Your Mom Was Right: Wear a Scarf!

According to Chinese medicine, the common cold and influenza begin as exterior pathogens that enter your body when your immune system isn't robust.  Normally, your wei qi, or protective energy, keeps this "wind" energy from penetrating the outermost energetic level of your body.  The area that is most susceptible to cold wind, is a channel that runs along the back of your neck.  So along with sleeping well, eating well, staying calm and washing your hands, be sure to keep your neck warm and covered! 

Santa is Coming To Harrison St.!

Santa will be on Harrison St. this weekend, spreading good cheer and available for pictures. Photographs are $9 and each child will receive a goody bag.  All proceeds will benefit Longfellow PTO, Sarah's Inn and the Food Pantry. Check out the Oak Park Arts District website for details.  If you come down tomorrow morning, please stop by Ginkgo and say hi!

The 7 Foods Experts Won't Eat

Most of you know by now that choosing organic over conventionally produced food is preferable in most cases, both for your body and the environment. I just came across this article , about some more surprising food warnings that should be noted.

For a list of the "Dirty Dozen" (foods with the highest level of toxic pesticides as determined by the Environmental Working Group), see here. Of course, buying organic can get expensive. There's also a companion list of safe conventionally grown foods to help keep money in your wallet.

Adaptogen: Reishi, The Fabulous Fungus

Reishi, or ling zhi, is a medicinal mushroom that's indigenous to Asia. Its name means "spirit herb," and has long been used by Toaist sages to expand mind consciousness and improve longevity. Though it's fairly rare in the wild, and was once distributed primarily to Chinese royalty, it is now cultivated and readily available. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reishi is used to calm the "shen," or spirit, which when disturbed, causes anxiety, poor sleep, restlessness and poor memory.

Reishi is one of the most important Chinese tonic herbs and has been researched extensively. As an adaptogen, it has the ability to modulate the immune system and reduce stress, and it is used to relieve the side effects of cancer treatment and increase T-cells. It is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. This is one mushroom that you may want to consider adding to your diet! It typically comes in capsule form and is taken with a dosage of 500-1000 mg.