Inside The Polished Apple

Our March Theme at Elan is Nourish and Nature. Here's an article from Melanie Stevens Isles, that we also published in our March Newsletter. Melanie is our Community Herbalist and her personal business is Full Bloom Herbals.  Welcome to March! Personally I am always so happy when this month rolls around. I confess I'm not much of a winter person, the long dark nights and cold days leave me feeling a little weary. March brings the promise of spring and warmth and long sunny days. I work with plants, spring brings back the plants, it's impossible not to get excited when the green starts coming back.   These transition seasons of autumn and spring are the best time to look at clearing the physical and mental cobwebs. Winter and summer are often too busy but are also either too cold or too hot energetically for cleansing. We have many herbs available to us to help support the body at this time of year. Book a session with me this month and we will get you on your way with...

Elan's March Theme is Nourish and Nature. Here's a yummy recipe from our Holistic Reflexologist Sandra Catania-enjoy!   I thought I'd share a recipe this month... in the name of "really quick" nourishment when you are on the go, or before attempting to make dinner on an empty tank. All measurements are approximate. Mix together: 3/4 cup coconut oil 3/4 cup nut butter 1/2 cup honey 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1 1/2 cups oatmeal 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1/2 cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds 1/2 cup hemp hearts 1/2 cup shredded coconut Form into balls (between a walnut and a golf ball size) and keep in the freezer for a wonderfully nourishing snack or dessert. Feel free to substitute any other nuts/seeds/dry fruit you have on hand. Makes about 2 dozen. ~ Sandra

Our March Theme at Elan is Nourish and Nature. Here are some words from Dr Robert Clarke on  Nourish Yourself. Dr Clarke practices Network Spinal Analysis Chiropractic with our office, and this article originally appeared in our March newsletter.    The word Nourish is most often associated with food, yet that is only one dimension of nourishing yourself. Certainly, eat well, buy organic foods when possible. Prepare your meals with love, eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Once you have taken care of your nutritional needs, then turn your attention to other ways to nourish yourself. Spend time in nature; research has shown us that as little a few minutes in nature reduces blood pressure. We also know that regular exercise is more effective than medication at improving depression. So take a walk, breath some fresh air. Another important aspect of nourishment is quality connection with others. As social creatures, spending time with friends and loved ones is essent...

As summer gets closer and the days warmer, our backyard and house blend into one. Our June theme comes from the good fortune that its finally easy to spend time in nature, and its that time of year that food starts magically appearing out of the earth~rhubarb, veggies greens, herbs and more. I've had the gardening bug for years and am in the middle of preparing our vegetable garden and growing our food forest, which is now in year two! Its a slow process this year with a big heavy belly, but will be worth it in a month or two. The subject of how we nourish our bodies is one that repeats itself over and over again, and recently showed up at our viewing of the documentary Your Second Fifty. Should we be juicing? Including smoothies? Should we cut out aggravating foods like sugar or gluten? Less fats and salts? More fats and salts? Eat locally? There is no one answer that applies to anyone. The best advice I can suggest is to try a new habit, and ch...

Our Goal:  Urban Farming. Being a little bit self-sustainable in the city.  This year we're working on a circular bed around our new crab apple tree-it's about a 7 foot radius.  (First possible concern... The canopy on this apple tree may extend 20 feet.... Hmmm). We cut out the grass and have hauled away 838 pounds of sod (so far).  There's a little more to do once the rain clears.  I'll need some more plants, but so far I have comfrey, Jerusalem artichoke, and a few herbs to plant in the garden.  Once we're past the May new moon (today!) and add back some soil and compost, the plants can start going in.  Perhaps we'll transplant some rhubarb and raspberries or goji to this bed or use it as another vegetable garden while we start moving plants. I'll need to go plant shopping again soon. Add in some 20 plus more plants, some white clover (or chickweed-I've been hearing it's an amazing green for us) for ground cover and we'll be good to g...

June is our Nature and Nourish Month!  Here's a Guest Post from our Health Coach Janis, with a challenge for you.   As you are already seeking a holistic approach to health with your work with Elan Family Wellness, you probably already have good or excellent eating habits.  You’re up for some challenges, such as the Raw Food Challenge.  But what about seeking nourishment beyond food?  So often, our focus is on the external factors in our life: work, caring for loved ones, the self re-filling to-do list…. Summer is a natural time to slow down and enjoy a more relaxed pace of life, so I’d like to encourage you to do a Nourishment Challenge.  Perhaps this challenge involves food and exercise (I’m never going to argue with that), but I’d like you to focus on self-care: ·           Dance ·           Sing ·      ...