Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a cooking and nutrition class with Dr. Yuan Wang, author of “Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen”, where we focused on the topic of lipid health and the rising concern of high-cholesterol. I could go on and on about the educational value of this class, and may do so in another future blog, but the number one thing I wanted to share with you is this delicious that we cooked up that contains a special blend of ingredients that help to support healthy cholesterol and lipid levels in the body. I hope you’ll enjoy cooking and eating this recipe as much as I did!

Bok Choy with Wood Ear and Shiitakes Recipe

This delicious stir-fry combines the benefits of mushrooms, wood ears, greens, and herbs. Serve with rice.

INGREDIENTS

• 1⁄2 cup (3⁄4 ounce, or 20 grams) dried black wood ear (hei mu er in Chinese, kikurage in Japanese)
• A pinch of salt
• 4 medium-size (3⁄4 ounce, or 20 grams dried; 1⁄4 pound fresh) dried or fresh shiitake mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 (1⁄2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
• 1 to 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 medium-size green onion, chopped into 1⁄2-inch pieces, roots and tough tips discarded
• 1 medium-size cluster bok choy, (about 1⁄2 pound), cut into 1 by 2-inch strips grouped by color (white and green parts)
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon powdered kudzu, arrowroot, cornstarch, or thickener of your choice
• 2 tablespoons cold water

PREPARATION
1. Place the dried wood ear in a bowl of warm water with the salt and soak for about 30 minutes, or until soft (it will expand to two to five times its original size). If you are using dried shiitake mushrooms, soak them with the wood ear; if you are using fresh shiitakes, simply rinse them.

2. Cut the wood ear and shiitakes into 1⁄4-inch pieces, discarding the fibrous base from the wood ear and, if desired, the stem from the shiitake.

3. Heat the sesame oil in a wok or sauté pan over medium-high heat.

4. Add the ginger, garlic, and green onions, and stir-fry for a few seconds, until fragrant.

5. Add the white stalks of the bok choy and stir-fry for 1 minute, stirring frequently.

6. Add the wood ear, shiitake mushrooms and leafy part of the bok choy and stir-fry for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently.

7. Cover, lower the heat and simmer for another 3 minutes, or until the vegetables are done. Stir in the soy sauce.

8. Mix the kudzu with about 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir out the lumps, then add the mixture to the wok. Cook for a minute, stirring, to mix the flavors together and set the thickener, then serve warm.

From Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen by Yuan Wang, Warren Sheir and Mika Ono. Excerpted by arrangement with Da Capo Lifelong, a member of the Perseus Books Group. Copyright © 2010.

Did you know that spring is the best time to detox the body and cleanse? It makes sense if you think about the concept of “Spring Cleaning”, which can easily be translated from home to health.

“…But I just did a cleanse in January?”

Many of us rush to cleanse our bodies just after the holidays when we’ve indulged (on an abundance) of rich foods that resonate with the season. We’ve gorged ourselves and likely feel a little tired, sluggish, and perhaps even guilty for “overdoing” it. It’s an ongoing pattern where come January we’re faced not only with the above mentioned emotional and physical feelings, we’re also bombarded with media headlines that tell us to “get back on the healthy bandwagon” and “detox from the holidays.” Now, before we go on, we’ll state for the record that it’s not wrong to get back to being mindful of our eating habits after the most indulgent eating and drinking time year; but performing a full blown detox at the beginning of year may be counterintuitive to the seasonal rhythms our bodies are meant to endure during the thick winter. We often forget that even though the holidays have just ended, winter has actually just begun — this especially rings true if you live in a mild, warm climate such as Southern California. Despite our non-stop lifestyles, winter is a time when we’re meant to slow down, reduce activity, and conserve energy. Our bodies, whether we want them to or not, go into a form of hibernation mode. Long in the short of it, eating foods that warm and comfort us is par for the course during winter.

Now, before we go on, we’ll state for the record that it’s not wrong to get back to being mindful of our eating habits after the most indulgent eating and drinking time year; but performing a full blown detox at the beginning of year may be counterintuitive to the seasonal rhythms our bodies are meant to endure during the thick winter. We often forget that even though the holidays have just ended, winter has actually just begun — this especially rings true if you live in a mild, warm climate such as Southern California.

Despite our non-stop lifestyles, winter is a time when we’re meant to slow down, reduce activity, and conserve energy. Our bodies, whether we want them to or not, go into a form of hibernation mode. Long in the short of it, eating foods that warm and comfort us is par for the course during winter.

So why is spring the ideal time for a cleanse?

The days of spring bring longer, warmer days, where new growth and regeneration is abundant. At this time of year, our bodies emerge from this dormant winter state, calling us to rejuvenate and revitalize our overall sense of being — making spring the perfect time of year for cleansing and detoxing the body!

At Sage Health, we take a holistic approach to healing the body. Many of our healing methods are inspired by traditional Chinese Medicine protocols. These methodologies are derived heavily from historic recognition of how closely humans are interconnected with nature and the seasons. To further elaborate, in Chinese Medicine, the element that represents spring is wood, which includes the liver and its ancillary organ, the gallbladder. Cleansing these two organs in the springtime directly correlates with the balance of nature and the seasonal rhythms that surround us. Spring cleaning is an opportunity to clear our bodies (and environments) of the ‘junk’, allowing us to detoxify, rejuvenate, and transform to achieve a better sense of well-being, health, and vitality.

The 21 Day Standard Process Cleanse

So are you ready for some spring cleaning of the mind and body? At Sage Health, we proudly offer the 21 Day Cleanse from Standard Process. This cleanse is unique in that it combines eating whole foods, drinking nutrient-rich shakes, supplements made from whole food ingredients, and light exercise to help move and release toxins from the body. With this cleanse, Sage Health also offers a full consultation as well as a body composition reading both before and after the cleanse so you can see your results. This cleanse can be done dairy free as well.

We’ll end with stating that regardless of the type of cleanse you choose to do, it’s best to consult with a physician to make sure it’s the safe and optimal path for you. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, please make sure to check with your doctor to ensure the safety and health of you and your baby.

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Spring and the Time Change: Taking Care of YOU!

If you enjoyed this post, you might also want to read our blog, “Spring and the Time Change: Taking Care of YOU.”

Sage Health is a holistic wellness center in Encinitas, California founded by chiropractor, Dr. Kirsten Sage. We specialize in advanced chiropractic,acupuncture and massage treatments. We are focused on helping patients with natural alternatives to optimal health and wellness. We are located at 531 Encinitas Blvd. Suite 100, Encinitas, CA 92024. Email: health@sagehealthonline.com |  PH: 760.753.2157