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Fall squash recipe

Carol Griesmeyer

Perhaps you started seeing this squash in the last year of two. It was new to me but a friend told me how easy it is to use and I have made it a number of times.
What I like about this squash – Kabocha – is that you don’t have to peel the skin even though it looks pretty rugged.  You can cook it with it on. (You can see in the photo how thin the skin is.) It doesn’t get tough. If you are going to leave the skin on scrub it good with a brush as it has a lot of irregularities and Kabocha skin bumps for dirt to hide in.

Next you need to open the squash and clean out the seeds. To make it softer to cut you can stab it a few times with a big knife and place in the microwave for 5-7 mins. Be careful of the steam when you open it.
If you don’t want to use the microwave you can use a big knife and hit it with a mallet (meat tenderizer). Kabocha chop
Cut into smaller slices and then into 1″ cubes.

sliced Kabocha

Chop an onion into small pieces. Also add a few chopped cloves of garlic and brown then on the stove or just add to it to the squash in a slow cooker. Add 2 cups of broth – your choice or water. Cook on medium – low for 4-5 hours. Again a microwave is faster but you may not want Kabocha slow potto use one.

Add whatever other spices you may want. To make it hot you can add chile pepper flakes and / or more garlic. You can add chai tea spices or a chai teabag or two. (Obviously remove this after an hour or so.) When it is done you can leave it chunky or take it out a few cups at a time and puree it in a blender.

Try adding a yam, carrots or celery.

This dish is good to nourish the Spleen and moisten the Lungs and Large Intestine. The garlic, onion and chile pepper are warming flavors, as are the chai spices,  for the cold season.

Stop the Cold NOW formula

Carol Griesmeyer

Yin qiao san is a bigger formula than Yu ping feng san. I will discuss a bit about all of the herbs and  explain a little about how an herbal formula is created in Chinese medicine.

This formula is used to treat Wind/Heat as most of the herbs are cooling. But any formula will have a few herbs that also cool. You usually don’t want to take it too far. This is a great formula to take at the merest hint that a cold is starting – you wake achy, sore throat, headache, tired (different from your usual morning). In many instances it can stop a cold in it’s tracks if you start taking within 6-12 hours, don’t wait until the end of the day.  You can ‘slam’ this herb by taking a dose very often the first day and then start spreading it out over the next 2 – 3 days. If you don’t notice much difference by the end of the second day you need a different formula.

Traditionally there is (are) one or two chief or emperor herbs in a Chinese formula.
In this formula we have Jin yin hua (lonicera – honeysuckle flower) and Lian Qiao (forsythia)
These are both the chief herbs. They release the exterior (open the pores for mild sweat), clear heat (help relieve fever) and relieve toxicity (eliminate the pathogen).
These actions are the focus of the formula.
As discussed a bit yesterday when the defensive or Wei qi is weak it cannot defend against invasion through the exterior. The Wei qi is considered our immune system and lives in the exterior of our body between the skin and muscles. The skin pores may be open, which let in the pathogen and they may close up trapping the pathogen inside. A mild sweat is encouraged to open the pores to release the pathogen. It is also recommended to keep wrapped up to prevent more invasion when the pores are open. It is a delicate balancing act. What this really means it we need to take time to help our bodies heal itself and give it rest and protection from more exposure.

Imagine a fox in a hen house. If you reinforce the fences and gates before you get the fox out, you’ll have no chickens left. Get the fox out first, then reinforce your defense network.

When we create a formula we want to consider whether the condition is basically hot or cold – fevers or chills. Herbs have temperature characteristics that address this. Everything here is balance – where there is heat – cool it; where there is cold – warm it up. Basic concept for thousands of years. We don’t follow this enough in many situations and again we follow it often but don’t understand it’s history.

The assistant herbs:
Jie geng (platycodon) and Niu bang zi (arctium) move Lung qi and help soothe the throat. Lung qi needs to move to get rid of phlegm and ease breathing.
Bo he (mint) and Dan dou chi (Sojae) release heat. Note mint is often used for sore throats and to cool, in general. It will help start a mild sweat which is why it cools you off.
Jing jie (schizomepeta) helps release the exterior but moderates the dryness that can come from too much sweating
Dan zhu yu (lophatheri), Lu gen (phragmitis), Gan cao (glycyrrhiza, licorice) help create fluids and alleviate thirst. Often with fever you sweat too much, get dehydrated. These help to
prevent dehydration.
Note, these groups balance each other – generate fluids, prevent fluid loss, open pores, control sweating.
Additional note: gan cao or licorice is often added to many  formulas as the one that consolidates all the flavors, makes it easier to digest and absorb, balances it all out.

I highly recommend you get to know this formula and Yu ping feng san. Get them from a licensed acupuncturist so they can guide you in the best and safest use for you.

Disclaimer: This information is for your education only. It is always advised that you speak with an acupuncturist before you use any Chinese herbal formula.  Herbal use is never recommended with pregnancy. I know herbal use is part of everyone’s heritage but most of us have lost touch with their wise and safe use. I also believe that everyone needs an acupuncturist as all of us have energy meridians that need to be kept is good shape. If you every get a tune-up for your car, go to the dentist or have your eyes checked,  you need a tune-up for your energy meridians. A licensed acupuncturist is the best person for the job.

An herbal formula for Cold prevention

Carol Griesmeyer

Fall and Winter are the seasons in which people think about getting the cold or flu.

In Chinese medicine we call it a Wind/Cold or Wind/Heat invasion or EPI – external pathogen invasion.

This formula is one that we start a lot of our patients on as kids go back to school. This formula is for prevention and for early symptoms of a cold. You can start taking it before you have symptoms. It is especially good if you are planning air travel. I start this 2 weeks before, take during the trip and continue for a week after. Rarely do we get hit by the airport / conference bugs.

Yu Ping Feng San. Translation: Jade Windscreen. As a cold or flu is referred to Wind/cold or heat, as mentioned above, you need a good windscreen to help prevent it’s invasion into your body. If your defensive qi (Wei) is weak it can be easily invaded by wind, cold, heat, dampness and result in the symptoms of a cold or flu. If the are more chills we call it Wind/Cold or more fever Wind/Heat. It is not unusual for Wind/Cold to convert to Wind/Heat in a matter of a few hours or always feel as if it was a Wind/Heat invasion.

Historically jade is a very precious stone in China, as valued as gold in the West. Its culture and history stretches 9,000 years back into the ancient and enormous Chinese empire. Jade has always been a special stone, used not just for fine objects but also as material for grave goods for the imperial family. It is believed to be a link between both the physical and the spiritual worlds, and is the only material that completely encapsulates both the yin and yang qualities of Heaven and Earth, earning it the moniker ‘The Stone of Heaven’.  Jade was considered a guardian against illness and evil spirits, which is why even babies in China are given a tiny jade bangle to wear to ward off bad luck. In the Han dynasty, emperors were buried in jade gowns and jade cicadas were placed on dead kings’ tongues to prevent decomposition and safeguard chi or energy.

It only has 3 herbs in it. One chief, two assistants. Most Chinese formulas have 4 or more herbs.

Huang qi  (astragulus) – a major herb used to support the protective (Wei) qi. Nourishes the Lungs, stabilizes the exterior (that has been invaded)

Fang feng (ledebouriella) – assistant herb: this herb releases the exterior and expels the wind. When the protective qi is unstable,  the skin pores can contract trapping the cold inside. It also expels Wind / Damp. With this you feel the achiness.

Bai zhu (atractylodis) – assistant herb to help the huang qi support the Spleen which thus supports the Lungs. In 5 Elements the Earth (Spleen) nourishes the Metal (Lungs). It is not easy to directly support the Lung qi so we have to go through Earth to do it.

Stay tuned in. Tomorrow we will discuss Yin Qiao San – Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder.

Disclaimer: This information is for your education only. It is always advised that you speak with an acupuncturist before you use any Chinese herbal formula.  Herbal use is never recommended with pregnancy.

Make the ‘Cold’ less common

Carol Griesmeyer

To treat the common cold

With all the travel and running around you are doing these days it is so easy to pick up something.

This is an easy recipe. If you are at a convention or meeing you can even ask a concierge at the hotel to have this sent up to your room. I is a staple in my house once school starts.

Ginger with Scallions is actually an ancient Chinese herbal remedy for colds. In 300 AD famous herbalist, Ge Hong, writes, Bei ji zhou hou fang or Emergency Formulas to Keep Up One’s Sleeve. You can also add miso and create a soup. The tea/soup is indicated for the onset of a cold when a person is just beginning to feel a headache, stuffy nose, scratchy throat, aches and a slight fever with chills.   Drink a cup or two of hot tea or soup and wrap up in a warm blanket!

I gave this to my nephew a number of years back. He was traveling across the country on his motorcycle in early Fall and pulled into our house chilled, achy and tired.

I actually didn’t have any green onions and had to go get some. For some reason they were hard to find and I spoke with more than one vegetable manager about keeping them in stock, particularly in the Fall. One of them surprised me when I chastised him for not having any. He said ” Is this some sort of natural healing thing?” (Not bad.) I said ‘yes’. I haven’t had any problem finding ginger or green onions at any time of year since.

Anyway, I poured this tea into him and wrapped him up. He slept well and felt great in the morning. He left with a means to prevent this from occurring again anywhere along his trip back home. I also gave him a scarf – another essential he was lacking. Have to keep your neck and chest warm in the cold and wind.

So, the next time you feel a cgreen onionsold coming on, be sure to have your ginger and green onion tea.   Miso is available at your local Asian market or health food store.

 How to make:                                     ginger (1)

4-6 cups water

3-4   1/8 in slices of ginger, chopped fine  (1 Tbl)

The white part of 4-5 green onions, depending on size (3 Tbl)

Directions:

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and add the ginger & scallions. Simmer covered for a few minutes.  It will start to smell very good. Remove from heat. Drink at comfortable temperature. It will bring on a mild sweat, which you want. Be sure to stay wrapped up. Continue to refill pan and heat water. Drink a cup every hour or so throughout the day. When the fragrance of the herbs decreases, put in fresh.

Variations:

You can add various other ingredients soup, such as tofu, fresh mushrooms, cooked shrimp, snow peas,bean sprouts, cooked rice noodles, or paper-thin slices of fresh ginger.

Turmeric Golden Milk

Carol Griesmeyer

A lot of people has been asking about this lately.
The office shared this on the office website but I wanted you to see it here again.
There is commercial preparation of turmeric -Meriva – that research shows to be much better absorbed than the natural ground option. It is more expensive than any other curcumin supplement but you get more out of it. However, many people don’t want to rely on any commercial assistance if they can avoid it when it comes to using herbs and natural supplement.

I found a great video for you to watch also so you can see what it looks like.
It is an herb that we are starting to take and explore it benefits so I can only share what I have read.
Wear an apron as it can stain if there are any splashes.  Turmeric-powder

Recipe:

1/4 c ground turmeric
1/4 – 1/2 c water – good, clean, not chlorinated

Put these in a pot on the stove and cook for 7-9 minutes. You may need to add more water

Cook to into a nice smooth paste like frosting.
Let it cool before putting in the refrigerator.
It will keep 2-3 weeks but no more.

To Drink:

Mix 1/4 tsp of the paste into 8 oz milk
Add 1 tsp raw almond oil
You may want to add a small amount of ginger and /or black pepper to help it be absorbed more completely.

Love the great outdoors

Carol Griesmeyer

This year REI decided to be closed for Black Friday so people could spend time outside – not in a shopping mall.

Good for them. Works quite well for me. If you are not a skier then just go for a walk.

There are some great walking locations in the Portland, Oregon area. Here are some I heartily recommend:

Mt Talbert Nature Park : http://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/mount-talbert-nature-park

Cazadero Trail http://www.traillink.com/trail/cazadero-trail.aspx

Tryon Creek State Park: http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=103

Oxbow State Park: http://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/oxbow-regional-park

In the city itself  enjoy exploring Oaks Bottom and Forest Park

Here is a link to search through the options in the area. You will find photos, articles and maps to many of our great places to enjoy outside.

http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/93736

Tryon Creek
Camassia berries
There’s so much beauty to enjoy around here. Get out there and breathe it in.

 

Gratitude Greetings

Carol Griesmeyer

I wanted to share a concept that is not new. Many others have offered their version of this meditation. But I wanted to create my own.

You may want to do this in the morning. It is so much nicer to greet the day in gratitude rather that moaning about how awful your day will be. Hey, maybe it won’t be awful. What you think you create so stay positive. If you have less baggage hanging off you from the start you stay less stressed and are better able to handle to brown stuff that may come slinging your way.

Get into a comfortable position to do this. You can keep your eyes open or closed. Look at a tree outside your window or a pleasant picture or a candle. This can be done sitting, reclining or lying down. The purpose is to stay alert and engaged in the process, not go back to sleep.

Remember to breathe slowly and deeply into the belly. Let everything relax. There is not time limit. Each time you do this is will be unique to that session.

Start with smiling. It will begin to set your attitude for the rest of your day.

  1. See yourself surrounded by a bubble of white light filled with the energy of compassion.  Feel surrounded by this.
    Take the time to slowly allow it to expand to surround you and everyone in the room or house        Everyone you will see on the way to work,
    Everyone at work,
    Everyone on the way home.
    Now expand to encompass city,
    country,
    world,
    even those people you see on TV that you don’t want to know about.
    Breathe in and out.
  2. Think of 3 things in past 24 hours you are grateful for.
    Connect with the joy you had when you experienced it.
    It could be about your career, home, relationships, car, adventures.
    Feel that feeling you had when you first experienced itNext think about yourself.
    What do you truly love about yourself. This may be hard for some people.Feel proud and grateful for having these qualities or abilities.
    Recreate any emotion you may have had the first time you were aware of these qualities.
    Breathe in and out.
  3. Think of someone in your past that still carries an emotional  charge for you that you need to forgive.
    Think to yourself: I forgive you. I ask that you forgive me.
    Breathe in and out.
  4. Visualize your perfect day, each hour developing in most perfect way.
    How about a no-hassle breakfast time or commute.
    You can have amazing meeting or event.
    Celebrate fantastic lunch or the fact that you get lunch at all.
    Imagine how your day with unfold and pretend that it will be so.
    Be the captain of your Enterprise and make it so.
    Breathe in and out.
  5. Connect with whatever higher power exists for you. You don’t have to be religious, you can be atheist. Feel and see a beam of light shining down on you as warm supporting energy.
    Feel it move down your head, your face and neck.
    Your arms all the way to your finger tips.
    Have it fill your chest and  abdomen.
    Let is wrap around your hips, thighs, knees, calves.
    All the way to your feet and toes.
    Express gratitude to this higher power for its support.
    Breathe in and out.
  6. Now bring yourself  back to the present.
    Start to move in place, wiggle your feet, shake your arms and hands.
    Move your head from side-to-side.
    Stand up and stretch.
    Look at something beautiful, maybe something you see in a new way.
    Breathe in and out and smile.

Do this daily. You may be grateful for the same things every day and new things may pop into your life. Nothing wrong with that.

Mostly stay grounded, stay grateful.

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Traditions

Carol Griesmeyer

Let’s look at a few of our common traditions.

Traditions are part of the Metal element. It is doing what is expected at the right time. There is a certain rigidness to traditions. In many families it is a tragedy that you break traditions. It is a time of solidarity, carrying on what has held you together for generations.

Gathering with family

This can be a huge Hurray! or a bigger Ugh!

Not everyone likes their family members. You didn’t come with any guarantees when you were born including the concept of ‘happy family’. For you it may only be a vegetable dish you get in a Chinese restaurant. If you really don’t like the experience maybe this is the time to create your own tradition with a ‘new’ family. As our society has dispersed across the country for school, jobs, relationships it is time to focus on the positive that we do have. Coworkers new to the area with no one to celebrate with, parents alone with kids having to work or vice versa. We can use this time to make new connections, family. We don’t have to feel alone or isolated because we can’t or want to go back home. We can celebrate fully right where we are now.

Eating turkey.

The Pilgrims may or may not have really done this but the fall harvest is something to celebrate. We take a review of all we have acquired during the past year and share the bounty with those feasting with us. It is more than the food we have put aside for getting through the winter. It can be a pay raise, change in jobs or a new home or relationship. These are all something to celebrate and be grateful for.

Holidays and Grief

If you are the one usually in charge of organizing the feast and you are grieving the loss of a love one, just say NO!

Let others pick up the ball, take the load off. Be clear that you need the break from the burden of doing it all but you don’t want to be left out either. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want and need.

However if you do want a breather from all the activities this year feel free to speak up for that also ,even at the last minute. It is a time for change and it will take some time to get into new patterns and feelings of security.

It’s OK to feel sad but you can also take control of your fear of sadness by setting aside a few minutes in the gathering to remember the missing loved one. Create a new tradition in which everyone can participate. Share a favorite photo or story about the person.  Let any emotion out and share in the love and support from the others in the gathering. You are probably not the only one grieving.

When it is time to leave, give yourself permission to do so. You don’t have to be the last one out the door.

In the end it is about giving thanks – for the good, the bad and the ugly. Much learning and growth can come out of loss and suffering if you allow it. Life is about growing. Seeing and appreciating new things, letting go of what is no longer needed.

Take a day and make time for this. We complain all the time of how we don’t have enough time and we are given this opportunity on a turkey platter. I say gobble it up!

Holiday Stress

Carol Griesmeyer

Holiday stress!

Hopefully you have already started your shopping, organizing, cleaning and whatever.

It’s not too late to be ready with everything you need.

Start tonight with getting more sleep. Ask others who will be participating in the festivities to lend a hand. You do not have to be Atlas holding up the world here.

If you haven’t already gotten the bird and it will need to be defrosted, plan on a different meat. Or if someone who is coming has bought a bird have them start defrosting that one for you. They can bring it over tomorrow and exchange your frozen one for the thawed one.

Plan on not having to be up in the middle of the night to start fixing whatever will be served.  Starting the day exhausted doesn’t add to the fun. I feel that being up before 7AM should be illegal – particularly to cook.

Maybe next year consider ordering the meat cooked and delivered. Just make a budget on what you want to spend and stick to it.

If you have a ‘split family’ situation plan on people coming and going. Have it more buffet style open house without the formal sit-down dinner. Some come around early, some later.

If you have someone with special diet needs, ask them to bring their favorite dish. Bring copies of the recipes so everyone can learn how to eat differently and address other’s diet needs. Again, you don’t have to do it all.

For those traveling to grandmother’s house, leave plenty of time. Plan on delays and problems. The most important thing it to get there alive, unharmed, un-dented. Just get there. Remember to celebrate the gathering and each other’s presence. It’s not a ‘beat the clock’ game.

If you’re a bit behind the eight ball then you need to prioritize what you really need. Make a list. Use this Thanksgiving time to plan ahead for the rest of the holidays. There’s more to come you know. Don’t use up all your energy now. You may need to trim some of the usual activities in to make room for the holiday festivities.

Be nice to yourself. You can’t do it all and you shouldn’t expect to. Really, it’s OK!

And remember to laugh. One Thanksgiving the blender with the gravy in it got knocked over onto the floor. There were a lot of pale faces at the loss of gravy but a lot of laughter as we slid around on the kitchen floor trying to clean it up. That grease is hard to remove.

Most of all enjoy the holidays, whichever ones you honor and celebrate.