Springtime - The Spirit of our Liver

Seasonal Transformation…

It is something that takes place both within the body and throughout our external circumstances in various ways during the course of a year, depending on where we live in the World…

We should feel very blessed to live in a place that experiences the beauty of changing seasons. There is nothing more fleeting than these last few weeks where everything opens up in a spray of delicate blossoms.

Every year, I play this game with myself : “This is my favorite season…”

It is wherever I happen to be, there is a way to enjoy being a part of it.

I wasn’t alway this way though… I remember spending years of my precious life “hating” the cold of Winter, until I learned to make peace with her stillness and surrender myself to cozy days and nights spent inside in front of the fireplace. There is a cocooning element to Winter’s barren landscape, it makes the abundance of Spring feel even more alive and precious.

Spring is active, Yang time. In TCM, this chapter represents the journey of our Liver, as it begins to address a more alert and aware way of life.

Our Liver is in charge of storing our blood, and is also responsible for the fluidity of our body’s fascia. This is because as an organ, our Liver is in charge of storing and distributing our blood supply, along with the assistance of our Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen, and Heart.

A stuck Liver can manifest as rigid thinking, or even a tight and resistant body. A great way to remember to balance ourselves with the energy of Spring is to imagine the young branches of a new tree; we must remain supple and open to grow and change. Bend, so as not to break… We do our best to limit our intake of rich, fatty, and heavy foods during the Spring, as these ingredients will only create stuck blockages in our liver. Instead, we are encouraged to explore light fasts, energizing foods, and simplify our seasonings to be more in-touch with the natural flavors of the fruits and vegetables becoming more available.

As the warmer season encourages us to be more active and explore, we are also invited to begin adjusting our daily life and schedules in favor of the longer days. We are encouraged to be more creative. Perhaps there is something nudging at you in your life that feels ready for an adjustment? Now is a great time to go for it!

Our Liver as an archetype - the Hun - represents our innate drive to create, grow, and transform. It could also be described as our intuition. How do we just inherently “know” sometimes what to do or what the right answer is?

This is something that happens when we are in touch with ourselves. This is why we are encouraged to explore reconnection with our Hun, the spirit of our Liver, through a seasonal diet and movement practice. If you find yourself feeling stuck, why not try to incorporate more Yang activities- such as running or biking- as a way to reconnect with the abundant Spring energy?

Without the current of change that is this time of the year, the Winter would envelop us in darkness; life would remain stuck and sinking as the quality of Water predominates.

This, right now, is a beautiful turning point… We start to move away from the Kapha of Winter into the more active Pitta time of the Summer. The Spring is the season of the Wood element: like the branches and bark of a tree, we are encouraged to start spreading our limbs and reaching towards the glowing Sun.

Living in accordance with this seasonal wisdom allows us to explore and make sense of the constant change taking place all around us. It is often said that the only constant in life is change, which can either terrify or persuade us to be more trusting and courageous of this one shot at being alive as we are here and now. As my favorite poet Mary Oliver said: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

8 Ways to Heal & Restore Yourself this Winter

Steeped in a barren landscape and cocooned in quiet stillness, we allow ourselves to journey inwards. Even if you already love and appreciate this introspective season, here are 8 more ways to embrace the energy of Wintertime…

1. enjoy A sauna experience

Is there anything more satisfying on a below-zero day than basking our bones in cedar-scented warmth? While sauna culture has been woven into the fabric of Midwestern heritage for a long time, we have witnessed a resurgence of interest in recent years. The health benefits of a sauna session are many; one of the most important being the support for our circulatory system during the cold season. The dry heat helps combat the accumulation of dampness and stagnation in the body, as well as warming and nurturing our Yin.

If you’re lucky enough to have your own backyard sauna, keep enjoying it all season long. & If you are looking for a place to enjoy a real sauna experience in the Midwest, here are a few suggestions for booking a relaxing Winter spa day, or for the more adventurous, a complete hot springs getaway.

Palmquist Farm, Wisconsin

Moccasin Springs, South Dakota

Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa, Michigan

Kohler Waters Spa, Wisconsin

KOSA Spa, Wisconsin

Larsmont cottages, Minnesota

Maplelag Resort, Minnesota

2. Take advantage of the extra time indoors

Looking to publish a book? Return to school? Learn a new hobby or skill?

The Winter season is a wonderful time to put yourself to the test, as our energy is more internally-focused. Deepening a Yoga practice with advanced techniques such as acupressure and pranayama can also help our body adjust to a colder climate. There are many continuing education courses for Yoga instructors available both in-person and online. My favorite option is to study with Science of Self.

If you’re more of a work-hard to play-hard person, perhaps indulging in a Scandinavian thriller on Netflix is the way to go? Nordic noir is full of inspiring and snow-covered scenery, with a touch of serial killing to boot. Or, curl up with a captivating book… Either way, snuggling under a favorite blanket with a cup of warm tea perched nearby is the best feeling on a snowy Sunday afternoon.

My Top 5 Suggestions for Scandinavian Thrillers on Netflix & Beyond…

1. The Killing (Denmark), available on Amazon Prime Video
2. The Chestnut Man (Denmark), Netflix
3. Woman of the Dead (Austria), Netflix
4. Wisting (Norway), BBC
5. Occupied (Norway), Netflix

3. Prepare Soulful Meals, Explore new cuisines

One of the most important pillars of my Yoga practice is what I put into my body.

During the Winter, I prioritize eating to warm my body with ingredients that also support Kidney function. Building and nurturing our body’s Yin (foundation- bones, blood, nerves) is of paramount importance to staying healthy in the long-term. Dark leafy greens (I have been loving our local spinach) and more salt added to our diet helps our blood retain nutrients and moisture to support our tissues.

Warming spices such as cayenne and cinnamon, and immune-boosting onion and garlic all work together to allow our system to function optimally.

Last Winter, all I wanted to learn was how to master the art of cooking authentic Indian curry, my absolute favorite cuisine to enjoy once the weather gets cold. I’ll share with you my tried-and-true recipe for making a perfect mixed vegetable curry, complete with cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, peas, and plenty of authentic seasonings. Simply serve with some fresh basmati rice, and you will have a beautiful meal that you can enjoy for leftovers the next day too!

Mixed Vegetable Curry with Basmati Rice

Ingredients

For the rice:

3 cups of basmati rice, 4 cups of water
splash of olive oil, about the size of a quarter
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
3-4 bay leaves
sprinkle of salt

Instructions for Rice (Begin first)
In a large saucepan over high heat, toast the rice with a splash of olive oil, stirring continuously (2-3 minutes). Once toasted, add the water (4 cups), sprinkle of salt, and cinnamon and bay leaves and bring to a rolling boil, stirring continuously. Once combined, reduce heat to low and cover. Cook over low heat for 55 minutes.

For the Curry:

2 organic yellow potatoes
3 medium carrots (local & organic if possible)
10 cloves of garlic (yes, seriously)
2 medium yellow onions, local
1 bunch of cilantro
one bag of organic frozen peas
1 head of cauliflower
1 small jar (8 oz) or can of crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup of EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Spices:
1 Tbsp. cumin seeds
2 tsp. fennel seeds
2 tsp. brown mustard seeds
1 tsp. turmeric
2 tsp. fenugreek powder
1/2 tsp. coriander powder
1/2-1 tsp. cayenne pepper (or more for extra heat)
2 tsp. garam masala
2 tsp. mango powder or juice of 1 lime
4 tsp. salt, or more to taste

Garnish:
Chopped cilantro
Fresh-cracked black pepper
Squeeze of fresh lime

Instructions for Curry:

In a large dutch oven or stovetop pot, add olive oil and set the heat to low to warm the oil.

Prepare the onions and garlic first. Slice the onions into bite-sized chunks, and chop the garlic. Next, prepare the cauliflower, carrots & potatoes. De-stem the cauliflower and separate into small florets. Cut the potatoes into 1” chunks, leaving the skin on. Slice the carrots into 1/2” half moons.

Once the oil is warm to a hovering hand, add the mustard seeds. After the mustard seeds begin to pop, add the onions and salt and continue to sauté until fragrant (3-5 minutes). Then, add the garlic, cumin seeds and fennel seeds and continue to sauté until golden brown.

Next, add the powdered turmeric, fenugreek, coriander and crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine.

Add the chopped carrots and potatoes first, stirring to combine. If you need to add a little bit more liquid here, start slowly adding in a splash of water or vegetable stock. Bring to a low simmer, adding the remaining spices (garam masala, cayenne & mango powder/lime juice) plus the cauliflower.

Continue to cook over medium-low heat until the potatoes are softened. In the meantime, prepare the cilantro. Reserve a bit of fresh chopped cilantro for garnish, adding the rest to the curry, stirring to combine. Add the peas, allowing the steam to cook them from frozen, and finish with a generous sprinkle of fresh-cracked black pepper and a squeeze of lime.

To finish the rice, remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

4. Unleash your creativity

So often we wait to allow ourselves permission to be creative. We are all artists in our own right, so let’s devote some extra time this Winter towards expressing our innate creative nature. It is Aquarius season after all…

Whether it be through a community pottery class, or an online course in botanical watercolor painting, there are no limits to what we can set our hearts on to explore. The beauty of making art is that it doesn’t have to be seen or shared with anyone to be meaningful. Simply the act of making something with our hands lends a meditative quality that can be profoundly healing for our soul.

Dongzhu Pottery Studio, Ceramics Classes & Workshops

Crimson Artist Collective, Ceramics Memberships & special events

Domestika.Org, Online Courses for Creatives

Sunset Yarn, Knitting Supplies & Community CLasses

5. Transform Your space into a winter oasis

Organizing a closet for just one season may seem like a lot of work, but it can also be a task to look forward to on a cold January day after the holidays. Packing away the Autumn staples (flannel anyone?) and making room for the deeper jewel tones of Winter’s seasonal palette can make getting dressed easier and more enjoyable. Swapping out an overcoat or puffer for a deeper color can help make an outfit align with the stark white and evergreen theme of the Wintertime.

My favorite way to transition a space or a room into a more Wintery mood is to stage a vignette with a candle I can light once the sun starts to go down. Arranging objects in groups of one, three, or five also helps to ground a collection of plants/books/candles, and can create interest in front of windows where there isn’t much to look at outside. Adding plush textures with pillows and throws in coordinating hues also lends an element of coziness to an otherwise very minimal aesthetic.

Learning about color theory and discovering my beauty season was one of the most revelatory experiences I have had within recent years. No more do I reach for a cool-toned gray sweater, or unflattering shades of blue… I am a “Warm Autumn”- my auburn hair and hazel eyes coordinate best with rich bronzes, warm browns, and Earthy greens. I totally recommend researching more on this topic if you feel that your wardrobe is tired or in need of an update.

Try starting with an investment in a few timeless sweaters in flattering colors for your seasonal palette, and go from there. Look for designs that eschew passing trends and are made with natural fibers and long-lasting materials. This results in an everlasting Winter wardrobe “capsule” that can stand the test of time, ensuring we remain warm and effortlessly chic year after year.

I guarantee that a well-made sweater will soon become your favorite cold-weather staple once you learn how to find one that compliments your own beauty season. The best part is that by investing in elegant pieces that are true-to-ourselves, we avoid contributing to the fast-fashion industry and can support thoughtful independent designers instead.

Here are a few labels I have been loving lately:

Gamine, thermals and sweaters that are as gorgeous on date night as they are getting work done
Micaela Greg, that sweater you have been looking for
OZMA, natural fibers and beautiful designs, made in California
Parachute Home, linens for the best sleep of your life
Golightly Cashmere, one heirloom knit hat to replace the 10 scratchy ones that cause static and pill
Artemesia, whose lookbook alone is inspiration for a life sustainably-lived
LOWA, Winter boots to last a lifetime
Bluecorn Beeswax, the best natural candles to light up your home with rustic charm wherever you are
Beyond Yoga, buttery-soft, ‘Made in the USA’ Yoga wear

Have a favorite sustainable label I should include? Message me and I will add it to the list!

6. Eat More citrus

Eating citrus in the Winter makes me happy. I love the tart and sour rush, and find myself reaching for them as both an afternoon snack and delightful dessert. They feel like eating sunshine.

Tangerines, mandarins, oranges, grapefruit, clementines, sumo citrus, lemons, limes, kumquats… Have I missed anything? The delightful possibilities of eating more of this yummy fruit are endless.

Try peeling some mandarins to combine with pomegranate seeds for an elegant addition to a homemade brunch with friends. You could also add blood orange slices to a salad for a bright and yummy punch. Really, the best way is just to have a ripe tangerine by itself, savoring the delicious tart/sweet components. Citrus both cleanses the palette and provides us with a very light and invigorating feeling, offering a beautiful balance to the heartier foods included in a Winter menu.

For a wonderful morning tonic, try combining ginger powder with a spoonful of raw honey and boiling water, whisking vigorously before combining with lemon or orange juice. Enjoy daily for digestive support, metabolic stimulation, and internal warmth.

7. Do more of your favorite winter activity

Cross-country skiing was my salve last Winter. As the lake froze into an endless tundra, every day was an opportunity for adventure. Having a dog that loves the snow just as much as my husband and I do is also the ultimate blessing; she remains a steadfast companion and treasured part of our favorite Winter activities. If you have a dog yourself, you understand the benefits of getting out with them for a walk everyday, no matter what season it is.

Have you had a chance to try cross-country skiing? There are so many parks and natural areas that transform into a skiers paradise once there is enough snow on the ground… Check out this list of the best places in Wisconsin to experience the sport this season.

What is your favorite Winter activity? Ice-skating? Downhill skiing? Ice-fishing? Snowshoeing?

If you haven’t found something yet, perhaps there has been a sport that has intrigued you, but you have never tried before? There are so many beautiful ways to connect to the elements and appreciate the joy of nature in every season… And if you have been saying to yourself for a while “this is the year I am going to try …”, take this as a sign from the Universe… Go for it!

8. Immerse yourself in a Deeply healing environment

To me, there is nothing more healing and restorative than being in nature. Some of the best trips of my life have been to a destination where I immediately felt at one with the Earth.

The memories that we make during our travels to experience a new place or situation can have a profoundly healing effect on us for the rest of our life. Scheduling time away from work to allow ourselves an experience of our existence from a new perspective helps us understand healthier ways of approaching our life when we return. Going on retreat, even if it’s just to a new class or workshop in our own city, can help us make changes in our day-to-day that can lower our stress levels and make us happier, healthier, and more at peace.

There is a beautiful saying by Lao Tzu that always comes to mind when I notice myself trying to force something to happen…

“Spring comes, and the grass grows all by itself.”

Sometimes, the best way to move forward is simply to be still and allow the natural course of events to guide us into alignment with what can happen. Such is the beauty of living seasonally; there is a higher order, an energetic harmony behind the unfolding of everything. When we recognize this, we understand there is time to live our life without fear of needing to rush to figure it all out. We can settle into the rhythm of the Universe, and observe how everything is a part of something bigger.

escape or embrace wintertime?

Escape : Peru

Known for its inclusion along the striking Andean mountain range, experience the wonders of the Sacred Valley with excursions to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu and the stunning views of Vinicunca - Rainbow Mountain. A stay at Samadhi Sacred Valley in Huayllabamba will leave you feeling restored, with daily Yoga and hiking experiences, art classes, and delicious garden-to-table vegan meals.

Book your Flight: Chicago to Cucso

Embrace : Iceland

After a short flight from Chicago to Reykjavik, a stay in the Golden Circle will have you newly-appreciating the subtle beauty of a Winter landscape. Book a unique stay at an Air BnB in Selfoss, and shop for groceries in town to enjoy a dinner by candlelight- the sun is barely over the horizon for a few hours each day, just enough time to head out for a hike before relaxing in the geothermic pools. At Laugarvatn Fontana, enjoy a special tour after a healing soak to learn how they bake traditional Icelandic rye bread in the volcanic soil.

Book your Flight: Chicago to Reykjavik

Late Summer - Early Autumn

The capability we have to heal ourselves through balanced eating is a blessing we must learn and share. We are all connected with, and a part of nature’s beautiful rhythm.

In the warmer seasons, the ‘Yang’ of the year, we focus on eating brighter ingredients. The energy of raw fruits and vegetables stimulates us, bringing us into harmony with our lively surroundings.

In the cooler months, we emphasize nurturing our being with more warming foods, building our blood to boost our immunity and support the resilience of our bones and joints.

The ‘Yin’ of Fall and Winter brings us deeper into ourselves. Eating to attune with the rhythm of Autumn involves more rooting and grounding.

Nuts, seeds, squash, apples, wild rice, spinach, beans, and more salt added to our foods allows us to start pulling our energy down and inwards.

We also prepare meals by simmering and baking our ingredients, as this allows the food to retain a sense of mellowed vigor, assisting us in staying level and grounded during a time of seasonal transformation.

The abundance of locally-grown ingredients is never more apparent than during harvest time. The upper Midwestern apple and corn season aligns beautifully with the Earth element & Late Summer, inviting us to eat more sweet and nourishing foods. Corn, rice, millet; sweet & yellow potatoes and onions; carrots, tofu, peas, cabbage, amaranth; garbanzo & soy beans, and apricots & mangoes are all beneficial superfoods to incorporate into healing recipes during this time.

Late Summer & The Earth Element

“The Earth element regulates the center, that which is constant; harmonizing the effects of the four seasons.” - Inner Classic

This fifth season marks a transition point between the change in seasons. It is recommended to enjoy a light fast and eat less before the transition from Summer to Fall, just as from Winter to Spring.

Spices that stimulate our digestive fire - Agni - and our Spleen-Stomach organs are associated with the Earth element. Garlic, onion, black pepper, leeks, ginger, fennel, cinnamon, and nutmeg are all prescribed as healing antidotes during Late Summer. These tonify our lungs and digestion and prevent stagnancy and excess that accumulate just before the turn from Summer into Autumn.

Making curry or kitchari with local squash, basil, bell peppers, and tofu is a supportive way to introduce beneficial vegetables and spices into a cleansing Earth-element ritual. Swapping out wheat and processed grains for fresh sweet corn and potatoes during the Late Summer also helps balance dampness that accumulates as a result of deficient Spleen Qi & Liver excess.

Meditating, slowing down, taking breaks to walk and enjoy nature, journaling, and finding more time to still, nourish, and center ourselves energetically aligns us with the Earth element.

Autumn & The Metal Element

As true Autumn and “Vata” season reigns later on, throughout most of October and November, we witness a complete transformation of our environment. We will want to start reaching for foods that ground our mental activity, and support combatting dryness and brittleness in the body, as the winds and cold rains set in. One of the best ways we can add more moisture to our tissues is by salting our foods enough. Making soups, and baking and roasting food is also in accordance with the theme of retaining and storing more of our energy. Spices that correlate with the Metal element are black pepper, rosemary, thyme, garlic, onions, fennel, and mustard seed.

The Metal element represents the emotions of grief and sadness; the energy of “letting go”. An Autumn Yoga practice emphasizes postures that synthesize our emotional experience with the sensitive and impressionable nature of our lungs. In TCM, our lung channel is paired with our Large Intestine connective tissue. The LU & LI are associated with our throat chakra, Vishudda.

Yoga asanas that stretch and open these connective tissue pathways include Urdhva Dhanurasana (upward-facing bow), ड़alabhasana (Locust), Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog), Dandayama Dhanurasana (Standing Bow-Pulling Pose) & Ustrasana (Camel). Meditating on the Meridian pathways of the Lung and Large Intestine while practicing any Yoga pose will also help release stagnancy and help to open the entire connective tissue network, allowing Qi to flow unobstructed throughout the entire body.

Everything is connected.

The Sour Flavor

“The Fall is the time to organize the open and perhaps scattered patterns of the previous warmer seasons. To stimulate this activity in the body, to focus mentally, and to begin the process of contraction, add more sour flavored foods.” - Healing with Whole Foods

Sourdough bread, sauerkraut, olives, pickles, leeks, aduki beans, rose hips, vinegar, lemons, sour apples and grapes all compliment the salty flavor and move energy down and in. We begin to incorporate more of these flavors as Autumn progresses into Winter. To counter the drier climate and support the lungs, moistening foods are emphasized to counteract excessive dryness in the body; tofu, tempeh, soy milk, spinach, barley, millet, pears, apples, seaweeds, mushrooms, almonds, pine nuts, peanuts and baking with honey or maple syrup instead of sugar are ingredients that help support the body’s ability to adapt during the dry season.

The emotional connection between our Lungs & Large Intestine becomes more apparent when we think about their shared physical role in purifying and restoring our body. Our lungs purify us through the air that we breathe, and our colon is purifying our body’s digestive process. The pungent flavor of onions, garlic, ginger, turnip, daikon radish, and cabbage supports purification and detoxification. In addition, beta carotene, found predominately in dark leafy greens and golden root vegetables, protectively coats the mucous membranes in the body. This boosts our immunity and protects our vital organs. It is no coincidence that along with the dive in temperatures arrives a bounty of protective vegetables, ripe from the garden and ready to aid our defense against the common cold and other seasonal ailments.

There is also a very protective energy in consuming vegetables that were grown in our local soil. We want to eat as close to home as possible to be in alignment with our surroundings. When we enjoy the bounty of our local environment, we are less likely to suffer from disease caused by imbalance in the body and microbiome.

For more on this healing wisdom, I highly recommend Paul Pitchford’s seminal work ‘Healing with Whole Foods’, a necessary addition to any healer’s home library. Of course, the best teacher is always nature herself. When we enjoy more time out in the wild, present to each season’s familiar patterns, we naturally align with the foods we are meant to be eating. There is an effortless enjoyability in keeping our daily menu fresh and local, highlighting a favorite flavor or ingredient and letting the tastes and textures harmonize from there. It is highly meditative and calmingly absorptive to immerse oneself in the preparation of food, allowing the senses to travel wherever the utensils lead. There is no better place to practice presence and awareness than in the company of a counter full of ingredients, waiting to be cheffed up into something amazing.

to learn more, explore a personal meal program that incorporates these healing flavors

Aligning with the Energy of 🌷 S P R I N G

When I was setting out to find the right name for my Yoga business, ‘Align’ felt so right. Not only because of the importance of physical alignment in our Yoga postures, but also (and perhaps more importantly) due to the meaning of “aligned” as balanced in mind, body, and spirit.

In Yoga, there is a saying that everything travels from Microcosm to Macrocosm; “as within, so without”. When we align ourselves with what we feel within, discovering our heart’s true purpose, we experience an ease of being in the World that allows us to achieve what we have always dreamt possible. Staying in alignment with this “inner compass”, despite any external push|pull tides of the moon, a steadfast version of ourselves emerges to navigate phases of growth, change, and transformation. This constant calibration requires an inner focus and state of presence that grows stronger through our Yoga practice.

Practicing in alignment with the energy of each season involves taking a composite look at our daily rituals and habits. How do we nourish ourselves? Which Yoga postures do we work on? These are the things we can personalize accordingly. Pranayama (breathing practice) and meditation also deepen our level of self-awareness, furthering our ability to recognize when we have fallen out of balance with our external surroundings, and help us realize the power we have to self-correct it. There is a beautiful parallel between the elements of Eastern Medicine and the emotions of our body. When we are feeling a certain way emotionally, there is a place in our physical body to practice a posture that can help synthesize the experience we are having.

We all understand the connection between the feelings of love and happiness and our heart, and we can learn more about staying in touch with ourselves as we recognize the other physical-emotional axises that run throughout our body. The seat of sadness is in our lungs, as grief is tied to our breath. The back of our body relates to the feeling of fear, the “fight or flight” reflex ruled by our spine. The Earth element rules over worry, and relates to our stomach and spleen. This is why a restless mind can overeat, or deplete. The energy of our mind requires viable nutrients just as much as our hardworking body does too.

Connecting with nurturing foods that harmonize our energy with the season restores the way we are meant and deserve to feel. Everything is connected. How we balance our energy throughout each season depends on what is both within and without.

In the Springtime, we have an abundance of stored energy from the stillness of Winter. Spring is the season ruled by our Liver, which controls our body’s cleansing and detoxification. If we feel the sluggish “Kapha” energy predominating during this time, we look to balance it through the building of internal heat and increased activity. Once the days start stretching themselves out a little longer, we can too; adding more to our schedule, preparing our gardens, refreshing our living spaces… All of this aligns us with the opportunity to enjoy Summer. The hard work has already been done; we can watch the buds open and admire the flourishing of another season.

The transition from Winter to Spring means really taking care of ourselves. During a time when our body is working hard to lighten up, our menu plan should reflect the shift from darkness into light. The salty, savory comfort foods of wintering start to give way to brighter ingredients, and our mood follows suit. Where we once added autumnal spices such as cinnamon and clove, we can start thinking about seasoning meals with ginger, black pepper and lemon.

The nature of Spring is cold and damp. To balance these effects with a seasonal diet, we want to include more dry and warming foods. Spring pasta with lemon juice, pea shoots, garlic and black pepper (pepper is very warming and nurturing for our lungs) provides nice comfort on a cold and rainy evening as much as a fresh mango salsa feels bright and alive on a sunny and warm Spring day. Snacks during this time of the year are best eaten light and raw. Tangerines, hummus and carrots, and snap peas are all great options. Take inspiration from the budding green trees and start some sprouts indoors! There are so many reasons why eating more plants is good for both ourselves and our environment.

Spring is the perfect time to enliven ourselves with more fresh & local ingredients. Some of my favorite recipes to enjoy this time of the year include Steamed Broccoli and Rice with Black Pepper Tofu, Grilled Asparagus & Lemon Strozapretti Pasta, and Vegan Burrata & Arugula sandwiches with fresh sprouts and balsamic vinegar. For more recipe inspiration, subscribe to my newsletter! And if you’re curious about curating a personalized menu plan together, let’s connect!

As Hippocrates said, “May food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be food!”

We are what we eat! 🍊

Essence, Kidneys, Qi, Jing: Why Wintertime is the Perfect Time to Rebuild & Restore

Traditionally, the Winter season marks a time for our soul to experience the quiet peace of inner healing and stillness. It is a chapter to receive meaningful insight, and nurture our being with rest and introspection.

In TCM, the Winter season is ruled by the Kidneys; two bean-shaped, Yin organs dedicated to the rebuilding of our body’s blood supply as our vital life essence, also called “Qi”. The specific life-essence of the Kidneys is called “Jing”. Our Jing is something we are born with. Largely determined by the health of our parents during the time of our conception and throughout our growth in utero, once we are born, the effects of life start to pull from this wellspring of energy. Even small, daily stresses can start to compound into burnout and fatigue if we do not allow our systems to rest.

Without the grounding and nurturing sense of hibernation during Winter, our systems get thrown off-balance by the overstimulation of our energy. The relationship between Winter and Kidneys connects us to our root chakra, the life-giving element of water, and the emotion of fear… Even year-round, the constant striving to “do, do, do” and “go, go, go” pushes us towards our “fight or flight” reflex, initiated by our sympathetic nervous system. Our SNS is designed to keep us safe from perceived threats and dangerous situations, but many times, with our modern ways, we press override; pushing our physical body and sensitive mind beyond what is safe and emotionally healthy.

Over time, our patterned and conditioned responses to fear and negative emotions begin to weaken our Kidney Qi, as the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol deplete our adrenal glands. If our valuable energy stores are not replenished through significant moments of rest, the Kidneys then start to to strain and dampen the creative fire and spirit of our heart, affecting our vibrancy and passion for life. Thankfully, we can recognize when we have reached a state of Kidney Qi imbalance, and focus on combatting the loss of our Jing with the knowledge and wisdom of nature.

We all function better after a good night’s rest, we can think of Winter as the deep healing sleep that we need in order to prosper into the revitalizing energy of Spring.

We can rebalance weakened Kidney Qi by understanding that slowing down and feeling our life is just as important as working hard to create it. Strengthening our parasympathetic nervous system, and taking care of our internal nourishment by eating more Yin-building and blood-building foods gives us a more solid foundation to handle the stresses of life. We must learn how to embrace the season of nestling-in to the cold and dark. The snowy climate may feel stark, but it is also serene.

Practicing deep-breathing exercises that promote the relaxation of our diaphragm and experiencing every Yoga posture with more of an inward focus helps us make the connection between rest and release. We can lean-in to the darker palette of the winter season, and wear more black, grey, and deeper color. We can savor the delightful textures of our knits and woolen fabrics. We can drink more tea.

Winter allows us the freedom to devote more of our time to learning, reading, knitting, cooking, baking, drawing, playing our favorite instruments and games, and enjoying more time indoors with our loved ones. There are also plenty of exciting winter sports to try out too; cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, ice-skating, ice-fishing, kite-surfing on the frozen lake, snowshoeing… but sometimes, even just a comforting Winter walk, all bundled up, in solitude or with a furry friend, can make the beauty of this season appear all the more obvious.

As the rest of life transforms, so does our Yoga practice…

Kidney-strengthening recipes include more beans, seaweeds, dark leafy greens, and tofu. Stews and soups draw the energy of our nourishment down and in. We want to cook our foods on a lower temperature, for longer periods of time, and use a little more salt and spice than in the summertime. Spices that help warm us from the inside-out, like cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne, help keep our digestive fire bright.

Our Asana practice also follows this wisdom, building gentle heat from our energy, like a well-sustained fire. Postures that root and still us like a Winter tree, postures that keep us close to the ground, and sequences that offer longer periods of time in meditation and savasana. The Kidney Yin energy is a very grounding and supportive place that we can access to help us tune to the wintertime.

The Kidney Meridian Pathway starts at the sole of the foot, and travels up the inside of each leg, crossing over at the groin. From there, it travels up the torso until just below the collarbones, at point 27. There are several important acupressure and moxibustion points along this channel to work on incorporating into our asana practice.

Beginning on the bottom of the foot, Kidney 1 can be accessed by putting pressure on the ball of our foot, between the first and second toes. Connect here in postures such as Hasta Padanghustasana (hand to foot pose), Ashta Chandrasana (High Lunge pose with heels high) and Vrksasana Ardha Padmasana (Tree Pose with Lotus Leg variation).

Traveling up the inner arch of the foot to the ankle, K3 and K6 are important points for nurturing the connection between the Kidney and Spleen meridians. K3 is just inside the notch between the achilles tendon and the ankle bone. Pressing or “pinching” here in poses such as Prasarita Padotonassana (wide-legged forward fold) encourages the inner Yin seam of the legs to release. K6 is just beneath K3, on the lower side of the ankle bone, in a tendinous depression between the ankle and the arch of the foot. Massaging here helps to relieve stagnation, and is a great opening point to press during Uttanasana (forward fold).

In the winter months especially, we can practice complimenting energizing Vinyasa classes and vigorous exercise with more Yin Yoga and other restorative activities. We can also explore making gradual dietary shifts and setting energetic boundaries that help us feel more connected with nature. There is a Zen saying,

Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,
you are truly rich.
If you stay in the center
and embrace death with your whole heart,
you will endure forever.

Now, this is not to say that we have to be worried about dying tomorrow or anything (unless we happen have a lot of Pluto energy going on in our birth chart rn, then it might seem like it!), but for real, the energy of transformation cannot happen without the cycles of death, rebirth; flourish and fade. Like the cycles of the moon, we are ever-changing. Nature is the greatest marker of time...

Let’s enjoy the earlier sunset and roll out our mats after a long day, just to unwind. Let our mind follow how we feel, and then let our intuition guide where to explore deepening with some gentle stretches from there. The inner legs include not only the Kidney Yin Meridians, but also the Yin Meridian organ pathways of the Liver and Spleen as well. Wintertime is the most crucial season for taking care of our circulation, as well as being more careful with our bones. The colder season tightens our tendons and weakens the malleability of our joints and hinges. To combat the cold, we can practice Moxa along the Kidney acupressure points in our feet, before gently warming and opening our body to go deeper into postures such as Lotus, where our knee may be more vulnerable.

Another way to encourage warming and grounding in forward-folds is to elevate our seat on a blanket or a block, helping to encourage the path of circulation down through each leg. Yin Yoga asanas such as Mandukasana (Frog), Upavistha Konasana (straddle forward-fold), and Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose) all address the Kidney Yin Meridian, and can be held for longer periods of time. The arm positioning in Gomukhasana highlights the connection between our Kidneys and our Heart, and offers us a beautiful opportunity to shine a little more light on who we are.

There is so much beauty to be found in the regenerative energy of another Winter. Just as the cycles of nature influence how we feel, so does our body clock. The Kidney’s evening time is from 5-7pm, a wonderful time to practice stillness before the fiery time of the Pericardium, which can help aid in the process of digestion, and is a good time to have dinner. During the Winter months especially, it is beneficial to structure our routine into a sacred ritual that we know and love. Eating meals with intention, slowing down, cooking a pot of beans all day… When we eat supportive foods that balance our body within the season, and truly start to take care of precious selves, all the troubles that weigh in on our mind are set free. Most importantly, when we align with the course of nature, we feel happier, lighter, and more at ease. May all beings feel this way. Namaste.

Revitalizing ourselves with a seasonal menu and mindfulness practice

This time of year, I live for all of it. The tea and golden leaves; a cornflower blue, cloudless sky; bright and crisp apple days filled with the intensely beautiful reminder of life’s temporary-ness.

I went for a walk with a dear friend earlier today, and am still feeling so deeply nourished…

There is a part of ourselves that yearns to be seen, the same part of ourselves that seeks reconnection through Yoga, that can only be lifted out of our heart through friendship. Our true friends are the most meaningful mirrors we have into seeing ourselves from another perspective.

While our mindfulness practice can help re-orient our way of being so that we stay in closer touch with ourselves, nothing compares to the trust of a friend, sharing and reflecting.

Going for walks in nature this time of year honors the steadying quality of tethering our energy to the Earth in order to counterbalance the sweeping change taking place all around us. Meeting ourselves with grounding energy on our mat, we practice Yoga to adjust with the seasonal shift and work on postures and acupressure points that root and re-steady us.

The kidney pathway is a great place to start, as this energy center begins at the bottoms of the feet. Complimenting the kidney pathway by gently opening and expanding through the stomach and spleen pathways regenerates and builds digestive fire to resist cold-weather dampness and stagnation.

Foods that compliment Spleen energy include winter squashes and nuts (try adding walnuts to a nice squash & sage pasta!), and seasonal curries that incorporate favorable spices; cinnamon, cloves, garam masala, turmeric, fenugreek, cumin and brown mustard seeds are all wonderful seasonings to incorporating to warm and support our digestive fire during this time. For breakfast, enjoy making some slow-cooked oats with spicy cinnamon, and be sure to make plenty of time to allow your system to rest.

Allow your digestive system to rest more than in the summer months. Try to have a light breakfast around 7AM, a bigger lunch between 11 and 1, and savoring a small meal of curry or soup before 7pm. This follows the meridian cycle of eating, and also helps us adjust to a new circadian rhythms; the lack of available sunlight affects our metabolic system as well as our emotional awareness too.

If you struggle with seasonal affective disorder, lean in to the abundance of time to rest and recharge. Sip tea, read books, let your energy be gathered in and stored. Our body prefers to follow the cycles of nature too.

Creating a Sacred Space

For many of us, the pandemic was an opportunity to reconnect with our Yoga practice outside of a traditional studio space. Some of us were fortunate enough to have a dedicated room devoted entirely to the practice of our spiritual pursuits, others of us were lucky enough to carve out enough space for our mat alongside our bed. Wherever we created the space to practice, there was an opportunity to reconnect with ourselves in a meaningful way.

The act of creating a sacred space for spiritual aim is a time-honored practice that dates back to ancient times. Devotees of religious lineages lit candles and placed items of significance upon an altar, offering a small token of energy to symbolize sending their prayer into the heavens. Native American ceremonies involved the burning of tobacco leaves, as it was believed the curling smoke kept their prayers safe on their way skyward. Whatever your belief system is, it can be encouraging to create an altar for the cultivation of positive blessings within your living space or immediate surroundings. 

Creating a wealth and abundance altar upon a desk or nightstand can focus our energy on manifesting the income we require to reach our goals. Placing items that invoke the charge of money, such as lucky coins or precious gems, can symbolize the flow of value that is exchanged between the services we offer and what people will pay to receive them.

Incorporating the sacred energy of a New or Full Moon may influence the way we arrange our altar, and serves as a great tool for measuring any changes that may need to be made as we move through the cycles of life. Knowing which phase of the Moon we were born under also inspires how we utilize our energy throughout times of transition and planetary alignment.

For more information on casting specific altars, or for a more in-depth reading of your birth chart, explore a personalized gemstone reading. 

“Where our intention goes, our energy flows.”

For health and fitness goals, moving a chair or bench into our bedroom where we can lay out our workout gear the night before (right down to the watch & shoes!) is a really supportive way to create a subliminal cue to ourselves that we are going to stick to a routine. Placing everything out the night before, so we are ready to go the next morning, symbolizes our discipline to get it done, and our dedication to prepare.

A Yoga altar for the practice of asana or meditation might include our mala necklace, a few crystals, some incense, and maybe a picture of our guru or other spiritual influence in our life. Colors that invoke the chakra system inspire us to focus on postures that will help steady our balance and focus our awareness too. Allowing our intuition to guide which colors to include is a great way to observe how our body feels supported by the feminine and masculine energies present in all of life. We may also decide to burn sage or light a stick of Palo Santo at the beginning of our practice to clear away any negative blockages, preserving the texture of our immediate surroundings and allowing our awareness to focus solely on the present moment.

Vegan Sushi

Step 1 :

Cook the rice. Using 1 1/2 cups of water per 1 cup of sushi rice, bring the water & rice to a boil and then reduce the temperature to low, cover & let simmer for 25-30 minutes, remove from heat.

Step 2 :

While rice is cooking, prepare thinly sliced carrots, cucumber and other assorted veggies, and organize a “sushi prep” station with a dish of water to bind the nori wraps together. (Wait until rice is fully cooked and cooling to prepare the avocado.)

Step 3 :

Arrange ingredients on the bottom 1/3 of the sushi wrap, starting with the rice. Add your veggies and roll the wraps together gently, but firmly, to create a tight cylinder. Dampen the outer edges of the sushi wrap and slice with a sharp knife about 1" to 1.5” wide. Arrange on a platter and serve with tamari* & fresh ginger!

 *Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce substitute, found in the health food section of most grocery stores

Ingredients

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01 : Nori Sheets

02 : Sushi Rice

03 : Your choice of fresh fruit/veggies (carrots, avocado, mango, pickled radish, cucumber)

04 : Rice vinegar, Tamari, Fresh Ginger, Wasabi
(for dipping & garnish)