Permaculture. 

Perhaps you've heard this word before.  Perhaps you even know what it is and how it works.  For those of us who don't, here's the definition:

per·ma·cul·ture/ˈpərməˌkəlCHər/
Noun: The development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient.

This includes culinary herbs.  This includes food.  This includes homegrown medicine.

It all sounds good in theory, but how does this actually work in the real world?  Below is a video that does a great job of showing just how permaculture works, and how it can bring beauty and inspiration to a community.  And......your viewing will help bring funding to local schools for their own permaculture gardens.

Watch.  Be inspired.  Enjoy!

Here in New England Fall is just peeking through.  Cool weather, bright blue skies, and the slightest twinge of reds and golds coloring the edges of leaves.  For me the change of seasons signifies a time to cleanse my system and get ready for the new season.  Sweeping those toxic cobwebs out also helps to build immunity.  Always a good thing, especially since the cold and flu season has already arrived at my door.  Which brings me to the Pose of the Week...

Don't let the name of this pose scare you.  Sure, it's long and hard to pronounce.  It's Sanskrit!  But just like the actual pose, once you break it down it doesn't seem so scary.  The actual translation of this pose: Half Lord of the Fishes.  It's not even a whole  Lord.

This pose is great for stimulating the liver and the kidneys, which makes it a fantastic detoxifier.  The liver helping to break down the toxins, and the kidneys flushing them out.  Not to mention it feels fantastic on your shoulders, hips and neck, and assists in digestion.  

Let's break it down.

1. The best way I've found to get into this pose is by starting in Criss-Cross Applesauce.  That's my Sanskrit version of sitting with crossed legs.

2. Keeping your right leg where it is, place the sole of your left foot on the floor outside your right hip.  Your left knee should be pointing up at the sky.

3. Take a deep breath in as you lengthen your spine by reaching the crown of the head towards the ceiling. Exhale and twist toward the left, starting at the belly and then revolving the chest and then shoulders.  Who knows, maybe your head will follow suit.  

4. Place your left hand slightly behind you for support, as you deepen the twist by placing the right elbow on the outside of the left knee.  

5. Keep the integrity of the pose, by lengthening the spine with each inhale, and twisting a little deeper with each exhale.  
6. Release with an exhale, and repeat on the other side.  

Be sure with this, and every posture, to listen to your body.  Really.  Listen.  If it doesn't feel good, it probably isn't good for you.

Now go forth, practice, and detoxify!

~K

I've decided that since this site is mostly about herbs and yoga, I should write some specifics on well, herbs and yoga.  I am the type of person that loves taxonomy (what can I say, scientific names intrigue me), deep descriptions of the anatomical inter-workings of a pose, and practical breakdowns of how-to-do pretty much anything.  This has inspired me to pick apart some of these amazing plants and poses every week.  I promise to sprinkle the occasional parenting rants and random thoughts  in these post as well, though.  It can't be helped.



So…..since this particular plant has popped into my life quite frequently during the past few weeks, I decided to first focus on Jewelweed.  Lovely name, isn't it?  For me it conjures up the image of a green field of tall grasses topped with rainbow colored gems as far as the eye can see.

Here are the actual specs on this plant:

Scientific Name: Impatiens capensis
Common Name: Jewelweed
Description: Plants 2-5', stems succulent.  Leaves oval or elliptic.  Flowers are orange and yellow, solitary, drooping, with nectar spur (which basically looks like tiny little cornucopias or trumpets).
Habitat: Moist roadside ditches, woods, and streams
Blooms: Summer-Fall
Fun Fact: Jewelweed is actually water repellant, so water droplets bead up on its surface.  The drops look like tiny jewels on the surface, hence the name.  Just another great reason for a rainy walk.

Okay, do you have a picture of it in your head?  Probably since there is a picture right here. 

Uses: This is a fantastic anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, analgesic (pain reliever), and anti-itch remedy.  Just break open a stem and slather that lovely juiciness onto your cuts, scrapes, warts, etc.  This plant is fantastic to treat poison ivy.  Trust me, I am nursing a patch right now.  Scratch, scratch.  

For treatment of poison ivy or other rashes, you can simply make an infusion (strong tea), by gathering a nice big handful of Jewelweed, mashing it a bit,  and adding a pint of water.  Simmer this for about 30 min .  It comes out a beautiful orange color!  Cool it, then pop it into a spray bottle and spritz when needed.  Keep it in the fridge for 7-10 days.

If you want it to stick around a little longer, you can make a tincture or salve out of fresh jewelweed. I see a tutorial in our near future!  Then you can apply it or take it internally for specific conditions.  Of which I'm sure you will research thoroughly.

My favorite way to extract the medicinal constituents in jewelweed is witch hazel, however.  You prepare it the same as the tincture, but replace the vodka with witch hazel.  Don't take this one internally!  Added bonus:  witch hazel is great for skin conditions, and preserves the medicinal goodness.  Apply as needed!

This plant is almost everywhere in the country, except the far north and the southwest.  Sorry my Flagstaff and Alaska peeps!  You'll have to visit to catch this one in bloom.

Scratch, Scratch,
~Kristin

It's come.  Tomorrow marks the first day of school for my little ones, officially ending our long days of summer.  I can honestly say that we have squeezed the life out of every single day. Soaking up each moment of sunshine possible, and being as creative and spontaneous as can be.  But even though my thoughts are turning to cool weather and sharing pots of hot tea with friends, it's still not Fall quite yet. 

I liken these transitional times to the pause between the in breath and the out breath.  The brief moment that you hold all that sweet energy in, and it nourishes you all the way down to your lovely little cells.  I encourage you to be aware of that powerful space between the breaths.  And this lovely transitional time.  When you can still feel the warm kiss of sun on your shoulders, but can appreciate the warm cup of tea between your hands as you reflect on your favorite moments from the season past.

Here's some of my favorites.....

~Kristin