Hello from Jane and Lino                                                    

THE GALL BLADDER ~ AN INTRODUCTION 

In each season a specific organ and its partner-organ come to the forefront and require our attention, extra care, and healing. In the Spring, the body organ pair is the Liver and its partner, the Gall Bladder. A small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your abdomen, the all-important gall bladder is just beneath your liver. 

At times we all get angry… at other people, circumstances, news, or at ourselves. Hot anger sometimes wells up inside of us, searching, as a heat-seeking missile would, for a target. People can get hurt, sometimes for a lifetime. Anger is natural and can even be channelled in creative ways, yet can be destructive and dangerous to yourself or others. When anger is a daily or chronic occurrence or if anger is harming your relationships at home or work, it is time to find the cause, to release the tension, and to create greater peace and calm. 
 
When someone is cruel, unjust, or abusive to loved ones or ourselves, anger can be justified. Anger also sometimes gives an individual the strength to combat a harmful situation. However, often anger is a reaction to a very minor incident. Anger is too often directed to young, elderly, or vulnerable people who cannot or will not retaliate. Others can be deeply hurt, sometimes for a lifetime. We can learn how to better handle conflict and how to communicate. Entire fields of study and support groups are devoted to Anger Management.
 
We live in extremely challenging and fearful times with the pandemic, violence, increased prejudice, insomnia, and alcohol abuse. Our modern diets include fast foods, poor quality, even harmful ingredients, with food eaten on the run, which contribute to emotional instability. How to have greater health and emotional balance? According to time-honored Traditional Medicine, the body organs that most influence anger are the Liver and Gall Bladder. Chronic and destructive anger can be powerfully transformed when these organs are in better health. Beginning from mind-body wellness within, transformation to a peaceful and productive life is possible.
 
The plant-based diet, in particular, the balanced macrobiotic diet, provides essential nutrients, fiber, freshness, and moisture that soothe and promote a healthy energy flow, wellness, more positive attitude, and calm. A typical American high fat diet, with daily animal foods, refined sugars, chemicals, processed flour, and salty snacks, take a toll on our health. . This diet, lacking in fresh, whole organic foods often contributes to congested organs, tight muscles, headaches, high blood pressure, and constipation…a more tight, contracted energy and mental attitude. Frustration, suspicion, fear and defensive anger may be the result as reflected in America's domestic and street violence, rage, hatred, racism, injustice, and murder that sscream from the headlines and tear at our hearts.

While not the panacea for all people, of course, we offer peace-promoting gifts. In addition to dietary guidelines, we present proven, natural approaches to creating greater calm, emotional control, increased compassion and love...one miraculous person at a time. May you find greater peace.
 
RELEASE ANGER AND ENHANCE CALM BY: 

1.  Meditating and Praying 
2.  Walking Outdoors for Oxygen and Exercise
3.  Taking Alone Time: Silence, Rest
4.  Practicing Deep, Slow Breathing
5.  Journaling: To Release Feelings Privately
6.  Counseling: Seek Professional Guidance 
7.  Finding a Meaningful, Supportive Occupation
8.  Watching Pleasant, Uplifting Films/Avoiding Media Violence
9.  Listening to Calm Beautiful Music (See below!)
10. Practicing Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong,
     Tennis, Swimming, or the Sports of Your Choice
 
NOTE: Please consult a mental health professional when anger is chronic, severe, or destructive to yourself or others. Report other's violent language, threats, or actions. Let us all vote to establish more safe and humane gun laws and mental health care for America.

10 Minute Yoga Flow to
LET GO OF ANGER AND TENSION  

We like this video, a balance of Qigong Movements, Sun Salutation Flow, Child’s Pose, Loving Acceptance, and Relaxation.
Take a Look and Try It: Click here > 

        WE LOVE THE UMEBOSHI PLUM!

Umeboshi is an absolute favorite seasoning in our large macrobiotic foods repertoire. Slightly tart/sour (good for the liver/gall bladder) and salty, sprinkles of the rich, pink umeboshi vinegar or bits of the whole plum are added to flavor and strengthen whole grains, vegetables, salads, delicious pickles, and to prepare highly effective teas and home remedies. "Ume" aids digestion and healing of our blood and cells.

We cannot praise umeboshi enough! Having produced them with expert Naboru Muramoto, in California in the 80’s, we have an even greater respect for these plums as culinary medicine. Debi and Tom Athos’s Natural Lifestyle Supplies' praise of Umeboshi equaled ours, so we asked the couple to share their beautifully illustrated article and recipes with us. Dragon Eggs, anyone? Thank you Debi and Tom!

GUEST ARTICLE - Organic Chef Tom
UME - SPRINGTIME SUPERFOOD

• Alkalizing the body.
• Digestive aid.
• Balancing immune system.
• Headaches and hangover relief.
• Reduces fatigue and stress.
• Motion, jet lag, morning sickness remedy. 

• 4 sheets Emerald Cove Organic Pacific Untoasted Nori
• 4 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 - 4 Emperor’s Kitchen Umeboshi Pickled Plums

1. Carefully tear each sheet of nori in half, then tear each half into halves.
2. Moisten your hands in lightly salted water, then gently but firmly form about ½ cup of the rice into a ball. Wet your hands as necessary to prevent sticking, but use as little water as possible. Continue until all 8 are finished.
3. Press your index finger into the center of the rice ball and insert ¼ to ½ umeboshi plum (depending on its size), or about ¼ tsp umeboshi paste. Seal the opening.
4. The outside of the ball may be rubbed lightly with umeboshi or miso for extra flavor. Umeboshi also helps preserve the rice and aids its digestion.
5. Using 2 squares of nori, cover each rice ball. At first, it may look a little ragged; set it down, wrap the rest, then come back to the first, and gently pack as you would a snowball. 

An American classic by Woodie Guthrie, sung by Bruce Springsteen, who calls it “about the greatest song ever written about America.”  Enjoy the beautiful American scenery as you sing along with this legendary folk song. CLICK HERE TO PLAY > 

JOIN!
Online Macrobiotic Summer Conference

July 20-24, 2022