tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33350361868900151082024-02-06T23:43:57.830-05:00Peaceful Water HealingThe official blog for Peaceful Water Health and FitnessAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02663667455824427634noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-52228251959696594112018-10-06T13:03:00.000-04:002018-10-18T12:45:00.432-04:00Getting Paid<p>I took on two commission works this summer. Both are for birthday gifts. One is a tiger in color pencils.</p>
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<p>The other is a sunflower in watercolor. </p>
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<p>Getting paid to do art is a good feeling. I feel valued. </p>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-24226937417197598092018-06-21T17:09:00.000-04:002019-12-02T13:40:24.979-05:00Philosophical Inspirations for Taijiquan <p>One thing that lead to me taijiquan was missing two adult teeth. </p>
<p>When I was about 8 year-old, x-ray showed that I was missing two permanent teeth. In the couple years following, I went to the dentist a lot. As I waited in the waiting room, I read and re-read whatever reading material available, which included a set of comic books by the Taiwanese cartoonist Tsai Chih Chung. The most notable among them was "Zhuangzi Speaks: The Music of Nature". The talented Mr. Tsai presented the Zhuangzi's humourous parables in an easy-to-digest format. I was a bit of misfit as a child. It struck a cord with me when Zhuangzi spoke of freeing oneself from rigid value systems, staying true to one's nature, and maneuvering through an ever-shifting and inconstant world. My affinity to Doaist philosophy eventually lead to me Taijiquan, a martial art that drew inspirations from Doaism.</>
<p>Zhuangzi was a Chinese philosopher in 4th century BC during a period of political upheaval, known as the Warring State period. Zhuangzi's most famous story was probably his dream of being a butterfly, where he questioned human perception of reality. </p>
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<p>But my childhood favorite was the story about the useless tree and the useless goose.</p>
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<p>The story "The Cook Carved up a Cow" fascinated martial artists for thousands of years.</p>
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<p>For anyone who's interested, I have the book in the lobby. Feel free to check it out when you come!</p>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-73348266417285001982017-06-09T17:11:00.000-04:002017-06-09T17:11:01.581-04:00Top 10 Reasons People Seek Acupuncture Help<p>Since we opened in 2014, we have seen close to 700 patients. Out of curiosity, I tallied up their reasons for seeking acupuncture help as indicated on their initial patient intake information. Here are the top 10 reasons why people try acupuncture:</p>
<h3>1. Back Pain (201)</h3>
<p>Back Pain is the number one reason by a large margin. With conditions ranging from herniated discs to muscular tension.</p>
<h3>2. Neck / Shoulder Pain (103) </h3>
<p>Neck and shoulder issues are often intertwined. Sometimes overlapped with back pain or even jaw pain or headache.</p>
<h3>3. Anxiety / Stress / Depression (101) </h3>
<p>Inability to relax seems to be a sweeping issue. In many cased related to headache, weight issue, or even mood swing when attempt to quit smoking. </p>
<h3>4. Migraine / Headache (65) </h3>
<p>Many people suffer from condition ranging from chronic migraine to tension headache. </p>
<h3>5. Hip / Sciatic Pain (51) </h3>
<h3>6. Knee / Leg Pain (51) </h3>
<h3>7. Weight Issue (46) </h3>
<h3>8. Digestive / Gastro-Intestinal Issue (38)</h3>
<p>Ranging from Irritable Bowel Syndrome to acid reflux. Some seek to improve their digestive function of wheat or lactose.</p>
<h3>9. Foot Pain (37) </h3>
<p>Common source of foot pain is Plantar Fasciitis.</p>
<h3>10. Allergy / Congestion / Sinus (36)</h3>
<p>People seek relief from conditions ranging from seasonal allergy to chronic sinus condition.</P>
<p>The list goes on and some of the reasons might surprise you. The rest of the tally are as followed:<p>
<br>11. General Aches and Pain (33)
<br>12. Fatigue (29)
<br>13. Gynecological / Reproductive Issue (24)
<br>14. General Wellness (23)
<br>14. Arm Pain (23)
<br>15. Cold / Numb / Tingling in Extremities (22)
<br>16. Jaw / Mouth Pain (17)
<br> 16. Sleep Issue (17)
<br> 17. Wrist Pain (15)
<br> 18. Hand Pain (13)
<br> 18. General Joint Pain (13)
<br> 18. Blood Pressure (13)
<br> 19. Quit Smoking (12)
<br> 19. Ankle Pain (12)
<br> 19. Dermatological Issue (12)
<br> 19. Gland / Hormonal Issue (12)
<br> 20. Dizziness / Balance Issue (10)
<br> 20. Elbow Pain (10)
<br> 21. Cognitive Issue (9)
<br> 22. Respiratory Issue (8)
<br> 22. Post-Cancer Healing (8)
<br> 23. Feeling of Heat (7)
<br> 24. Curiosity (6)
<br> 25. Post-Surgery Healing (5)
<br> 25. Ringing in the Ear (5)
<br> 26. Urinary Issue (4)
<br> 26. Eye Discomfort (4)
<br> 26. Edema (4)
<br> 27. Bells Palsy (3)
<br> 28. Diabetes (2)
<br> 28. Light and Sound Sensitivity (2)
<br> 29. Hiccup (1)
<br> 29. Facial Rejuvenation (1)
<br> 29. Auto-Immune Issue (1)
<br> 29. Hearing Issue (1)
zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-78197389300236574902017-06-08T16:42:00.000-04:002017-06-08T16:42:03.248-04:00Honeysuckle / Jin Yin Hua / 金銀花 / Gold and Silver Flower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWxlnAkwbmBib7X-CF-VXAFdXNnOL_iv-PKE1n6BV13XVnRH6IOQdeBkWFLNLGFlLfWBsvSYMjjhEktmM3-be9rLaulWCldRDxRaOVLVFvfl3AA7te0fy3bMh3KvIbptPERiFZaoKUJw/s1600/20170603_134453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWxlnAkwbmBib7X-CF-VXAFdXNnOL_iv-PKE1n6BV13XVnRH6IOQdeBkWFLNLGFlLfWBsvSYMjjhEktmM3-be9rLaulWCldRDxRaOVLVFvfl3AA7te0fy3bMh3KvIbptPERiFZaoKUJw/s640/20170603_134453.jpg" width="485" height="640" data-original-width="1212" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>Kevin and I planted 4 different varieties of honeysuckle on the back of the building several years before we started the business.</p>
<p>In hindsight, 2 honeysuckles would have been enough to cover the space. They are incredibly vigorous and would tear down the gutter and swallow the building if left alone.</p>
<p>I have long since lost the variety tags from the nursery. I believe one is an North American non-vining variety and the other three are Lonicera japonica. So when it came to picking out the medicinal variety to paint, I just picked one that fits the Chinese name better - "Gold and Silver Flower". </p>
<p>The composition shows the three stages of the flower, from immature yellow-green (that's when you would picked it for Chinese medicinal use), to showy yellow and white full bloom, ends in dropping all its petals and forming a jewel red fruit.</p>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-7221115490654610452017-04-07T15:56:00.000-04:002017-04-07T15:56:59.162-04:00Painting Chrysanthemum: From Reference Photo to Finish<p>Since last time I shared the process of wet mounting, I decide to share a bit about how I painted the botanical watercolor. </p>
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<p>When I picked the chrysanthemum flowers in the fall, I took some reference pictures. The photo looked fine when I first took it, but later as I tried to draw and paint for it, I found it lacking contrasts and slight blurry, making the process challenging.</p>
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<p>Sometimes in the beginning of the year, on a sketchbook I roughed out the basic layout of the painting, including the positions of the Latin botanical name, the Chinese name, and the seals.</p>
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<p>On an new sketchbook page with a mechanical pencil, I drew the chrysanthemum with as much as precision as I can, making sure the shapes were well-defined. This step doesn't look like much but I would say it's the most important step.</p>
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<p>Once I was happy with it, I put a transparency with grid on top of my pencil drawing, drew a grid on my watercolor paper, and transfer the drawing. I used hot-press paper for its smooth surface, and lighter pencil pressure so I don't etch too much into the paper. </p>
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<p>As I transferred, I erased the grid lines as I go. I still looked at the reference photo and making decisions as I transferred, so the final drawing on the watercolor paper was a little different than the pencil drawing.</p>
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<p>Looking at the reference photo, I applied the watercolor in layers, mostly with a size 0 brush. I had to make up some details as I go, because the reference photo was a bit flat, especially in the center of the flowers. It was just a big blob of yellow. After adjusting and re-adjusting the shades and tone, at some point I had to decided when to stop fussing over painting. </p>
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<p>At this point, I wrote the Latin and Chinese botanical names with the respectively appropriate calligraphic tools.</p>
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<p>Stamped on my name seal, the Peaceful Water seal, and call it done! The painting will be hanging in the hallway next to other botanicals. Next time when you come in, feel free to check it out!</p>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-57440619098622832332016-12-15T00:13:00.003-05:002016-12-15T00:13:55.000-05:00Making of the Holiday Cards: Wet-Mounting<p>This is a quick behind-the-scene look at "Wet-Mounting". The finishing step in Chinese style watercolor.</p>
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<p>When paper is soaked then dried, it inevitably buckles and becomes wavy. Usually for western style watercolor, a heavy-weight paper is used and/or the paper is stretched before the painting process commences to minimize buckling. In Chinese style watercolor, stretching is done after the painting is completed. This saves time because I only stretch the painting I wish to display. Two years ago, I did many different versions of "Journey behind the falls" but I only stretched two.</p>
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<p>This year, I did a painting of Letchworth State Park. For Chinese style watercolor, very light-weight absorbent paper is used, traditionally made from tree bark and rice straws. After the painting is done (this is version #3), it's placed good-side down on a smooth surface. </p>
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<p>I have my tools handy: backing paper (has to be larger than the painting), water-soluble paste and a wide goat-hair brush, a padded putty knife (traditionally a stubby palm broom is used, but I don't have that).</p>
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<p>The whole painting is spritzed with water to help the paper relax. After smoothing out the all the bubbles, it's brushed with the paste. Backing paper is then placed on top, and pushed down with the padded putty knife, assuring good adhesion.</p>
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<p>Paste is then applied to the edges of the backing paper. The whole thing is carefully peeled off and stretched good-side up on a mounting board to dry. Once it's dried, it can be remove from the mounting board with an utility knife.</p>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-77960624976683559462016-12-14T23:02:00.000-05:002016-12-14T23:03:06.394-05:00Balloon Flower 桔梗 Jie Geng
<p>
Root of the reliable balloon flowers (桔梗 Jie Geng) is used in Chinese medicine. It was one of the first Chinese medicinal plants that I've acquired. I bought one from The Home Depot three years back and finally got around to painting it this year. Here is a comparison of the reference photo and the painting.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVTn7Qd5q7LNL-dLAs53KeT19ZZOdV2WsUb4nN7EmUaoopkWMVADxHYQ3CJkr9hQZjK6SiLSCMijqFT4TRM-ZSpHqiN6V4r38eLSiBjvVcaCRyW3inolqhddhiQq0X_GYuaKQY1xy22Q/s1600/20160711_113240.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVTn7Qd5q7LNL-dLAs53KeT19ZZOdV2WsUb4nN7EmUaoopkWMVADxHYQ3CJkr9hQZjK6SiLSCMijqFT4TRM-ZSpHqiN6V4r38eLSiBjvVcaCRyW3inolqhddhiQq0X_GYuaKQY1xy22Q/s400/20160711_113240.jpg" width="225" height="400" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7um4QyZ9IlgwYqrjRNin6_z9me_aQYcocPDJAI9iyuGIw620UrRtzJbkTNUe7Boy1Eg_vQdbiQv7sQyI0H_ffZKXwmbYOg1pLUVYda4oazo6fG6laQhtYhI1hDq4fLplgNTArwM9lSA/s1600/20161017_194737_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7um4QyZ9IlgwYqrjRNin6_z9me_aQYcocPDJAI9iyuGIw620UrRtzJbkTNUe7Boy1Eg_vQdbiQv7sQyI0H_ffZKXwmbYOg1pLUVYda4oazo6fG6laQhtYhI1hDq4fLplgNTArwM9lSA/s400/20161017_194737_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="300" height="400" /></a>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-62843710343205153542016-11-01T16:47:00.000-04:002016-11-01T16:48:35.377-04:00Saffron: High-Value Low-Hassle <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEvWLcOJ5MyE0321E-V8_Zr9vkaKNTj56RNOhyphenhyphen0CAZ73N6VPqYuvZSdgTjQwNNyn5MD8ZJBywgUNpQgVEezo6087rzJIHRzJCcLwd5x07fIC6x3YD2U5n19NRerkL64rdl6av237wul8/s1600/20161014_125826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEvWLcOJ5MyE0321E-V8_Zr9vkaKNTj56RNOhyphenhyphen0CAZ73N6VPqYuvZSdgTjQwNNyn5MD8ZJBywgUNpQgVEezo6087rzJIHRzJCcLwd5x07fIC6x3YD2U5n19NRerkL64rdl6av237wul8/s320/20161014_125826.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a></div>
<p>Saffron is usually known as the most expensive spice by weight, or a major ingredient in paella. But it is also used in Chinese herbal medicine. It's called Xi Hong Hua 西紅花(western red flower) or Zang Hong Hua 藏紅花 (Tibetan red flower), used when stronger effects are needed in place of the common safflower (紅花 Hong Hua).</p>
<p>I put in twenty bulbs last year (they were available at Lowes; i didn't even need to source them online) and would highly recommend growing saffron to anyone. Here are my reasons.</p>
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<p>They are very cheerful. It's surprising to see flowers blooming in November. Lots of people commented on them. So it also works as a conversation starter. </p>
<p>They are very easy to grow. If you have them in the ground by September, they will flower on first year. They multiply readily. I harvest more than double amount of saffron this year. </p>
<p>Not to mention that they are a high-value crop. You would be expecting to pay $15-20 at the supermarket for a tiny envelope of it. The fresh saffron has a much stronger fragrance. I can't stop sniffing the saffron while they sat on my desk.</p>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-88148742098223171982016-11-01T15:49:00.000-04:002016-11-01T15:49:11.042-04:00Grow Your Own Chrysanthemum Tea!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp02nbzt7xfVVLo-LUL1Ei_Igui2lA9rk1ReJzvB8768aDLsB44kh1QzufOCgJeQDagZuZoud8EPRGNRUqlyH5tuXZl_YeAFGrn-9K9cs0rROdP_GGkmXZVbP2lJO2L9aEm-8GxMHQNQ0/s1600/20161030_130457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp02nbzt7xfVVLo-LUL1Ei_Igui2lA9rk1ReJzvB8768aDLsB44kh1QzufOCgJeQDagZuZoud8EPRGNRUqlyH5tuXZl_YeAFGrn-9K9cs0rROdP_GGkmXZVbP2lJO2L9aEm-8GxMHQNQ0/s320/20161030_130457.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a></div>
<p>Chrysanthemum (菊花 Ju Hua) is a common Chinese medicinal herb, usually steeped into a beverage and slightly sweetened. Unlike most herbs, chrysanthemum actually TASTES GOOD. I served chilled honeyed chrysanthemum tea at our grand opening party couple years back. Some people actually asked for the recipe. You can buy tightly-packed dry chrysanthemum at the Chinese supermarket but it is quite easy to grow your own. And here's how.</p>
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<p>In late August, when the garden centers start to put the chrysanthemum out, buy a couple. They are cheap. People use them like disposable flowers but if you plant them, they will come back year after year. Plant them as soon as possible in full sun. The more time they have be become established before winter, the better chance they have. Ideally, they should be in the ground by the first week of September. </p>
<p>Do nothing for a while. Wait for them to die back with when the hard frosts and DON'T cut them back. Around Thanksgiving, cover them with 2-3" of mulch. </p>
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<p>Pull back the mulch in March and check for new growth. They might be a bit tender at this time and can die back with spring frost. But by April they should be back. Now you can cut last year's dead branches, spread the mulch and fertilize. </p>
<p>Some people pinch their mums, but I don't and there are still plenty of flowers. When flowers are in full bloom, it's harvest time. They are so prolific. You can pick for half an hour and not put a dent in the display. </p>
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<p>Clean the flowers by soaking them in water with a couple drops for vinegar, drain and rinse. Then dry them in the dehydrator or in a oven at the lowest setting.</p>
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<p>Store in jar. Traditionally, it's the white and yellow chrysanthemum that are used in tea. I've tried red and purple too. They do taste different and the infusion is slightly darker.</p>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-7106796951074724562016-10-13T13:13:00.002-04:002016-10-13T13:14:54.692-04:00Fifty American Ginseng Seeds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJoZFbbKl1XtA1qd7P0GP1PbWKTGYX3t_YzN5N4sEv_Yucp73dTAIpLgpsIn3SF56TudKV-iCWB_5LYsutf0vBjWrQFLf-2pGHgqeW3mpxc3CAwNlM6ftgZsX7vToPxeArQ4IbuvxBhs/s1600/20161001_163737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJoZFbbKl1XtA1qd7P0GP1PbWKTGYX3t_YzN5N4sEv_Yucp73dTAIpLgpsIn3SF56TudKV-iCWB_5LYsutf0vBjWrQFLf-2pGHgqeW3mpxc3CAwNlM6ftgZsX7vToPxeArQ4IbuvxBhs/s400/20161001_163737.jpg" width="300" height="400" /></a></div>
<p>In the spring I told my parents that I was planting some onions in my garden. My dad said, "Onions are so cheap to buy. Why don't you grow some high-value specialty crop instead?" <br><br> So this autumn, I'm trying my hand at growing American Ginseng. The seeds are from Johnny's Selected Seeds and had been stratified and ready to go. I promptly put them in the ground. We'll see if they come up next year.</p>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-60918047246952033422016-09-06T14:18:00.000-04:002016-09-06T14:18:44.900-04:00Poppy Seed Casing 罌粟殼 Ying Su Ke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6pAbzIsvFMAYltC_DPyJhOuBNJaZWvAHT6e7_VWcBozMOyHRimocqnxukqigGr3N9wYKIBUt8uYw-fpO9Ub6duDeSm5qjBBqGMlqjY90KhR928dNE8RQCM1AbkhMdLT-PgzVsN066-Y/s1600/20160624_114003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6pAbzIsvFMAYltC_DPyJhOuBNJaZWvAHT6e7_VWcBozMOyHRimocqnxukqigGr3N9wYKIBUt8uYw-fpO9Ub6duDeSm5qjBBqGMlqjY90KhR928dNE8RQCM1AbkhMdLT-PgzVsN066-Y/s320/20160624_114003.jpg" width="180" height="320" /></a></div>
<p>I grew some Hungarian Blue Breadseed poppies by our front door. Poppies flowered in early summer. The droopy flower buds gradually straightened up and bloomed. The flowers lasted only a couple days then dropped all petals, leaving the seed pods. The seed pods nodded in the wind for a while and gradually dried up. Seed pods were picked and the seeds were harvested. The empty seed casings are used in Chinese herbal medicine for chronic cough, diarrhea and pain. </p>
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<p>In this watercolor painting, I combined the 3 stages of the flower development in the composition. I chose to paint the poppy at the height of its prettiness and not when it's browned and shriveld, ready to be used for medicine. I suppose my choice is sentimental and not scientific. But I like pretty. So there you have it.</p>
<p>Also debuting the negative-carved stone chop with the Peaceful Water motto 心如止水 (Heart liken to still water). <a href="https://peacefulwaterhealing.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-meaning-behind-peaceful-water.html">The meaning behind Peaceful Water</a>.</p>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-54252120010215457992016-05-23T15:48:00.000-04:002016-05-23T15:50:27.030-04:00New medicinal herbs in our garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTbT98BQcGR716mK-7Tx-lFxQLDEvJzq8E_YecEMoVDKyueTBN5QabyRJjvcY1gQl4RCuQ9tjFhO1UWwDTgu3dhii3lDoA9EExVXjZFcAm8mqk1Y1qRRq12QBvKUxRqofMfJK9UWlVkc/s1600/20160510_090817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTbT98BQcGR716mK-7Tx-lFxQLDEvJzq8E_YecEMoVDKyueTBN5QabyRJjvcY1gQl4RCuQ9tjFhO1UWwDTgu3dhii3lDoA9EExVXjZFcAm8mqk1Y1qRRq12QBvKUxRqofMfJK9UWlVkc/s320/20160510_090817.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I've planted the seedlings I started this spring. Hyacinths beans (bai bien dou), and Job's Tears (yi yi ren) are annuals. I planted them in containers, with some Pinks (qu mai) thrown in as fillers. </p>
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<p>Tree Peony (mu dan) was moved to the corner, with newly planted Astragalus (huang qi), Licorice (gan cao), and Codonopsis (dang shen). All three new herbs are perennials and are harvested for their roots 3-5 years after planting.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC66cFi5AqakyTDW4Ziqe39PNKT2WYsZmmJhSsPbIe8J_zXaKjxgaqxsBEzdsBeDWEy4vHnh8_9rcB_kPjgtua2CP-VCEkTcnUIiQHag2Zy-udKXS7mQBqbmzFHtwqkTWTIOKkuAjecog/s1600/20160510_091051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC66cFi5AqakyTDW4Ziqe39PNKT2WYsZmmJhSsPbIe8J_zXaKjxgaqxsBEzdsBeDWEy4vHnh8_9rcB_kPjgtua2CP-VCEkTcnUIiQHag2Zy-udKXS7mQBqbmzFHtwqkTWTIOKkuAjecog/s320/20160510_091051.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Both Agastache rugosa (huo xiang) and Agastache foeniculum are planted in the crescent-shaped bed beside Coburn Chiropratic entrance. With some western herbs, St. John's Wort and Yarrow, to keep them company. </p>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-60672202703943653912016-05-23T15:41:00.000-04:002016-05-23T17:36:20.576-04:00Fritillaria 貝母<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0fpESTS3yzDQe0AfkpVLpqtG_aW3wqODe8klx_HBDF3CBsWkuqAciR2D1eh0V7ajDiMq1grLGDqekcVIqJN5jn6o8iCqACxYS_dZuFqksxj2E-QHDCinVThinDeYeu-Med0Mbjb0EkQ/s1600/20160422_150726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0fpESTS3yzDQe0AfkpVLpqtG_aW3wqODe8klx_HBDF3CBsWkuqAciR2D1eh0V7ajDiMq1grLGDqekcVIqJN5jn6o8iCqACxYS_dZuFqksxj2E-QHDCinVThinDeYeu-Med0Mbjb0EkQ/s640/20160422_150726.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I put down some Bei Mu 貝母 <i>fritillaria</i> last fall. I couldn't find the commonly used medicinal varieties: 川貝母 <i>Fritillaria cirrohosa</i> or 浙貝母 <i>Fritillaria thunbergii</i>. I just put down the common garden center variety <i>Fritillaria meleagris</i>, sometimes called Checkered Lily. They've emerged just a little bit after the daffodils. I'm continuing my efforts on realistic botanical drawings.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m_So5JY8LHG4279TqySQEiZi23GWCtrL5WdTu2T5h9b0CYPRgHCVCBSXHKtHqlD7Fi0To-MvoR2qWuLwCTRSD0-x0PQfi8Zn02UwZVc-5bWkr9S8yz24yWZA4LihZhi9sjTG3wAIUA0/s1600/2016-05-21+13.26.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m_So5JY8LHG4279TqySQEiZi23GWCtrL5WdTu2T5h9b0CYPRgHCVCBSXHKtHqlD7Fi0To-MvoR2qWuLwCTRSD0-x0PQfi8Zn02UwZVc-5bWkr9S8yz24yWZA4LihZhi9sjTG3wAIUA0/s640/2016-05-21+13.26.58.jpg" /></a>
<p>Preparatory sketch then copy to a a watercolor pad.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4YGleHzmt3KijRtdQlF-VhUX5VH3EAsSPPjG1_XGwPldcGU6b0w0aNFCXLwcrPMv0d2TO3eF01fizibBPAdObbIl9yDcf2ymYVbGBEaWUFSrY0Qqfe7G5e2yxvOElNpB-PF8-weW8gk/s1600/2016-05-21+13.25.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4YGleHzmt3KijRtdQlF-VhUX5VH3EAsSPPjG1_XGwPldcGU6b0w0aNFCXLwcrPMv0d2TO3eF01fizibBPAdObbIl9yDcf2ymYVbGBEaWUFSrY0Qqfe7G5e2yxvOElNpB-PF8-weW8gk/s640/2016-05-21+13.25.39.jpg" /></a>
<p>After coloring and calligraphy.</p>
zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-4861311447852298552016-04-29T16:14:00.002-04:002016-04-29T16:14:46.273-04:00New Aquisition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZYNBc8Sb2lTK7nj1_GHGuzM4XITnL6J7Azr2-zXK1y9EpAzizFbyrbycydMN1S4pkTfqN_62yhOIsCPFUJ_v3rRXjHX4jaWcKy2n-AKlHDvmgZw8yoOek8p2c7tjTKRvYwMaEUprdmU/s1600/20160416_093756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZYNBc8Sb2lTK7nj1_GHGuzM4XITnL6J7Azr2-zXK1y9EpAzizFbyrbycydMN1S4pkTfqN_62yhOIsCPFUJ_v3rRXjHX4jaWcKy2n-AKlHDvmgZw8yoOek8p2c7tjTKRvYwMaEUprdmU/s320/20160416_093756.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>百合 Bai He or lily bulbs, commonly used varieties are <i>Lilium brownii</i>, <i>Lilium pumilium</i> or <i>Lilium lancifolium</i>. Lilium lancifolium is Tiger Lily. When I saw them at Lowes, I grabbed myself a bag. When I was in Taiwan, I had eaten fresh lily bulb stir-fried with beef. It was very good. Taste was like a cross between potato and water chestnut.</p>
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<p>赤芍 Chi Shao (red peony) and 白芍 Bai Shao (white peony). 芍藥 Shao Yao is herbaceous peony. Since we've already have two 牡丹 Mu Dan (tree peony), it's time to plant more herbaceous peonies. I bought "Shirley Temple" for white and "Karl Rosenfeild" for red. </p>
zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-7318149287875564432016-04-21T14:21:00.000-04:002016-04-29T16:17:01.488-04:00Seedlings Updates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gvdeJyDll9boJf2qYNEZRuvugQW4ihJuTXkLvlOoC-j0JUGO6zIFIjDVtKMmnAPAR1p27nIwzQ6QBO237iuf1mT905JyF95zGHqCZvE0VZEUw3-3sXIGW-YsPI3PujpnuFdMPM7AE80/s1600/20160415_113556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gvdeJyDll9boJf2qYNEZRuvugQW4ihJuTXkLvlOoC-j0JUGO6zIFIjDVtKMmnAPAR1p27nIwzQ6QBO237iuf1mT905JyF95zGHqCZvE0VZEUw3-3sXIGW-YsPI3PujpnuFdMPM7AE80/s320/20160415_113556.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>In February I set up some lights in my basement and bought some heat mats. I started some herbs along side vegetables and flowers. I tried to find varieties specifically used for traditional Chinese medicine. However some of seeds I started are just relatives to the the medicinal varieties.
<br><br>For example, after finding out 瞿麥 Qu Mai is a Pinks, more specifically <i>Dianthus serperbus</i> or <i>Dianthus chinesis</i>, I went into Lowes looking for Pinks seeds. Maiden Pinks <i>(Dianthus deltoides)</i>, was all I can find. So that what I grew. </p>
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<p>I also started 藿香 Huo Xiang. The medicinal varieties used are usually <i>Pogostemon cablin</i> (Patchouli) or <i>Agastache rugosa</i>, available here as Korean Hyssop. I bought <i>Agastache foeniculum</i> (Anise Hyssop) along with <i>Agastache rugosa</i>, so I'm starting both.</P>
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<p>Some seeds really took off. 薏苡仁 Yi Yi Ren or Job's Tear has a 100% super fast germination and is currently growing bigger than the space I have. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNsoWA7v3HP4tJyvyFbvAiBUZdeVAtbP2BX720qV-fLSsjBUxgwJWl-8qalNj0VPpCj7DP9WhbHj3K6D_zCU3FHFM3iYCErRCAr57JjVLipRmiiC96vgEFFJNKxW17R2u1f3FzZR35U4/s1600/20160415_113742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNsoWA7v3HP4tJyvyFbvAiBUZdeVAtbP2BX720qV-fLSsjBUxgwJWl-8qalNj0VPpCj7DP9WhbHj3K6D_zCU3FHFM3iYCErRCAr57JjVLipRmiiC96vgEFFJNKxW17R2u1f3FzZR35U4/s320/20160415_113742.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Some seeds did not germinate well. I put 2-3 seeds per cell and only 1 seed germinated for 甘草 Gan Cao (Licorice).</p>
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<p>黃耆 Huang Qi (Astragulus or Chinese Milk Vetch) has pretty good germinate rate is growing steadily.</p>
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<p>黨參 Dang Shen (Codonopsis or Poor Man's Ginseng) germinated so slowly, I nearly gave up on it. </p>
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<p>白扁豆 Bai Bian Dou Hyancinth Beans are showing a lot potential. The germination was fast and 100%. It grew so fast I already had to up-pot it. Instruction on the package said to start indoor, but conventional garden wisdom says beans hates to be transplanted and should be direct-sown. We'll see how these turn out. </p>
zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-18472975732768073902016-03-08T14:01:00.000-05:002016-05-23T15:50:51.986-04:00Adventure in Chinese Medicinal Herb Gardening<p>
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Last year I did a botanical watercolor based on some reference photos I took of the goji berry plant I have at home. I enjoyed doing this style of painting more than I expected.</p> <p>In the future I wish to paint more Chinese medicinal herbs. To do so, I want to grow more herbs and observe them.</p>
<p>
Earlier in the year when I was purchasing seeds for my vegetable & flower garden, I notice that the seed companies also carry a lot of herbs seeds used in traditional Chinese medicine. Some were even sold as flowers seeds. I decided to started some Chinese medicinal herbs from seeds this growing season.</p>
<p>
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Being a relatively new gardener, some instructions came with the packets are rather intimidating, such as "stratify in sphagnum moss for 3-4 months" or "grow in greenhouse for one year". Herbs that are harvested for their roots need at least 3-5 years before first harvest. Such as Dang Shen (Cordonopsis), Gan Cao (Licorice), Xi Yang Shen (Ginseng). That's a long way to go. I will keep posting updates on the progress of the plants. Wish me luck. </p>
zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-52182359238283788922015-11-21T15:50:00.000-05:002016-05-23T15:51:14.250-04:00Remove Physical and Mental Stress with Breathing<p>On October 24, Kevin and I attended the Breathing Master Class with Vladimir Vasiliev at the Systema HQ in Toronto. Many of the exercises focus on removing fear from the body and psyche. I have never been in a fight, nor do I ever plan to. Physical struggles for me are wrestling laundry basket up and down the stairs or battling weeds my garden. Even though the exercises were put in the context of combat and physical confrontation, I found myself relating to the work from the perspective of day-to-day life.</p>
<h3>Calm the Mind</h3>
<p>The first exercise we practiced was “light breathing”. We started with a light inhale, feeling the sensation of air entering the nose. Then gradually we extended the focus to the whole body. The light breathing gathers the mind through physical sensation and action, rather than thinking or imagining. There are times I feel anxious and restless with thousands incomplete thoughts swarming in my head. I cannot think to myself “Focus!”, because that would be adding another thought to the bubbling cauldron of thoughts. But by feeling my own breath, I can center myself in my physical being and ground myself in the here and now.</p>
<h3>Awareness & Recovery</h3>
<p>Often we have unnecessary tension in the body because we didn't notice it. In one of the exercise we were instructed to sit or lay in awkward postures holding our breath, notice the discomfort that built up in the body, then use breathing to remove it. If the stress on the body is acknowledged and dealt with at the level of “discomfort”, it will not have the chance to accumulate and develop into something worse. At the workshop we learned to constantly and quickly evaluate the internal state of the body and recover fully and honestly before any stress accumulate. </p>
<h3>Emotional Cleansing</h3>
<p>Breath is the bridge between the physical and the psychological. State of mind effects the way we breath and vice versa. When emotions becomes more intense (e.g. from fear, anger, grief, etc.), breathing becomes compromised. When there's not enough oxygen, body becomes tense. When the body becomes tense, it's harder to breath. Then we tend to become more emotional. On top of that, physical discomforts (e.g. pain, fatigue, tension, etc.) often negatively effect the emotional state, feeding the vicious cycle. At the workshop, we practiced breathing under the effect of physical and emotional challenges. Instead of letting negative emotions surge and swell, we treat it the same way as physical stress and remove it with breathing.</p>
<p>Breath work is healing both for the body and the mind. We now practice these exercises and more at our weekly <a href="http://www.peacefulwaterhealth.com/breathwork.html" target="new">Breathing for Health classes</a>. If you would like to see what breathing practices can do for you, please join us every Monday & Thursday at 4:30 pm.</p>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-24564005867289082372015-08-21T16:53:00.000-04:002015-08-21T17:35:15.254-04:00Chinese Medicinal Herbs in Your Garden<p>I started collecting plants used in Chinese herbal medicine. Some I planted at home, some around our office. Many of these plants are very ornamental and can be found at local garden centers.</p>
<p>Peony.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumcTLPaIWMvM8Pei4zgR9UDlAK3waq9UOCgXDd6mEqosPGiVXovzfNG9bK9d2u_hUWyNQZxfAF3u7CEmj15TPrltKfT_vtVooL4CWkfN0P5C_uUudKUGD6Gt-mmOQQPNDRQmIP1IP5fg/s1600/20150609_191533.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumcTLPaIWMvM8Pei4zgR9UDlAK3waq9UOCgXDd6mEqosPGiVXovzfNG9bK9d2u_hUWyNQZxfAF3u7CEmj15TPrltKfT_vtVooL4CWkfN0P5C_uUudKUGD6Gt-mmOQQPNDRQmIP1IP5fg/s400/20150609_191533.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTvFBH56qsUdWn8N9gb0nKQzZOA6VGCX8aete2tQx7mp8pV784D17_Xt7nIYvuZ8mzQ9i3_71idW6xvbX4csFpqL7rVLshe_BlPjnEAtxhtzMrWpElTfaUVFeuAssiR6oEZby9CR6D-c/s1600/20140522_092809.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTvFBH56qsUdWn8N9gb0nKQzZOA6VGCX8aete2tQx7mp8pV784D17_Xt7nIYvuZ8mzQ9i3_71idW6xvbX4csFpqL7rVLshe_BlPjnEAtxhtzMrWpElTfaUVFeuAssiR6oEZby9CR6D-c/s400/20140522_092809.jpg" /></a>
<p>Balloon flowers.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURrdE6wfaZJfEf_dkBtjNRCBaumY8ofonjJnh-FehZU-cdanyQUDjaIDqeVt7cTpAdfNlAQEmy1STdkhN0e_9QzH_AN-waLeHZgBYeZ8r1jiVkvEs0-EPwRXOF-NIcPXMQw5WQ1cO6jc/s1600/20140807_091932.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURrdE6wfaZJfEf_dkBtjNRCBaumY8ofonjJnh-FehZU-cdanyQUDjaIDqeVt7cTpAdfNlAQEmy1STdkhN0e_9QzH_AN-waLeHZgBYeZ8r1jiVkvEs0-EPwRXOF-NIcPXMQw5WQ1cO6jc/s400/20140807_091932.jpg" /></a>
<p>Honeysuckle.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH817NEyPgotXk6p8xs64sgJWuQqOT18WWgASghJ6acEPsxz03CRXxyzmIsqEeFL2tQBJCiGvd4XfZiJ-OTpCDDPT7UOl35BFAyBEpNthF8PtCwb-uM_355niz3V3n3PBVc-eSlVzeIs/s1600/20140613_190033.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH817NEyPgotXk6p8xs64sgJWuQqOT18WWgASghJ6acEPsxz03CRXxyzmIsqEeFL2tQBJCiGvd4XfZiJ-OTpCDDPT7UOl35BFAyBEpNthF8PtCwb-uM_355niz3V3n3PBVc-eSlVzeIs/s400/20140613_190033.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUWw4dPtea7E9nG-wDpAMoGFZwZKLeJZfHXP2FbKfWV5pEstzmNj36cZ4qSQxPec3T19aj81fZx5G8og5rujXX2LsqoMaQGlI1WfhLU9SM-VXXfuWv4L7xFhqZXsyrihwivN1LqBZXDY/s1600/20140613_185928.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUWw4dPtea7E9nG-wDpAMoGFZwZKLeJZfHXP2FbKfWV5pEstzmNj36cZ4qSQxPec3T19aj81fZx5G8og5rujXX2LsqoMaQGlI1WfhLU9SM-VXXfuWv4L7xFhqZXsyrihwivN1LqBZXDY/s400/20140613_185928.jpg" /></a>
<p>Lily turf.</p>
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<p>Poppy.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAWk80BLTPHR8sCs40NA2b7avRA04IVc8L4NMOoVbj78pQdfabwDxwaMXlChDcwWVr4DKNaaQaf2FAOtttlPMsmhJ_X1kdx1BfOQPXoC9tWjnUdWI6T-yD7N6htSwwYcHHq7T7ew63XQ/s1600/20150811_171434.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAWk80BLTPHR8sCs40NA2b7avRA04IVc8L4NMOoVbj78pQdfabwDxwaMXlChDcwWVr4DKNaaQaf2FAOtttlPMsmhJ_X1kdx1BfOQPXoC9tWjnUdWI6T-yD7N6htSwwYcHHq7T7ew63XQ/s400/20150811_171434.jpg" /></a>
<p>Chrysanthemum.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM-kzLEld3qfQsYcJTzJj5VNDFPjw6mLBNR712vdExdw0hSq9FC7lCQsfhgXG0C3WW9tXv5KObOoEbCu4IJNpWGZxdj1cVd8M4ETNmYl4ywInjtKREUwRCAEdmBcebS1AvkM1NOdsc44/s1600/20140909_184150.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM-kzLEld3qfQsYcJTzJj5VNDFPjw6mLBNR712vdExdw0hSq9FC7lCQsfhgXG0C3WW9tXv5KObOoEbCu4IJNpWGZxdj1cVd8M4ETNmYl4ywInjtKREUwRCAEdmBcebS1AvkM1NOdsc44/s400/20140909_184150.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbIZWmcvWhvSS91n6TnidllP0Dcs2JFzMhESGoLCiEhJLpwZ4ZAX_NczUgA4ogEQgA63UCIeBNETwe00WLzpne_VgWV52HkTHC64_BKedKHAkva5mUmW_OEw0pc7oDIyvG04FKjP9sdM/s1600/20140807_091959.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbIZWmcvWhvSS91n6TnidllP0Dcs2JFzMhESGoLCiEhJLpwZ4ZAX_NczUgA4ogEQgA63UCIeBNETwe00WLzpne_VgWV52HkTHC64_BKedKHAkva5mUmW_OEw0pc7oDIyvG04FKjP9sdM/s400/20140807_091959.jpg" /></a>
<p>Some plants are more specialized I have to order them on-line.</p>
<p>Goji berries.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituy3x_2HloDyow8GFB53G7g_RK44bvTaIFsPiF448YZISqXUDLNH5yJW8HVRXr5Rwi_wZ2tojnLj8Qz64aRcG3C_Ca8ijMlrdluJHuSg3Uy08919iDSHmTEkgidgk2jpOsH64zAQ7hH8/s1600/20140909_184058.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituy3x_2HloDyow8GFB53G7g_RK44bvTaIFsPiF448YZISqXUDLNH5yJW8HVRXr5Rwi_wZ2tojnLj8Qz64aRcG3C_Ca8ijMlrdluJHuSg3Uy08919iDSHmTEkgidgk2jpOsH64zAQ7hH8/s400/20140909_184058.jpg" /></a>
<p>Mountian yam.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgj_goI2-9quC0gPoPp1rZ9VbbMP9E_Zww0vZOfFn38i-wE7gjtdv1NwnSJLY75I0JwoVtqZBYsqM6iCTQb53mNUYP69aY8qwCd1oC5eBZ2QPXHg__hMooXIXZ4tlAnX5K_UzIWPRSq8/s1600/20150811_171534.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgj_goI2-9quC0gPoPp1rZ9VbbMP9E_Zww0vZOfFn38i-wE7gjtdv1NwnSJLY75I0JwoVtqZBYsqM6iCTQb53mNUYP69aY8qwCd1oC5eBZ2QPXHg__hMooXIXZ4tlAnX5K_UzIWPRSq8/s400/20150811_171534.jpg" /></a>
<p>And some planted themselves in my garden without permission.</p>
<p>Dandelion and plantain.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtHdwrKSpKoItJ6TwTDxqz-eKC8AGh2FuI3mK4Gpz0m70-QY1WEa_nS4gR0i2hTegz9elwasYCyTZCBO0o9WplUoAft5IRkqbU1TRwF-tmSzPZCCyuIH0seYle5i-aYEF8rstMle8MxY/s1600/20150817_083855.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtHdwrKSpKoItJ6TwTDxqz-eKC8AGh2FuI3mK4Gpz0m70-QY1WEa_nS4gR0i2hTegz9elwasYCyTZCBO0o9WplUoAft5IRkqbU1TRwF-tmSzPZCCyuIH0seYle5i-aYEF8rstMle8MxY/s400/20150817_083855.jpg" /></a>
<p>Do you have Chinese medicinal herbs in your garden?</p>
zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-11922887840787228632015-04-28T12:14:00.001-04:002015-04-28T22:30:36.041-04:00The Meaning Behind Peaceful Water<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<p>The meanings behind our name and logo came up in conversations a couple of times. I would like to offer some explanations. </p>
<p>When we first brainstormed for a business name, we thought that we would like the name to have something to do with water. The Buffalo area has a lot of connections with water, being situated on the Great Lakes, at close proximity to Niagara Falls, as well as historically developed around the construction of the Erie Canal. Finally we choose the name “Peaceful Water” in English and “<span lang="zh-CN">止水” </span>in Chinese. We then designed the logo around the Chinese characters.</p>
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<p>
<span lang="zh-CN">"止水" </span>can also be translated as “still water” or “calm water”, and is meant to evoke a commonly used phrase “<span lang="zh-CN">心如止水” or</span> “heart resembles peaceful water”. There are two slightly different meanings associated with the phrase.</p>
<p>First is that a heart at peace can reflect clearly and without distortion. This meaning came from the philosopher <span lang="zh-CN">莊周 </span>Zhuag Zhou in 3rd Century BC:</p>
<div style="text-align: center; color: #324275;">
<p><span lang="zh-CN"><i>"人莫鑑於流水,而鑑於止水,唯止能止眾止。"</i></span></p>
<p><i>People cannot see their reflections in running water, but they can see their reflections in still water. Only through stillness in yourself can you bring the multitudes to a point of stillness.</p></i>
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Second meaning is that a heart at peace can remain undisturbed in a face of turmoil and challenges. This meaning came from the poet <span lang="zh-CN">白居易 </span>Bai Juyi's eulogy for his friend, written in the 9th Century AD:</div>
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<p><span lang="zh-CN"><i>浩浩世途,是非同軌;齒牙相軋,波瀾四起。</i></span></p>
<p><span lang="zh-CN"><i>公獨何人,心如止水;風雨如晦,雞鳴不已。"</i></span></p>
<p><i>On the grand path of this world, the right and the wrong ran on the same track; Conflicting like teeth grinding against each other, like waves crashing from all sides.</i></p>
<p><i>How could you alone, sir, have your heart remained still like peaceful water; When the wind and rain obscured the light, when the flock croaked incessantly?</i></p>
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</div>zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-7661340577974502322014-11-03T13:19:00.000-05:002014-11-03T13:19:05.988-05:00Party Recipes RoundupBack in September, we had our Opening Party, celebrating being in business for almost a year. It was great party, many people showed up to wish us well, including family, clients, students, and other local businesses. I don't have any pictures of party because I was very busy that night. I prepared a lot of food for the party and some people had asked for the recipes So here is a roundup of party recipes!<br />
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<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXxy3bUYkJsZVbOnb-EAqa5-I7jMiwdeQsZsT3FbL2FKPSHyeV21gIbc3RnwDtSCsK_1utQhG6gv5z7VpA6HU8r4uwLBFStwKda0BZqgRZzH4LA-lUMxNT56MAsoV64Elrrwyj7nme84/s1600/20141103_111750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXxy3bUYkJsZVbOnb-EAqa5-I7jMiwdeQsZsT3FbL2FKPSHyeV21gIbc3RnwDtSCsK_1utQhG6gv5z7VpA6HU8r4uwLBFStwKda0BZqgRZzH4LA-lUMxNT56MAsoV64Elrrwyj7nme84/s1600/20141103_111750.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Chipotle and Rosemary Roasted Nuts</h4>
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This is an Ina Garten recipes from <u>Food Network Magazine, December 2011 Issue</u>. I used peanuts in place of pecans, apple cider in place of orange juice. Click on the image to see the recipe.<br />
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<h4>
Souffle Cheesecake</h4>
I got the recipe from <u>Just One Cookbook</u> blog. See the original recipe <a href="http://www.justonecookbook.com/recipes/japanese-cheesecake/" target="_blank">here</a>. I put the batter in foil muffin cup and reduce the baking time to 45 minutes.<br />
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<h4>
Cinnamon Sweet Potato Pastry</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDc-57BLRHJO-ejo10H74vTqTkoLaJvVlg9Vx6TBa6OQxLGOMDZueB4-GV_9zDtDyGTfiV_Ng4YYC8RaKGFlATKCKTBNq0Hg4dZpHTpUXstM1uyhg0esApzgKfBIvQm5xXQYAALfCu10/s1600/20141103_112643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDc-57BLRHJO-ejo10H74vTqTkoLaJvVlg9Vx6TBa6OQxLGOMDZueB4-GV_9zDtDyGTfiV_Ng4YYC8RaKGFlATKCKTBNq0Hg4dZpHTpUXstM1uyhg0esApzgKfBIvQm5xXQYAALfCu10/s1600/20141103_112643.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
This recipe is adapted from the Chinese translation of <u>Okashi Daihyakka II</u> published by the NHK (Japanese Broadcasting Company). You can click on the image to see the original recipe. Here is what I did:<br />
<br />
Ingredients (makes 12)<br />
<br />
Filling:<br />
Sweet Potato ... 300 g <i>(make sure you use the yellow-flesh, purple-skin variety from Asian market. The orange-flesh sweet potato from regular supermarket has too much moisture for this recipe)</i><br />
Butter ... 20 g<br />
Egg yolk ... 1<br />
Sugar ... 40 g<br />
Cinnamon ... 1 tsp<br />
<br />
Pastry:<br />
Egg white ... 1<br />
Sugar ... 40 g<br />
Pastry flour ... 110 g<br />
Baking powder ... 1/3 tsp<br />
Cinnamon ... 1 tsp<br />
<br />
Finishing:<br />
Egg yolk ... 1<br />
Mirin (Japanese sweet cooking wine) ... 1 tsp<br />
Black Sesame<br />
<br />
Step 1 Make the filling<br />
Peel, cut and steam the sweet potato til soft. Add butter, yolk, sugar and cinnamon while hot and mash it into a smooth paste. Divide into 6 balls. Refrigerate to chill.<br />
<br />
Step 2 Make the pastry<br />
Mix flour with baking powder, put aside. Mix sugar in egg white til dissolved, add flour mixture, mix til smooth and pliable. You might need to add a little water as you go. Divide into 6 balls.<br />
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Step 3 Assemble<br />
Roll out the pastry, wrap around the filling. Roll it into an oblong with pointy ends, like a football. Cut it in half with a sharp knife. Beat egg yolk with mirin and brush the cut side with it. Sprinkle sesame on top.<br />
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Step 4 Bake<br />
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minute. Cool on the rack. <br />
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<h4>
Chrysanthemum Honey Tea</h4>
Chrysanthemum is delicious and deserving its own dedicated post. You can grown it or buy it at Chinese market or herb store.<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
<br />
Chrysanthemum<br />
Water<br />
Honey<br />
<br />
Steep chrysanthemum flowers in boiling water for 5-10 minutes, remove the flower, add honey to taste. I would use about 2-3 flower per mug. Drink hot in winter, or make a pitcher and chill in the fridge for summer. <br />
<br />zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-21361570971116973822014-10-27T17:30:00.000-04:002014-11-03T14:00:32.264-05:00Notes from the Workshop: Breathing for Health - Flexibility & Mobility<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had our first Breathing for Health workshop on October 22. The topic was "Flexibility & Mobility". I would like to share a couple notes from the evening. <br />
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<b>RELAXING INSTEAD OF STRETCHING</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw9ZUCGKU1a0yNx0R-aHxoGl_ouVK57SDsRxUsVnqhJ1XBkq1ImsAta_7la75x0EU_rFAV6xUegKzXyVjvj-W9Rqriu8Ge3IhYDUltoroqE_mGq7J_ThW7he5UJy1tXP-EEWW-l0ixaw/s1600/20141022_185246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw9ZUCGKU1a0yNx0R-aHxoGl_ouVK57SDsRxUsVnqhJ1XBkq1ImsAta_7la75x0EU_rFAV6xUegKzXyVjvj-W9Rqriu8Ge3IhYDUltoroqE_mGq7J_ThW7he5UJy1tXP-EEWW-l0ixaw/s1600/20141022_185246.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>We hold unnecessary tension in our joints and muscles, sometimes unconsciously. By relaxing and letting go the tension, we can gain flexibility without holding a stretch. At the workshop, we combined breathing and rhythmic, repetitive movements. Each time the breath changed (inhale to exhale, exhale to inhale), the movement changed as well. Artificially taking "deep breath" often causes its own type of tension. Instead, the breathing pattern should be casual. The breath should not be held and there should be no pause in the movement. Sometimes, we can tap the tense spots with our fingers, reminding the area to release. <br />
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<b>ONE THING AT A TIME</b><br />
Often when we were taught a stretch, we were given a goal (e.g. touch you toe). Then we contort the body to achieve the perceived desired shape. But in order to obtain "the goal", we move multiple parts of the body (e.g. round the spine, turn the shoulder, crank the neck), reducing the effectiveness of the stretch, or worse, creating new tension or injuring ourselves. At the workshop, we asked the participants to focus on how they feel internally and try to move one thing at a time. So, instead of "touching the toe", we want to keep the body square, back straight and just simply "fold at the hip joint". Also, we tried to isolate each types of movement (e.g. turn first, then extend). Many were surprised by how much easier it was when they only needed to do one thing at a time.<br />
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<b>TENSION AS A TOOL</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJ2z1BGeuvxxu0hOb5fZ9QSqyWuV4QdQP5XH8nfx_maLy1pIZttNHUkTxOfQKICQJAApipM8CGx-N_OWEq_rd8AMRs3I8FkeLhKSgwq5eHUyW25Ld_qb9xhggUytdqbeGy9YbM90J5sU/s1600/20141022_192459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJ2z1BGeuvxxu0hOb5fZ9QSqyWuV4QdQP5XH8nfx_maLy1pIZttNHUkTxOfQKICQJAApipM8CGx-N_OWEq_rd8AMRs3I8FkeLhKSgwq5eHUyW25Ld_qb9xhggUytdqbeGy9YbM90J5sU/s1600/20141022_192459.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Towards the end of the workshop, we used conscious, intentional tension to help the body relax further. Lying on the floor, we tensed up the body lightly with inhalation, then relaxed with exhalation. Then we proceeded to pass the tension from one part of the body to another part, then release the tension from different body parts separately. Tension as a training tool can heightened body awareness and teach us how to control our own body. <br />
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It's difficult to cover everything we did in the workshop but I hope my notes gave a glimpse of our breathing work. <a href="http://peacefulwaterhealth.com/workshop.html" target="_blank">Next workshop is November 19, 6:00 - 7:30 pm</a>. The focus next time will be "strength & movement". Speaking as a person who had been <a href="http://peacefulwaterhealing.blogspot.ca/2013/07/movement-is-joy.html" target="_blank">physically weak and inactive</a> for most of her life, I found this approach to strength and conditioning to be very effective and surprisingly easy. So I highly recommend people to come and try it out. <br />
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<br />zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-62500308103594058992014-03-31T17:50:00.002-04:002014-03-31T17:52:21.713-04:00Tasting Two Green Teas<!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?-->
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Today, I am drinking two
green teas I had for a while. Green teas are valued for their
freshness, so neither of these two teas I am drinking are at the peak
of their flavors.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGOdEHgaPp4f5JL-NhoywuRZJEhchWB8hSncI7SuN_vXhqmf94tx3OmNZbUdtS4GKNY8oAhQPFpIUXj3JhkFe_1B6WFdEOZYCntHQATfjdF1s1vcr-egJbEBav8NSd7NpyRrW2VJtZ_Y/s1600/IMGP4749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGOdEHgaPp4f5JL-NhoywuRZJEhchWB8hSncI7SuN_vXhqmf94tx3OmNZbUdtS4GKNY8oAhQPFpIUXj3JhkFe_1B6WFdEOZYCntHQATfjdF1s1vcr-egJbEBav8NSd7NpyRrW2VJtZ_Y/s1600/IMGP4749.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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The first one is named
“Taiwan Native Green Tea” that I bought at the “Double Fire
Brand Store” in Yingge, a northern Taiwanese town known for its
pottery. Taiwan is very Oolong-centric. Majority of the tea was
made into Oolong for domestic consumption. Only a small area of
northern Taiwan produces green tea.
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The dry leaves are dark
green, irregular string-shape, some tips with white hair. Dry aroma
is surprising sweet and toasty.</div>
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Steep...</div>
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... and turn!</div>
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I am using a competition / cupping style tea set, consist of a cup with handle and lid with a notch in the rim instead of pour spout, a bowl, and a dish. </div>
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The liquor is clear pale
yellow with very slight green tinge. The aroma is forest, seaweed,
and cornhusk. The flavor is grassy and mineral. The mouthfeel is
lingering and astringent, especially towards the back of the tongue
and mouth. The returning sweetness is strong, reminiscent of honey
and dry fruit. Overall impression is rustic and serious.</div>
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On to the next tea.</div>
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The
second tea I am drinking is “Bilochun Green Tea” sold by Ten Fu’s
Tea, that Kevin got as a gift. Bilochun is one of the best known
Chinese green tea, originated in Jiansu province, especially around
Lake Tai area, nicknamed “Fragrant Shock” for its intense aroma.
However, this is not the real Bilochun. The description on the
package called this a “Fujian Bilochun”, “using Fujian
province’s fresh spring tea leaves, hand-made with unique Bilochun
style process”.</div>
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The
dry leaves are smaller, more uniform, with higher percentage of white
hairy tips. Dry aroma is very floral.
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The
liquor is gold on the side of orange, with lots of surface chrystals.
The aroma is cedar, cut grass and jasmine. The flavor is citrus and
wood. The mouthfeel is less astringent, but slightly acidic. The
returning sweetness is less strong, reminiscent of under-ripe
strawberry. Overall impression is lively, feminine and slightly
affected.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPjsCIblTDiE3N1BXdlw6OPMkO365PRKK4IVDECknNBZIy5U-zZDnOwO7RoYtj9ikaZCEsCeuGzZPjI2Xl4436OM-1Oga-TqOkxyr_pHlNsEKRP4wUjPQslEPIajvSgJ901FEfr1KyE0/s1600/IMGP4776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPjsCIblTDiE3N1BXdlw6OPMkO365PRKK4IVDECknNBZIy5U-zZDnOwO7RoYtj9ikaZCEsCeuGzZPjI2Xl4436OM-1Oga-TqOkxyr_pHlNsEKRP4wUjPQslEPIajvSgJ901FEfr1KyE0/s1600/IMGP4776.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looking
at the steeped tea leaves afterwards, I am surprised that the Fujian
Biluochun shows signs of oxidation: rusty-red edges. This kind of explains the fruitiness in the flavor. I don't really know if that
is a common characteristic of Biluochun, or just a sign of careless tea
processing. Maybe I will investigate further.</div>
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zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-52558648129202273902014-03-22T16:03:00.001-04:002014-03-22T16:03:48.521-04:00Different Types of Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At Peaceful Water, we like to offer
people tea. We use tea bags for convenience but we have a good range
from sencha to Oolong to Puerh. A lot of people are curious to know more
about tea, so I decide to write a bit about tea.</div>
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CAMILLIA SINESIS</h4>
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I will first clarify. When I talk
about “tea” here, I mean the dried leaves of the “tea plant”
<i>c</i><i>amillia sinesis</i>. Rooibos, yerba mate, mint and
chamomiles are perfectly good tisane or infusion. Only “tea plant”
produces tea.</div>
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DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEA</h4>
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Tea can be different because of
different cultivars or different terroir (borrowing some wine
terminology here...). But usually when we talk about different types
of tea, we are talking about how tea is processed after it's picked.
The moment a tea leaf is picked, it starts to go through enzymatic
oxidation. In another word, it starts to wilt. Similar to when an
apple is cut and left in contact with air, the apple will turn brown.
The bright green tea leaf will wilt and turn brown.
The enzymatic oxidation can be stopped at any point by applying heat.</div>
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If you don't let the tea oxidate at
all, you will get green tea.
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If you let the tea oxidate completely,
you will get black tea (called “red” (<span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans;"><span lang="zh-CN">紅</span></span>)
tea in Chinese for the color its liquor, to differentiate it from
“black” (<span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans;"><span lang="zh-CN">黑</span></span>)
tea, such as Puerh, which steep to a thick brown liquor, sometimes as
dark of soy sauce!)
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Anything in partially oxidated is
green-blue (<span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans;"><span lang="zh-CN">青</span></span>)
tea, best known as Oolong, usually roasted to some degree.
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Post-fermented tea, best known as
Puerh, is unoxidated or partially oxidated tea dried at low
temperature, pressed into cake, then left to age in a warm humidified environment, until the tea undergoes microbial
fermentation and further oxidation, transforming the flavor and
mouthfeel of the tea. Or the aging process can be artificially sped
up in an controlled environment before pressing the tea in to cake.
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Less common variations are white and
yellow tea. White tea is very lightly oxidated then dried. Yellow
tea, is briefly fermented in an anaerobic environment before drying</div>
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TASTE OF TEA</h4>
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When I was living in Toronto, tea had
became fashionable and there were many tea shops. They usually carry
hundreds of different blended and flavored tea. To sell their tea,
they let you smell them. They usually smelled fabulous. Vanilla,
spices, fruit peels, flower, ginger. (Notice how they never smelled like “tea”?) Drinking those teas were always disappointing.
They usually taste flat and bland. As if people believe tea to be
scented hot water and nothing more!
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I do like to smell my tea. But I like
my tea to have flavors too.
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I believe that good tea should have
depth of flavors that reveal itself in stages. First, the liquor
hits your tongue. You might taste the vegetal, seaweed flavor in
sencha; the honey, fruity tones in Darjeeling; or the floral quality
in Anxi Tieguanyin. Then, the liquor travel through your mouth. You
might feel the astringency of a
Oolong; or the velvety mouth feel of a Puerh. Lastly, after the liquor had
gone down your throat, a new wave of sweetness arise from the back of
your throat. Jinxuan's creamy taste might yield to a sweetness
reminiscent of sugarcane.
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A good tea should give you all these
stages, and maybe more.</div>
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CURRENT NOTABLE TEABAGS</h4>
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Right now we have a couple interesting tea bags.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBoI5K5pk7o_6xuTzM3VUgEP0S6HKzlOLaTCTYrWTr_RahGzIFC0JinQEPd_E5b2-EBX_eCboJFZjNbg-BHciXSs-QcId1viJljP0EMfZGeW-Mdy2pik15CWJuOIcXx16Pc8EPlkXNGw/s1600/IMGP4739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBoI5K5pk7o_6xuTzM3VUgEP0S6HKzlOLaTCTYrWTr_RahGzIFC0JinQEPd_E5b2-EBX_eCboJFZjNbg-BHciXSs-QcId1viJljP0EMfZGeW-Mdy2pik15CWJuOIcXx16Pc8EPlkXNGw/s1600/IMGP4739.JPG" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
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This Oolong teabag is actually made with whole leaves, as opposed to the broken, crushed, or sometimes dust leaves in regular tea bags. It takes a while longer for the leaves to open, but it has solid flavors and can be steeped multiple times. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrQ8H5s3xV4cFxxkSFG6v3xBs8mDbUQLlTj-3Dv1nt16HxWzOHbSrdE3GMmSejPlLTkqkQtiOgJa0e9nP4zeEzMvd5it573PbrJYSLHKHgz43stRBS3KRjlcWNosWwYt26Vst1-Bg6aY/s1600/IMGP4740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrQ8H5s3xV4cFxxkSFG6v3xBs8mDbUQLlTj-3Dv1nt16HxWzOHbSrdE3GMmSejPlLTkqkQtiOgJa0e9nP4zeEzMvd5it573PbrJYSLHKHgz43stRBS3KRjlcWNosWwYt26Vst1-Bg6aY/s1600/IMGP4740.JPG" height="400" width="280" /></a></div>
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This is Ume Konbucha, made from plum (ume), sea kelp (konbu), sugar and salt. It's technically not a tea and is an acquired taste. There are theories suggesting the trendy fermented sweet tea beverage "kombucha" got its name from konbucha due to the similarities between their sweet & sour flavor, or the appearance of the thick bacterial growth to sea kelp.</div>
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So, That's it for today. Next time when you come to Peaceful Water, have a cup a tea!</div>
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zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-10684627109209126252014-03-14T16:28:00.001-04:002014-03-22T13:40:35.411-04:00Calligraphy - Cultivation of Character<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We haven't been keeping up with the blog for a while. I think it's good time to start it up again. <br />
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Earlier this year, I started to practice calligraphy again. As a child in Taiwan, I had gone through the obligatory writing class, but never liked it. I was known in my class and to my family for my ugly handwriting. I'm surprised by how much I enjoy practicing calligraphy now. There are infinite intricacies and variations in something so simple and formal. It's like brewing beer strictly adhere to the Reinheitsgebot. </div>
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I started to see calligraphy in many things. Watching the Winter Olympic, I saw Virtue and Moir's ice dancing as moving ink strokes. I saw in snowboarding the tip and edges of a brush. When I practice Taiqiquan, I notice the similarity to the posture of the writer and the expression of the characters. It's a black on white universe, where freedom exists in structure and everything is full of meaning. </div>
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I find that in North America, calligraphy, whether the Chinese style done with a brush, or the Western style done with a nib, is considered as an art. Often only people with artistic interests or inclination will approach it. However, traditionally Chinese calligraphy was considered more as a cultivation of one's character. Even though both painting and writing were done with the same style of brush on the same kind of paper with the same type ink, ancient calligraphers were rarely painters. Instead, they were usually scholars, ministers, writers, even generals. </div>
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I wonder if there are many people in North America who are intrigued by Chinese calligraphy but never bother trying it because they don't consider themselves artistic? If anyone's interested in brush writing, we have a Chinese Calligraphy Study Group, every Monday night 7:45-8:45, at Peaceful Water Health & Fitness Lobby. I am trying an approach so that no knowledge of the Chinese language is necessary. However, it's inevitable anyone who write will eventually learn some Chinese. For more info, please email: zoe@peacefulwaterhealth.com</div>
zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335036186890015108.post-9009193763272845622013-07-29T00:04:00.000-04:002014-03-22T13:41:32.075-04:00Movement is Joy<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wasn't a very physical child. I was clumsy, slow, uncoordinated, and I disliked all team activities. My memory of gym classes are filled with frustrations, physical and emotional. I equate sports with rage and fear. I associate fitness with tedium and misery. In addition, my Taiwanese childhood was academically competitive and physical education was simply considered secondary. As a result, I grew up cerebral, detached from my own physical existence.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was a stranger in my own body. I looked down on it as a collection of base instincts with nothing to offer. I resented my dependence on having a body. I struggled to rule over my body like a master driving her stubborn mule, and found it incompetent. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Obviously, this was not a good way to be, nor was it healthy or natural. It took me awhile to become ONE person. I am my body. My body is me. There is no struggle. There is nothing to struggle with.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It all started with the joy of movement. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Impressed by Broadway musical, I took tap dancing lessons. Moved by the winter Olympic, I enrolled in ski camp. As I tapped across the dance floor and glided down the snowy slopes, I thought: hmm...this...is...actually...FUN!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is an innate pleasure in movements. Try this in the morning: wiggle your toes when you wake up in bed. Strangely, even the simplest movement tugged on something deep inside. It’s good to have toes. It’s good to move. It’s good to be alive. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then I tried other things: tango, rock climbing, contact improv, taijiquan, systema. With each activity I learned, my competency grew, so did my confidence. But it wasn't just the better use of the body that kept me going. It wasn’t just the fun either. It was something deeper and simpler. It was to experience the world through my body. Some of you might say: umm, isn’t that called “living”? </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let me explain what I mean. Different activities make me interact differently with my environment, with other people, with myself. My perception changes. My senses open. The line between body and mind ceases to be. Through movements I come to experience the world anew. Such is the joy of movement. And as such I would like to continue to move, to climb, to dance, to swim, to run, to live.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe for me it is not about “Faster, Higher, Stronger”, or even “Be the best you can be.” Maybe it’s simply that “Movement is Joy”.</span></div>
zoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11004221736284790180noreply@blogger.com0