Awhile ago I would make these amazing chocolate mint brownies and take them to any social event that asked for a dessert. That hasn't happened in awhile. Why you may ask... well it's all about the
Qi (pronounced chee) for me right now (Got Qi? - not really) But perhaps I could get the energy up to make some for my
newest nephew, David. (Congrats Steven, Jessica and Eden!)
For the past 2 months (or forever it now feels like), I have been battling some sickness. It's been nonstop colds, congestion, acid reflux, etc. Not the way I would have liked to have spent my holidays, but I survived and it was still fun. About a week ago I reached my limit on not being able to get rid of my 2nd nasty cold on the 3rd week of it - thank you parent's for allowing me to work with their kids while they were sick. My friend suggested I go see an
Acupuncturist/ Chinese herbalist friend, Linda. (whom I highly recommend) I was able to see her for the first time on Monday. It's amazing how different going to see an Eastern doctor is from seeing a Western one. Lately the Eastern views seem to make more sense than the Western. In the Eastern view they look more at the whole body and not just the "symptoms."
It seems I have a really weak Qi (reminder pronounced chee which is your different energies), and also I need to strengthen other parts of my body/ organs as well (I don't feel like going into my whole diagnosis, I'll just share the obvious). In addition to the acupuncture, she is also helping me with my nutrition (which I am REALLY needing assistance in). I'm sure she has never met anyone with a diet like mine. She has been so patient with me and is helping me learn how to look at food differently. Before it was an enemy where I associated with pain (eat = pain and other non exciting bowel adventures at times). Now she is showing me how I need to eat certain foods to help nourish and replenish my body. I shouldn't just look at food as enjoyment (or the opposite) but as a way to assist my body and nourish it. She has given me a list of foods that I should consider adding into my diet at this time to help me rebuild my body and Qi. Some foods are familiar but others I have no idea as to where to even look for them. I am still very weak and am learning the hard way (AGAIN) that even though I feel like I have more energy, it does not mean that I am all better and can go back to my old regime 100%. It will take awhile before I am able to do this as I have been sicker than I would like to admit. But I know that it will get better. When I get more energy I may even venture to get some of the odd things she suggests like:
Black - eyed peas
Burdock
Chicken livers (ummmm, actually I don't think I'll try these)
Hawthorn fruit
Kefir
Kelp
Lychees
Mung Beans
Nori
Quinces
Triticale
Adzuki beans
Bean curd (if this is what I think it is, I don't think so either)
Bitter gourd
congee (oh, wait I have had this... it's actually really good - when you put in stuff you like)
Loquat
Grapefruit peel (actually I did this one as well, it may sound bitter, but if you make it as a tea and then just have crackers nearby it's not too bad)
Miso
Mustard Greens
There are a lot of familiar things as well on the list. I just read these and started to chuckle. I may just develop a taste for these new foods. 3rd Sunday dinners may become more fun now!
Several more familiar foods suggested: apples, apricots, garlic, ginseng, honey, squash, sweet potatoes, warm water, pumpkin, avocados, broccoli, cooked veggies, green lentils, zucchini.... and so many other good foods!
And that's about all the Qi I have for now....
When I came home from work on Thursday, I went to feed my fish, Qi. When she did not come to greet me as she usually did I discovered that she had died during the day. It looked like she had been trying to get something between some rocks and got caught. I was really sad to have this happen. Qi was had this energetic, exciting, fun personality that I have ever seen in a beta. At times I felt like she could be like one of my past pet dogs, except that she confined to a bowl full of water. I am grateful for the short time that I had her in my life and all that she taught me - like how you can still let others know how excited you are to see them despite limitations, and even though you may not have vocal ability, or arms, you can still communicate (like running into the sides of a small bowl over and over again to let me know that you don't like the smaller bowl when I am changing your water), to see that you can accomplish much with a desire (as she would move plants around in her bowl once in awhile), to enjoy the small moments in life, and the simplicity that life can offer. Who would have thought that 1 amazing beta fish could teach us so much.
