Fire Cider for Cold Pathogens and Immunity

Fire Cider for Cold Pathogens and Immunity

I remember the first time I heard about Fire Cider - about six years ago in my herbalist friend's NYC apartment. My eyes teared up while chopping all of the ingredients. I was intrigued and slightly scared...I mean, vinegar + horseradish as a tonic? That's intense! But over the years I've come to absolutely love Fire Cider - as a daily immune tonic in the winter months or as a early-treatment for cold or flu. And, I've found my favorite way to enjoy it that even my kids can handle!

Read on to learn how to make this spicy herbal "medicine" and how to integrate into your families health routine.

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Pesto (Baseline Recipe to Use Up A Surplus of Leafy Greens!)

Pesto (Baseline Recipe to Use Up A Surplus of Leafy Greens!)

Pesto offers a concentrated source of nutrition - micro and macro-nutrients. Plus, it will soothe inflammation, cleanse via the inclusion of fresh lemon and garlic and offer comprehensive nourishment for hormone balance. This baseline recipe will give you a template for creating delicious pesto with whatever ingredients you have on hand. Please report back on any creations you fall in love with!

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Hormone Healing Gummies

Hormone Healing Gummies

I grew up in Minnesota - the capital of hot-dishes, dessert bars and jello. I don't think I can remember a single birthday party, holiday, school event or other celebration that didn't feature one of the above items (if not all of them together). I've spent many hours re-creating recipes of my childhood with real food ingredients - they not only taste better but also offer many health benefits, such as these gummies (aka: "jello-jigglers).

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The Summer of Fire

The Summer of Fire

The Fire Element in Chinese Medicine has always eluded me. The obvious aspects - like warmth and energy - made sense, but there was a deeper meaning that I just couldn't seem to connect with...ironic since a big part of the fire element is about internal/external connection.

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Gentle Herbs for a Spring Cleanse

Gentle Herbs for a Spring Cleanse

Springtime is analogous with the liver element in Chinese Medicine - the emperor of detoxification, and is especially responsive to purging toxins this time of year. You can help your liver accomplish this important task with some simple habits and herbal remedies - safely and effectively.

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How Flower Elixers Can Uplevel Your Regular Wellness Routine

How Flower Elixers Can Uplevel Your Regular Wellness Routine

About five months ago I was introduced to the wonderful world of Flower Elixers and the beautiful work and products by Lotus Wei. They have been positively impacting my life in major ways, as well as for my clients. From enhancing fertility, heightening professional goals and preparation for childbirth - these truly are potent little bottles. They are a safe way to support personal growth and herbal therapy.

So, I was thrilled when Lotus Wei founder, Katie Hess, was willing to contribute some information about the simple yet profound benefits of her flower elixers - read on below!

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Kidney Jing and Creative Expression In Winter

Kidney Jing and Creative Expression In Winter

The winter season is affiliated with the Water Element in Chinese Medicine - a very auspicious and deeply soul-searching energy. Learn how this element connects us to our foundation for health on emotional, energetic, and physical levels by cultivating our true essence (jing) and paving the way for creative expression in alignment with our highest potential.

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Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Peppers

Bursting with immune boosting, endocrine balancing and anti-inflammatory health benefits, this recipe for stuffed peppers is sure to delight even the pickiest of eaters. It's the perfect way to nourish during the cold winter months - offering deep support to the water element in Chinese Medicine, enhancing fertility and balancing hormones along the way. Grain-free and dairy-free, too!

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Rosemary: Eight Reasons To Use It and One Delicious Recipe

Rosemary: Eight Reasons To Use It and One Delicious Recipe

A common culinary herbs - especially during the holidays - Rosemary has a lot more to offer than simply good taste. From immune health to improving brain function, it is really a superb herbal friend. In this post, you'll learn the most common culinary and therapeutic ways to use rosemary, eight reasons why you'd want to and a delicious (and super simple!) recipe for Rosemary Pulled Pork.

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Optimizing Fertility at Any Age

There are many good reasons women decide to delay having children until their mid-to-late thirties, one of which is usually not enhanced fertile health. Women today are inundated with reasons as to why it will be more difficult – if not impossible – to conceive after the age of thirty-five. And, yet, we know from the ancient wisdom of Chinese Medicine (and other traditional healing systems) that a woman’s fertility is not simply a spiral downward, diminishing with each passing month from menarche to menopause, but that she has the capacity to actually increase her fertile health as she ages.

What to know how?  Hop on over to Dr. Carly Snyder's blog, where I illustrate the five steps for optimizing fertility if you want to get pregnant right now or to lay a healthy foundation for pregnancy later in life.

Read the full article here.

The Metal Element (+ Recipe)

The Metal Element (+ Recipe)

This is an auspicious time of year - for both our physical and spiritual health. Autumn is ruled by the Metal Element, bringing clarity and inspiration, along with grief and vulnerability. It is both cutting and tender, often manifesting in emotional turmoil or decreased immunity. The Metal Element relates to the Lung and Large Intestine organs, making these areas particularly susceptible to ailments this time of year (think of that pesky cough that just won't quit, or chronic digestive symptoms).

Let's dive in to understand a bit more about the Metal Element as it relates to our health, finishing with one of my favorite Metal Element Recipes: Roasted Pears with Honey.

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Three Reasons to Love Lavender for Breast Health

Three Reasons to Love Lavender for Breast Health

Every October the world turns its focus to breast cancer treatment and prevention, which has done amazing things for women's health - especially in bringing awareness to an often overlooked, but important, part of female anatomy. In the spirit of preventative health and self-care, I've put together a post on simple techniques that any woman can do at home to maintain healthy circulation and detoxification in breast tissue. 

A favorite herb that has specific affinity for breast tissue is Lavender, which is easy to source and is most commonly used as an essential oil or in its dried flower form (pictured above). It smells heavenly and has minimal contraindications or side effects in adult women. Lavender can be used topically through the skin, directly access the nervous system through our sense of smell and internally circulate via the Liver Meridian - learn my three favorite ways to use lavender for therapeutic benefit below.

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The BEST Buckwheat Pancakes

The BEST Buckwheat Pancakes

These gluten-free, grain-free, sprouted and slightly soured pancakes are made using whole buckwheat groats...and they really are the best! We always have a bunch in our freezer so we can enjoy pancakes on those days we don't have time to cook them. They are easy, nutritious and delicious - my little girls eat them up just about as fast as my husband and I do. Enjoy!

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Erin Interviewed on MD For Moms

In my July 2016 Interview with Dr. Carly Snyder, I discuss the importance of Gut Health - and not just for women struggling with digestive symptoms. Our entire system, including hormone balance and mood regulation, relies on good digestion for nutrient absorption and assimilation. In my interview, I'll discuss:

  • Why Gut Health is the foundation of systemic health
  • How Chinese Medicine has known this for thousands of years
  • Six easy ways to improve your digestive balance today

I hope you'll check it out and pass it on!

In health,

Erin

 

My Favorite "SuperFood"

My Favorite "SuperFood"

I'm not really a fan of the "superfood" revolution, as I believe variety is a key to health and that no single food-source has the ability to nourish us on its own – but gelatin might just be a close contender. My family and I turn to this nutrient daily, and I recommend it to most of my clients as part of their health routine. Learn the unique benefits of this nutrient dense food, how to source it and easily incorporate it into any daily regimen - adults and kids alike!

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