Tag Archives: winter

Water ~ Have a cuppa bone broth or chai

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Cozy up with a cuppa bone broth or chai tea.  How did you come to know and love tea? I grew up with a mom who always created an herb garden wherever she has lived and helped me develop a taste for herbal brews early on starting with spearmint sun tea and catnip.I learned so much about tea in the town I lived for medical school – Portland, Oregon. They actually have tea shops and tea shops within Chinese gardens. My Chinese Medicine teachers always packed their traveling suitcases with tea and spices. The ah too true joke with them … Continue reading →

Water ~ Unplug

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

  How do you unplug? In a world ruled by screens, drones, instant messaging, on demand everything, how do you unplug? And for how long?  Have you ever noticed yourself becoming less distracted, with a brightened mood, as your mind calms, and your breathing deepens and relaxes as you spend time with nature? A recent study shows positive affect, restoration, connectedness and mindfulness increase during a 2.5 hour forest tour.  Maybe you’ve tried walking barefoot on the earth or the warm, salty ocean shore, sleeping grounded or oriented to the cardinal directions. There are health benefits to these. Have you been … Continue reading →

Water ~ Try a hot ginger foot bath

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Peak winter conditions are headed for Alabama this weekend.  Let’s combine our Water/Winter wisdoms with a nourishing, gentle Soup Cleanse for the stay at home and stay warm days of ice, sleet & snow. Ginger Foot Bath Instructions: Add ginger tea, decocted fresh ginger root or even ginger powder to hot water. Need herbal tea preparation tips? Click here…midway down the post to learn how to free their medicine. For a warm foot bath, water is warmed to 92-100F (33-38C). For a hot foot bath, water is warmed gradually and frequently tested with elbow to 103-108F (39-42C). Be particularly careful … 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

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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 →

Water ~ Discover hidden potential

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Discover hidden potential. Winter is the season of potential. The essence of the kidney is likened unto a seed. A seed hidden by soil or leaf litter or snow or ice. A seed in dark potential storing and protecting all of the necessary information and instructions to grow at just the right time. This is not the sprouting of the seed for that is spring. We all have latent abilities that arise situationally or can be developed. What are yours?Within the science of ourselves and the universe our potential, systemic energy is stored and dependent upon relative relationship forces like … Continue reading →

Water ~ Power, Drive and will

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Power, drive & will. The kidneys are the storehouse of will. They are our ambition, our batteries, our strength. The kidneys, adrenals and bladder are ruled by water. Water is the element of winter. Have you ever considered your power, your drive or your will like unto water? I was raised up on the Tennessee River. The singing river has been harnessed to provide hydroelectric power to the multitudes at the expense of snails and darters and such. In our highest, most healthy state our power is like a mighty river determined in it’s purposefulness. In our highest, most healthy … Continue reading →

Water ~ Supervise the storehouse of pure energy

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Supervise the storehouse of pure energy. The kidneys store jing – our primal energy. This essence is to be guarded, protected, treasured not squandered or frittered away. It determines our fertility, growth, development, vitality and longevity. It is one of the three treasures: jing, qi and shen. The kidneys are the expression of the water element in our bodies. Their energy peaks in winter offering harmonious opportunities for winter support and healing. Fulfilling our destiny is healing. The way of this deep healing summons and joins celestial jing with our terrestrial jing. In other words, jing is our DNA. In … Continue reading →

Soup Cleanse: Asparagus Turnip

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

The Asparagus Turnip soup exquisitely blends the rootedness of winter with the upward sprouting energy of spring. A simple soup is the perfect way to cook with the asparagus fresh in your yard or fresh from the spring markets. The vegetable combination supports the fire organ pair of the heart and small intestine – our imperial fire organs – which peak in the summer season. Asparagus promotes blood circulation, clears heat and detoxifies; turnips promote digestion and clear phlegm.  Spoiler alter:  this soup might just become your favorite welcome to spring winter soup favorite.   The soups can be created and enjoyed … Continue reading →

Soup Cleanse: Lentil Cilantro

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

This Lentil Cilantro Soup exquisitely supports the water/winter organ pair of the Bladder and Kidney. This is the perfect soup to catch the tail end of winter in harmony food support. This pair of organs, when in balance, support our need to restore, unplug, dream and merge into higher states of consciousness.  The seeds of the year are planted during the winter, sprout during spring. come into full bloom in summer and return to the earth during fall. What have you planted this winter in the quiescence of the season? The soups can be created and enjoyed in any order.  … Continue reading →