Emerges the sun

 While I was doing sun salutations in my morning yoga sequence, the sun emerged from the grey that has been omnipresent here for days upon days. 

With the rays my energy and mood lifted. Sun, I salute.

I am feeling activated and engaged, and proud of myself, for I have completed 13 consecutive days of yoga. An accomplishment, and an achievement of personal goals. 

With the yoga I simultaneously look inward, connect to the greater beyond self, and build strength - both of mind and body. 

What are you doing to build your inner and outward strength? 

Be not overwhelmed by the chaos of our current world and its many glaring concerns. Acknowledge them, yes, fight for peace and justice, and the wellness of community and natural world, yes, and be not overwhelmed. 

So - find that balance, that activation of self. 

I do it through activity - yoga and walking mostly - making sustaining tea blends, and writing in my journal. 

Want to talk tea? Journal prompts or ideas? Garden Planning? Let me know. 

 Hello folks, 

How are you? Are you digging deep into your stores of patience, perservereance, and peacefulness? I find inspiration in the words and acts of others in my life, like a well-crafted email from a yoga instructor, or the quick text with photo from a family member. 

I sit at my computer on this late November day, cheered by the sun shining through the clouds. 

Yes, this is a more solitary season than most folks generally experience. Yet there are bright spots too. 

Some days I feel lonely, or down, or anxious. How will my sense of connection withstand this extended isolation? How will I feel comfortable in public situations after this time of tension? 

And, I have learned, again, that the days when I do yoga and go for a walk outside I always feel better than on the days I don't. 

Find your solace stimulation. Do the things that support your smile. 

Be well, darlings.... 

You are wonderful. 

I stand in solidarity with BIPOC

Systemic racism in America is prevalent. Evidence makes this obvious. Resources explain the variables and impacts, so seek those out if you are still unable to see the many forms systemic racism takes, the many facets of oppression built into our education, justice, housing, governmental, and many social systems.

I am a white. middle-aged, middle-class woman working to be an ally. I am learning. I am facing hard truths. I am trying to reside in the hope that we can build a culture and country founded on mutual respect that embraces and values diversity. Meanwhile, the anise hyssop is in bloom, and the plants can support our growth.

autoimmune flare-up feels like a tangle in the inner woods of self

I am studying a class about the immune function and herbalism via the Commonwealth School of Holistic Herbalism as part of my ongoing work as an herbalist. I am also in the middle of both an ailment (poison ivy catalyzed rash and accompanying topical infection) and an autoimmune flare-up. Oh, and we are facing the global stress-inducing situation of social isolation and pandemic spread of COVID-19. Add all the stressors to system up and you realize, wow, at any time we, in this case, I am managing many factors. 

I am reminded that I know what I need to do to help support wellness, and yet I do not always make that choice. Ay-yi-yi! For example, I know gluten is a trigger to my autoimmune symptoms, especially itchy skin. Yet, in my compromised state, I find it challenging to stand and cook wholesome meals, in the social climate I am only grocery shopping every couple / few weeks. Given the infrequent shopping trips I run-out of the  good-for-me (don't trigger flare-up food) long before the next scheduled shopping trip. The result? I snack on wheat crackers and corn chips, which are in the house because they are preferred snacks for my husband. 

Did I mention I have a severe case of poison ivy reactionary rash? Itchy skin exacerbation is not desirable right now.

And then I feel even more poorly, then I choose unhelpful foods more easily, and then I feel even more poorly... and the spiral cycles. 

I remind myself here, now, with this post -

1. remove trigger foods from diet (sugar, corn, wheat, dairy, soy, legumes, eggs, nuts)

2. nourish with nutrient dense foods (greens, organic meat, veggies, fruit, fish)

3. support gut flora balance with fermented foods and pro-biotics

4. get adequate quality sleep

5. drink sufficient water amounts

6. move around throughout the day 

7. avoid excessive exercise that triggers crash of system

8. mange stress with meditation, story, and creative expression

9. drink plenty of herbal tea to support immune balance, nervous system function, digestive function, and ease of ailment aggravations

10. get sunshine

11. connect with nature every day!!

12. connect with people regularly 

Audio book dreams

Last night my aspirations and focus played center stage in a dream. In the dream, a recording expert visited my in-home studio space and gave me feedback to improve the layout to maximize sound capture without undue background noise. He also listened to some rehearsal clips already recorded, which is what prompted him to look at the recording space.
My mind is focused on this project. I am improving my skills with the editing programs, familiarizing myself with terms related to recording and editing, and practicing my performance. I have a timeline. I want to have the first audiobook completed by August 1, 2020. That feels ambitious, yet attainable, especially with the kind support of folks like you. I am buoyed along by the guidance I have received so far from local recording professionals, and by the contributions of folks excited about the project.
Want to be a part of the process? Have access to a free copy of either "Travels of the Heart", "Wren & Ignacio", or "Tea of Tranquility" as soon as it is finished? Then contribute to the project here: BeWell Bohemia Audio Book Project
I am honored by all the support and interest. I will keep you apprised of developments.

A big sort

I am a fan of a project - a task on which to focus with clear steps, and preferably with some sorting or categorization.
Inspired by a couple recent events (couldn't find a recipe for a spicy chicken soup I wanted to make from scratch when my brother, who was fighting off a respiratory infection, visited and a 'do you have a recipe recommendation' request from my niece) I decided to finally organize my collection of recipes ripped out from various magazines and stacked, tucked, or gathered in a binder.

What are the projects you undertake in your life that bring satisfaction? Provide meaning? Connect you with your interests and passions?
It all matters. Do what you love - in big and small ways.

I will enjoy the process, the categorizing is very satisfying. The removal of clutter and getting a task that I have long intended to do done reduce stress levels. Seeing the recipes will inspire me and help me to make a meal plan, which in turn will support my making and eating wholesome, nutrient-dense, flavorful meals. I could go on and on in a 'the-house-that-jack-built' way...

Family Love is a place visited in "Travels of the Heart"

The countdown continues to the release of "Travels of the Heart", a collection of short stories and poems celebrating love in its many forms.

Each story reflects a creative exploration of love, and draws the reader into a moment, a relationship, an image, or a myth.

Young Betty Lou, circa 1944

Some are inspired by the love of family. One such is "Betty of Mustard Hollow", which is a story about a young girl growing up in rural Pennsylvania in the 1940's. We meet Betty, learn of her spirit, and how she is much beloved by her family. We also get a look into southwestern Pennsylvania, the landscape and the culture.

In fact, Betty is a rendition of my mom spun from tales she told of her youth. I am still developing the work, so the version included in "Travels of the Heart" 2020 release is a snapshot of the work in progress. My intention is to continue the story and expand the context and characters into a full novel. Until then, enjoy the snippet.

Adult Betty Lou, circa 2016

You can order your copy of "Travels of the Heart" today (available in print and ebook format) and follow the story of a young girl growing up in rural Pennsylvania, along with all the other stories and poems included in the collection.

Love spins many tales. Enjoy a journey through a series of narratives, poems, and stories delving into love in its varied forms You will witness sharing of tender moments, explore unexpected relationships, experience the comfort of happy endings, recall the sweetness of first love, watch the awakening of self for mythic Medusa, follow the life of a young girl growing up in rural Pennsylvania in the 1940's, consider the sensuality of music, and thrill as two soul-mates meet.


 To discover other books available by Brooke Criswell check-out the following links:

Print books available here

Ebooks available here


Or to explore Brooke's full website for BeWell Bohemia Herbs and Things