Category Archives: seasonal wellness

Earth: Change is a constant

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Change is a constant. The epithelial cells lining the small intestine turnover every 2-3 days The epidermal cells of the skin change every 29-45 days Red blood cells are replaced every 120 days and then recycled Hepatic cells are exchanged between seasons up to one year Adipose fat cells are replaced around every 8 years Skeletal muscle cells turnover about every 15 years Cardiomyocytes heart muscle cells are made new around 40 years Neural cells don’t turnover after birth, but we can certainly re-wire them. Do these numbers clarify that we can most certainly change our health to the good?  … Continue reading →

Earth: Take a step back

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

photo by Pexels What if is the way forward is backwards?  What if time is a spiral not a line? What if space & time can warp? What if time is an illusion. Consider our common language: catch up, move forward, climb the ladder, hustle culture, get ahead. Sounds exhausting. Are there any signs that we may want to step back? Yes, of course. Do any of these sound familiar? I’ve sent out a hundred resumes but have gotten zero callbacks. I keep messaging but no one replies. I feel sick to my stomach every time I think of it. … Continue reading →

Earth: Limit raw foods

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Element Wisdom Cards offer wellness tips that support your five element constitution & seasonal well being Earth: Limit raw foods  To bring balance and wellness to the organs ruled and expressed by the Earth Element, we focus on how to optimize digestion and personalize nutrition, regulate blood sugar and strengthen the muscles during Late Summer as well as the 18 days around each equinox & solstice. I am a huge fan of fresh food.  I am more skilled at chopping than cooking. I love to chop, so food prep is super fun for me and therefore a strength. I am … Continue reading →

Mandala for the Earth Season

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

One of the Ways to Play with Element Wisdom Cards is to create mandalas.  I first began making food mandalas when I lived in an ashram in California.  As we each took a shift in the kitchen, and I have always loved mornings, it was my delight to make fruit mandalas for the community.  It is also the place, I fell in love with persimmons.   Mandala for the Earth Season To create an Element Wisdom Card Mandala  Create sacred space through ritual. Design the space. Your sacred expression. Some of my favorite ways to create sacred space: Open with prayer.  … Continue reading →

Earth: Be spontaneous

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

What comes to mind for you when you hear the word spontaneous? Fun, going with the flow, adventure, excitement, allowing a natural unfolding? No way, Nope, No. Not for me. I just can’t. That’s crazy.  From the latin roots: sua – from + sponte – of (one’s) own accord Recall the last time you had a good belly laugh? True laughter arises spontaneously.  When was the last time you were spontaneous? A last minute yes to extra concert tickets? a trip to the beach without previous planning? dancing in the kitchen to a favorite song? a walk to clear your … Continue reading →

Earth: Trust your gut

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

The gut is known as the second brain, or the enteric nervous system. More than 100 million nerve cells lines the digestive tract.  This system triggers mood changes, initiates functional bowel changes and communicates with the central nervous system (brain). Every felt ‘butterflies in your stomach”? Ever become nauseous at the thought of a situation or seeing a person? Ever had a “gut wrenching” experience?  These sensations may be fleeting or protracted.  How do we care for this intuitive, reactive nervous system?   Here are two ways to support the gut: 1.My favorite physical support is a yogic cleansing technique, … Continue reading →

Earth: Visualize Citrine

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

    Citrine is known as the merchant stone as it attracts prosperity and abundance. The crystal ranks 7 on the Mohs hardness scale The color ranges from lemon yellow to rustic red-brown It is associated with the solar plexus in the chakra system  Citrine balances the Earth Element Natural Citrine is found in igneous rocks like granite or alluvial deposits Citrine forms around 440 degrees  Citrine is a gemstone name for quartz with iron in the color center Lab made Citrine is an eco-friendly choice The color gold is associated with the earth element We, therefore, utilize the hues … Continue reading →

Earth: Spice it up with Ginger

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Spice it up with Ginger.   Meet Fresh Ginger. Nature: warm Taste: slightly sweet, acrid Action: releases exterior, disperses cold: stops cough, alleviates vomiting, regulates migrating motor complex of Small Intestine Skin: promotes urination, reduces edema Affinity:  Lung, Spleen & Stomach According to eastern dietetics & herbalism – foods, spices, herbs and medicine have a distinct nature, action, direction & affinity with one or more organs.   As we become more familiar with these qualities in some of our familiar foods, we begin to fine tune our eating & drinking to the dynamic rhythms of the season.  We also eat … Continue reading →

Water ~ Listen and wait

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Listen and wait.   Winter is the most yin time of the year – the most receptive season. Practice reserve. Spring has not yet come. We are still dreaming our dreams. Practice listening to the stillness. Practice waiting in the void.   Join our email for seasonal retreats, nature connects https://follow.it/drsaritaelizabeth?action=followPub

Continue reading →

Element Wisdom Card Decks – Ways to Play ~ Mandala

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Check out the many ways to play with Element Wisdom Cards!   This is one of the amazing ways: Mandala ~ Create sacred space. Choose 5-8 cards. Arrange them in a circle within concentric rings of found or precious materials like seasonal fruits/vegetables, flowers, leaves, shells, stones, sticks, feathers, etc. Choose an elemental center piece: an earthenware filled with soil/clay, a transparent vase of water, a bell, a wooden bowl, an incense burner. Cards and objects may also be arranged by cardinal directions.     Did you know you can search the card titles on the Cultivating Wellness Blog?  Our … Continue reading →