The Blog
This is where Buffy Owens muses on the threads of curiosity woven throughout her life. She tugs at the threads of body wisdom, follows the rhythms and seasons of being human, and gathers the dreams that keep calling us toward the human we’re becoming in the second half of life.
Homemade Fire Cider
Humans have made strong brews with natural ingredients to combat illness for generations. The actual term "fire cider" is widely attributed to herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. Rosemary has been touting the health benefits of fire cider for more than 30 years. In her 1999 book, Rosemary Gladstar's Herbs for the Home Medicine Chest, she recommends making a batch of fire cider as soon as cold and flu season hits.
Moving In Water With Chronic Pain
For better or worse, cold weather has finally arrived in the Northeast. I actually prefer the cool, crisp air of Winter over the hot and muggy days of Summer.
Still, I am not a huge fan of outdoor walks this time of year. So I was faced with the perennial question, “What can I do to keep moving this winter?” My favorite answer: Swimming! Indoors, that is. Probably not surprisingly, I shiver at the thought of joining one of these ‘polar bear’ clubs where some folks run into icy cold lakes in their skivvies!
Brainy Bliss Balls
I recently had a run-in with a tick that landed me on antibiotics. It’s one of the joys in living in a region with an AMAZING AUTUMN but a high incidence of both Lyme and Anaplasmosis. Now, to be fair, this is only the 4th time that I’ve taken antibiotics in over 30-years. I’m feeling confident in my body’s ability to both utilize these meds and heal from it all.
That said, I needed something handy to eat with my antibiotics to keep my tummy in check. Plus, who doesn’t need a quick treat that nourishes the brainy bits? Enter the Brainy Bliss Balls.
Who’s Your Saboteur?
We all have a way to which we hold ourselves back. Ways in which we keep ourselves safe by settling for what is familiar. For example, try simply noticing that voice inside your head that gets very chatty whenever you are about to make a decision or do something new, especially something that could result in change. Is it telling you that you’re nuts to consider what you are thinking of doing? Does it say that you failed once before and will probably do so again? Or is your voice like a sly cat, sweetly seducing you to eat those fries and chocolate shake?
Basic Roasted Beets
I didn't grow up eating fresh beets—only the ghastly canned variety at holidays. I absolutely abhorred every stinkin’ bite of those dirty, soggy excuse of a beet. It wasn’t until years later when I was working in fine dining that I experienced the divine flavor of perfectly roasted beets. Since that first bite, I’ve been hooked on beets. Roasting beets are still one of my favorite ways to prepare them.
Do You Have Hip Joint Confusion?
I’ve been a little obsessed and bewildered by how many people really don’t know where their hip joints are. Now I get it. The hip joints don’t take up a ton of real estate in the ol’ sensory-motor cortex. They don’t require fine-motor skills or other subtle interactions with the world. Heck, they don’t even fully form until years after we are born.
Curried Pumpkin Salmon Soup
This Curried Pumpkin Soup is one of those recipes that comes to you in a dream. Literally! I had a dream about this soup for two nights in a row. Finally, I could wait no more to experience it in the waking world. This soup is now a favorite in our home and a staple in the Fall months. I hope that you enjoy it as much as we do.
Are Omega-3s In Your Chronic Pain Plan?
Omega-3s get a lot of notoriety — and for good reason! Not only is one of them essential for good health, but it can also be a powerful part of your chronic pain plan.
Focused On Pain?
Pause right now and find one pleasant or neutral sensation in your body.
Got it? Find out why this is crucial if you live with chronic pain.