 It is Thanksgiving. Thanks. Giving. Giving Thanks. Gratitude. What if when we heard the word, "Thanksgiving", our thoughts first went to gratitude? What if the practice of gratitude or offering thanks, could become so deeply a part of you, that every day, from this day forward, is "Thanksgiving?" What if you could create a practice for yourself that rewires your brain to experience happiness on a daily basis? The simple practice of intentionally giving thanks, everyday, can do that for you. It allows you to see every challenge you face from a place of "the half-full glass." This Thanksgiving I am feeling much gratitude for my body; specifically, my ears and my ability to hear. I am a born communicator and lover of connecting with others; a healer and teacher. My work and passion as healer, health educator and coach, calls me to deeply connect and communicate with my clients from a place of authenticity, as well as in all areas my life. I am thinking of 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease, a condition that causes violent vertigo attacks and hearing loss. Last month, it was 3 years since I left a job I loved, due to debilitating vertigo. At the time, I began to notice some hearing loss, but it seemed very minor compared to the vertigo which had crept into my life. It left me spinning; nauseous and either crawling or collapsed in place for hours, with no way to call for help. Being around fluorescent or LED lights and loud noises, triggered severe attacks. I went on leave from my work and reluctantly entered what felt like an enforced retreat; sequestered in my home. I wore dark Irlen prescription lenses in the dark of winter. I turned to the natural world in my meadow for company, calming and healing. I began meditating several hours daily, practiced qigong by my creek and gave myself Reiki self-healing. I stayed far from crowds, noise and bright lights. A trip to The Co-op was planned for Saturday evenings when the place was mostly empty. The vertigo entered my life as a hellish gift, inviting me to deeply connect to myself and my inner guidance. This teacher called, "vertigo", tore me away from everything I had previously thought to be my life and sent me hurtling into the unknown. I was in the back seat of the car with my soul doing the driving. Sometimes, we don't get a choice. During this period, I changed direction. I could have let my soul die and succumbed to the misery, isolation and fear. At times I wanted to die. I couldn't imagine staying in a body that didn't even allow me to safely step outside my house. Deep inside, I knew that something significant was happening. I understood I needed to hang onto the rope of hope and continue practicing daily gratitude; finding every little spark of goodness and light. I had a warm home, food to eat, family and friends who loved me, awesome healers, the blue sky, stars, the sun, the moon, a pair of owls under my bedroom window, flowers, trees, birds, a flowing creek and my breath. At the time, some encouraged me to go on disability, seeing only the dysfunctional state I was in. I saw past that, trusting I would move through the worst of the worst, and I mustered the courage to step into the unknown. I pushed on with what had been my lifelong passion for wellness education and worked towards becoming a credentialed Whole Health Educator and coach through a remote program. Looking back, I'm not sure how I manifested any strength, as on top of the vertigo, I was healing from adrenal burnout which I was left with after two years of daily dizziness. I remained persistent in my practice of mind-body medicine, with a daily mantra of, "Everyday I'm getting better/I'm getting better everyday." "Through misery and fear, I was given a potent gift of self-discovery. Something I previously understood only through intellect, was now experienced as heightened awareness, an awakened loving heart and full alignment with my higher-self. This good was all catalyzed from experiencing my life as I knew it, shatter to pieces." The 15-month, Whole Health Educator Program, became a powerful source of healing. The cutting-edge, evidence-based program offered a treasure-trove of healing techniques. A special gem was the work of neuroscientist, Dr. Candice Pert, a leading proponent of the unity of mind and body, and the ability of emotions to affect health. Her research was based on how neuropeptides of the brain attach to receptor sites on every organ of the body, when triggered by thought and emotion. I integrated Mind-Body work into my healing process with great success. Being unable to tolerate the Meclazine prescribed for vertigo, I prescribed myself some powerful mind-body affirmations. As soon as I went into a violent spin, I would plant my feet on the floor, breathe deeply and repeat out loud, over and over, "I'm fine", "I'm safe." Within minutes, the room stopped spinning and the vertigo left. I discovered that the more I used this method, the sooner the vertigo left. In fact, after I started this technique, the vertigo episodes began decreasing all together and many of the foods that triggered the vertigo became tolerable once again. After two and half years of vertigo, the worst was over. The mind-body work taught me how much power we really have to effect what is happening in our bodies. Depending on our thoughts, we can make ourselves ill or well. Gratitude practice became an essential piece during this period. Done as a daily practice, gratitude allows one to fully see the beauty in life and all the good filling our world. It allowed me to see and understand how the worst thing can become the best thing. This practice has some awesome research backing up its power.  This healing journey has been filled with beauty and love. I would never have imagined all the blessings and amazing new, loving friends who entered my life at that time. I discovered some of the deepest healing connection I have ever experienced. Through misery and fear, I was given a potent gift of self-discovery. Something I previously understood only through intellect, was now experienced as heightened awareness, an awakened loving heart and full alignment with my higher-self. This good was all catalyzed from experiencing my life as I knew it, shatter to pieces. Though I was diagnosed with Meniere's, I must explain that it is considered to be, a "constellation" of symptoms. After working with many doctors and healers, it became clear that, yes, my symptoms fit that constellation, but I also had many experiences during the worst of it that would be impossible to fit into any category, medically. Sometimes, in manifesting specific symptoms, our bodies serve as vehicles for inner transformation. There is often no other explanation. One of the physical effects of Meniere's can be a feeling that the world around you is unstable; like being on a boat, all the time. I developed this symptom about a year before the vertigo attacks began. Even though the vertigo left me close to two years ago, this feeling of being on a rocking boat has remained. I discovered 2 years ago, that if I put an earplug into my affected right ear, it prevents air pressure changes deep in my ear, and brings a sense of balance. The main problem with the ear plug is that it has prevented me from hearing and blocked my realization of how well that ear was functioning. I have tried at times to not use the plug as it is uncomfortable, but I seriously need it. "I don't think any of us are ever ready to say goodbye to any working part of our body. At age 60, I have become quite attached to hearing and communicating. I have known for the past few years that my right ear has been failing, but I have never lost hope that it can heal; regenerate and be functional once again. With the test results of "profound hearing loss" and "deafness", I experienced a deep sense of loss." This week, I went to a long-awaited appointment with a new E.N.T. and audiologist, to check out my hearing. It had been three years since my last test. Over the last 6 months, I have noticed a change in my hearing and felt an evaluation was past due. I spent 45 minutes testing with the audiologist wearing a headset in a sound-proof booth. I listened to several series of tones with both left and right ear; punching a button with each set of sounds I heard. My left ear was next tested in the "Word Recognition" part of the test. I would hear, for example, "Say the word, sidewalk." My job was to repeat back each individual word I had heard. Doing the same test with the right ear, I heard nothing but static and muddled noise. I recognized not one word or anything that even resembled a word. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks as I remembered how three years earlier, I identified several words with my right ear, during the word recognition test. Over these past two years, with my right ear plugged (and silenced) for stability, my hearing has quietly slipped away. I saw the doctor following the testing. I so appreciated her warmth, caring and taking time to listen and explain. And, I loved that she encouraged me to keep on working with complementary medicine. She told me I showed all the symptoms of classic Meniere's which is a few years of vertigo attacks with diminishing hearing on one side. The doctor explained that I was now in, "The Burn-out" phase. Burn-out means, the vertigo has left and the affected ear is now deaf. She showed me the test graphs compared to those from 3 years earlier. In three years I had gone from 50% accuracy on word recognition with my right ear, to 0% at present. She said my right ear was now deaf with no standard medical treatment options. The wonderful news is that my left ear is working at a very high level, with 100% word recognition. The doctor explained that the constant feeling that things around me are floating and moving, is likely a result of a damaged vestibular nerve as well as the auditory nerve. The vestibular system regulates the sense of balance. She explained that with time, my left vestibular nerve may take over the function of the damaged nerve, causing the feelings of being on a boat, to dissipate.  I don't think any of us are ever ready to say goodbye to any working part of our body. At age 60, I have become quite attached to hearing and communicating. I have known for the past few years that my right ear has been failing, but I have never lost hope that it can heal; regenerate and be functional once again. With the test results of "profound hearing loss" and "deafness", I experienced a deep sense of loss. At the same time, I learned I have one awesome, functional, left ear that now does the work of two. For the moment, that ear is it; my only ear. I am so incredibly grateful for a working ear and my ability to hear. I would never have traded the past several years away for anything different. I exchanged one ear for a profound experience of inner growth, transformation and becoming who I came here to be. I cried rivers in that sound booth at the clinic and on my drive home. I acknowledged and felt my loss with the concrete experience of the hearing test. For now, I continue to live my life to the fullest as I grow and follow my passions. And, I will protect, pamper and cherish my left ear, giving deep thanks for all the gifts in my life.
My persistent, quest for evidenced-based research in the realm of healing, is an essential part of me. I am extremely grateful for my one functional ear and I am still the health researcher I have been for decades. I will continue practicing mind-body medicine and Self-Reiki; receiving acupuncture and N.U.C.C.A. when needed. And, I look forward to connecting with The Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Center of Southern Oregon, as studies from The National Institute of Health demonstrate that deafness in Meniere's patients improved significantly in those who had undergone hyperbaric treatment. Blessings to you for everyday to be a beautiful day of "Thanks-giving." With Love and Gratitude, Sari
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 Makings of Cranberry Conserve Cranberry Conserve This scrumptious cranberry conserve has been my holiday go to recipe for more than 20 years. It is tart, with just enough sweet from dried dates and maple syrup. Toasted pecans add a crunchy richness and the juice and rind of a fresh orange give some citrus kick. And, it is so simple to make. Step One: In a 9"x13" Pyrex, blend together and cover with foil or a flat baking sheet, and place in preheated 350 degree oven, for 30 minutes: Organic Cranberries -24 oz. (rinsed and drained) 1 cup water Juice one organic orange (grate rind and save for step 2) After 30 minutes remove from oven and with the back of a fork, smash cranberries. (While cranberries bake, chop dates and toast pecans-about 10 minutes and chop) Step Two: Mix into Cranberries and then place back in oven, uncovered for 5 minutes: Grated orange rind 2 cups, chopped; dried organic dates (easy to chop with a chef's knife) 2/3 cup pure maple syrup Step Three: Remove cranberries from oven and blend in 1.5 cups toasted, chopped, organic pecans. Refrigerate and cover when cool Serves about 25 Many Blessings and much gratitude, for every single one of you, Sari
 My observations over the past 6 years have led me to the conclusion that Oregon and much of the West now have five distinct seasons- Winter, Spring, Summer, Fire and Fall. Last year we somehow missed "Fire" with just one brief day of smoke, so minimal, many missed it. A couple weeks ago, "Memories" from 2012, 2013 and 2014 popped up on my Facebook Feed. September 6, 2012, "Off the grid and and out of this smokey valley. Yaay!", July 29, 2013, " Currently in Ashland, 79 degrees and smoke...", July 31, 2013, "I just bought the last box of N95 respirator masks at Miller Paint. Don't go outside without protection", Three weeks later on August 22, 2013, "Big bursts of thunder and rain never felt so good! Thank you, Holy One." And, September 24, 2014 from Instagram," Oh the rain is so beloved. #rain #drought #quenchthefires #relief #cleanair#ashlandoregon" I think you get the picture. Due to there being no fires, last summer, I was caught off guard this year, when Oregon got slammed so hard with the fires which began in Southern Oregon on July 31 and are still burning. It seems to be all too easy for us humans to put our blinders on, over and over, without really getting the big picture.  Cascade Foothills, Ashland , OR. Top: Before Fires Bottom-same view AQI over 400 From the amazing crystal clear blue sky and 85 degree days of June and July, doing daily hikes and Qigong next to my creek, we went directly to fire, smoke and triple-digit temperatures which all became exponentially worse as we moved into late August and early September. The following images of "Fire" season are blazed into my mind. The sky is not blue or overcast with grey clouds- there is no sky to be seen; there are no mountain views to be had; an orangey-yellow light filters through the tree branches, casting an orange glow onto everything, filtering into my home. The rising and setting sun and moon, fluctuate between orange to deep red, depending on the AQI. I check 2-3 different websites regularly to determine if it's safe to be outside or open windows. If the air suddenly clears, getting into the "Good" range, desperate for clean, cool air, I race to open my windows and doors. All too often I have bitten this sweet bait late at night and gone to sleep with a clean glorious breeze blowing through my windows only to awaken a few hours later to the smell of smoke filling my home. I immediately race through the dark house, shutting windows and turn on a fan to cool my bedroom rather than turn on the air conditioning and bring more smoke particulates into the house. Each day, as the smoke increased, more and more people were donning N-95 masks, on the streets and in their cars. When the air was at its worst I developed a cough, sore throat, headache, dripping sinuses and fever. For weeks, sleep at night was sticky-hot and stifling due to the closed windows, even though the night time temps had dropped to 52 degrees following triple digits during the day. For us north westerners who live and breathe to immerse ourselves in nature, being trapped inside is been torturous. On bad smoke days, work-outs happen inside, that is if I am not too fatigued and toxic to move body. This is "Fire".  Confined to my cottage in thick haze of smoke. Ashland, Oregon, September 2017 We are now less than a week from The Autumn Equinox and fires are still burning across Oregon and many places in the west. Temperatures have suddenly dropped into the 70's and low 80's by day and into the chilly 40's at night. It's almost time to turn the heat on as Fire season morphs into Autumn. This year, we had approximately 5 weeks of summer and so far, 7 weeks of Fire. Fire is not new in our forests. More than a century ago, Breitenbush Hot Springs burned down in a massive fire and just last week the community was ordered to evacuate. On the first trip my parents made to Oregon, in September, 1981, they drove into Ashland through thick, dark smoke, by way of Highway 66, with no visibility or view of our spectacular valley. That year, the Rogue River Fire raged out of control. I remember my father being debilitated with a severe migraine from the smoke during his visit. What is new, is that these massive fires no longer come several years apart, but fire season in Southern Oregon, seems to be an annual thing- the new season. Ten Helpful Tips for Fire Season Self-CareThis is not my typical blog post based on detailed health advice. This fire season slammed me so hard that my main work was my own self-care and daily function, with little ability to be the teacher and helper. Here is some of the best self-care advice that came out of this fire season for me. 1) Invest in an excellent home air purifier which filters out particulates down to.1 micron and filters wildfire smoke. If you choose to live in this area it will be one of the best investments you will ever make for your health and quality of life. My Advanced HEPA + Air Purifier has allowed me to regain functional lungs, energy and clean out all the masses of smoke particulates and VOC's which my house was poisoned with, pre-purifier. Research to find what will be best for you. 2) Wear an N-95 mask when you are outside and the AQI is at a level which is unhealthy. A mask will give your face deep red indentations that last for hours and seriously mess up your hair and make you look totally dorky. Dorky is far better than developing emphysema and lung disease years from now as a result of living in wildfire country year after year. Some need a mask when the AQI hits 100 and others may not feel it until the AQI gets worse. At this point, I need a mask even in the moderate range. If you have lung or heart disease, are elderly or highly sensitive, be very attentive to protecting your respiratory system. Studies do demonstrate that people who live their lives in wildfire areas develop lung disease later in life. Two weeks ago I drove through 150 miles of thick smoke (AQI over 400) wearing my mask in the car for over two hours as I escaped to clean coastal air. 3) Neti (rinse) your sinuses daily to remove the gross toxins you breathe in daily. I use a Baraka Neti Pot with Neil-Med Sinus Rinse packets, but you may prefer their BPA-Free squeeze bottle. 4) Up your daily dose of Vitamin D-3 since you are not getting much if any sunlight during the fires. The D-3 helps reduce systemic inflammation. 5) Detoxify by staying well hydrated with plenty of water; using at least 1000 Mg. daily of N-Acetyl Cysteine (N.A.C.) which not only helps detox the liver but works as an expectorant to thin mucous in the lungs and sinuses. 6) Purchase a little bottle of what I find to be liquid gold for sinus relief, Baraka Sinus Rejuvenation Oil- a topical essential oil blend which not only opens, protects and clears sinuses but the "Inula" oil in the formula helps dilate bronchial passages. 7) Nourish yourself with nutrient-dense organic whole foods and stay hydrated by drinking enough water to help flush out toxins. 8) Stay active with a good indoor movement practice- Aerobics, Qigong, Yoga or working with exercise equipment. 9) Adopt a Gratitude Practice to help your mind stay strong and positive while feeling the claustrophobia, suffocation and low mood that typically comes with such stressful environmental conditions. 10) This is a good time to hang with friends, family and nourish your relationships for emotional support. Heart-felt connection is essential to our emotional health.  Escape to the Oregon Coast, Cape Perpetua Many Blessings and Prayers for Clear Air, Blue Skies and Rain. Sari Web Resources for Air Quality levels: Oregon DEQ Air Quality Levels Airnow.gov aqicn.org Blackberry Heaven Single-Layer Chocolate Quinoa Torte, with Blackberries (gluten-free) Most of my readers know me as a passionate Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, Health Educator and Reiki Energy Healer. What many do not know is that I was a professional pastry chef and baker for over a decade in my early adulthood. I originally trained in a baking cooperative in Eugene, Oregon, apprenticing in the art of classical Viennese and French pastry baking. I learned from a group of rather eccentric Oregon hippies who were serious artists when it came to fine baking. We were The Fine Baking Company. In my time as a a baker, I helped design and set up several bakeries and pastry kitchens. When I left baking to stay home and raise my young children, I found opportunities to make delectable creations for birthdays, anniversaries and a few weddings. As the years passed and I struggled with chronic asthma and allergies, I moved away from refined sugars, ditched all dairy and in the past several years became gluten-free. Being gluten-free was initially difficult. I am allergic to corn and sorghum which is in many gluten free flour mixes. So, I never use pre-mixed gluten-free flours or eat gluten-free breads. Being gluten-free and dairy-free has been a great inspiration for me to come up with yummy and healthier alternatives to fine desserts. The below recipe for the quinoa torte is wonderful and no one would ever suspect they are not eating a cake made with flour or a rich chocolate ganache that is not made with heavy cream or butter. I must admit something. My mother was one of the best pie bakers on the planet. I have been picking blackberries and wild black raspberries with my father since I was a young girl, growing up in Iowa. I learned the art of flaky pie crust from my mother; the real-deal flaky crust with no sugar sprinkled on top-ever. I love, love love the sensory experience of eating the perfect pie crust with the perfect fruit filling. I have experimented with gluten-free pie crusts. I tried one with sorghum and it was flaky, but being in the corn family, I couldn't handle it. I will admit that about once a year, I risk it and eat a small piece of pie made with gluten. I make it with white spelt flour and either monkfruit sweetener or coconut sugar. I invite my friends to share and I eat a slice. It may be blackberry in the summer or apple pie at Thanksgiving. I take Enzymetica Gluten Ease digestive enzymes with my pie to help me digest the gluten. I find it also helps to make sure I eat it with great love and gratitude. I say, "I take you in, as a blessing and in gratitude and allow you to come into my body and do the good works you are going to do." There is nothing more powerful then adding a little Mind-Body Medicine into everything you eat. Enjoy the two recipes below.  Basic Double Layer Chocolate Quinoa Torte Chocolate Quinoa Torte (with Blackberries) (Makes a 2-layer torte (you can also make 2 single layer cakes) Cake Layers 2 cups soft, cooked quinoa (approximately 3/4 cup dry quinoa will yield 2 cups cooked quinoa.) 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk (or preferred milk) 4 whole eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup melted coconut oil 1 & 2/3 cup organic coconut sugar 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Chocolate Coconut Cream Ganache 2 (13.5 ounce) can of full fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight 2 cups dark chocolate chips (as dark a % as you like) Blackberries for Decoration 1/2- 1 cup Fresh Blackberries Method Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two round cake pans (or a 9x13” pan) with parchment paper or oil and flour pans with gluten-free flour. In a blender or food processor, combine the eggs, preferred milk and vanilla extract, and blend for ten seconds. Add 2 cups cooked and cooled quinoa along with the melted and cooled coconut oil and olive oil- blend until completely smooth, about thirty seconds to one minute. Sift together the dry ingredients in a large bowl (cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and sea salt).
Refrigerate the coconut milk for several hours or overnight (in the coldest part of your refrigerator) so that the cream separates. When ready, melt the chocolate in a sauce pan over low heat or in a stainless steel bowl over a double boiler. Take coconut milk from the fridge without shaking the can. Open and scoop out the solid parts with a spoon, placing them into the pot with the melted chocolate. Try to get as much of the thicker portions of solid coconut cream as possible. (Do not use the liquid) Melt the coconut cream and chocolate together until smooth and thick. Use a wire whisk to beat and thicken the ganache to a spreadable consistency. The Ganache thickens very quickly, but if it is too warm, you may briefly pace in fridge to cool and then get whipping it again until smooth and thick. Assembling Torte Transfer the cake layers to a surface for icing. They are fragile, so handle with care. Even if cake layers crack or break, no worries, just piece them together like a puzzle and all with congeal once iced. Ice top of first layer, then place on second layer and work your way icing down from top layer to sides of torte. Frost the torte using a good, flat icing knife. Place blackberries on torte wherever your creativity takes you. Place torte in cool place until ready to serve or room temp is fine for several hours if it is not too hot. Summer Blackberry Pie with Olive Oil Crust |
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