A Winter Morning Sky

February - Longing for Spring

   It is only mid February, but already we are halfway through the winter season here. It makes me restless for Spring, and then Summer. Today in my travels I stopped in the grocery store and bought items to make a hot, nourishing soup to warm up, but at the same time bought many organic vegetables as though I am preparing for a Spring cleanse as well! If your body craves a certain food, sometimes it is what you need. I have also read that when you are ill, often the plant or herb that you need may be growing in your own yard. Whatever illness or malady you have, the antidote is often close by.
   I am cheered so far by the fact that the sun doesn't set until almost 6 p.m. by now in my area of the world. The only down side is that we have had many rainy days for the last few weeks and maybe only 3 or 4 days of sunshine, and not all day at best. But I cannot complain because the season is Winter and where things should be, and overall I can say last Winter (2016) as well as this Winter (2017) have been milder than the previous 4 or 5 years, where we had several blizzards and longer periods of cold weather down below 20 degrees farenheit. Of course people in northern climates will laugh at me and say that is nothing compared to our winters! But I am more suited for a warmer climate, so for me it is cold indeed.
   We did have one blizzard last week. I was in fact in Washington DC for work, and there it only rained a little, being further south than New York, but back home in the northeast it was alot of snow and high winds. The trouble was in trying to fly home again - taking 7 or 8 hours just to fly for 45 minutes. In Washington DC we had springlike weather the first night of our arrival and sat out in the sunshine by the Potomac River and at night walking to dinner we had no coats. But ah, the next night the temperatures had dropped, and the wind had a bitter chill and by the time we walked to the restaurant we felt frozen, and walking back was even colder. But good food and good people and good times made it all the more bearable. Next stop is Dallas, Texas, but by then it will be almost Summer.
   So now my soup is simmering and the clouds are back again, promising rain, and a change with the winds coming, but it is good to be safe and warm and make plans for Spring and to get outdoors. Today it was mild enough to walk on the boardwalk by the sea at lunchtime and good to smell the fresh clean air. Now night time draws near and good to be inside, waiting for my soup.
   So friends, below is the March Spring article that tells us how to cleanse and prepare for Spring, so we will all be ready.
   Be well.
Maery


   March is the beginning of many new things as the seasons begin to shift and change, leaving winter slowly behind, and spring fast approaching. Sunlight has already increased, the days are longer, the quality of the sunlight is so brilliant it is inspiring.
   And with all of these changes beginning to onset slowly, our bodies naturally start to cleanse and shed the toxins gathered in winter. Although March 21st marks

The First Crocus of Spring

the official beginning of spring, there seems to be signs of spring already. For the first time in a long time the birds were out and singing. The  neighborhood hawk returned, seeking food no doubt. There is a warmth in the air. Things are beginning to grow and the grass is turning green, sun light is pervasive.
   So how to best facilitate the process?
   Cleansing is one of the most important aspects of spring, but first is to look at the approach to the season of spring through Chinese medicine. Spring is represented by the element of wood and governs the body organs of the liver and gall bladder. Wood governs trees, plants, humans, anything that is living and grows. Trees have roots, a trunk and limbs, humans have the spine, and limbs and joints.
   People with a severe wood imbalance may have spinal issues, rigidness in their bodies and personalities, arthritis flare ups, joint pain, bone issues.
   The color for spring is green. Pale green is new growth, while dark green is old growth. You can see this clearly in ivy, for the new shoots are green and the old growth is dark green.
   If a person strongly craves or dislikes green intensely it may suggest an imbalance in wood.
   But the color green can also be very healing. Spring represents new life and birth. Most animals have their young in the spring. In spring we have new ideas, inspirations, fresh starts and new beginnings. Spring always inspires and moves us into action.

The Rabbit Has Returned for Spring!

   The element of wood also gives us clarity and the ability to focus and plan things. If you cannot seem to ever manifest or plan things you could have weak wood element. If you overcompensate and try to control everyone and everything around you, you could have excessive wood energy.
   The direction for spring is the East, for the sun rises in the east. Wood clearly governs the morning hours of the day. Do you ever notice how fresh each new day seems to be?

Trees represent the element of Wood

   The climate that goes with spring is the wind. March, at least here, is a very windy month as things begin to transition from winter to spring, and wind has a certain quality of cleansing to it. Nothing remains stagnant when there is wind, and things can be blown away. Wind can nourish wood, but too much wind is not good either. As an example of too much wind, it can lower one's resistance in general, spark up your allergies, make you feel imbalanced, stir up sinus issues, skin issues, and watery or red, irritated eyes, nose and throat.
   The eyes in general are the sense organ for the liver, and the sense associated with wood is sight. What do you see or perceive? Fluids like tears go with wood as well, and tears help us to shed the past. 
   The taste for wood is sour. Some sour tasting foods will nourish the liver. If you crave sour or vinegar intensely or dislike sour flavors intensely it might be a sign of wood imbalance. Other than vinegar, drinking lemon water goes with wood, and also cleanses the liver.
   The emotion associated with wood is that of anger, and shouting. Anger injures both the liver and gall bladder. Sometimes when people hold in anger or suppress it in any way it builds up toxins.
   The tissue associated with wood is muscles, ligaments and tendons. This makes me think of strength, making and keeping muscles strong, as well as being flexible. You may notice towards the end of winter muscles may feel somewhat weak, but then as spring progresses you may start to feel stronger.
   The element of Wood can sometimes be controlling and inflexible. There was a family who called me in for a consultation for their new home, and the entire interior was all heavy wood. My recommendation for that home was to add some of the color white to introduce some of the element of Metal to tone down the Wood influence. There was just too much wood. Too much wood can make a person dull, rigid, unexpressive or a tyrant.
   The organ that goes with Wood is the liver. The liver processes out toxins. Liver also has the word "live" inside it. Everything we eat, drink or take including vitamins or medications much be processed through the liver. We can become dull or lethargic if our liver is toxic and unable to process out all the toxins. The first line of toxicity is the kidneys. Once the kidneys become toxic, then the liver also becomes clogged and toxic, so the toxins stay in the body. So that is why we cleanse in the spring, to rid the body of toxins accumulated during the winter months.
   The liver is also a storehouse for nutrients, so it is much more than just processing out toxins. If your liver is toxic, most likely you will not get as much nutrition as you need.  The liver produces vile to help in digestion and then stores the bile in the gall bladder, which is later used in the intestines to break down fats. Too much fat in a diet could over burden the gall bladder. The liver also metabolizes carbohydrates, fats and protein, and also plays a role in blood sugar metabolism, and it also forms gamma globulin and plasma proteins for the immune system. It also makes agents for clotting blood, and both forms and stores vitamins A, D and B, as well as minerals like copper, zinc and iron.
   So things that affect the liver negatively are overeating, too much alcohol or drugs, too many chemicals in food or water, fried foods and heavy meats. Refined sugar and white flour is also stressful for the digestive system. Including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains (in moderation), seeds, nuts and beans is more nutritious and supportive to our organs.
   In Chinese medicine, a clogged or malfunctioning gall bladder can result in physical and mental congestion in the shoulders and head, as well as the hips and thighs, and is often a cause for headaches.

Cleansing
   There is no set rule for cleansing, for each person has individual needs, and people should not cleanse without letting their healthcare professional know.
   So for some people it means juicing for a few days and fasting in between, and there are many different cleanses available online or in books. 
   It can be as simple as drinking more water, adding more fruits and vegetables and greens to your diet as you see fit.
   Some people use herbs to detox, but again, your doctor should know about anything that you attempt. You can drink herbs in the form of teas if you wish.

   So good luck with whatever you do to celebrate spring, for a healthier, happy you!

Maery

The Harm of Palm Oil

Deforestation of Our Planet's Rainforests

   I have approached many different topics over the last year that I hope you have all f

tropical tree

ound useful, in trying to live a more natural lifestyle.
   But a few days ago I was eating some gluten free pretzels from the health food store, and had checked the ingredients more carefully. Shame on me for depending on the health food store for something I usually do myself - checking the ingredients of things I consume.
   On the list was Palm Oil. I had just read an article about Palm Oil not being good for the environment, which had intrigued me. The article claimed that the only way to make Palm Oil was by destroying the Rainforests where the Palm Oil is obtained. Were most makers of Palm Oil guilty of deforestation by destroying the Rainforests and not following proper procedures?
   It bears further investigation.

   But here is the point. Make sure to read labels. On everything. Find out what the ingredients mean. It is our responsibility.

   Tropical Rainforests aare responsible for 25-30 per cent of the worlds oxygen. They stabilize the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide. They provide a home for diverse animals and plants and maintain a water cycle.

   It is time to be more conscious of these things and to protect our natural resources. Lumbering and certain agricultural practices can lead to deforestization.

   It is all about trying to live a more natural life.

Best wishes,
Maery

February - Mid Winter

The road less traveled

   We reach the time of the year here where Winter seems to be at its peak. And yet, here, my Father always used to say January was the coldest month. In January we have the over lay of the old year and still facing the new year, it propels you forward at a tremendous speed. By February are we tired?
   But there is always something curious about February. When we get halfway through the month, I wait and watch for a new signal, a brief sense of Spring to come. It could just be a day when it is very sunny and cold and crisp, but there is something different in the air. It always gives me a boost, so that I know Spring is really not that far away.
   I mean really how does Spring onset, how do the seasons change? It's not suddenly Winter one day, although colder temperatures mark the change, as well as the heat of the Summer also marks another season. But it seems it all has to happen gradually.
   Not even the tide comes in all at once.

   I realize too when I write this that it is different where everyone actually lives. What is it like in Shanghai for my old friend who moved there? And family and friends in northern climes like Canada? And in the southern hemisphere where yet other friends and acquaintances live it is now Summer. And my friends in places like Norway and Sweden report that the Northern Lights are more spectacular than ever this year.

   Well all I know is that I look forward to the time when I know Spring is not far away. The return of the Sun.

   Until the next time. Following the cycles and seasons, trying to live a natural life.

Maery