I’m so honored and excited to announce that I was chosen as a finalist out of many applicants to win a college scholarship for my blog! There is a website called www.collegescholarships.org/ that hosts an annual scholarship contests for students nationwide that blog. The student can be a grad or undergrad student and their blog can be about anything–really, there are people in the running who blog about everything from sports to politics to makeup. I wrote an essay and entered the contest a few weeks ago, and was informed this week that I was a finalist! The ultimate winner of the contest will be determined by who gets the most votes for their blog.

Click on the picture above to be taken to the voting, or click HERE.

I need your help to win this scholarship! If you enjoy my blog, please vote for me to win. Voting goes on until November 30th, 2011 and you can vote once per day, per internet connection. If someone in your household has already voted once on your internet connection from home, you may be able to cast your vote from your smartphone.

(more…)

Are you looking for more ways to get veggies into your diet? Want to make them burst with flavor? Here are two easy ideas to help you out. You will need a blender or a food processor for both of these easy recipes.

Artichoke and Sun Dried Tomato Tapenade

This is a great dip or topping. Make a batch of it early in the week and then dip cut veggies in it. It is also delicious on chicken, fish or pork.

1 1/2 cups frozen artichoke hearts, thawed

1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, dried and re-hydrated with water (If using tomatoes canned in oil, omit olive oil, below. You can also substitute jarred roasted red peppers)

(more…)

This recipe is inspired by a dish that my favorite grocery store in Portland, Oregon makes in their deli. Big shout out to New Seasons Market!

Ingredients:

1 big bunch organic kale, washed and chopped into small pieces

3/4 cup chopped sweet onion (vidalia, walla walla or maui)

2 medium carrots, grated or shredded

1 can garbanzo beans (I like Eden brand, which has BPA free can linings)

2 tbl lemon juice

2 tbl gluten free soy sauce or tamari

(more…)

Today in Austin, TX we are not having our usual winter-weather. A cold front came in with the rain last night and today has been very overcast and just generally drippy. This has me thinking about the concept of pathogens in Chinese medicine, and specifically dampness.

Chinese medicine is a system in tune with nature. Ancient developers of the medicine lived and worked exposed to the elements, and they observed how weather and the seasons impacted the human body.

According to Chinese medicine, there are six main pathogens in nature (also called evils) that can invade the body, similar to how we might think a virus invades. They are:

Wind
Damp
Cold
Heat
Summer-Heat
Dryness

(more…)