Reiterating our Approach

Let’s approach medicine as a means of teaching the body how to react to exposures and circumstance rather than suppressing reactivity in attempts to trick innate wisdom. If we work with instead of against the superior human body, we have far more likelihood to succeed, far more likelihood to flourish and far more likelihood of reaching potentials that we thought could only be dreamt of.
There is an art to our approach – and it has become more and more apparent within these past few weeks. I have expanded my toolbox along with receiving a reminder of the significance of: Vis medicatrix naturae (the healing power of nature). The body possesses the inherent ability to restore health and it is the physician’s role to facilitate this process.

Ric promised and he delivered

We all gathered at the farm house for a group dinner – and we were put to work. This combats with a few others as my favorite night in NC. We all came together, shared cooking responsibilities and turned what could have been just a dinner into a magnificent event (not to mention the meal was fit for a king).









Dinner menu included: bruschetta, happy salad (the ingredients literally said to stimulate the production of neurotransmitters in the brain that generate a sensation of bliss), beet salad, corn, ricotta stuffed squash blossoms, spinach salad, poached salmon, pesto, tomato/goat cheese pasta, eggplant parmagiana with homemade marinara, lemoncello cake and of course some wine.

On Top of the World because I chose to be so

Though a moment can be shared, each person takes a special piece of it for themselves – a unique perspective about what that point in time meant for them. This is the method by which we become the individuals that we are - each interpretation unique and therefore each contribution distinct. Our reactions to circumstance is very influential. We each contain special characteristics that comprise us as individuals. We have behaviors and actions that we share with the world that are interpreted by others – these actions determine the manner in which we are perceived which then in turn dictates who we are. So, every day we make choices and create our image – we have the reigns to manifest ourselves.

On that note, it is important to take a dream that we have, however the idea may present itself, and run with it. Commit wholeheartedly, because it is better to do many things with all that you have than to sit around wondering what might have been. Surround ourselves with those that believe in us and encourage us to seek out these dreams – because even though each dream may be only for a brief amount of time, it is important to feed those thoughts to sprout others. Many groundbreaking, life changing events sprout from a small trail of thoughts that we nurtured. Dreams become a part of what defines an individual and we hold the power to direct, if we chose to do so.

S'mores

Even after a huge dinner we couldnt resist this "campfire" treat. But the question is still up in the air - burnt or golden brown?

Hike with Corey Pine

We learned a great deal on our hike but a common theme was the fact that herbal medicine is both gentle and strong – a opposing balance that generates incredible power.




I am speaking for the group but I perceived that we were all a bit overwhelmed by the vastness and diversity of the foliage that we were entering into. Corey Pine described his perception of the forest and its inhabitants with the following analogy.
When you first come into contact with the forest it appears to be a green wall with nothing familiar or identifiable. This is comparable to walking into a party filled with people that you do not know. You enter the door and are immediately overwhelmed – all that is in front of you is unfamiliar and therefore piles together as one vast set of unknown. You find the courage and desire to enter the room and begin to meet each individual – learning that Mike is an architect who likes bowling, Carey is a preschool teacher who lives in your neighborhood, Bob knows your brother and is wearing green, etc. You begin to turn strangers into acquaintances and acquaintances into friends. You develop your relationship with each and future gathering, you are no longer overwhelmed by unknown but surrounded by friends. Have patience to slowly develop a friendship with the inhabitants of the environment you are entering and then you will have the comfort of being surrounded by friends.


Detour to a minor nightmare
I didn’t know it at the time but I was kinda in a snake den. As the daughter and grand-daughter of fishermen, I have the inherited tendency to elaborate stories – soooooo I was surrounded by 100 angry Copper heads (in actuality there were only 5 or 6 and they may have been Brown water snakes for all I knew). Thanks to all my fellow classmates and Corey Pine for saving my terrified self. Our leader did mention that we would be sure to find some plant remedy for a snake bite but I graciously stated that I would rather avoid a bite.
Thx Gaia for yet another adventure.

Cabin Q knows how to celebrate

A very special someone discreetly reminded us that she was turning 26 on Sunday – so we decided to celebrate the only way we knew how – dinner, drinks, shopping, music, piñata, candy, cobbler, games, & staying up til 3 am. The next morning of studies was tough but it was well worth it. Happy Birthday again Elana!

Medicine/Food: Po-tae-toe/Po-tah-toe

Eat for you, enjoy the act of creation and eat to nourish your Self. Yes, of course, eat to live but in turn Live to Eat in that the experience of interacting with what exists for us to consume is a therapeutic practice.




There is a fundamental truth that plants and people have been coevolving since their existence. The human genome has changed through time along with plants so that we may exist symbiotically – we are one great ecosystem. For every receptor in the body, there exists a complimentary substance in nature with the principle of binding to and reacting with these receptors - this is not true of synthetic properties. Whole foods, because they exist in nature, enliven receptor sites in the human body – whole foods are designed to be consumed and to nourish the body. Taste alone sets up for reactivity with receptors systemically in the body which then sets off a cascade of physiological events. With that said, let’s conscientiously select our “medicines” and take the time to enjoy what we consume – our bodies will appreciate the extra time to integrate.

We, as practitioners, have an opportunity of ally in that the plant realm is our ally. The ability to align an individual with it’s plant counterpart is the beginnings of healing with this relationship. Our challenge is to discover these allies and how they will serve human weaknesses (phys, emotional, spiritual, energetic, psych) and apply them appropriately. In order to successfully achieve this pairing, we must learn both our modalities and our patients on an extensive level – this is where WE shine. When we execute this power of conviction, we enliven that pre-existing relationship between human and the instruments of healing.