July is a very special month for me. Perhaps because I was born in the midst of winter, I can see this time of year from a perspective of craving the longer days, the warm sun, the sense of Nature’s vitality, and the relaxed pace of life in the summer.
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The other day, I was fortunate to receive a nourishing and absolutely reinvigorating table Thai Fusion massage at Arogya. I’m not surprised to report that I’m still feeling the benefits. Thai massage is a holistic therapy that uses a combination of acupressure, energy work, compression, and yoga-like stretches to improve flexibility, circulation, and immunity. It is a gentle yet effective way to release tension, improve range of motion, and promote overall well-being.
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One of the countless things I love about summer is how the added heat and humidity makes my yoga practice feel even more cleansing, relaxing, and opening than usual. With the additional warmth and sun, however, also comes added precaution to take on the yoga mat as we’re at a greater risk of dehydration and overheating.
We hope the tips outlined in this blog can help you maintain a full and healthy practice all summer long.
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Our organic berry blend is one of our favorite teas to serve over ice for a refreshing summer brew. Made from raisins, hibiscus, cranberry, elderberry, and blackberry, it’s delicious as is or with a bit of lime juice and natural sweetener like honey or agave.
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As someone who recently relocated to the woods of Easton, CT from New York City, it’s challenging to accurately describe the feelings of gratitude and contentment I feel every time I visit Sport Hill Farm. I am continually inspired by the tireless work of Patti and Al Popp, who founded this neighborhood farm in 2001. From late spring until the autumn harvest, their rustic market shelves are overflowing with fresh, sustainably grown produce.
Last month, I noticed bundles of dandelion greens for sale at the farm. Admittedly, the few times I had tried cooking this humble weed in the past, I found myself recoiling from its bitter bite. Patti Popp completely renewed my interest in dandelion one day when she told me that she transforms the greens into flavorful pesto. The idea was enticing and I had to try it myself. The result was a delicious and versatile spread that tastes quite different than traditional pesto. I chose to add some toasted walnuts and blanch the greens, which significantly cuts back on their bitterness.
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The first time I saw garlic scapes at a farmer’s market, I thought, “What on earth is that?!” I soon learned that garlic scapes are the lime-green, curly flower stalks of the Rocombole hard-neck garlic plant. As you can see in these photos, it’s no wonder they’re sometimes referred to as “serpent garlic.”
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Though I grew up in Fairfield County, CT, I had no idea about the abundance of Ruby-throated hummingbirds that venture up this way for the summer. This changed when my younger brother, Charlie Plimpton, completely opened my eyes to an incredible world that exists right in our backyard. Charlie, who is completing his bachelor’s degree in wildlife and conservation biology at the University of Rhode Island this winter, has loved hummingbirds since he was a boy. Initially, he began hanging sugar-water feeders around the yard for these magnificent little creatures. A few years ago, he began cultivating a passion for gardening, which led him to create an ever-expanding oasis of hummingbird friendly flowering plants.
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For most of us, the mind can be a difficult thing to focus when we meditate, especially if you’re newer to a practice. Here’s a technique that can help rein that wandering mind in: the use of japa mala beads.
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The word mantra, which literally means “instrument of thought” in Sanskrit, originally described sacred and vibrational sounds or Sanskrit words or phonemes repeated as an offering or to deepen one’s meditative state. As the world has grown smaller and more interconnected, the definition of mantra has expanded to mean a phrase, in any language, repeated with regularity.
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Summer is around the corner. The other day I was speaking with Laura Wittmer, who is a teacher at a Waldorf School, an educational system that aims to inspire creative thinking and a holistic passion for learning. We were discussing the importance of not over scheduling children’s summer vacations.
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