Food For Thought

Had to share this lovely quote from the book

Wood Becomes Water: Chinese Medicine in Everyday Life

by Gail Reichstein.

You have noticed that everything an

Indian does is in a circle,

and that is because the Power of the

World always works in circles,

and everything tries to be round....

The sky is round, and I have heard

that the earth is round like a

ball, and so are all the stars. The wind,

in its greatest power, whirls.

Birds make their nests in circles,

for theirs is the same religion as ours....

Even the seasons form a great circle

in their changing, and always come

back again to where they were.

The life of a man is a circle from

childhood to childhood,

and so it is in everything where

Power moves.

-Black Elk, Oglala Sioux

Late Summer and the Element of Earth

Whew! Well August flew on by and maybe not quickly enough. We had 30 straight days of 100 degree weather here in Houston and not a lot of rain to cushion the weight of that heat. It's funny since the new school year has started and everyone is getting into Fall mode when really for this area, Fall doesn't start until November, when it actually gets 'cool'. We are technically in late summer mode, and boy do many of us wish it wasn't this hot.

September marks the approach of the Fall Equinox, a day when the day and night are equally twelve hours long. It is technically the last heat of the summer and brings in the first chill of fall; traditionally a time for harvest and celebration. This year it is going to fall on September 23rd, pun intended.

The way Traditional Chinese Medicine breaks down the seasons with the five elements is rather interesting when we get to the Earth element. Spring is connected to Wood, Summer to Fire, Late Summer to Earth, Autumn to Metal and Winter to Water. Late summer is the shortest season and barely recognized due to its short length, the last month of summer and the middle of the Chinese year (the lunar calendar year that starts in late January, early February). But it also is connected to transition periods of the seasons, the equinoxes and solstices.

Late summer represents the transition of the extroverted yang of the hot summer season to the more subtle, inward and cooling yin of Autumn and Winter. It is a time of contemplation, harmony, stillness and being grounded. To meditate on where you are at in the middle of the year and decide which direction you wish to take it.

I'm sure everyone has felt the pull to start wondering about the rest of year when September presents itself. Maybe renew our New Year's Resolutions, getting back on that exercise program or continue our projects we started earlier this year or wrap them up if they are finished. We may wonder about what our plans will be for the holidays and plan our trips and shopping accordingly.

The Earth element is the central element that is the foundation and harmonizes the rest of the four elements. The organs in the body tied to the Earth element are the Spleen and Stomach and not only the actual organs, but the energetic pathways they govern on the body. When we tonify the Earth element we are encouraging the body's immune system function as well as digestion and assimilation. Very important jobs to maintain health on a daily basis.

There are two aspects of constitutional qi or energy that are represented in the body. The one you are born with, your jing or essence that you can consider your DNA or gifts from your parents. The other is the food, drink and air you breathe everyday, which determines how you maintain the health and vitality you were born with.

The Earth element is tied to the daily maintenance of health, constitution and handling everyday stressors. When we have imbalances in our energy level, appetite, digestion and elimination and even women's health issues we can often find the imbalance stemming from the Earth energy within the body. And not just physical imbalances can accomplish this, the more subtle stressors like worry and emotional strain can take a toll on the body and be the root of an Earth element imbalance.

Earth element is tied to sweet taste and the color yellow. When a person is feeling weak, tired or angry, sweet foods are the best pick me up to improve one's outlook as well as physical well being. However, when one craves sweets everyday or constantly, that represents a disharmony within the Earth element. Potentially more on the emotional and spiritual aspect of having excess, chronic worry and not feeling grounded and with a strong foundation in one's life.

To be in tune with late summer season, one should consider foods that are harmonizing and grounding in nature. They would be slightly sweet, potentially rounded in shape and golden or yellow in color. Examples are millet, corn, carrots, cabbage, soybeans, garbanzo beans, peas, sweet potatoes, chestnuts, yams, tofu, sweet rice, amaranth, apricots, cantaloupe, squash and potatoes. Simple preparation for food is recommended, not too much seasoning for a more mild flavor. A good time for soups, casseroles and rice dishes with several ingredients to choose from.

This has also been known as the time for purification or detox with a short, light fast honored in many cultures. But that isn't for everyone and should not be undertaken without easing into a fast of one day at a time and then adding a day to build up to a desired time. The body exudes a lot of energy digesting food and when one does a fast it halts the body's focus on digestion. This increases the opportunity for healing, taking care of things it didn't have time to focus on before and has the added benefit to give mental clarity to one's life.

Despite our eagerness for Autumn to come soon, late Summer is a great opportunity for contemplation and rejuvenation. May you find your inner peace and enjoy the moment.

Whole Food Supplements

No I'm not talking about the lovely grocery store Whole Foods. I'm talking about supplements categorized as 'whole food supplements' or 'raw food supplements'. Instead of chemically derived supplements that you may encounter at the corner drug store or your basic supermarket, there is a surge in multivitamins on the market that are made from actual foods. You aren't taking a pill that had vitamins and minerals derived in a lab and molded into a pill; you can take a supplement that is basically real food, just densely packed.

This is a better way to get nutrients since the body does not absorb all the nutrients in the basic old-style multivitamin. With whole food supplements you are absorbing more, because let's face it, it's food and your body knows how to digest it. That is why when I consider nutritional therapy for my patients I always put them on a whole food supplement. This is to offset any potential nutritional deficiencies that might be inherent to their constitution.

Everyone is different and one can never be certain if the underlying problem is just not enough omega 3's, vitamin B's or magnesium. When you throw in stress and an inclination to get sick, then you will most certainly need more supplementation than normal.

Not all whole food supplements are equal and the one I prescribe for my patients is not available over the counter, only through health care providers. But there are other options out there, and one that I have tried and like is the Alive brand of supplements. So if you are interested in being proactive with your health and are already taking a multivitamin, I recommend trying a whole food supplement.

Hydrate Yourself!

We don't always realize when we are thirsty. Did you know that when you get the conscious thought of being thirsty, you are extremely dehydrated on the cellular level? Combined with the torrential heat of mid-summer sun and being more physically active and outdoors and we are more easily dehydrated even though we drink the same amount. So we must stay diligent to hydrate ourselves!

I have a few tasty, caffeine-free suggestions and recipes for one to consider. First, coconut water is an excellent choice to get hydrated. Then we look at flavored waters as a great way to consume more water without being bored. It is when you add a splash of flavor to water with something light (not sugar). Then we look at one of my favorite things in the world: aquas frescas. It is a traditional Mexican fruit drink made of melons, lemons or limes and more exotic flavors such as flor de jamaica (hibiscus), horchata (cinnamon rice flavor) and even tamarind.

Coconut water: this delightful beverage from the young coconut has natural electrolytes, potassium in particular, packing over 500 mg per 8 oz. serving. To get that much with bananas you will need to eat two! It is not too sweet so low in calories and you don't have to go out and buy an actual young coconut to get it. The popularity has increased to the point where health food stores have plenty of brands to choose fresh coconut water.

Fruit water: very refreshing and easy to put together. Take a pitcher and put in fresh slices of oranges and apples. Pour a few liters of fresh spring or filtered water on top and stick it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Cucumber water: this is a traditional spa refreshment. Take a medium cucumber, peel and slice thinly and add to a pitcher. Pour up to a gallon of fresh spring or filtered water on top and stick it in the fridge for about an hour before serving.

Melon Fresca: Choose your favorite melon, whether it is watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew and grab your blender. Have 2 cups of your melon chopped and ready to put in your blender. Then add 2 cups of cold water. You can add the juice of half a lime (1 tablespoon) and crushed ice but that is optional. Blend and enjoy!

These are just a few of the refreshing options out there. It's a great starting point and I'll be sure to add more in the upcoming weeks. I am always up for trying a new recipe and combing others. Be adventurous and take care to stay cool and hydrated under the tutelage of the sun. :))

Summer Fire

I have always held a strong belief in food as medicine and knew that if we took care of ourselves with what we ingest on a daily basis we would take care of over 50% of chronic disease in this country. This led me to herbal medicine and food therapy and getting back to our roots where we are not only in balance within ourselves, but also with nature. I like to call it nature sync.

Nature sync is another way of saying acclimating to the seasons, to the weather and climate we are in will bring us into balance. Living in Houston, we have to adjust to sweltering heat, intense humidity and there are a few things we can do to adjust to the dog days of summer. How many of us bring cardigans and sweaters into offices since even though it may be a blazing outside the A/C can be at over a 30 degree difference causing us relief at first from the sweltering sun, but then we eventually become chilled.

This difference in temperature causes a stress on the body and makes it easier for some to catch the pesky summer cold. When the seasons change it can cause a stress response in the body due to the adjustment, whether it’s warmer, cooler, more dry or damp. Some people have allergies others catch a cold more easily when this occurs. The same thing happens in the body at the cellular and energetic level.

With yin and yang theory, summer time is more yang in nature. More robust, warm, strong, bright, light and creative. The element it is most in tune with is fire. Summer time is a time when you should wake up with the sun and be outside often and use that extra boost of energy to be creative and see your projects through. That is the best way to be in harmony with the natural energy of fire.

Regarding the diet, there is an abundance of variety at this time and one should take advantage! Cook lightly and even add a little spicy, since the spice will disperse the heat in the body to the surface of the skin to be released more readily. When the body intakes spicy food and mirrors the heat present outside then the body will be less affected. Examples of spice in food are red and green hot peppers, cayenne red pepper, fresh ginger, horseradish and black pepper. But one should not overdo spicy for it can weaken the natural yang in the body and the result is not being able to warm itself when the cooler seasons are upon us.

Interestingly enough, one shouldn't overdo the ice cold foods, since cold causes contraction and eating iced drinks and super cold foods will contract the stomach and stop digestion. It is a better idea to eat cool, refreshing foods, such as salads and sprouts, fruit, tofu and flowery or leafy teas such as chrysanthemum, mint and chamomile. Cool vegetables include cucumber, celery and fruits are watermelon, apples, lemons and limes. A traditional Chinese summer heat remedy is mung bean soup or a tea, which helps cool the body down if overwhelmed by the heat.

That's also why it is important to intake plenty of fluids at this time and avoid really rich, greasy foods. They will cause sluggishness and trap the heat inside the body making you feel worse overall. These foods include: meat, eggs, excess nuts, seeds and grains.

It is natural to eat less and lightly on hot, bright days. We force ourselves to eat the same all year round to our detriment. The seasons change and so should we to get ourselves more in balance with Earth's natural rhythms.

Cherry Almond Gelatin Dessert

This is a lovely refreshing dessert that has the surprise of halved cherries! This is very easy to make but will require a trip to an Asian grocery store to buy the almond gelatin mix. Here is a link for the type I used in this dessert: http://www.onlinefoodgrocery.com/onlinefood/almond-flavor-agar-mix-hypen-6.2oz.html. There is always the option of using plain gelatin, almond extract and milk to make your own. Jello and gelatin lovers rejoice!

Recipe:

1 box of almond gelatin

2 cups fresh halved and pitted cherries

1. Following the instructions on the gelatin box, you add the mix to 4 1/2 cups of water in a medium sauce pot to boil. Be sure to use a big enough pot since there will be a volume increase.

2. Once the mix has boiled for about a minute, turn off heat and take pot off burner to cool.

3. Rinse and halve the cherries to get rid of pits. Place them in a large glass pan or in several decorative dessert dishes.

4. Pour cooked gelatin mixture into pan or dishes. Place in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

5. Serve and garnish with whipped cream if desired!

Quick Vegetarian 3-Bean Soup

This is a great vegetarian soup that my mother in-law taught me. You can modify this soup to include whatever veggies you prefer, my standard is corn and celery. And if canned beans isn't your style, you can definitely use fresh beans. It will only add a considerable amount of cooking time but won't skimp on flavor.

Let's talk ingredients:

1 can organic red beans

1 can organic black beans

1 can organic pinto beans

1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles

or 1 can organic tomato sauce and add 2 green chiles

3 cups of vegetable broth

4 stalks of celery, 1/2 in. chopped

1 cup frozen sweet corn

2 cups of organic brown rice

1. Do not drain the cans of beans since we will use all the fluid to bolster the flavor of this soup. Basically the first step is to pour the beans into a nice big soup pot and add your vegetable broth. Set the heat to medium high.

2. Then get started on your veggies while the beans and broth warm up. Rinse celery thoroughly and then chop to 1/2 in. to 1 in. diameter pieces. Add to the pot. You can add zucchini, carrots, more tomatoes into this dish if you'd like. Be creative!

3. Bring to a nice boil and lower to a simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Serve with corn tortilla chips and enjoy!

Back to Nature

Last weekend I finally got a chance to check out a local orchard and pick blackberries. It was a beautiful day to be out in sun, listening to the wind and the trees swaying and choosing the ripest, juiciest berries. It was a great opportunity to catch up with friends and an incredibly serene experience to be away from the city. To not hear cars or be in a crowded store or restaurant and not be distracted by typical urban priorities.

They had over 6,000 blackberry plants and we took our time picking fruit, talking and just enjoying the moment. It wasn't about the end result (which turned out to be 2 pounds of blackberries), it was about enjoying the process, the scenery and absorbing everything at once.

Sometimes when we stay indoors, even on a vacation, we miss out on the natural bliss nature provides. We sleep in and enjoy some television or leisure computer time, go to a store and shop but then you lose that opportunity to be outdoors and just be yourself and not be in hurry to get something done or go anywhere.

So my recommendation, with the beautiful summer season almost upon us, is to get outside when you can and get in touch with nature. You won't be disappointed and will be surprised how a little sunshine really does brighten anything else that may be weighing down the mind or distracting you from being in joy everyday.

http://www.mattfamilyorchard.com/

The Action in Hope

I work in a lovely clinic where over 50% of our patients are there primarily for fertility support. First off, I rarely use the word infertility. Words can be extremely powerful; and in a situation where there has been great frustration and challenges in order to achieve the goal of pregnancy, the labeling aspect of being 'infertile' can be a problem to overcome mentally. So I mostly like to think of it as the body having obstacles in the way of expressing its own natural means of fertility, in other words, fertility 'difficulty.'

The tricky part is figuring out what that 'difficulty' is, what is in the way. It could be something as simple as a nutritional deficiency, hormonal imbalance, or an energy block within the body's sensitive energetic system. Or it could be years of stress, draining the body's ability to handle the incredible amount of energy necessary to create another being. Do not underestimate the impact of creating life and the toll it takes on the body to make it happen, as well as bring life into this world.

Women are constantly given short shrift for our strength of character in dealing with pain, the amount of stress and responsibility we put on ourselves in the name of love for family, friends, and work. This is part of the reason Women's Health is so complex and there are so many factors to consider.

We are so accustomed to instant gratification and the belief that pills can cure everything. But first we need to take responsibility for our own health and happiness. Lifestyle choices and foods can heal as much as attitude and stress management. Can it be tough to change and adapt to new habits? Absolutely. Change is always difficult. But you can't avoid the signs in your life if you are wilting away or bursting at the seams, even if you are not trying to prepare for fertility.

The important thing to realize is you matter and the never ending to-do-list doesn't go away. So you can't get hung up on completing everything, all at once and with perfection. Life always gets in the way and it's important to enjoy the journey and beauty around you along the way. When we forget to put a little TLC for ourselves on our 'list', we lose a bit of that revitalizing essence that helps us remember what we want. To help us remember why we always deserve what we want. There is always hope but there is also a choice in how to act and how to treat ourselves. One of the hardest lessons in compassion is not giving it to other people, but to ourselves. So I leave you with one of my favorite poems by Rumi.

Let the Beauty You Seek Be What You Do

Absorbed in this world, you've made it your burden.

Rise above this world. There is another vision.

All your life you've paid attention to your experiences, but never to your Self.

Are you searching for your Soul? Then come out of your prison.

Leave the stream and join the river that flows into the Ocean.

It will not lead you astray.

Let the beauty you seek be what you do.

Art Therapy Interview

To delve deeper into the topic of the healing aspects of creativity I interviewed Mary Jo Zawalski, a passionate artist residing in New York who helps people through artistic expression and loves it. It was very kind of her to share what being an art therapist entails and her view of how it can be used as a tool for healing.

Mary Jo, tell us about yourself and how you got involved in art therapy?

I've been into art since I could hold a crayon or clay without dropping it. My dad introduced me to artmaking.In school, I began a path toward a higher education in visual arts, with music as a close companion, though I also maintained an interest in the sciences. In my undergraduate years I realized I was not interested in "art for art's sake", or for art as business. I met people whose lives were revolutionized by their art! And I began shifting my career toward art therapy.

Can you describe what being an art therapist entails?

Being an art therapist entails much more than creativity/artistic ability plus desire to help others. It takes great courage, incredible personal flexibility, and, I think, a perserverance that borders on stubbornness. I will explain: It's given that the would-be art therapist will encounter the gamut of emotionally/psychologically troubled persons. But it is also true that he/she will face the best and the worst in human nature---sometimes on a daily basis---not just in clients but in their relatives, friends, and coworkers, in person and by stories.

As for personal flexibility, art therapists must constantly reinvent themselves. By this I mean one may need to adapt their professional role when dealing with different clients, different client demographics, or different institutions. Most art therapists draw from other creative disciplines and/or run non-art groups on a regular basis. Generally, art therapy is not a high-paying profession, so it's typical to work one or more jobs even if one is full time. Art therapists' second jobs may include teaching, tutoring, bartending, and yes, serving in restaurants!

As in traditional therapy, the therapist must be able to reinvent himself/herself without losing the self. In other words, ego strength must be solid, for the art therapist routinely faces counter-transference: clients/situations that unconsciously remind the therapist of his/her past. These may be positive, negative, or mixed. So the therapist needs to prepare and recognize this before he/she reacts to the client.

Of course there is also the technical training---in New York: masters' degree, limited permit, license, registration, board certification exam, and continuing education credits. It's a loooooooong process!!!

Describe a typical day for you.

I work an unusual schedule: noon to 8pm, Thursday through Monday in an acute psychiatric hospital. A typical day for me includes running four to six patient activity groups on different units. Clients are segmentedby age and some by gender. I usually have an hour to do clinical charting, and a one hour break to make preparations for groups, eat, etc.

Why do you think being creative is healing?

I'm humanistic in philosophy, so I think being creative is healing because creativity takes people off-guard, opening up their subconscious and revealing within themselves possible solutions to their problems. I see my therapeutic role as a catalyst for this positive reaction to occur in the client/patient.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

It's hard to determine the most rewarding part of my job. I work with a diverse, supportive and often fun care team. There are positive affirmations about my work from patients and staff AND I get to color with crayons and sidewalk chalk at work!!! Oh, and I get to dance and hula hoop too!!!

What do you recommend someone try or do to incorporate the healing aspects of art into their lives?

People can definitely tap into the healing power of art in their daily lives. How many times have we felt refreshed by music playing or by looking out the window at springtime colors? After all, art includes art appreciation. Beyond this, it helps to look at artmaking as more than a formal or serious process with the goal of producing a masterpiece. Art can and should be about playing, too. Creative play is both relaxing and stimulating, giving a break from routine. One of my favorite forms of creative play is cooking/baking, tweaking recipes, pretending I'm a famous chef, even dancing around the kitchen! I have to cook, but I make it fun.

Mary Jo Zawalski

Cucumber Yogurt Salad!

This is the best time of the year to get into the season of fresh produce and different types of salads. I recently discovered this Indian inspired cumber salad recipe and wanted to share. Cucumbers are natural diuretics, cleansing the body and Springtime is the best time to detox and eat lighter foods versus the heavier winter fare. Yogurt is a great way to get calcium and natural probiotics, which boost the immune system and keep the digestive tract healthy. And I heard somewhere that a little bit of spicy goes a long way to improving mood and happiness. Only put two serrano chili peppers in mine, but if you can take the heat, add more! Try it out and the flavors might surprise you. = )

Recipe for Cucumber Yogurt Salad (serves 2)

2 large cucumbers

2 serrano green chilies

1/3 cup of plain yogurt

1/2 tablespoon of coriander

1/4-1/2 teaspoon of sugar, to taste

1/2 teaspoon of salt

garnish with crushed peanuts

1. Peel cucumbers, slice in half in order to scoop out the seeds. Dice and place into bowl.

2. Cut the top and bottom of chili peppers and scoop out the seeds (or not if you prefer the kick). Dice and place into bowl.

3. Add yogurt to bowl and mix quickly. Then add coriander, sugar and salt. I would do a taste test to make sure you don't want more.

4. Serve with a splash of crushed peanuts on top. Enjoy!

Healing Power of Creativity

If you would ask my honest opinion of what makes being human awesome, it is our power of creativity. The ingenuity and the drive to create something with our hands from our minds or just create something beautiful. That desire is something special and should be nurtured, not forced. Many times we strive to be creative only to be bombarded with all the details and frustrated by the fact that by the end of it, we treat it like work. And become impatient and want the finished product right here, right now!

Yet it isn't the destination that is important. It isn't the final product that is most fulfilling aspect. It is the process getting you there and basking in the glory, that yes, you did make this. You had a part in its birth, creation and it was fun making it!

So why frustrate ourselves to the point where we aren't enjoying life and the fact that we are artistic and capable of such beauty? It boils down to perspective, expectation and the current American mindset of instant gratification. The truth is that things take time and it often takes hard work to achieve something great. We shouldn't expect things to happen miraculously and barely manage to produce results worthy of our names. The lack of integrity and accountability is palpable in all aspects, but where it counts the most is in how we view ourselves and act within our lives.

This brings us back to being creative. It is healing in that it brings us back to thinking in the moment, the here and now, rather than ruminating about the past or forever planning tomorrow and years from now. Painting a picture, cooking a gourmet meal, knitting a scarf, planting your very own vegetable garden and even writing poetry draws you away from those thoughts that can turn self-destructive and distracting and channel your energy into something productive and that will bring joy.

For many the tricky part is finding your joy. What would make you happy? What hobby would you look forward to doing at the end of the day or weekends? In those musings do you get to know yourself and discover that you are more than just a housewife, an administrator, caretaker or manager. You are a creative being that deserves to be happy and capable of being beautiful just being you. Then you start to let go of petty office drama and arguments from months to years ago. You start realizing what the buzz is about living in the now and enjoying the process and not hurrying to get to the finish line.

This is my first attempt at crocheting an afghan. It is a very soothing practice and makes watching television exponentially more productive. ^.^ Photo taken by James Badgett

Spring Forward

Here we are again in this lovely time of Spring and all that is green is flowering. I managed to get out and check out the lovely Houston Japanese Garden and you can just feel the serenity emanating from this picture. With Traditional Chinese Medicine there is balance of natural cycles of the seasons that is reflected in the 5 Elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. These elements are also represented in the human body. There is a connection with five major organs in the human body to these elements as well. Wood relates to the liver, fire to the heart, earth to the spleen, metal to the lungs, and water to the kidneys. Considering the time of the year, let us focus on the spring-wood-liver connection.

Springtime is the natural beginning of the year, with the winter season coming to a close and all the dormant plants waking up and beginning to sprout; it is a chance to start fresh. The element associated is Wood energy. There are several key factors to wood, beyond what you may think of or believe. Stocky, unmoving, rigid, stoic, boring, brown, take your pick. However the energy of wood is the energy you need to start a new project. The zeal and excitement you feel when you are in the beginning stages of anything is represented in the wood element. That is also in part why the negative aspect is reflected as anger. Think about anger as a powerful source of energy and means to getting results. You are angry that the house is in disarray, and you want to do something about it; so you make a plan and clean it up. That anger fuels it, and part of the struggle is channeling this influx of energy in constructive ways.

The tricky part is realizing when we are feeling overwhelmed by this energy or enraged, and then need to siphon this off into an enjoyable hobby or sport. Been wanting to begin training for a competitive sport or try a new one? This is the perfect time to do it, since all the natural seasonal energy of growth and prosperity is at your fingertips. This includes being creative and crafty. So if you find yourself in a situation where you are bored, frustrated with life and restless, you need to get off your butt and go try something new and fun! It is guaranteed to put you in sync with the natural cycle of the seasons, as well as keep you in balance with your own element of wood, highlighted by lovely spring.