Let’s unzip this backpack that is full of things that are keeping us safe. Let’s see how many stuffed coats or layers are here to protect, and what compass or map is here for us to survey and discover, to make sense of, and finally what thoughts we attach to that help us bring justice to, innerstand more deeply, or feel important about. And it’s all fun and beautiful to carry around a backpack full of these things, as we are all going through life trying on different things, stepping into character, repurposing, sharing, gifting and finding our way. Life and improv are not so different. We can choose at any moment that we can DO and BE something different.

Welcome to the Yin Water Rabbit Chinese New Year! The solar new year began on February 4th, and this year we will feel a gentle life promoting and creating energy from the main elements of water feeding wood ( the rabbit is the yin wood). This year is very yin, which is the feminine energies of allowing, receptivity, receiving, quiet, slow, restful, calm and nourishing.

Winter is a time to go within, to recharge and to prepare for the coming time of growth in the spring. It is a time of introspection and yin building, where the focus is on going within, being receptive, restful, going deep, listening, reflecting and gathering wisdom. This is a time to nourish one’s self first, and then we can nourish others.

In Chinese Medicine and in Holistic Nutrition we look at how emotions impact our bodies, how lifestyle choices affect us, how small habits can lead to greater health results, and how the energetics of food impacts how our body heals or becomes imbalanced. Keep reading to find your 7 tips for the holidays to stay weight-free and stress-free!

Who are we but the stories we tell ourselves, about ourselves, and believe? — Scott Turow

It’s becoming painfully obvious to me that there have been some stories running in my life that I didn’t think I wanted, but apparently I do. And there are stories that I’m telling and frankly, I’m tired of telling them, and ready to transform into an even better version of me. So many of us have these unconscious programs running where we play out what kept us comfortable and safe as a child and teen. While I love my blanky and ruminating over all the ways that I’ve been wrong... I’m ready to let these stories go and create new ones. At the root of most of our stories are unworthiness, shame, regret, scarcity consciousness, feeling not good enough, and fear of shining our light too brightly because of possible envy or judgment.

For all of us, we spend part of our lives on autopilot. It’s not often because we want to, but rather because of our habits, families and society, our desire and need to fit in and belong, along with our addictions that cover up the pain of not getting what we want and this eternal chasing, as well as ancestral patterns. Whew that’s a lot against us to actually grow! (And I could get into more).