Begin your path to optimum wellness
Have you ever given your friends valentines and little heart-shaped candies on Valentine’s Day? Have you ever crossed your heart when making a promise that you really mean? Or turn on the radio to hear a guy singing about
There is no flower that has been revered and celebrated as much as the rose. As the archetypal queen of the flowers and the definitive symbol for love and appreciation, the rose has endured in its beauty and significance for
Soups or broths are excellent for supporting the Lungs in the fall and winter. In Chinese medicine bone broth nourishes our Kidneys—the internal organ associated with winter season–supports our qi and builds blood. Bone marrow is the source of essence
There is a chill in the air. The days grow shorter. Just as squirrels gather fall nuts for the long winter, we too need to prepare for winter. Seasonal changes affect the immune system. With the wind, rain and snow
Fall and winter are cold and flu season. It may be impossible to avoid catching a cold, but doing the following will certainly increase your chances of being cold free this fall and winter. Wash Your Hands. Your best protection
It’s Allergy season again. What’s that you say? “I thought that was in the spring”. Actually any season can be allergy season. Fall is the season of the Lung and this is the perfect time to be addressing your allergies.
Did you know that Miso Soup with Scallions is an ancient Chinese herbal remedy for colds? In 300 AD famous herbalist, Ge Hong, writes about Miso Soup with Scallions in a book called, Bei ji zhou hou fang or Emergency
Ward Off the Winter Chills You know that scarf your Aunt Betty gave you for Christmas several years ago? You tossed it on the shelf in your closet and forgot about it! It is one of the best things you
Herbal Tonics need not be bitter teas or handfuls of pills. In fact, one of the best ways to nourish and tonify is by creating foods and treats one can enjoy. The following recipe is adapted from Rosemary Gladstar’s
Put the Jingle Back in your Jing this winter. We are all born with an intrinsic energy known as Jing. Jing, or Essence, is a Chinese term for the fundamental energy of life. Jing is stored in the Kidneys
The concept of QI or vital energy is central to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Qi changes its form according to its location and function. The lungs are associated with Wei Qi. Fall is the time to nourish and strengthen the
Bean Sprout and Wood Ear Salad If you have one nearby, visit an Asian market and get the ingredients below. Things will be less expensive there. The sprouts and
There are many reasons a heart can break. It could be a literal break, as in a heart attack or a cardiovascular illness. Or, it could be a metaphorical break—at the end of a relationship, or after the death of
So the sun is finally shining after months of Northwest gloom and drizzle and you’re more than ready to get out there and do some gardening, play some volleyball or tennis, hike in the Gorge, ride the Portland bike paths.
About one mouthful in three of the food you eat directly or indirectly benefits from honey bee pollination. Honeybees pollinate over $20 Billion in crops every year. Commercial production of many specialty crops like almonds and other tree nuts, berries,
Spring is Liver time, and a good time to give your liver a little extra attention after a long winter. Beets are a good food to assist your liver and continue to nourish your kidneys as winter ends and spring
“I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process…. It may not be true, but do I dare take the chance?” – Katherine Hepburn Can you show love without using chocolate? Chocolate, cacao. It was considered the food
Fermentation may be the oldest method for preserving food. It adds intense and complex flavors to whatever is fermented. Fermentation is used in creating many modern foods such as yogurt, bread, sauerkraut, kimchee, pickles, salami, beer, wine, cider–even chocolate and
Thanks to a friend, Tim Delano, I was reminded of a nearby natural area. I actually had tried to visit it 30+ years ago. I think the Nature Conservancy was thinking of acquiring or had just acquired it. It was
During the cold dark days of winter, is it hard for you to get up in the morning? Do you experience a drop in normal energy levels in the afternoon and feel a need for more sleep? Is it difficult