The Modern Sage

Greetings! Nihao. In today's post we're looking into a combination of time + health in the world of the hoary body clock.  If you haven't had much experience with TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) you might be wondering, "What on earth is a hoary body clock?!"  Well, that's what today is all about. In a nutshell, the hoary body clock refers to our internal, biological clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle and other bodily functions. Similar to your circadian cycle, but it's more than just knowing when to wake up and fall asleep. It's like having a tiny, sophisticated timekeeper (or clock) in our bodies that ensures everything runs smoothly according to a specific schedule. Why is this even important?  Well, because long term disruptions to our body clock (I'm sure you can think of a few that can just throw you off some days) can lead to a bunch of easily avoidable negative health effects, like grogginess, fatigue, weight gain, and even more se...

Welcome back to the Modern Sage Life, y'all! Today's gonna be filled with a whole lot of "y'alls" and and sweet treats because today's post is all about one of the most beloved beverages in the Southern United States - sweet tea!  If you've never had sweet tea, let me enlighten you.  Sweet tea is a deliciously refreshing beverage made by combining freshly brewed tea with a generous amount of sugar (no surprise there).  Depending on who makes it/where you've had it from, sweet tea should be sweet, but not too sweet, and has the perfect balance of flavor to sweetness that will have you craving it on a hot summer day. The Tea on Sweet Tea Sweet tea has been a staple in the South since the 1800s, but its origins are somewhat murky.  Some people say that sweet tea was first introduced at the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904, while others claim it was brought to the South by British colonists in the 1700s. (The Brits do love their tea).  Regardless of i...

April 18, 2023 If you are interested in living an extraordinary life, you've probably heard of mindfulness as a way to add a little more peace, focus, and presence to your day to day life.  Like me, you might have heard the word and agreed with the idea, but (ironically enough) either never had the time to really look into it, or thought that you were already a pretty mindful person. Well, whether you've managed the time or are looking to simply enhance your mindfulness, this post is for you. What Exactly is Mindfulness? So, what exactly is mindfulness, you might ask?  It's a state of being fully present and engaged in the moment, without judgment or distraction.  Mindfulness is all about tuning in to your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings in a non-judgmental way and with an open mind. Nowadays, mindfulness gets overused as a trendy buzzword, but its roots actually go back thousands of years to ancient Eastern practices like Buddhism and Taoism.  This concept was ...

April 16, 2023 This is the sister post to one of our earlier ones: "How to Journal." Check it out, here >>> So today, it's less of an actual post and more of a list. But a very useful, worth-reading list of the best and most popular journaling prompts and exercises I could find. These writing helps can help you develop a more regular journaling practice and explore different aspects of yourself and your life (or to change things up in your journaling routine and try something different).  Mix and match and don't forget to let me know if you have a favorite! Our Favorite Journaling Prompts *For personal favorites.   *What are you grateful for today/this week/this month? *What are some big goals you're working on and how are you going to make them happen? Write about a challenge you've faced and how you overcame it. (Not my favorite. It reminds me too much of college application letters. But from what I researched a lot of people enjoy this prompt, so h...

 April 14, 2023 Journaling is like playing a sport.  Some people love doing it, other people hate it, even more people wish they did it. I, personally, am a long standing journal-er who started back in junior high. So for me, journaling has sort of just become something I do. Like a habit I don't think about too much.  But I know that's not the case for a lot of people and the biggest hurdle they tell me about is (besides time management) "how would I even start?" Well, have no fear, because in  this blog post, we'll dive into the wonderful world of journaling and show you how to get started. Journaling can really be so much more than just a hobby.  If you're feeling stressed, stuck in a creative rut, or struggling with self-reflection, journaling can be a powerful tool for personal growth and self-expression by giving you an outlet to relieve relief and improve creativity. The Basics aka What You Need to Know A lot of people have all these assumptions and ide...

April 13, 2023 This post is a shout out to all the millennials, gen z-ers, and fellow twenty-somethings. It's part of the human experience that sometimes we feel stuck in life or just generally lost. Like you're not sure what you want to do or where you want to go?  It can be a source of comfort to learn that you're not alone in feeling that way. And as much as it sucks, it's all part of a process some people go through while adulting.  For me personally, it's hard to pinpoint (especially since I didn't know a young life crisis was legitimate/allowed/real) but I probably experienced this phenomena on and off since I was 16. So I'm writing with a bit of personal experience. But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom. I wouldn't get very many readers if it was. lol  So in today's post, we'll be exploring what exactly a quarter-life crisis is, a little bit of its history, and why it's so important to talk about. What is a Quarter-Life ...

April 12, 2023 Konichiwa! Today your pallet is in for an eclectic and exotic time to the far east through the magic of matcha lattes.  This drink has become super popular recently and is pretty commonly available mainstream at Starbucks, bubble tea shops, and even Dunkin' Donuts.  So if you haven't tried it yet,  you're in for a treat with this happy beverage that combines the goodness of matcha powder with steamed milk to create a creamy and frothy drink. Where Did the Craze Come From? Matcha is actually nothing new. In fact it's pretty old and has been around for centuries, first originating in China and then being brought over to Japan in the 12th century.  The Japanese have been enjoying matcha in tea ceremonies (chanoyu) for centuries, but it wasn't until the 1990s that the matcha latte was invented. Nowadays, matcha lattes are everywhere and continue to grow in popularity because not only do they taste amazing, but they also offer a multitude of health benefit...