When you hear digestive bitters, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Something gross, right? In the Western culture, we rarely incorporate anything bitter (or even sour for that matter) into our foods because our diets are hyper-focused on salty, sweet, and a dash of pungent. In Chinese medicine, however, bitter flavors go straight […]
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and in many countries around the world, Summer is a beautiful time to pause and celebrate all of the hard work of the year so far – that we are seeing fruition in some of our goals set and plans made in the Springtime. We’re moving from the birth and […]
“I always get sick this time of year.” “I can’t tell if it’s allergies or a cold but I’m feeling crummy.” Sound like you? Funny how we have normalized getting sick this time of year and/or being sick frequently (“Oh it’s just a little cold!”). But even though it may be common – it’s not […]
The COVID-19 vaccine has generated quite the conversation in the media, politics, scientific community, and within our homes. From questioning if the vaccine is safe, the motivations behind the passing of protocols, and if one would experience potential side effects – it would make sense if you were feeling overwhelmed and in analysis paralysis of […]
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and about a gazillion other nature-based systems of healing, Spring is the optimal time for birthing/rebirthing, creativity, cleansing, and nurturing growth. But what does that mean, exactly? It means that this season provides us with the upward rising, forward moving energy we need to face challenge and opportunity – […]
Spring brings with it vibrant awakening energy and flourishing blooms beginning all around us. With the increased energy surging through nature and the air, we tend to forget about the lingering reminder of Winter when the chillier mornings and evenings are amongst us. What better way to support your system (and specifically your liver!) during […]
The change of the seasons have come, passing the holidays by us once more. After a long, cooped up year that we’ve left behind, and the high energy of the holidays behind us, we find ourselves yet again – still in Wintertime. Mother Nature is still urging us to hibernate, to slow it wayyyy down. […]
The synchronicity of the seasons with nature and our daily lives is pure magic (and a little bit of mystery, too). Through the changing of the temperatures, the slowing down of our lives, and courage to let go of what is no longer serving us – it’s important to tend to our lungs, large intestine, […]
How are your sinuses and lungs? I have been feeling dry, dry, dry. The air quality in Colorado has been terrible since mid-summer with smoke and ash visible in the air. And not just Colorado, the fires all over our country have brought smoke hundreds of miles away, impacting millions of people at a time […]
For me, this has been a year of letting go. Letting go of the way I want/hope/wish things would be, of the way I sometimes feel they should be. Letting go of the visions I hold for my life and my attachment to them. Even letting go of once-important friendships that were — in truth […]
Can you feel it? The heat and energy of summer is slowly coming to a close, transitioning us into what we traditional Chinese medicine practitioners refer to as Late Summer. Late Summer is considered the fifth season and it has completely different energy than Summer or Fall. What do you notice? That yellow-orange sunset, all […]
Did you know that it’s possible to feed your sweet tooth without having all the refined sugar and additives, too? Dates are one way to nourish your Earth Element without completely hijacking your blood sugar! I’ve created a simple outline for kitchen staples and recipes within my book to support each element throughout each season. […]