2026 Summer-Fall transition-The Wellness of Balance newsletter from Red Tree Wellness Inc

The Wellness of Balance 

2026 Summer to Fall transition Tips and News

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Summer to Fall transition
• Favourite “Eat Well” tips!
• Clinic updates

Hello,

We’ve past the post of the longest day of the year, which is the highest amount of Yang (warming/energizing) Qi of the seasons. Now while we will get to enjoy the warming energy of summer for weeks to come, the decline has begun. July is another transition month between Seasons in the Chinese lunisolar calendar. They are reminders to be aware of the changes and live in sync with nature. August 7th will mark another transition as it will be the start of the Fall and Metal season, which is the trend of cooler weather. At this time, we steadily want to gather and settle the fun expansion of summer, and be more clear and organized in our thoughts and manners as we walk through Fall’s energy of systems, logic and organization. Now is the time we should also be gradually going earlier to bed, rising later, in sync with the Sun and light. Mindfully wind down your active life, and gather your resources. Take advantage of the environments’ flow energy boosts that give us the clarity. Enjoy the transitions.🫶🏻

---

---

Seasonal Health Tips

The next in our newsletter series is the next concept in Chinese medicine my late Grandmaster Richard Tehfu Tan used to say quite succinctly – Good health and longevity is maintained when you: “Eat Right, Sleep Right and Poop Right!”. 😄 These are 3 pillars key to longevity and good health. Kicking of the next longevity tip, is “Eat Right”.🍜 Read more below! 👇🏻

Tips from Sonia F. Tan, DAOM, RAc, RTCMP

Warm the Gut…

Chinese medicine likes to have a warm digestive fire, called the Stomach Yang Qi. This Stomach Yang Qi’s function is to break down and move food in the gut. Do you know why tea or hot water is always served in your email at a Chinese restaurant? To warm the gut and your digestion, to help your digestion! Besides the fact that tea is naturally fermented and also helps your digestion. Warm + microbiomes = easier digestion!

Do you also know why Miso soup is served at sushi restaurants? To warm the gut and get the digestion regulation going! Warm + microbiomes = easier digestion!

So that means, you should lessen the amount of cold foods you consume, both literally and those that have a cold effect on the body such as cucumbers or watermelons. In the summer, it is so tempting to have ice creams, fresh fruits, salads, etc. And yes, in moderation is fine, just remember to warm the gut! Supplement it with warm teas or miso soup throughout the day.

Lastly, remember a tip I mentioned in the last newsletter → add cinnamon! This helps to warm the recipe and preserve my digestive fire, and then you are also helping “float the boat” like I spoke about in my last newsletter tip when eating Yogurt!

So remember to warm your gut first! Tea, soup or at least hot water is the easiest. Your gut will be happier and healthier! 💟

 

Sunscreen and Chinese Medicine Wisdom for Healthy Skin

As the vibrant energy of longer, sunnier days fills the air, let’s remember to nurture our skin’s health from the inside out! My approach to sun protection involves a multi-layered strategy:

• Your Outer Shield: UV Protective Wear. Think of clothing, hats, and sunglasses with UV protection as your personal force field against the sun’s rays. Make them your go-to accessories!
• The Daily Essential: Sunscreen Application. Rain or shine, sunscreen is a non-negotiable step in your daily routine. UV radiation can penetrate clouds, so consistency is key. The best sunscreen is the one you love enough to use properly every day.
• Ancient Allies for Skin Health: Exploring Chinese Herbs. Traditional Chinese medicine offers valuable insights into supporting skin integrity. I’ve found moisturizers containing Huang Qi (黄芪), known in English as Astragalus Root, to be particularly beneficial. It’s prized for its nourishing properties, helping to maintain skin hydration (which is crucial for resilience against sun damage), and its rich antioxidant content.
• Nourishment from Within: The Power of Antioxidant-Rich Foods. What you eat plays a significant role in how your skin responds to environmental stressors like UV rays. High antioxidant foods help neutralize free radicals generated by sun exposure. Blueberries are a personal favourite for summer – in Chinese medicine, they’re considered cooling and hydrating, making them a wonderful addition to your warm-weather diet.

This season, let’s embrace the combined power of effective sunscreens and the wisdom of Chinese medicine to keep our skin feeling healthy, hydrated, and protected! 😎

 

Tips from Suzanne Williams, RAc, RTCMP

Give your Gut a Break Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Style!

You may have heard about the Chinese medicine body clock, the 24-hour TCM health framework that maps the flow of Qi through twelve primary organ systems in two-hour increments. In this system, specific physical and emotional functions are optimized at distinct times of day. Did you know that the Chinese medicine body clock includes a built-in overnight fast? Following the Chinese medicine body clock naturally supports a 12-hour overnight fast by aligning your eating habits with the peak energetic hours of your digestive organs. In this system, your Stomach runs the show in the morning, meaning your digestion is at its absolute peak between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM. By the time 7:00 PM hits, your digestive system is done for the day, and your body shifts its focus toward resting and replenishing. If you just follow that natural rhythm – wrapping up dinner by 7:00 PM and eating breakfast during the 7:00 to 9:00 AM peak Stomach window – you automatically hit a perfect 12- to 14-hour fasting window without having to overthink it or stare at a timer. It’s a simple way to give your gut a break, regulate your metabolism, and support good quality sleep.

 

Tips from Dr. Kathleen Dang, ND, RAc

Daily gut Power!

Eastern medicine emphasizes good daily habits as the underlying basis of all health – no matter what medical condition you were born with or acquired along the way. There is always something in your control that has meaning and impact on your health. This is not about being perfect. This is about adding easy habits that have a high impact.

Here are some 3 great daily habit ideas to build your body’s energy, or Qi.
– Warm protein for breakfast – eggs, soups, beans, oatmeal+milk product. I’ve enjoyed recently soaking and cooking mung beans and adding them as a side dish to whatever I’m eating. This adds fiber and protein!
– A gentle 10-minute walk after a meal, helps to strengthen the organs of digestion, transforming food into energy, prevents feelings of heaviness, bloating, and sluggishness.
– One-extra serving of veggies at your meal. I love keeping a jar of sliced, pickled radishes and adding it to my meal for texture and acidic flavour. One simple recipe – sliced radishes in a jar and squeeze of a whole lemon + salt. Don’t worry if the fluid line doesn’t reach the top of the radishes. The water content of the radishes will add just the right amount of water. Enjoy!

Enjoy! 😊

---

Final Clinic FYI’s:

• The “pro” series of our YouTube “Tree Talks” tips for health is here! A 3-part series titled “Grocery Store medicine!” is ready for you to check out now 👉🏻 Things you can find in your local Asian-food focuses + Western-food focused grocery stores, that we wanted to give you deeper health insight on how you can use them for your health and wellness, in addition to how we love preparing and eating them. Click on our YouTube Channel for our FIRST in the series on Medicinal Beverages for Digestion ➡️ Our YouTube Channel ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/c/RedTreeWellnessCa
• We have restocked our beloved Longevity tea from Dragon Herbs. It is one of our favorites with adaptogenic Chinese herbs that help nourish or calm the mind when you need it.
• The fall brings both regularity and variability. Dr Kathleen Dang and Suzanne Willams will be back to their regular schedules, and Sonia Tan will be away teaching a couple times at 1 to 2 week stints. Check out our schedules with our Booking Calendar here, and remember you can always adjust your appointments or add yourself to the waitlist with your online account. 

---

Wishing you a smooth transition to Fall!

Yours in good health,

Dr. Sonia F. Tan, DAOM (degree-USA), RTCMP, and the Red Tree Wellness team of Dr. Kathleen Dang, ND, RAc & Suzanne Williams, BA, MBA, RTCMP