Food energy: Healing GF Quinoa Cabbage Soup

Food "...is a conveyor of universal energy. (What Mary Says...)

Relaxation, Awareness, Movement, and Nourishment are the four cornerstones of healing. When it comes to Nourishment: I love beautiful food! 
     The idea of 'dieting' or 'eliminating toxins' has always sounded dreadful to me...images of deprivation, blandness, mournfully tracking amounts and type of food eaten lessened my joy/joi factor immensely!

    In the past I was overjoyed at the end of the standard "elimination" regime (to see if it would reduce eczema flares), because I noticed no difference. It seemed to be good news: since there was no difference, I could eat "whatever I wanted"! With each food I re-introduced, I could hear my inner lush cry out, "Viva la chocolate! Cook the noodles, and pass the sourdough bread, please!"

     Most people who know me will tell you that for years I've had a healthy, mostly organic, plant-based diet, allowing for flexibility and the occasional splurge. So, why did I try "The Elimination Diet" again? Well, I started having difficulty swallowing... seemingly random, occurring a couple times of year, then more often in the past few months. Recently, a family member got a hotdog stuck in his throat, ended up having it removed at the local emergency room, and was eventually diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis, which may be related to food sensitivity/allergy. I figure my history of receiving a hefty dose of mantle radiation (near esophagus), and the fact that I also have mild eczema, which can be associated with EE, was worth considering whether this might be happening to me too.

     Standard recommendation is the 6-food elimination diet to reduce inflammation (and the resultant accumulation of eosinophils in the esophagus): no milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanut, seafood, then re-introduce each food to see if you have a reaction. So, I decided to try the nutritional approach again. This time, though, my reasoning was to show greater kindness towards my body, to have a more ecological approach to the food I consume, and to keep my mind open to possibilities (at times I lean towards cynicism i.e., "good for you" often = 'Pay more for less', e.g., less fat or gluten-free, or no pesticides=costs more). I intuitively chose a process based on a book after reading a blog that said: "The Elimination and Detoxification Diet ~ It's about Feeling Good!

What is the Elimination Diet? It is a program of eating designed to calm inflammation and balance the body. Once the body is calm, and the disease symptoms diminish, it becomes noticeable to a person when a “trouble” food is eaten and the symptoms come back."

   Some of it seemed radical, but after doing Stomach Flow Jin Shin Jyutsu, and holding my thumbs (JSJ self-help to reduce worry), something clearly told me to give it a try. It's a commitment, but I have no regrets (so far). I've made it  to the 'challenge' phase, integrating various foods slowly and seeing how my throat, skin, and rest of my body, emotions, sleep, mood, and energy level respond. When I'm back on a full regular diet and have a scope procedure to see if my esophagus looks constricted, and possibly if it has cells indicating allergic response, I'll have enough info to make decisions about treatments, including a permanent lifestyle change. By then though, I think my body will have told me what I'll need to do! 

     In the meantime, here is a recipe that I customized to my own liking, adapted from the blog above. You can change ingredients according to what is good for your own body. Start with where you are at: can't afford or don't have organic available? Use any fresh veggies, peel off outer layer or skin, or wash with mild soap and water and rinse well instead; Not sure about quinoa? Try brown jasmine or basmati rice for your first try at nutritious whole-grain complex carbs! Don't like one of the ingredients-get creative and substitute what you love!

    My adaptation is GF, highly nutritious, easy to make, inexpensive-what have you got to lose? (as a pleasant side effect, I've lost 7 pounds so far eating foods like this, have not gone hungry, and enjoy the colors and meditative effect preparing the meals):

Izumi Joi Golden Qi GF Quinoa Cabbage Soup

1 C. cooked quinoa

3T extra-virgin, cold-pressed organic olive oil

3 t. honey or agave

3 small onions, or equivalent

3 large carrots, cut into matchsticks

3 small pinches cayenne pepper

3 T. grated fresh ginger (ok to leave skin on while grating)

1 head of garlic, cloves peeled, and crushed or chopped

1 C. thinly sliced shitake or other mushrooms

1 stalk lemongrass stem, sliced thinly in diagonal rounds

1 t. Herbamare or sea salt

6 cups water or vegetable broth

1 more t. Herbamare or salt, if desired

2 cups or more thinly sliced cabbage (savoy/Napa/green work best)

1/2 C. chopped cilantro

1/2 freshly squeezed lime

freshly ground black pepper

1/4 ripe avocado, per serving, cut into chunks

pine nuts, for garnish

Thin round slices of lime, if you want a fancy garnish.

1) Cook the quinoa (if you haven't already), rinse, drain, set aside.

2) Heat very large (6 qt+) pot over medium heat, add olive oil, onions, agave or honey. Saute until onions begin to carmelize/turn golden, about 10 min. Use a steady heat, not too high to avoid burning or over-browning.

3) Add carrots, cayenne, ginger, garlic, mushrooms, lemon grass and Herbamare or salt-stir well so all are shiny and coated, about 5-10 min more.

4) Add water, remaining 1 t. salt and cooked quinoa, simmer 10-15 minutes, until carrots are tender.

5) Add cabbage, stir into the broth, only needs a few minutes cooking.

6) Add cilantro and pepper-you're done with the cooking!

-Place avocado chunks in bottom of individual serving bowls.

-Ladle in the soup.

-Top with pine nuts, and lime round if desired.

This soup is even good at room temperature or chilled, flavor is richer next day, if it lasts that long!

If you try it let me know how it turns out!

(Herbamare is a salt and herb seasoning. Sub w/herbs only to minimize sodium. Leave out anything you don't like or are not yet eating and it still turns out wonderful, full of healing nutrition, creating a golden "Qi" (energy) glow inside!)

Therapeutic Massage!

Everybody loves the idea of receiving a relaxing massage-but when is the last time you invested in your well-being and had a session?


For several years my practice has focused on providing energywork and offering yoga (to individuals or small groups). Now, a new 'tool for the toolbox'-therapeutic massage!


I'm currently in-training to become a licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Wisconsin, which has some vigorous requirements! I'm specializing in the Eastern modality tract at TIBIA school of massage, which is supremely in alignment with JSJ, and also allows me to learn/offer the beautiful service of Swedish massage for clients wanting a 'western' focus.


So, what makes it "therapeutic"?
Therapeutic means making a measurable difference, which means an assessment before and after the session. As an RN with a love for science, I have an interest in making a measurable difference for people in pain, who feel "something is missing in life", who want to develop ways to have greater self-awareness, or simply say "I need a retreat" or want relief from sore muscles! (Although massage may be for enjoyment and relaxation, I do not provide sexual massage.)

Lavendar fields, ready to be cultivated for essential oil production

Stay tuned for more about massage, and use of Essential Oils...

Why Jin Shin Jyutsu?

Benefits of Jin Shin Jyutsu tm

The effects of Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ) are generally deep relaxation, so it is GREAT in stressful times, times when you feel unbalanced. As there are no contraindications, it works well an adjunct to allopathic medical treatment or alongside other holistic therapies. Jin Shin Jyutsu can be beneficial for example, to help alleviate musculoskeletal or neurological pain, support the immune system, minimize side effects of drugs, and boost vitality. It can ease a sore shoulder, help digestion, or calm a restless mind. It can help us through fears, depression and times of upheaval.

Treating the Whole and the Parts
The philosophy of JSJ views the mental, emotional and physical aspects of a person as interrelated. Treated as a whole, a person commonly sees a range of positive benefits emerging. For example, a woman after surgery for breast cancer attending Jin Shin Jyutsu sessions to reduce stress was surprised that not only did she feel more relaxed in general, suddenly her shoulder pain and her attitude of misdirected anger was greatly reduced; her friends were amazed to see her face looking more radiant. She expressed that in many ways she felt better than she had been since receiving her diagnosis many months prior.

How many sessions does it take, and how often?
Jin Shin Jyutsu works to harmonize the deepest cause of our uncomfortable symptoms at a subtle level, so this journey is not usually a "quick fix". You will feel better during or shortly after a session, but for lasting effects, chronic conditions benefit most from regular sessions over a period of time, at least 6 regular sessions, lasting about 30-60 minutes. Acute discomforts and more critical conditions can be treated daily or even twice per day, for shorter periods.

Joi Box; client's creativity project

Sometimes quick and dramatic results are experienced. I have witnessed a single 10 minute Jin Shin Jyutsu session clear neck pain, minimize shoulder and headache, and bring a new realization that some grief processing still needed to take place; other times it's not so obvious right away, but seen as ease in relationships, lessening of menopausal symptoms/hormonal imbalances, or an ability to bring more creativity in a client's life in the weeks after a JSJ session. I have also seen healthy people discover simple and real support for the stresses and challenges of day to day living.

Deepen your Spiritual Path and Bring Life Meaning

While some wish to alleviate specific discomforts, others wish to discover deeper meaning and authenticity in their lives.  The art of Jin Shin Jyutsu offers uniquely simple and empowering tools to support your individual journey, such as self-help practices to do at home or anytime during your daily living-so simple a small child can do them
.
Safe and no Religious Ritual
There are no contraindications for Jin Shin Jyutsu – Many practitioners serve healthy strong individuals and very sick frail people: e.g., newborn babies, weight lifters or builders with back injuries, post-surgery or motor vehicle accidents, people in hospitals after heart surgery, etc.

To make a Jin Shin Jyutsu appointment go to www.pujawellness.com or for queries, phone 608-695-5905.
 

Simple healing techniques: let your fingers do the walking!

     Last post I mentioned holding your ring finger to bring about a sense of joy, or thwart off winter blues.

     This comes from a method/philosophy called Jin Shin Jyutsu ("jitsu") Physio-Philosophy™, or "JSJ". I've become a lifelong student of this Japanese healing art. It's akin to acupuncture or acupressure without needles, only gentle placement of hands or fingers on specific areas in particular sequences are used instead of needles. Here's a picture of holding the ring finger, with the thumb placed in the center of the palm. The palm center helps balance the larger "Main Central" energy pathyway, and the ring finger will help lift your mood.

I like the fact that it's a healing art rather than a prescribed technique,  because it allows me the freedom to incorporate my intuition, as well as years of nursing experience when applying flow patterns to alleviate a symptom.

     JSJ is in alignment with yoga philosophy as well as other Eastern approaches in that it's based on the idea that there are energetic pathways in the body, and when we have symptoms it's because energy gets blocked, or is excessive or weak, and these hand placements somehow help to let the pathway get cleared. It doesn't make scientific sense in terms of the  double-blind-controlled-study, gold standard-conventional medicine approach, so it doesn't qualify as "evidence-based medicine". However many Eastern and other traditional practices have worked for thousands of people for thousands of years, and yet don't fit those criteria. I wonder if maybe we aren't asking the right questions, or don't know how to set up the study well enough yet. I know for certain that there is a lot less funding to study CAM (Complementary Alternative Medicine) modalities, esp if they're difficult to measure.

I remember when massage therapy, acupuncture, and exercise for women after surgery for breast cancer were admonished, and now we have more information indicating that these are things that are helpful to alleviate pain and inflammation, prevent limited mobility, and reduce risk of cancer recurrence and other disease states.
There are many facets and complexities of JSJ, but one of the things I love most is that it can be REALLY simple. As simple as holding your fingers! This is a  great self-renewal tool for restoring balance and inner wisdom, and keeping that "generalized anxiety" feeling at bay. If you have ever felt out of sorts but don't know why, and esp. if meditation is not your thing, try holding your fingers! It supports healing the physical, is compatible with conventional therapies, and brings harmony back to many levels of one's being.

     Although there are many patterns, I've found the easiest tool for overall self-renewal is to simply hold the thumb, then each one of the fingers, on one hand, while breathing 3 slow deep breaths for each finger hold. If you notice pain, symptoms or tension on one side of your body, hold the fingers on the hand of that side first. If you have time, complete the session on the other hand as well.
A 'double whammy' benefit to speed things up a bit is to put your thumb in the center of your palm as you hold, as shown in the pictures. If you find this awkward, forget about putting the thumb in the center of the palm, and just wrap your fingers around each finger of the opposite hand-it still works very well! Even holding only one finger is beneficial. Next or future posting, I'll introduce the specific remedies each individual finger or thumb provides.
Free, can do it anywhere, can't harm you, and beneficial even when you have only a moment or two (like when you boot up your computer, are waiting to reheat your beverage in the microwave, are on hold while on the phone, etc.). What have you got to lose, why not try it?
Of course, it is frequent, consistent, repetitive applications of the finger holds that will help you to feel your optimum.
As a healing arts practitioner, I incorporate JSJ as well as Reiki when working with clients in the private practice; the idea in both of these Japanese-based theories is that receiving the hands-on-healing from a practitioner is a great way to get a 'jump start', to help you become more centered and balanced, and get your energy flowing. The most complete healing, or sense of feeling things are "right" in our life, you must continue with finger holds or other recommendations almost daily between sessions.
Future postings: possibly whole food energy, Reiki, more JSJ-Here comes 2010!!