Traditional Chinese Medicine
Honoring Winter Solstice
This is the solstice, the still point
of the sun, its cusp and midnight,
the year’s threshold
and unlocking, where the past
lets go of and becomes the future;
the place of caught breath, the door
of a vanished house left ajar.
~ Margaret Atwood ~
Greetings to all my precious people!!
We are in the midst of transition to Winter, the time of deep reflection, inward movement and incubation. For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurred on Thursday, December 21st, marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. This cycle of Nature has arrived consistently throughout millenia, reflecting the natural rhythm of the Universe that is also part of our own rhythms as a human being made of stardust. continue reading
Winter Self Care Reminders
I pray this winter be gentle and kind
a season of rest from the wheel of the mind.
~~ John Geddes
Greetings to all my precious people!!!
The Winter season is filled with holiday celebration, always depicted with joyful gatherings highlighting family, friends and togetherness. We mark the calendars, counting the days ‘til the end of the year, as we check off items on our to-do lists, many times with equal measure of excitement and exhaustion. Advertisements on TV and social media highlight the “must-have” gift items and there are still cards to write, gifts to wrap, cookies to bake and dinners to plan. So much tradition! So much anticipation! Shiny happy people are everywhere! continue reading
Shakshuka (Eggs Poached in Spicy Tomato Sauce) Recipe
Shakshuka is a veggie-packed meal featuring eggs cooked in a mixture of tomatoes, onions, peppers and spices. It’s often served for breakfast or lunch in North Africa and the Middle East.
The combination of eggs, tomatoes, and spices create a balanced dish that harmonizes Yin and Yang energies in the body. Achieving this balance is essential for maintaining optimal health in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). continue reading
Spiced Butternut Squash and Red Lentil Soup Recipe
Butternut squash is high in fiber, nutrients and antioxidants like beta-carotene (aka pro-vitamin A). Did you know that 1 cup of diced butternut squash has more potassium than a banana and provides 50% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C? continue reading
Acupuncture for Treating Leaky Gut Syndrome
There are a variety of gastrointestinal and autoimmune diseases that can contribute to what is known as leaky gut syndrome. So, what exactly is leaky gut syndrome? It’s close to exactly what it sounds like. Each one of us has semi-permeable guts. What that means is the mucous lining of our intestines is designed to absorb water and nutrients from our food. Your intestinal lining is responsible for acting as a barrier to bacteria. With leaky gut syndrome, your intestinal lining “leaks” allowing more water and nutrients through, but also potentially allowing toxic molecules to come through as well. continue reading
