My Morning Coffee

Posted on by Genevieve

I get the question if I drink coffee, a lot actually. Here’s my answer…. sometimes.

I usually drink my interesting decaf coffee concoction (ground decaf, astragalus, and dandelion root) I’ll show how to make it below. I sometimes add actual coffee in, but if I grind regular coffee then I grind cardamom with it to reduce the acidity, jitters, and make it taste even better!

Coffee is bitter and helps to increase peristalsis, the bitter flavor is associated with the Heart in Chinese Medicine. Honestly after my late husband passed coffee was a big antidepressant for me. I prefer to have decaf so I don’t tax my adrenals and cause a stress response in my body, but sometimes when I have a project I don’t want to do (ie. taxes)… if I have my regular coffee suddenly the task seems so much more exciting!!!

Here’s my recipe for my standard cup of coffee in the morning (decaf). 1 part each of: decaf coffee, dandelion root, and astragalus. I have pics of how finely I grind the herbs as well. I get my coffee from Sleepy Monk since my clinic at the coast in Cannon Beach was just a few doors down and the people working there are the best ever and the coffee is always organic and amazing!!! The physical cafe is closed now, but you can still get coffee online. And then for herbs my standard is Mountain Rose Herbs. Sometimes Chinese herbs are sourced from other companies though.

I add astragalus since it is a Qi or energy tonic and supports our digestive organs: Spleen and Stomach. It is also great for the Lungs and so it boosts immunity. You would just want to avoid it if you already are sick with a cold/flu. I add dandelion root since it tastes a bit like coffee and is great to help the Liver release bile and is supportive of gentle detox in our body.

I grind each of these finely with a little coarse texture left… perfect for espresso. I actually use my espresso machine with my concoction and its been going strong for almost 2 years even with all that I throw at it.

Astragalus pre-ground

Astragalus ground

Layers of astragalus, coffee and dandelion root

The finished decaf coffee concoction…

And then for my regular coffee I grind 1-2 TBS cardamon seeds separately to add to my 16oz jar of espresso ground coffee.

Thanks for checking this out and hope you enjoy

Fall Into Health with TCM

Posted on by Genevieve

leaves

Autumn in Traditional Chinese Medicine is associated with the Metal element. The Metal element correlates to the Lungs and Large Intestine. Their primary function is to take in new things and let go of the old. The Lungs control inhalation-exhalation and also control the opening and closing of our pores. Our skin is governed by the Lungs and one way to renew and give new life to our Lungs is through our skin. Our skin protects us from any external evils also known as pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Here are some steps for supporting the Lungs during the fall.

  1. Practice meditation that involves focus on breathwork. For instance the mantra by Thich Nhat Han, “breathing in I relax breathing out I smile”
  2. Take care of our skin and help it let go of what is not wanted. Exfoliate your whole body with a sugar or salt scrub. See recipe below.
  3. Use a detoxifying massage oil to nourish your skin and perform Abhyanga: Self Massage while applying the oil. See this site for making calendula oil, a detoxifying oil you can make at home. You can also just use some extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil. Or spice it up by adding a couple drops of your favorite essential oils.
  4. Nourish your Lungs with food. Pears are a great food to moisten the Lungs if you have a dry cough or tend towards dryness in your body. You can also make stewed pears (add walnuts to tonify the yang) that nourishes the yin and yang and is aromatic to help open the Lungs.
  5. Take an herbal formula to support our Wei qi or protective qi. Like Jade Windscreen Yu Ping Fang San. This supports the Lungs and prevents us from catching a cold or flu. Come in to see Genevieve or Morgan to help you get the right formula for your constitution.

Have a beautiful Fall and stay healthy and happy!

img_1641
Lovely Calendula Blooming in the Garden

Spicy and Sweet Body Scrub 6oz.

  • ½ cup brown sugar or turbinado sugar or sea salt*
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • (can use almond or sesame oil as well)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (powdered)
  • ½ teaspoon ginger (powdered)
  • ½ teaspoon clove (powdered)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground rice
  • (or 20 drops vanilla essential oil)
  • *optional* add 10 drops cinnamon EO

Mix all ingredients in a glass or metal bowl, using a whisk to uniformly mix. Scoop into storage container. Use on moistened skin to exfoliate, then rinse. Not intended for using more than 1 x per week. *Can also use sea salt for this recipe, especially Epsom salt to penetrate tight muscles. Use caution since salt is more abrasive and can sting on freshly shaven or sensitive skin.

Time for Spring Cleaning

Posted on by Genevieve

dandelion

I really love to clean… no seriously, it is weird, but true. Okay yes I get super sick of cleaning my house all the time. But nothing feels better to me when I am super stressed… to just do some crazy cleaning. Spring cleaning is great for aesthetics and how the feng shui in the house appears, but it is also great for internal work too. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the Spring is associated with the Wood element, and the Liver organ system. The Liver is paired with the Gall Bladder. The Liver governs the tendons and ligaments in the body and is considered the “general organ.” You know the one that tells everyone else what to do, how to do it and go, go, go!!! The Liver is associated with a SOUR flavor and the color GREEN. The Liver is something we tax in our society in so many ways, physically, emotionally and energetically.

So this Spring lets do some Spring Cleaning and really help support that Liver!!!

Herbs to Support the Liver

  • Best Liver Formula: Xiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer) Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach and moves Liver Qi. And come on… the name kind of says it all; I love to be a free and easy wanderer in life.
  • Single Herbs that are great in Tea: Dandelion Root, Burdock Root, Chicory Root, Turmeric, Artichoke Leaf and my local favorite… Oregon Grape.
  • Foods that Support the Liver: Leafy greens, sour foods like lemon, green smoothies, fermented foods, beets and beet greens and seasonal foods.

Movement to Support the Liver

  • ANY movement!!! Remember the Liver governs the tendons and ligaments in the body… so just getting up and getting moving is going to help make the Liver happy. Taking a nice brisk walk to enjoy the emerging flowers around town; oh this is really embracing the Spring energy of the Liver…. ah…

green

Benefits of a Healthy Liver

  • Hormone Balance
  • Improved Digestion
  • Increased Energy
  • Efficient Detox
  • Less Allergies

Ways to do a Gentle Spring Clean on the Liver

  • Up the amount of fresh plants and veggies in the diet
  • Drink a Liver supportive tea daily for two weeks
  • Add some lemon juice to your water (please drink room temperature or warm, not iced water)
  • Try to eat healthier: limit oils, limit processed foods and heavy, hard to digest foods like animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, etc.)
  • Foods to focus on: salad greens, vegetables, dark leafy greens, green smoothies, green juices… see the GREEN theme here

Green Juice Recipe to Support the Liver

  • 1 green apple
  • 6 leaves of romaine lettuce (or other salad green)
  • 1 chard leaf
  • 2 kale leaves (or sub 1 collard green)
  • 1/4 bunch parsely
  • slice of lemon (if you like more sour add more lemon)
  • Ginger (optional, but I love the warming balance)

Green-Juice

Fall Into Health with TCM

Posted on by Genevieve

leaves

Autumn in Traditional Chinese Medicine is associated with the Metal element. The Metal element correlates to the Lungs and Large Intestine. Their primary function is to take in new things and let go of the old. The Lungs control inhalation-exhalation and also control the opening and closing of our pores. Our skin is governed by the Lungs and one way to renew and give new life to our Lungs is through our skin. Our skin protects us from any external evils also known as pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Here are some steps for supporting the Lungs during the fall.

  1. Practice meditation that involves focus on breathwork. For instance the mantra by Thich Nhat Han, “breathing in I relax breathing out I smile”
  2. Take care of our skin and help it let go of what is not wanted. Exfoliate your whole body with a sugar or salt scrub. See recipe below.
  3. Use a detoxifying massage oil to nourish your skin and perform lymph massage while applying the oil. See this site for making calendula oil, a detoxifying oil you can make at home. You can also just use some extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil. Or spice it up by adding a couple drops of your favorite essential oils.
  4. Nourish your Lungs with food. Pears are a great food to moisten the Lungs if you have a dry cough or tend towards dryness in your body. You can also make stewed pears (add walnuts to tonify the yang) that nourishes the yin and yang and is aromatic to help open the Lungs.
  5. Take an herbal formula to support our Wei qi or protective qi. Like Jade Windscreen Yu Ping Fang San. This supports the Lungs and prevents us from catching a cold or flu. Come in to see Genevieve or Morgan to help you get the right formula for your constitution.

Have a beautiful Fall and stay healthy and happy!

img_1641
Lovely Calendula Blooming in the Garden

Spicy and Sweet Body Scrub 6oz.

  • ½ cup brown sugar or turbinado sugar or sea salt*
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • (can use almond or sesame oil as well)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (powdered)
  • ½ teaspoon ginger (powdered)
  • ½ teaspoon clove (powdered)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground rice
  • (or 20 drops vanilla essential oil)
  • *optional* add 10 drops cinnamon EO

Mix all ingredients in a glass or metal bowl, using a whisk to uniformly mix. Scoop into storage container. Use on moistened skin to exfoliate, then rinse. Not intended for using more than 1 x per week. *Can also use sea salt for this recipe, especially Epsom salt to penetrate tight muscles. Use caution since salt is more abrasive and can sting on freshly shaven or sensitive skin.