MAKE ART!

Healing should not be held within the constraints of just merely physical medicine. Assuming the only relief to our depression, frustration or whatever ails us lies within tangible parameters is a bit silly! Overall wellbeing is much more than that. Let's not stifle our happiness, right?

When we feel confused or complacent or upset, and choose to be creative instead of brooding and worrying, we find ourselves exploring a deeper level to our humanity and happiness.

Our healing journeys encompass many layers and dimensions. One of those realms is undoubtedly ART. You know that feeling when observing a painting or design for the first time, and feeling the tug at your heart strings....this is indeed healing. A chord has been struck, a window opened, and light of appreciation illuminated.

In turn, creatively expressing oneself through artistic projects can release pent up energy, maddening inspiration, open up emotional blockages, help us cope with daily life, and bring joy and wonder to the mind. It may just illuminate a light in someone other than yourself!

When's the last time you drew a silly picture or practiced on a sewing or craft project? Do you take the time to express from the heart what is swirling around in your imaginative brain? You can draw, paint, finger paint, work with clay, knit, weld, build sculptures out of found objects, collage, hell even scrapbook! (that's not my thing but hey it's the ACT we're going for here)

 I know I'd like to make more art than I give my time to, but when I do get that wave of motivation I ride it!

Here are some of th fun things I made from this year and a couple years back. Feel free to comment and share what you like to do! Make even share a picture?!

Hope ya dig :)

He's a pretty fun guy. (fungi....get it? it's laffy taffy quality up in here)

The perfect touch for the lapel on some butt-flappin', outhouse-rockin', long red underwear. (Yes I live with the man who wears em)

Kiki's "heart on her sleeve". Looks pretty cute on the arm of her sweater!

Using up vintage fabrics and leftover buttons...owl see you later craft scraps!

"Verla the Vicious" 6 1/2 foot tall Squid. Don't know if I could do it again. A labor of love for sure. Best thing I ever did make though.

Verla's partner in crime, "Cycloptopus". She's no longer with me as I gave her away to this great guy http://www.brhltattoo.com/ as a tip for a kick ass tattoo. Check him out!

Oh, hey there! xoxo

Eye think I'll have another please...

Itty bitty cutie watercolor test

It's all about balance.....for T Money <3

For Amy and her playful spirit <3

What to do with random google-y eyes? Make mustachioed friends with em!

An embroidered wallet for my homegirl, Wren. 

The one and only. Age drew it, I stitched it. Sorry Age, it's on my cardigan now! ;)

the urge to purge.....set your intentions!

'tis the New Year and the time when most of us are contemplating how to keep on keepin' on with goodness in our heart and our minds on point. I agree!

The month of December has been intense, to say the least. This year in general really unraveled my knots, in a real good way, and got me thinking of myself, my loved ones, and my dreams in ways I never imagined. I'm sure you can understand. Each person I meet or revisit seems to carry a similar sense of self-reflection that ultimately leads to questions of, "How did I get here? Where do I go from here? What is my purpose?" It is this lulling out of the Kali Yuga, the age of destruction and the shadow self, into the light of the age of aquarius, that is required for us to reevaluate our present situation.

The end of this Gregorian calendar year of 2012 is an appropriate time to do just that. You survived...now what?!
Take a moment to set an intention or intentions for 2013...not just goals that are either passed of failed, but INTENTIONS...set the gears into motion for what your life calls for---even if it seems impossible!

I'd like to share one of my New Year's Intentions...

To be true and compassionate and sweet to all of the love in my life. To share love with all of those I meet.

Put your intention into motion with me on Sunday December 30th @ 11:30am and Monday December 31st @ 8:30am for Hatha Gong Yoga at the Spirit of Yoga in Tempe, AZ.
***Special Event***Intention-Setting Gong Meditation on December 31st from 10-10:30am at Spirit of Yoga.



"What better place than here, what better time than now?"
                                                           Cheers, The Wise Owl
            XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Compassion for Change

...
It's cliche but true...
CHANGE IS THE ONLY CONSTANT!
Life is about cycles and the changes brought into being as a result. These cycles, whether great or small, offer us an opportunity to reflect and expand our knowledge and awareness. I'd say this applies to just about anything considered a "life experience"...pretty vague but all encompassing,
we can find hidden and obvious lessons, bits of information, sweetness, inspiration, deep-seated fears...what-have-you, by merely acknowledging they happened. What might that mean?
I invite you right now, to take a deep breath in, exhale completely, and consider...

The human condition is to easily become attached to the world, attached to the material, and resistant to change. Yes, relationships and jobs and possessions are real, animating our worlds with amazing-ness. Yet, some day, when we least expect it, we are removed from these things and the soul is taken on a journey to a different life with different circumstances...taking off one cloak and putting on another, if you will.
Ya see...nothing ever stays the same and that's the truth. External validation, attachments to the world, and dependency on the approval from others for happiness only takes us so far.
We come into this life alone, and we go out alone. This is fact. Why do we hardly ever discuss it?

These ideas frighten most folk, so instead we distract ourselves by focusing on trivial, mundane satisfaction-makers like play-stations, crazy-staged drama real-life TV, celebrity distraction, professional sports....this is life. Don't get me wrong....I love a good mindless TV show like everyone else. But to stay in this kind of comfort zone all of the time is disheartening and numbing to the human spirit and our heart of hearts. 

The inevitable is that ALL THINGS WILL CHANGE AND TRANSFORM! We want to avoid it and ignore it, but everyone will die at some point, and ya can't take your winning status from that video game with you! If we have this idea stuck in our minds think we only get one shot at life, are we less likely to find compassion for what's going on and give meaning to the subtleties? We are negating an iceberg the size of the universe when we close ourselves off to this idea. I think great wisdom comes from pondering death and considering the depth of wisdom death may bring. It seems like when people find out they might die soon, they start to change, they reassess their lives, they do stuff they never thought they would.
Maybe it's because remembering that we will all die, even me, even you, someday....shifts how we live our lives right now.

The reason this topic has come on so strong is that I recently received the news my dear and beloved grandmother (who had an equal hand in raising my brother and me as youngsters) has a mass of tumors wrapped around her pancreas and kidneys, thus given a life-expectancy of 3 weeks to 6 months. She's almost 90, has survived the dust-bowl and poverty, worked a tough life on a farm, raised 4 children, could beat anybody at Wheel of Fortune, can shoot a gun and bake a cake in the same day, and is still as sharp as a tack. This woman was a pioneer, an herbalist a naturalist, and didn't even claim it. She is wry and witty and real. And honestly, I know she's ready to go. Yes, it's sad to think of her leaving, sad to think of how long my 98-year-old grandfather might make it after she passes, heart-wrenching to see my mother lose her mother... but at the end of the day...all things must change.

So, we find our happiness within. We cannot control what happens to our lovers or our mothers or anyone, and when we realize this we can reflect on an internal sense of gratitude and compassion. The paradox of all of this is, is our EGO...necessary for the human experience yet such a blockade in the mind about what potentially exists. However, when we stitch the fabric between our EGO, our individual self, with the heart, the seat of compassion, we acknowledge that there's something more.
This is my intrigue right now. Compassion is not just given...receiving compassion is equal in importance. This is the balance within the heart that overrides the fear and doubt of the mind, the fear and doubt of life and death. Purpose and fulfillment are found when compassion is in one's heart.
This is fact.
Why do we hardly ever discuss it?
It's seems as though it's easier to distract our minds rather than find the courage in our hearts to face these fears; because these types of ideas frighten most folk. We then push these fears deep down inside of ourselves and wonder why our lives are so chaotic and full of anxiety and stress!?


It all reminds me of the fabulous movie, Harold and Maude, which illustrates the beauty of living and the beauty of death. Check it out if you have not already and L-I-V-E......LIVE! Live now because all things must change and there's no sense in waiting.

From my heart to yours,
THE WISE OWL

When ya feel stuck, chant Aad Such! Who's with me?!?

Today has been one of THOSE days...

...one of those days where I realize I am not completely impervious to sadness, frustration, and confusion....

...one of those days where I need to deal with my student loan holder: strategizing how I might even begin to think of starting to initiate a re-payment plan-of-action for an insane amount of educational debt that makes me feel like I'm climbing Mt. Everest as a newborn baby....

...one of those days where I question myself, my shortcomings, my struggles, my dreams...

...one of those days where it seems like life is so overwhelming with possibility for either good or bad or happy or sad that I can't move myself forward to work on anything...

...just one of those bummin' days.

And that's the reality of life....we all have them...even the healers, the preachers, the bleeding-hearts, the teachers....

No one is impervious to the dark side and I think that's where most of our enlightening comes from. I suppose that's why I feel so devoted to Kali, the Mother Goddess of Black Time, Destruction, Courage, and Fierce Love. !!! She's our ally for exploring the darkness of oneself....to find the courage and love to face even the most terrifying aspects of reality...she helps us to see that it is from the darkness we are born and to the darkness we will return...

So it is this necessary darkness that engulfs us with fear, insecurity, despair, anger, and confusion we require to see the light of inspiration! Our world has become pairs of opposites....light, dark, good, bad, happy, sad, female, male, yes, no.....Every day we are faced with polarities and extremes. How might we regain balance to move forward with clarity and purpose?

There are many tools available to us for finding the courage to be present during these times of darkness and we can call upon and utilize these tools for support. We can breathe, walk, run, drink tea, practice yoga, scream at the top of our lungs, journal, have sex, pray, meditate, eat, sleep, go to the batting cages or shooting range, read, drink, practice mantra, oh wait....mantra?

A mantra is a tool or instrument used to "shake oneself out of a deep sleep".

This sleep may be general stagnation or fatigue, laziness, cyclical behaviors, self-destructive patterns, ignorance, confusion, lack of awareness, awareness but no desire or inclination to move forward, etc. 

When we practice mantra we practice letting go of the mind and instead surrendering to the inherent wisdom of the body and of our Higher Selves, of Spirit! We use mantras to open up a fresh perspective and change our self-defeating habits.

There are many types of mantras from all around the world, found in song, spoken word, drumming, art, etc., but today's mantra is a chant.

It's called "Ad Sach" a Kundalini Shakti Mantra, and is helpful for bad days, helps remove obstacles, useful for when you feel stuck or confused, and when you are ready to let go of something to create space for something new.

Ad Sach

"Aad such, jugaad such, haibee such,

naanak hosee bhee such"

Pronunciation

"Odd such, Jew-God such, 

ha-bay-such, nan-nak ho-ho-say bay-such"

Meaning

"True in the beginning. True throughout the ages. True as this moment, Nanak says this Truth shall ever be."  

According to Yogi Bhajan, "This mantra connects the speaker to the Infinite and the Infinite to the speaker." 

Chant this mantra aloud or even to yourself in your own mind, anytime you feel you could use it. You may devote yourself to chanting this for 2, 5,7, or even 11 minutes! In the grand scheme of things, what's 2 minutes!?!?

To really go deep and remove obstacles and habits, try chanting each day for a month! See what may happen....

I am also taking this challenge of devotion to myself...to find the light of balance and ease, to let go of the old and allow in the new!

Today I start 7 minutes of "Ad Sach" each day until the end of the year. 

If we don't like where we're at or what we're doing, then we should do something different to change it!

Would you like to join me??? What are you willing to let go of? What would you like to attract?

email me privately for more information if you need help getting started :)

From the deepest place in the heart,

CHEERS!

The Wise Owl

...

This chant was taken from the Book of Hatha Gong, my beloved yogic manual created and written by my Master Teacher Duane Armitage.

He is citing this chant from Yogi Bhajan's, "The meaning of Mantra" from The Aquarian Teacher.

Yogi Bhajan was the influence behind the movement of Kundalini yoga to the West.

You may also find youtube videos for different ways to interpret the sounds and rhythm of this chant.

Herbal Medicine is TOO LEGIT TO QUIT!

Herbs are sooo LEGIT! too legit to quit even!
and thank goodness, because we need plants now more than ever.

In this day and age it seems as though prescription drugs are the norm and herbal medicines are some weird, new-age, witchy-voodoo cult that is deemed illegitimate....like a bastard child.....le sigh....
It's a bit sad considering that the Earth has so generously provided the most fabulous tool box and First-Aid kit for us to use with honor, but is continually disregarded, sometimes deemed as illegal, and disrespected at best. (I do have some ideas and theories about why this is happening....yet another blog post to come....)

But did you know that before the age of pharmaceuticals (yes, there was life before Prozac) humans utilized plants for medicine and healing? It's only been around 100 years that the modern Allopathic Medical View has conquered the masses...in the grand scheme of things, think of it as trimming your pinky fingernail only once in your whole life of growing!

It's quite possible that, and keep in mind that I'm maintaing the utmost modesty and diplomacy here, the pharmaceutical industry actually "stole" their basis of medicinal efforts from the herbal community!
It's almost ridiculous not to ponder....let's take a look at aspirin.

The good ole pain-relieving pills developed by Bayer were actually derived from the naturally growing Meadowsweet plant (Filipendula ulmaria). 

Photo lovingly and respectively borrowed from http://celticawitch.wordpress.com/

(a super cool blog you should most definitely check out! thank you!!!)

One of the main active chemical constituents in Meadowsweet are a set of salicylates, AKA the chemical precursors for aspirin. We also find these naturally occurring chemicals in the White Willow tree (Salix alba). Both of these herbal wonders are anti-inflammatory, analgesic...relieving aches, pains, and rheumatic complaints, and with the help of diaphoretic properties, can help with fevers. Meadowsweet also contains anti-microbial properties and can help tackle the common cold and flu.

It is also worthy to note that these fabulous plants are not necessarily blood thinners like many OTC (over-the-counter) medications. Additionally, Meadowsweet supports the health of our guts, shown to treat ulcers, acid reflux, and indigestion. Hmm....I think Tylenol and Ibuprofen are a detriment to the lining of the stomach and intestines.....eating away at our ever-so-helpful mucous membranes.........
yeah not so good.

You can effectively take Meadowsweet and White Willow in tea, capsule, or liquid extract. Although very safe, always consult a professional herbalist before ingesting these wondrous plants. Why waste time, money, and energy by not having appropriate, educated guidance!

Desert Sage Herbs is a most credible herb shop here in the Phoenix valley (a place I can be found on Wednesdays and Fridays...open 10-6), and also a place to seek educated support on dosing and delivery systems (different methods to take herbs).

So the next time you have a fever, indigestion, or want to take away the pain of a hangover, consider the wonderful world of plants before you reach for that manufactured-by-corporations-that-don't-really-care-for-you bottle of pills.

That is the word and the word is good. Thanks for reading.....
THE WISE OWL
xoxo

I'm BACK!....and with a message for health!

Yes, it's true....I've been out of the blog-world for a bit. But life gets, well, busy sometimes! I know you know that too. However, better to get back on the saddle and keep riding then to fall off to never ride again.

Lately I've been revisiting some of my "previous selves". It's easy to get lost in daily life and forget where we came from. Because of my Libran Sun Sign energy and my Gemini Moon, I am an intellectually driven-perfectionist, always seeing both sides to the story, empathic for all those I meet, and am in the state of contemplation quite often. I am quite diplomatic though, and love to find harmony and balance in all of my endeavors and relations. This is a huge PLUS in my book, but can be seen as a weakness when unbalanced with the humble and grounding energy of the Earth.

My point being, I sometimes get so focused on how to better myself, make changes, and be the best that I can be in ALL of my endeavors, that I lost sight of my many personal transformations and achievements over the last 5 or so years. This story is personal and not really a remedy for health, but my hopes lie in the idea that at least one person will read this and feel empowered, inspired, and also drawn back to a place of gratitude for all of the changes life has offered.

A little over 5 years ago a powerful, soul-changing relationship was sparked with my multi-talented, highly intuitive, intelligent, and incredibly creative man partner, Chippewa. Some of you may know him, some may not. Some wish they could see him again because he is so dang awesome and charismatic. And it's true! From the very first evening we spent time together, we were IN LOVE! (gooey mushy stuff is probably over at this point....plus he despises public recognition so don't tell him...heehee)

It was at that moment I knew I was shifting. I started examining my self-destructive habits (including a fairly poor diet, excessive drinking, a past relationship born out of manipulation and deceit, the use of illegal substances and yes, a few days in jail....that's right, I'm a human too!). Once I recognized the sources of negativity in my life, and began to cleanse spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I found myself feeling lighter and happier....even just after mere acknowledgment!
Love was in the air and suddenly I found myself driven to discover my full potential.

After a series of extremes (there's that Libra tendency again) I found myself once again at ground zero. I had joined AmeriCorps and moved to a new town, moved again because of carbon monoxide poisoning, lived in poverty and probably some depression, then tried being a raw foodist, vegan, vegetarian, didn't eat anything for 30 days just to see if I could do it, became a Hare Krishna and chanted religiously day after day, started learning about the chakras and yoga, studied the Bhagavad-gita, found an Indian man to study life with, read countless books on inter-dimensional reality, sacred geometry, psychic channelers, mythology, conspiracies, moved, moved again, and so on it goes.

...and then I cut off all my hair, swore off sex, movies, beer, and anything else in my life that was musing.

...and then I found myself completely miserable with a confused boyfriend, chronic acne and even MORE questions about my life. Where was I going? What is going on here? What was I missing?

JOY!

These were the steps I NEEDED to take to remember that it's not about labels and trends and compromising one's true self to fit into a certain box. It's about the JOY found in the simple pleasures.....such as enjoying a couple of good quality, tasty, micro-brewed beers rather than an 18-pack of Budweiser...appreciating a beautiful grass-fed, free range, hormone-free steak and thanking that animal for its sacrifice....eating bitter greens and loving it...appreciating that aliens probably exist but not fearing such beings...finding the beautiful connection between two people in a safe relationship where sex isn't a misconstrued pit of unhappy emotions...and admitting that I am good enough already.

I had uncovered the most divine secret of all time! It's all in the mind! Do we feel gratitude and love for all of life's blessings, even the tough ones that show us our shadow self and teach us to come back into the light of understanding? (that's what The Wise Owl is all about!).

Through cultivating a relationship with the plant-world and studying to be an herbalist, learning about nutrition, and training to become a yoga instructor, I found this perfectly laid-out red carpet of JOY-INSPIRED-ACTION! Alas....a calling! thank goodness my undergraduate degree in Psychology was not in vain...

This is not to say that these careers or livelihoods are the ticket to personal freedom....but I took the time, lots of time, to reassess myself. This just happens to be my path and the path that provides the least resistance and the most fulfillment. We all have that path, but we must be open to admit our past, move on, and receive the new with loving arms.

My life now is not perfect, but it's completely perfect as it is! Funny how shifting one's diet mindfully, developing a regular practice that moves the body and cleanses the spirit, and inviting herbal remedies into the daily routine will clear up acne, extreme behaviors, negative self-talk, and over all drama and negativity from one's life! And I haven't even mentioned the GONG! That's a whole post in itself.
It's magical indeed.

So my message for this evening is this...
It all comes from the mind. To quote one of my favorite songs of all time by the Pixies,
"Where is my mind?"
If we believe we are powerful, successful, happy, and harmonious, then so it is.

The mind is like a garden....it will run wild with useless, weedy thoughts, unless we choose to be the gardener of our own life and plant the seeds that will grow into the fruits and flowers of our truest desires. (James Allen is the bomb! check out his book As a Man Thinketh).

Till your mental soil, plant your seeds mindfully, and trust that they will grow.

Thank you for reading and following along. It's not always so easy to lay yourself out on the line.
Cheers!
The Wise Owl

Herbal Medicine-Making Workshop on April 7th !!!!

hey hey HEY!!! ...
what's shakin' my fellow herbies, foodies, & lovers of the Earth?!
it's high time I got back on the blog-wagon and boy do I have good news to share!

On April 7th from 10:15am-12:30pm @ The Center for True Harmony & Wellness, I will be leading an Herbal Medicine-Making Workshop for only $30! The topic is.....(drum roll please).....  HERBAL  SYRUP, which is totally sweet! pun intended.....

The primary objective of this workshop is to encourage the use and practice of herbalism in the home. Making syrups for oneself or the family is an economical, effective, and fun way to increase overall health and connection to the Earth.

More specifically, this is an opportunity to learn about herbs that can be used to nourish and support healthy function of the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, digestion, and overall health. We will discuss how the herbs work in the body and how you can invite them into your life in a very simple and effective way.....via SYRUP!
During the workshop we will actually make the syrup from recipe so each and every participant can learn first-hand how the process goes down.

"Herbal Springtime Syrup" is the recipe we will be creating and is intended for GENTLE-DETOXIFICATION, that's right.....detox CAN be tasty!

This highly nutritious blend of organic herbs, distilled water, organic black-strap molasses, organic, local raw honey, flower essence, AND brandy (yes, brandy can be medicinal too) offers either an acute, gentle cleanse when taken in larger doses for a short period of time, or can be used as a daily tonic to provide excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, and may even keep a hangover at bay.....mmmmmm intriguing!

If you are interested in improving sluggish digestion, supporting clear and vibrant skin, reducing PMS symptoms, managing sugar cravings, addressing anemia, and giving your mind and body a great source of  Vitamin C, Iron, Potassium, & more.........then come on down!

All participants will be provided with herbal literature, a recipe, a sample to take home, and a hearty dose of love and laughter.

Although class-size is limited and is filling up quick, I encourage you to call True Harmony & Wellness to reserve your spot today! 480.539.6646

Also, I will be leading other herbal medicine-making classes and workshops throughout the year and would appreciate any comments regarding topics of interest. If there's something YOU want to learn how to do with herbs, let me know and we'll see if we can make it happen!

THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT
& 
THANK YOURSELF FOR MOVING YOUR CONSCIOUS WELL-BEING BACK TO THE EARTH!

Cheers
xoxo
The Wise Owl

Dead Bug Soup!

You know it's creepin' around your job because you hear the coughing and the hacking at your coworker's desk...
Your know your kids have been exposed because they come home from school with a scratchy throat and the sniffles....
You then realize you're tired and achey and already your thought process has shifted into the fear of getting sick. In a mild panic you reach for a bottle of cough medicine and a can of chicken noodle soup and....
STOP!
Take a breath and relax! Getting worried about getting sick actually increases your likelihood of getting sick!


Did you know the body's response to stress is exactly the same whether you are running for your life from a bear in the woods, angry and stuck in traffic, or worried about a sickness ruining your weekend plans? It's called the Sympathetic Nervous System and it kicks in when we're in panic mode. The body naturally shifts into the "fight-or-flight" response when we are worried about our survival, whether in the face of a life or death situation or concerned about the common cold.


So, rather than residing in this state of unnecessary panic, creating a more difficult time warding off colds and flus, we can CHOOSE to stop, take a few deep breaths, and slow ourselves back down, thus shifting us into the state of "rest-and-relax", the calming function of the Parasympathetic Nervous System.


In addition to settling our racing mind and finding a calming breath, we can nourish and support the body's response to foreign invaders by preparing a tasty, healing soup. Homemade-with-love food, especially soups, are some of the best and most comforting medicine of all time. Here's my easy-peasy-impossible-to-screw-up-basic-soup-recipe to keep the icky-sicky away!


DEAD BUG SOUP
Keep in mind this recipe is a good starting point for creating your very own healing soup. Only YOU know what you like best, what tastes best, and what will heal your soul! Don't worry about exact measurements and have some fun experimenting with various herbs, spices, and vegetables!


Gather the following ingredients: ALWAYS CONSIDER LOCAL, ORGANIC INGREDIENTS FIRST!


* 12 c. broth (any kind, but even better is to make your own!)
* 2-3 sticks of Astragalus Root (available at my favorite herb shop Desert Sage Herbs, if you're in the Phoenix valley; or check out Mountain Rose Herbs online)
* 5-10 garlic cloves, depending on your tastes
* a big ole chunk of fresh ginger root
* 2 c. kelp, kombu, sea palm, or any other tasty seaweed vegetable (check out Maine Coast Sea Vegetables)
* 1 leek
* 1 package Shiitake mushrooms
* 1 bunch Lacinato kale, or any other dark leafy green you prefer
* 1 bag frozen broccoli florets
* Soy sauce
* 1 T. Miso paste (the lighter the color the more mild it is....for this I chose White Miso)
* optional...sea salt, lemon juice, lemongrass, coconut milk, hot chile sauce, and any other intriguing herb or food that suits your fancy

1. Pour broth into a large cooking pot. Here's my nice thick, dark, and nutritious homemade "bone broth". I'll post on this in the future because it's economical, delicious, and a really great source of calcium!
Add the Astragalus Root (sorry no pic!) and bring to a gentle simmer, cover and allow the herb's immune-supporting properties to steep into the broth for about 15 min. You can choose to keep the sticks in and avoid eating them, chew on them anyway because it will only help rather than hurt, or pull them out of the pot and discard.

2. Meanwhile, crush, peel, and mince the garlic cloves, allowing for the garlic to sit and rest for at least 5 min. before tossing into the simmering pot. This crucial step allows for the enzyme allinase to activate and metabolize alliin into alicin, the most biologically active compound in garlic. This compound doesn't exist until garlic is bruised or crushed, so let the magic happen! Here we find anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-septic, and anti-bacterial properties that help fight off infections.

3. Along with the garlic, add the fresh ginger. First peel, then slice or grate into pieces. I'd normally use 3 times this amount but my refrigerator stock told me otherwise. Get spicy with it! Ginger supports healthy digestion and the ability to breakdown and metabolize dairy products. Speaking of which, avoiding dairy in general, but especially during times of being sick or run down is very wise. Dairy=mucous and mucous=snot, phlegm, and sluggish digestion. EW!
Ginger also wards off intestinal invaders, supports circulation, can help break a fever, and is anti-inflammatory.

4. Next, wash and chop the Shiitake mushrooms into slices. I like to keep em thick and meaty, but for those who don't prefer the texture of mushrooms, slice em thin for compliance. Shiitake is revered for her anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties, as she works to support the immune system. Eating medicinal mushrooms like Shiitake and Maiitake regularly may reduce your risk for cancer and keep you healthy while others are sick.

5. Add small chunks or bite-sized pieces of kombu (pictured here) or  another sea vegetable you want to try. For ages coastal peoples around the world have included seaweeds into their diet because of their unique, delicious flavor and high iodine content which supports a healthy functioning thyroid, thus supporting the endocrine system and hormone production. Also a good source of minerals and helpful for balancing blood sugar, these oceanic friends help curb salty-chip cravings. Sea vegetables are a very, very important element to a balanced diet. They're easy to toss into soups, casseroles, salads, can be baked lightly as a substitute for chips or other salty snacks, and of course we all know Nori, a staple in sushi! YUM!

6. Cut off the ends of the leek, cut lengthwise down the middle, rinse the  debris between the layers, and chop into half-moons. Add to the soup! 

The sacred geometry present within plants is incredible! The Doctrine of Signatures show us that leeks are just glowing with healing for the eyes and blood vessels!

7. Wash, dry, and tear the kale off it's thick stem and into bite-sized pieces. Toss 'em in! The benefits of kale are ridiculously huge. As stated in my first blog entry, it's one of my favorite foods. Kale, along with most other dark leafy greens, is high in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and a slew of other vitamins and minerals. Plus you get that healthy fiber that keeps our bowels a movin'! Colon health.....check!

8. After about 10 min. of low-cooking, at this point you can choose to let the soup continue to meld it's flavors or plan to eat right away, in which case you add the broccoli. Adding it too soon will cause it to become a bit mushy, which is ok if you're planning on that. Otherwise, add it toward the last few minutes of cooking to preserve some of the vegetable's stability.

I personally choose the frozen route for this particular soup because it's easy to stock up on frozen organics to have ready for whenever the bugs are floating around town. Just open up the bag and add to the soup....easy peasy! An interesting note, broccoli contains more bioavailable calcium than milk or calcium supplements combined! Along with essential vitamins and minerals, broccoli is one of our super-foods!

9. Once you're getting ready to eat, add some soy sauce. I prefer a gluten-free product such as the one above. Adjust to taste. This is also when you can choose to instead add sea salt and lemon, hot chile sauce, coconut milk, more garlic, or more garlic. Did I mention more garlic? :)

10. Finally...like the icing on the proverbial cake, we invite beloved MISO into our soup. Miso is essentially a fermented soybean paste. Even though I advocate for avoiding soy-based products in general, the ones we are using in this recipe are minimal or of proper preparation for good health, as is miso. Here we find really great digestive support through active, alive food. Dissolve the miso into the soup once you've turned off the heat as to not destroy the precious raw food that it is. No need to ever cook miso! You'll find high-quality miso in the refrigerator section of your favorite natural foods grocer. 

And there ya have it....Dead Bug Soup! Eat this until it's gone, or freeze the rest for a cold, rainy day, and be well!
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food!" -- Hippocrates

super-duper skin healer!

I recently finished an experiential Materia Medica on the plant Calendula officinalis, otherwise known as Calendula or Pot Marigold. Essentially, the assignment was to research the plant and spend at least 30 days taking the plant in various delivery systems, experiencing firsthand the medicinal effects. I thought I'd share some information and personal observation from this incredibly useful plant....

Calendula - joyful, cheerful, my BFF!

Calendula is a beautiful flower in the Asteraceae family, with bright yellow and gold petals that just scream sunshine and happiness. Just admiring her beauty makes you feel awesome! She's not to be confused with the decorative landscaping variety of Marigolds, however. The flower heads are what we use in herbal medicine, in the form of teas, tinctures, infused oils, salves, creams, and more! Within Calendula's beautiful flowers we find :
anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and astringent actions. Not only is Calendula all this, she's more! She helps with the lymphatic and immune systems, and also supports the gall bladder, liver, and provides vitamins and minerals.

Although she's great in so many ways, her sterling reputation comes from her amazing ability to heal the skin and expedite external wound healing. Calendula encourages the formulation of granulation tissue, which is an essential part of the body's natural healing process. Last year I was in a pretty nasty motor scooter accident which left a gnarly gaping hole on my knee, exposing the bone. EW! I will provide a detailed post (with photos) in the near future....trust me, you won't want to miss that one! It was almost a miracle how I healed that wildly offensive wound using botanicals instead of plastic surgery!

Using the dried flowers, you can easily prepare your very own Calendula oil that can be used to treat scrapes, burns, cuts, bites, dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, acne, scars, and any almost any other type of external wound or abrasion. The oil is also lovely as part of a salve or cream recipe. (I'll post a recipe for this in the near future too!)

HOW TO MAKE YOUR VERY OWN SKIN HEALING CALENDULA OIL:

1. Fill a clean glass jar (w/ matching lid) with dried flowers (about 2/3 of the way up)....use whatever sized jar you want!
2. Pour cold-pressed Extra-Virgin Olive Oil  (almond, apricot, castor, or grapeseed oil work well too) over the flowers until you reach just above the top.
3. Cover the jar opening with a square of parchment paper and twist on the lid with the paper in between....this helps create a tighter seal.
4. Give her a shake and make sure the flowers are immersed in the oil and there aren't any leaks, and..... TA-DA! that's it!

IMPORTANT: Keep the jar in a dark warm place or, even put it in a window or give her some outside exposure now and then so the oil can capture the sun's energy and heat. Just make sure to agitate (shake, wiggle, move the oil and flowers around) at least once per day. This is a really important part of the process so keep the jar within eye's and arm's reach! You can even dance around the house with it, tell jokes to it, or write lovely affirmations all over the jar. It will only create more potent medicine!

After 2 weeks to one month (or longer if you'd like) of maceration, AKA soaking time, uncap the jar and filter the oil from the plant material through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a new clean jar w/matching lid. Label with the name and date and keep in a dark cool place----but no need to refrigerate. VOILA! You are practicing herbal medicine!

happy healing!
the wise owl

the wise owl is swooping in! ...


At last, I find myself blogging... 
Although I never intended to blog or really even envisioned myself using such technology to connect with family, friends, and the rest of the world, I now realize this is the 21st century and I am finally ready to swoop in!


My hopes are high and my spirit is full of love for this blog to be an inspirational and educational tool for expression, growth, communication, and expansion. As the soul/sole force behind The Wise Owl, I am here to share with the world my perspective on health, healing, life, and the unknown. No, I am not a doctor....and no, of course I don't know everything. But YES I do care! And yes, I strive to embody my highest abilities and qualities so that I may encourage not only myself, but others to find their path to optimal health. 


Without further adieu....
Let's start with a topic that everyone loves....


MY CURRENT TOP 3 HEALTHY FAVORITE FOODS :


*healthy is an overused term, so when I say healthy I mean full of nutrients, tasty, overall beneficial, and worth the time and/or money to either grow, buy, cook, ingest, and/or enjoy!*


1. Chia Seeds
Ch-ch-ch-chia! That's right....remember the 90's? Well maybe not ALL of the 90's (some weird stuff went down in this decade). Think back to the ridiculously exciting commercials with that catchy jingle for Chia Pets...ya know the ones where you grow sprouts out of a clay figure for no reason other than to waste time and money? I do! My Bart Simpson Chia Pet was totally cowabunga-dude, but totally pointless. If I only knew then what I know now, I would have chosen to eat those seeds instead! Those same seeds happen to be one of the most nutritious foods on Earth!


Even the Mayans in Ancient Mexico once used these teeny, tiny little seeds as currency...now that's impressive!


Not only are they packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, they are super easy to add to just about anything, even your water! You can toss a couple teaspoons into your smoothie, on a salad or in your dressing, in soups, in your morning oatmeal, or even in baked goods (coming soon....my recipe for Damn-Good-Gluten-Free-Chia-Cornbread). 


Another fun fact about Chia seeds is their mucilaginous properties, AKA they get gooey, chewy, and a bit gelatinous when soaked in liquid. This is a good thing, as they offer binding properties similar to the consistency of eggs. Soaked Chia seeds can then be substituted for eggs in baking and act as a thickener for cooking. Make sure not to actually eat the seeds out of a Chia Pet though...rather, choose organically grown seeds from a quality source. :)


2. Coconut Milk
Shake your coconuts to this delicious and nutritious beverage! Coconut milk is fabulous...hands-down maybe the best thing since sliced bread, except it's naturally occurring and has been around for ages.


Coconut milk contains lauric acid which has been shown to offer anti-viral properties, thus supporting the immune system. Interestingly enough, lauric acid is also found in mother's breast milk....food for thought? I think yes! (Cue to shake your coconuts one more time.)


Coconut milk is also really fatty. Now don't fret! This is the kind of fat you NEED and WANT and can enjoy without guilt! The body is readily able to break down, absorb, and assimilate the fatty acids contained in coconut milk. When we take in healthy saturated fats the body can use them up with ease. When we take in strange, processed, foreign vegetable oils like canola oil, corn oil, and margarine, the body freaks out, gets upset, becomes inflamed, and doesn't know what to do with them.
...SEGWAY... 
Coconut milk also helps decrease inflammation in the body, whereas pasteurized cow's milk increases inflammation in the body. Plus, it tastes great! I prefer to buy Thai brand, full-fat coconut milk in a can. The processed stuff you find in cartons in the refrigerator isle just doesn't cut it. They add unnecessary preservatives and sugars that take away from the goodness coconut milk has to offer. I like to buy the full-fat rather than the lite because you can either 1) use it full-fat and it's completely legit, or 2) double the quantity of a can by diluting it with filtered water. It will still be rich and worthy, even cut down with water. You also save some bucks too! Make sure to store any leftover coconut milk in the fridge for safe keeping.


Try coconut milk in smoothies and soups, as a replacement for dairy and soy milk (soy is a discussion for another day), as a creamer for your tea or coffee, or just straight up if you are brave. I wouldn't drink the whole can at once, however. There is the possibility of loosening up your stools with that kind of move, if ya know what I mean :) 

3. Kale
Most folks are now familiar with this mysteriously popular green, thanks to social influence from experts like Dr. Oz. Even though I don't watch TV, I can appreciate some good publicity for my super star homie, ... KALE! WOOP WOOP!


There are many varieties of kale, all amazing, all of which you should explore. My favorite is Lacinato or Dinosaur Kale. Always stick to organically-grown produce, especially your greens. Dont skimp on the good stuff! Organic kale is still really, really cheap compared to the price of high-blood pressure medication for the rest of your life. Seriously!


Some steps to get your kale ready to eat:
1- wash the leaves thoroughly and whirl around in a salad spinner or pat dry
2 - hold the thick end of the stalk with your right hand, pinch about 1" up the stalk with your left hand, hold tight and pull your left hand away, stripping the leaves away from the stalk in one fluid motion. SWWWIIISH! 
3 - tear into bite-sized pieces 


From here you can do so much the possibilities are almost limitless!
...saute with onions, garlic, peppers, and shiitake mushrooms and combine with organic, free-range eggs; toss a couple of handfuls into your favorite soup, stew, chili, or casserole; lightly steam and toss with a green vegetable salad; bake some kale chips, or again, if all else fails.....toss em into your morning smoothie!


Dark leafy greens, kale in particular, are one of the HIGHEST SOURCES OF CALCIUM ON THE PLANET! That's right folks, more calcium than milk. Even more bioavailable calcium than your grocery store vitamins! Kale also contains the perfect synergy of essential vitamins and minerals. Oh! I almost forgot! Kale contains lots of chlorophyll (what makes a green plant green). The human body is unable to create chlorophyll, but we need it to purify, oxygenate, and build our blood. This is one of many special gifts plants offer to us people. The plants spend some quality time with the sun, water, and soil, they make chlorophyll, and give it to us to keep us healthy! What sweet friends we have in the produce section of our local grocery stores! 




I hope you found this interesting enough to try these foods in your regular diet. Rather than thinking you have to switch to being a vegan or do a 30 fast to get healthy, start by incorporating these nutrient-dense foods into your life on a daily basis and see what happens.
Cheers to love, light, and finding your own path to wellness! 
-The Wise Owl