shen Medicine, an Acupuncture wellness practice in the heart of New York City and Shen Medicine South, in Nashville Tennessee.

Paige grew up in Vancouver, Canada and became passionate about Alternative Medicine after having several remarkable experiences with it at a young age. After High School she enrolled in Canada’s first Holistic Nutrition program at the Canadian College of Natural Nutrition and graduated a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. From there she traveled extensively through Asia where her passion blossomed into studies as she began taking an interest in Ayurveda, an ancient East Indian medicine. After living in India for several months she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to pursue her Ayurvedic training further studying alongside the famous Dr. Vasant Lad at his Ayurvedic Institute. Following Ayurveda, Paige pursued a Psychology degree at the University of Colorado and began to assimilate what she had learned of Eastern Medicine with Western Psychology. Understanding that disease in the body is most often attributed to disharmony within the psyche/emotions, a concept called “Psychosomatic Illness”, Paige was drawn to the integrative philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine where everything is believed to be interconnected. After falling in love with the TCM approach to health science, she went on to complete a 4-year Masters of Science degree as well as a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Health and Science.

Read More About Paige Bourassa, DACM, L.Ac., RHN

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Food
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.