May / June Classes at The Wellspring School for Healing Arts in Portland, Or USA
browndresswithwhitedots: Naturally Ella
souloftheroseurluv:
sarahb53: there are placesplaces on earththat are magicalthat no words canhope to describewhere your soulempty and drainedis restoredwhere the whispersof angelsdescend like a cool rainon a dark and stormy dayfalling perfectlyand peacefullyand gentlylike a featherfilled with grace
Contributed by Rylen Feeney, Dipl. ABT & CH (NCCAOM), Certified Amma Therapist, Whole Food Nutritionist.
Herbs and spices are rich in phytonutrients such as flavonoids, antioxidants, carotenoids, inositols, isoflavones, and lignans, which contribute significantly to overall health and wellness. Phytonutrients improve our immunity, provide antioxidants, assist with estrogen metabolism, detoxify carcinogens, repair cellular damage and more.
From a Chinese Medicine dietary perspective herbs and spices are largely aromatic and pungent and thereby increase and circulate blood, qi and fluids, preventing stagnation and damp accumulations.
Here is a sample of one such common herb:
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum; or Luo Le in Chinese medicine) belongs to the mint family and is referred to as the king of herbs. It is used medicinally and in culinary cuisines of Mexico, Spain, Italy, Greece, Thailand, Vietnam, and India among others. In addition to being loaded with phytonutrients, Basil is a good source of protein, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Riboflavin and Niacin, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper and Manganese.
Chinese Medicine categorizes sweet basil energetically as warm, pungent, sweet and bitter. It is a warming, drying yang tonic with an affinity for the organ complexes of the Lungs, Kidneys, Stomach, Spleen and Large Intestines. It can be used to transform phlegm in lung conditions, lift the spirit and brighten the mood by tonifying the yang. It also helps with upset and pain in the abdomen including stomach aches, bloating, gas and menstrual cramps due to cold in the abdomen.
Western Herbal Medicine recognizes basil to be antiviral, antifungal and insecticidal agent, anti-inflammatory, it lowers blood glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and said to be a remedy for headaches.
Along with pesto and Caprese salad, consider these additional ways to add basil into your diet:
Basil tea: coarsely chop a handful of fresh Basil and steep in hot water for 5 – 8 minutes, strain and drink. May add ginger and/or licorice for abdominal bloating, and pain.
Fruit salad: particularly good with berries, papaya, mango, peaches and apricots.
Eggs w/ basil (instead of parsley or chives)
Stir fry with ginger and green onion and meat for menstrual pain.
Blend handful of fresh Basil in blender with fresh apple juice for sinus congestion.
Here is a Wellspring School favorite recipe that contains Basil: Carrot & Cashew Pate … enjoy!
Photo by Hopkinsil on Flickr.
To see and to know with the heart.
felixinclusis: Liberty Fabric, Fairy Clock Rose
Nori & Chard Rolls with Live Cashew Carrot Pate recipe by Jason Lee See what one student is saying about The Wellspring School for Healing Arts’ Wholistic Nutrition Program 8 servings PATE 1 c raw cashews 1 c carrots chopped 2 Tb water 2 Tb lemon juice 2 tsp soy sauce 1/2 tsp agave raw 1 Tb ginger peeled and chopped 1/2 tsp garlic chopped 1 tsp turmeric root chopped THE REST OF THE ROLL 4 ea nori sheets 4 ea red, swiss or rainbow chard leaves Carrots fine julienned Sprouts or micro greens Puree all ingredients for pate until smooth. Refrigerate for 1 hour. For Nori rolls, layout nori sheets on sushi mat or plastic wrap and scoop pate on bottom edge, about 1/4th cup. Add julienned carrots. Roll away from you and wet edge to seal. With a very sharp knife cut into bite size rolls. For chard rolls, lay leaf flat. Remove largest part of stem. If leaf is very large cut into 4 inch sections. Place 2-3 Tb of pate on bottom end of leaf with julienned carrots and fold into rectangle shape. Serve with micro greens + Bragg’s Liquid Aminos or Tamari Organic Soy Sauce (GF). Eat and let all of the tantalizing flavors make your tastebuds sing!
“
I sit before flowers
hoping they will train me in the art
of opening up.
Shane Koyczan, The Student (via amatiive)
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purpleaggregates: “We’re here to awaken from the illusion of separateness…” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
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We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.
Mother Teresa (via leslieseuffert)
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