YIn Yang Vision

Mushroom Hunting

2008-10-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, our friends and guides, Liz Graham and Chris O'Connell, guided us on our yearly mushroom hunt through the old growth forests on the Olympic Peninsula. We had to cross a river twice which meant currents of freezing cold water challenged every barefoot step and rose up to my underwear (I took off my pants). We also walked in the rain for one of the days so we were as moist as any Northwest piece of moss, but like all devout mushroom hunters we were undeterred. There is a very palpable siren call that draws you into the serenity of the forest, guiding you from one beautifully poised mushroom, proud in its singularity, onto the next surprise, a patch of fruiting bodies occupying a down sloping hollow and on you go, deeper and deeper into the forest, knife in hand, bending low. One might disappear; entranced by the mushrooms, giddy from the hunt, footsteps silenced by the deep forest duff. We probably gathered 50 lbs of mostly chanterelles but some massive cauliflower mushrooms and humble hedgehog mushrooms as well. Now, the task at hand is to dry, saute and freeze, and cook up these deliciously earthy morsels.

Do not miss the 2008 Wild Mushroom Exhibit on October 11 & 12th at the Center for Urban Horticulture if you want to learn more about this most abundant member and resource in the Northwest.

Fermentation Workshop

2008-09-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

Sunday, October 19th

1pm - 4pm

$35.00 per person

Parsley Farm

I am excited to introduce Eveline Mueller-Graf, nutritionist and avid food gleaner. She will teach a hands on workshop and address the nutritional benefits of fermented food for the digestive system. We will make kefir, whey, sauerkraut, ginger beer and a fruit kimchi. You will sample all the flavers and come home with a jar of sauerkraut and recipes. Call or e-mail Joyce to register. Space is limited.

Energy at Parsley Farm

2008-09-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

I knew my energy was getting blocked when I would go into Puget Sound Coop and feel steamy mad at the cost of groceries. No matter how nice the checker was at the register I always felt resentful for forking over a bundle of bills for a pitiful amount of food. My internal shout was "FOOD SHOULD NOT COST THIS MUCH!". I knew my energy started to flow when I read Barbara Kingsolver's book, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" and subsequently suggested to Craig that we should turn our whole lot (4500 sq. ft.) into organic food production. He immediately said, "Yes! I'll cut down the five trees in the front yard so we can farm it." Allot of energy, mostly Craig's energy, went into transforming the yard into garden beds, mini orchards and mushroom and berry growing patches, not to mention a building a chicken coop and a 1500 gallon rain catchment and irrigation system. We started the process in July of 2007 and by February of 2008, we had all our perennial trees, vines, bushes and spores planted as well as our early annual crops like sugar snaps peas, spring greens and potatoes. And, chickens too! Because our timing and soil health was on the mark, we have been eating and preserving an abundant and constant array of fruits and vegetables since last April. My energy goes into orchestrating the daily tasks of seeding and maintaining new crops as well as harvesting the plants at their prime. I made a commitment to myself to eat and preserve the fruit and vegetables when they were screaming with vitality because the forces of stagnation have delayed me in the past resulting in unused and ultimately unattractive food coming out of the garden. This is a very good discipline for me because I find that my energy flows really well when I am faced with a cornucopia of gorgeous food. As a result - my cooking is now inspired and Craig is profoundly appreciative of it; I find enormous satisfaction in every day chores; our chest freezer and cupboards are full and our garden is still churning out fall and winter crops. Craig and I feel more secure in these troubling economic times because we have invested our energy into soil: It's our gold.

How I continue to know that this is a good direction for us is that we are inspired to do more: more research, more water barrels, more growing areas, more food, more recipes. I know our energy is flowing because physical and emotional energy is available for an ever expanding list of tasks, no resistance, and every task brings some satisfaction. We constantly work on our garden and It feeds us, literally. I believe that the goal of just growing food for ourselves and the scale of our operation is what makes it successful for us. A focus on nourishment has brought me to the conclusion that quality food equals a quality life. Probably a simple, biological fact but one that has eluded me up until now.

New Chicks at Parsley Farm

2008-04-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

Boarding Impass

2008-04-10T20:32:00.001-07:00

On the morning that I was leaving for Fort Lauderdale, I could not print my boarding pass at home, then I could not print it at the self check in machine at the airport. Even the woman at the counter had difficulty printing it but I finally got it in my hands and passed through security and went to my gate with a bit of unease. At the gate, I looked for my boarding pass but could not find it anywhere so I asked the man with a Delta uniform if he could print me another one and at the same time I inquired about being bumped from the flight. He told me there was the possibility that I could get bumped and asked me to wait to see if the plane was overbooked. He would call out my name. I stood there with my backpacks slung over one shoulder while my mind tried to scratch out a pattern. It seemed that this was the moment that I could prove something to myself about the nature of a phenomenological universe. In my mind, there were only 2 options for how to look at this picture: I obviously was having obstacles getting the boarding pass and keeping my hands on it because I had such trouble printing it and then losing it, so if I got bumped it would indicate that I was never meant to board this plane. The other option was that If I didn't get bumped then that would mean there is actually no pattern to any of these circumstances and I just made useless and unnecessary assignments to the events that transpired; I made it up in my head. So, I’m standing there alert like a lion about to pounce on her prey because I know that in just a few minutes I am going to get an answer that I’ve been hunting down my whole life. Finally, the man at the counter called my name and informed me that they did not need my seat so I would board the plane. However, he was bumping me up to first class because I offered up my seat.

At the great risk of constructing yet another useless reality – I might suggest that the either/or scenarios I put together in my mind did not leave room for a third option, which went beyond my expectations. J.C. Cooper who wrote Yin & Yang, The Taoist Harmony of Opposites says, “All duality and polarity calls for a resolving third, which is on a plane above the opposites and acts as a catalyst, bringing about a state of equilibrium between extremes….It requires the reconciliation third to rescue the two powers from eternal tension; the interplay and interaction of the third ensures the ultimate completion. I’m not exactly sure if J.C. Cooper’s words apply to my experience, but hopefully I’ll get more chances to give test questions to the universe. If anyone reading this has any answers please clue me in by commenting.

Stroke of Insight

2008-03-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist, discusses the awareness she had while having a stroke. She also speaks to the experience of surrender and deep inner peace which is part of the circuitry of the right hemispheres of our brain. I also have noticed from working with elders who have had strokes that when forced to surrender function and former abilities from brain injury, they seem to acquire a sense of peace within themselves. Very yin yang.

Level One Yi Ren Qigong Class

2008-03-17T18:13:00.000-07:00

This class teaches the foundational exercises for practicing Yi Ren Qigong. It sets the groundwork for cultivating receptivity to our own bodies and developing self-healing skills. In this class we learn a series of gentle and relaxing movement and breathing exercises which are designed to refresh, restore and reorganize our minds and bodies. Instructor: Joyce Greenberg,L.Ac

When: Mondays, May 5 - June 23 (8 weeks)
Time: 6:30p.m. - 7:45pm
Where: SE Seattle Senior Center
4655 S. Holly St. (corner of S. Holly and Rainier Ave. S.)

Cost: $125.00 / $85.00 seniors

To Register: call SE Seattle Senior Center: 722-0317

Spring Detox Class, Sat., May 10, 11a.m -1p.m.

2008-03-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

Get a fresh start this spring with a detoxifying cleanse! We are fortunate to have Karen Lamphere, a whole foods nutritionist teach this class. She will discuss diets and supplements that support cleansing and detoxification. This is a great way to strengthen immunity, lose that excess winter weight, or simply feel great as you rejuvenate your body with the change in seasons. You will receive a 7 day protocol with recipes, menus and supporting therapies. Karen will serve a yummy light lunch. Location: Joyce's kitchen. Cost: $35. per person. Call Joyce to register: 760-4828 or let me know your interest by commenting here. limit 10 people.

Get a Jump on Spring

2008-03-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the transition between winter and spring can be rugged. It is warming up and there is more light outside but we still feel sluggish and dull. Acupuncture can help move your Qi and detoxifying herbs like nettle, chickweed, dandelion and burdock will nourish and clean your blood.

Come in for a spring tune-up treatment and receive a complimentary 5 day supply of organic tonic and cleansing herbs.

Call Joyce at 760-4828 or comment here if you have a question.

How To Make An Herb Infusion

2008-03-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

Let's face it: Our soils are depleted of nutrients and we don't eat enough veggies or roots. Infusions of leaves, flowers and roots are an inexpensive, gentle and real way to incorporate essential vitamins and minerals on a daily level. With Infusions we steep leaves, flowers and roots in order to extract their medicinal properties. I notice that when I consistently make infusions, I do not get colds and I wake up in the morning without the need for caffeine although oxygenating my system with exercise is always a necessity.

To make an infusion, simply boil 1 quart of water per 1/4 cup of herb (or 1 cup of water to 1 Tablespoon of herb). Pour water over the herb(s) sitting at the bottom of a jar and let steep for a minimum of 4 hours. A canning jar holds the heat well. Be sure to use a cover on your jar. I make my infusions in the evening and let the jar sit overnight. In the morning I strain the herbs and pour off the liquids into another jar or glass. I drink the infusion as a tonic throughout the day. You can heat up the infusion or drink it cold depending on what is best for your constitution. The slightly bitter flavor of some infusions are beneficial for cleansing the blood of toxins.

Why Yin and Yang Matters

2008-03-06T09:47:00.000-08:00

Why does it matter if yin and yang is in balance? Why do all these Chinese medicine practitioners, martial artists and Taoists keep bringing up the topic? The answer is that it is part of a larger description of the general structure of the universe; its dynamics and laws. It is relevant to me because it gives me a framework to understand why it matters if I maintain internal balance or not.

Yin and yang describe polarities that are in a dynamic tension at all times. Tension because they are in a forced relationship, one cannot exist without the other and dynamic because they are in constant motion, alternating and fluxing. When yang is strong, yin must be weak and visa versa. For example, when we have fever (too much yang) we often are dehydrated (not enough yin/water); when one person is too assertive (yang) in a relationship, the other is usually too passive (yin); when the mind is too active (yang) the body often cannot rest and get sleep (yin) or when we are stuck or depressed (yin) we lack activity and resist change (yang). When there is balance then harmony is experienced in one's health and wholeness in one’s spirit and relationships. There is a kind of dynamic flow which characterizes how one navigates and moves through their day. An out of balance state brings extremes and an uncomfortable feeling of tension within oneself. Obstacles present difficulties, we polarize and react, finding opposition at every turn. Recognizing the relative balance of yin and yang in my current life and then reconciling how I may need to shift my energy so balance is re-established is something I need to do daily, hourly. With awareness and a whole lot of Qigong practice I can do it instantly and flow from one moment to the next, naturally.

Learning Languages

2008-03-05T10:29:00.000-08:00

This is a fascinating look into how an autistic woman experiences her world. She translates for those of us who interact on a more symbolic level with language and shows us that the interaction she has with her environment on a sensory level gives her just as much meaning. Very enlightening and moving.

Make Your Own Shampoo

2008-03-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

If you are concerned about low-grade toxic chemicals in your body care products then go to www.cosmeticdatabase.com to check out what ingredients are in your products and how hazardous they are to your health.

Looking up my shampoo and finding the results sent me on a mission to make my own shampoo. This is a recipe from the herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar, that works for my hair and actually gives it more natural body than my previous expensive shampoo promised. It is quick and inexpensive to make and lends itself to experimentation in terms of which herbs you add to the recipe. I like to put rosemary in my shampoo because it has a refreshing and stimulating scent but use those herbs that give you a positive feeling or that you can pluck straight from your garden. You can get unscented castile soap (Dr. Bronner's) or ones with peppermint and lavender. I prefer the unscented one. This recipe did not leave my hair a tangled mess after shampoo so conditioner is not necessary but I often use a rinse of infused nettle after shampooing. Some herbs can be found at your local natural food store but www.mountainroseherbs.com has a complete selection of organic herbs and spices at a reasonable price.

8 ounces distilled water
1 house herbs (see below)
3 ounces liquid castile soap
1/4 teaspoon jojoba oil
25 drops pure essential oil (optional)

1. Bring water to a boil. Add the herbs, cover, and let simmer over low heat fo 15 -20 minutes. Strain and cool.

2. Slowly add the castile soap to the tea, then mix in the jojoba oil and essential oil. Store in a plastic container with a flip-top lid in the shower or bath. Shake before using.

Herbs for Dark Hair: mix a combination of any of these herbs. sage leaf, nettles, rosemary, black walnut hull (chopped), comfrey leaf.

Herbs for Blond Hair or highlights: calendula, chamomile flower, comfrey leaf

Herbs for Dry Hair: calendula, marsh mallow root, nettle leaf

Herbs for Oily Hair: rosemary, witch hazel bark, yarrow leaf and flower

Leap into Chaos

2008-03-01T13:26:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Craig cut down a whole hedgerow along the property line between our yard and our neighbor's yard to make way for the northwest native plants we will plant this spring. Faced with extreme exposure because now we had no visual barrier between us and our neighbors and a HUGE pile of sticks, I decided that I needed to bundle the sticks and use them as a fence. An airy visual blur of slicks would give me the privacy I had grown accustomed to.

It seemed like such a good idea - right? Well, when I was suddenly faced with sorting through that pile of sticks, I felt annoyed that they didn't just all stand up and get into order for me so I could simply tie twine around them. No, I had to pull, yank; get scrapped and cut; prune, chop and saw the tough, lean long lengths of wood. At first I thought I could create some kind of order, get the thicker sticks in the back of the bundle, but after doing battle with too many sticks so I could get my desired thick stick, I realized that I had to abandon that plan. No, what was required of me was to just jump in to the pile, start pulling out sticks randomly and then make sense of them after they were tangled free. After I let go of my plan - I was able to move swiftly and piles of sticks started forming on the ground until I had enough for a bundle. And then another bundle. And then 12 bundles. When I tied up my first bundle, it occurred to me that humans have an instinct to create order out of chaos. The I-ching is just lines, originally yarrow stalks, which offers a structure and progression for all things human. Was I making my own hexagram in every bundle I made? From my experience, when I am dealing with raw materials whether it is a pile of sticks or a lump of clay or a dream state, I find it challenging but interesting and satisfying to render and manipulate it. It's not any single idea that will begin the progression from raw material to finished form but rather the sheer intention and energy to make it so. Only by leaping into the chaos will I ever progress.

wabi-sabi

2007-02-01T22:16:00.000-08:00

I had spent the last few weeks not only learning how to make matcha, the traditional powdered green tea of Japan, but also how to make tea bowls, pinched and trimmed by hand. Tea bowls in Japan are highly valued as daily and ritual objects. They can cost between $100.00 and $10,000. These exquisite objects come from lineages of raku masters who express the wabi-sabi aesthetic: their perfection is in their imperfection because nothing exists without a mar, a dent, a showing of use or wear, Also, their completeness is in their incompleteness because every object is in a constant state of becoming, dissolving, changing. They emerge from nothingness and return to nothingness. Richard R. Powell summarized wabi-sabi as, “It nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.”

After learning the techniques of making a tea bowl out of clay, I started to feel a sense of quiet liberation. Not only was it OK for the bowl to be imperfect, it would be more prized if it were so. If I over-think or make corrections, the clay will reflect this state of mind and I will interfere with the natural spontaneous expression of the clay itself. I translated this to myself: I can be my authentic self and it is okay, imperfections are natural, beautiful even. I felt pressure dissolving inside me.

My mentoring in the art of tea making was not the ceremonial kind, but the daily drink kind. I was shown how to put the powdered green tea in a certain temperature water and whisk it until a light green foam forms on top and I was also shown how to drink from the bowl.

An order from Japan finally arrived which contained three different grades of tea, a bamboo scoop and a whisk. A tea bowl was given to me by my mentor. With supplies and training in hand, I was now ready to make my first cup of matcha. I put three scoops of the tea into hot water, whisked vigorously, got no foam on top but decided to drink the mixture regardless. A few minutes later, I had a distinct uprising feeling coming from my belly so I rushed to the toilet where I threw up my first cup of matcha. Empty. Back to the beginning. Perfect.

Images of Action

2007-01-16T15:30:00.001-08:00

My web developer (Rebecca) has been masterfully assisting me in developing a new professional and public identity via yinyangvision.com. While working on the finishing touches for that site, she asked me to provide a few photos of myself. The images were needed that day. However, the moment she requested those photos, I felt as though an alarm went off. I was flooded with self-consciousness. A voice in my head was asking questions like: ‘who am I, anyways?’ And, ‘who am I now?’ I scrambled to look for photos on my hard drives and quickly came to the realization that I didn’t have a single current photo of myself. Not one. All of my photo albums are irretrievably imprisoned on a dead G4 Macintosh. Worse, my digital camera is broken. And even worse, my hair looked like crap that day. I felt profound blockage. Yet that sensation, although heavy, was very short-lived because something shifted in me. I realized that all those photos represented my previous identity, and that if I was to forge a new identity I needed photos that were current. I swung into action. I got out our old Sony camcorder, took it outside where it was snowing, placed it on a post, and in a quick series of movements, captured myself on digital video. I brought the footage into I-movie, slowed it down until I saw images of myself where I felt some recognition and ease, then I captured still frames of those images. Before the day was out I sent them off to be placed by Rebecca onto the website. I moved from blockage into action, the old me into the new me.