Wellness Profile: Chaga

Chaga is a fascinating fungus that has the potential to assist the human body on so many levels. When I was first diagnosed with Lyme’s disease, chaga tinctures and tea helped me weather the battle my body was raging. It was so lovely to have a medicine that tasted good too! It has a dark tint to it like coffee and because it shares similar compounds to vanilla beans, it has an underlying natural sweetness that is incredibly delicious. I used to cook mine on low in a crockpot over night and instead of coffee, I’d have chaga with nut milk and honey. It was so comforting and nourishing that I became a little bit obsessed with it and so began my chaga research journey.

What is Ashiatsu massage?

Ashiatsu massage is a technique that uses the practitioners feet to provide pressure to the client’s body. Ashiatsu is a unique modality that can help you find ease and comfort from pain. I know when I first tried it, I saw a 200 pound massage therapist and thought “Uh oh. He’s gonna crush me.” but when the massage was over I was floating on a cloud and couldn’t believe I hadn’t felt any pain! The therapist I saw had given me a deep tissue massage that didn’t hurt?! How could this be? I had never felt so good after a deep tissue appointment so I decided then and there I had to find out more. Once I did, I realized I had to find someone to train me in it!

Homemade Chai: A hug in a cup

As the seasons start to shift and the cooler weather arrives I have a go to recipe that stays in my fridge nearly all winter-chai tea concentrate. Sure, you can buy it at the store but there is nothing like homemade! It fills the home with the delicious scents of cinnamon, anise and cardamom lending your home that homey, cozy quality that we all need during the long winter, especially here in Vermont. Below is my recipe that I created based on my personal taste. Feel free to play with this recipe and make it your own. Maybe you like a little more spiciness or perhaps more sweet.