The Modern Sage

Welcome to an exploration of yang energy foods!  Whether or not you think about it, your food has energy. That's how it powers us to keep us going throughout the day. Calorie anyone? The idea of classifying the energies of different foods as yin or yang comes from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Today I'm taking a deeper look at some common yang foods you can easily add to your diet as well as the really great benefits they bring to our meals.   I kind of stumbled into this topic when my mom commented about being really hungry for spicy, pungent, yang foods. So I started paying attention to which foods were yin and yang and could definitely see a few places that needed to be balanced out. Hopefully you find today's post helpful. Yin and Yang in Traditional Chinese Medicine: This is an oversimplification, because Yin and Yang in TCM is big enough to write multiple books on. In the realm of traditional Chinese medicine, yin and yang are the two opposing energies that ke...

Check out:  Chakras 101: Everything You Need to Know To continue my somewhat disjointed series on the chakras, today we're looking at the third chakra, the solar plexus chakra, also known as Manipura. If you have no idea where your solar plexus is, it's nestled just below your ribcage, and this is where Manipura resides, empowering you to tap into your personal power and embrace your unique essence. Understanding Manipura: The Solar Plexus Chakra Manipura is the last of the three "bare necessity" chakras, so it's not surprising that it is also pretty powerful. Think of this chakra like a radiant yellow sun, nestled right in the core of your being.  Manipura is all about fiery flair as this chakra represents your inner spark, your confidence, and your unique sense of self. (Pretty important, right?)  Inside the chakra system,  Manipura, being the third chakra, holds a key position.  It's the powerhouse that fuels your confidence, courage, and personal power....

Incense, that mesmerizing thing where fragrant tendrils of enchantment dance through the air, casting a spell of tranquility and intrigue.  Incense is like a connection to history from a time when it was used in ancient rituals and sacred spaces, where smoke becomes a conduit for spiritual connection and relaxation.  I lit up a stick of sage incense the other morning and decided to share a little bit about this interesting object/practice with you!  What Exactly is Incense? When you boil it all down, there's nothing magical about incense. It's simply a concoction of aromatic materials—think dried herbs, resins, and even flowers—skillfully blended together to create a fragrant masterpiece.  When lit, it releases a mesmerizing plume of scented smoke that can instantly transform any space.  Incense has been around for centuries, used in ancient temples and is finding its way into our modern living rooms.  Historical Background Honestly, if you wanted to, you c...