Raw Herbs - Very Traditional Medicine

So, I have had an interesting balance of getting back into regular exercise, a busy quarter with prepping for my comprehensive exam (next weekend), a little work, and staying on top of crafting.

One of my favorite ways to unwind at home is to cook, and one of the more fascinating yet complicated aspects of my homework is studying and writing formulas. Like recipes, or following a pattern, there are many classics that are memorized for testing purposes. Then clinically, the traditional form is used, and prescribed in a patent (similar to a pharmaceutical) or a customized powder or raw formula is given. Cooking the raw herbs is almost an art form of it's own, since the instructions can be very simple, (place in a cup of hot water and drink like tea) or follow a specific process involving straining, boiling, simmering, stirring, and different times.

For convenience, I typically take patents or powders, and got a chance to practice cooking a raw formula last week and thought I's share a picture of the herbs before cooking. What is interesting, is how natural the medicine looks in this form, and that is does not have the side effects of some other options since it is customized to both nourish and eliminate.

Already December.....

Wow - with my schedule shifting by academic quarter, a hige thing realizing is, I joined etsy a year ago this week (and will be having a special sale this weekend and some specials set up for the holidays) and 4 years ago this week, I registered to check out acupuncture school since I thought it might be interesting.

well, lets see, I had my 25th sale on Etsy this week, and am busy studying for my comprehensive exam (required to graduate) later in the month! Considering my store was something I decided to do for fun, and also am selling to friends, it is a great balance, and very grateful able to knit, create, and get a break and some balance while other days are blur of class, interning, and reviewing everything I've learned over 4 years, and some information from classes still have to finish up over the next year.

It's also very cool to see how much Ive learned, and gained from trying new things, taking risks, and following my interests. Through my etsy teams, California Crafters Coalition on Etsy (CCCOE) Etsy Knitter Team, and Unique Women in Business (UWIB) I've met a lot of great women who also love being creative and entrepreneurial - and have enjoyed this part a lot more then expected. In school, also surprised that am making great friends and am in a pretty supportive and fun environment and through both, while different, have a lot in common. Of course, my other friends just tease me about fact I usually have some sort of needles with me, wherever I go.

Festive Cooking

So, in trying to eat healthier while in school, and actually enjoying cooking, I love excuses and reasons to whip something up. Typically, this means modifying a recipe, making it up as I go along, or adding a personal touch to a pre-made mix. I have been considering sharing some of my faves online, so post Thanskgiving here are a few from the last week.


The gooey sauce is a made up as went along pomegranate -cranberry glaze on Gingerbread. The Gingerbread was from a great organic mix, with a nice kick of ginger and molasses. It was turned into a birthday dessert surprise with the super yummy glaze. The glaze was the perfect amount and was based on a basic combination of powdered sugar, boiling water, and mostly tart seeds and berries.


Next up, a classic and simple holiday dessert. Apple pie made a simple way my mom showed me, with Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples. For some extra flavor, cranberries were mixed in, as well as cinnamon - sugar both on top, and in layers of the pie, giving it a sweet and tart flavor, with some subtle spice. This was for a lovely outdoor Thankgiving potluck at the Learning Garden in Venice.

First Giveaway !!! Twilight scarf

I have been wanting to host a giveaway for a few weeks, and decided to list this suer cute and warm one of a kind scarf. Inspired by the colors of Twilight, this seemed like a fun choice since "New Moon" is opening this weekend and has been getting a lot of publicity this week (even more then usual). This scarf is a blend of super soft angora and a purple / white merino and matches the Twilight neckwarmer.

To enter: leave a comment with your favorite character from the Twilight series. For an additional entry, or alternative if you don't know the movies or books, visit my store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignKnitFun and leave a comment with what your favorite item is. Finally, follow this blog for an entry as well. I am trying to keep it simple with the options.

Deadline to enter is Sunday 11/22 and winner will be selected Monday through random.org and will be contacted by e-mail.

Good Luck and Thanks for visiting !

Catch up time on unfinished projects

One of my favorite reasons for carfting is the therpauetic effects. It gets you present and focused on creating something unique, expressive and in the moment. Today, I was reading an e-mail and was reminded of this, as I have not been spending as much time crafting over the last week after being home sick watching Weeds, drinking tea and taking a lot of Chinese Herbs. FYI Weeds is very funny and great for a day whe dont feel like leaving couch, reading email etc....

Tonight, went for finally checking out house, and checking out my stash of almost completed items. Finished three neck warmers, and have some items ready to list later this week. Also, am working on anew line of upcycled accessories which is pretty fun and enjoying the simple and laid back therapy of working on a new project and completing some of those ones that never quite get finished and end up in a nice neat pile somewhere.



Banana Silk scarf in Aqua Laguna - available soon at http://www.designknitfun.etsy.com

special and unique handmade and upcycled jewlery

As a big fan of eco-friendly anything, as well as handmade items, I wanted to share a group of items from another Southern California etsy seller. Kim at Circles are Forever features unique and handpainted pins, buttons, earrings, ornaments, rings and pendants in her etsy store.http://www.circlesareforeever.etsy.com . Panda pirate one of my faves, can be worn as a pin or pendant (Im actually making an upcycled felted bag he is going to be part of) and when I can decide which to give and which to keep, the rings are an early start on my Christmas gifts. They are shiny, adjustable and amazing in detail in the painting. Plus, it is keeping bottlecaps out of landfills and channeling creativity and unique design and expression. She has many great styles in her shop and even her packaging is repurposed. Check out the box everything arrived in.Custom made out of cereal boxes for a fun and colorful treat. That itself is a great gift box and specially sized for her products.

About to read a book - mixed feelings already

Ok, so this has nothing to do with knitting, or etsy. I work a few blocks away from the public library, and go in to check out what new dvd's they have and books on breaks. Today, while getting some movies to throw in while working on some knitting, I walked by a book related to Chinese Medicine in the sustainability section.

The book is "Tiger Bone & Rhino Horn" two substances used in ancient medicine for herbal properties. It addresses the black market trading of endangered animals / species which unfortunately exists - even though the substances are actually illegal both to prescribe and purchase.

Anyways, the cause for venting is on the back of teh book, several comments brought up the attention getting things like the traditional uses are not known to be effective, etc..... and some of the stuff that counteracts the steps forward alternative and traditional medicines are making in acceptance in medical community. I am curious enough about how they perceive and discuss the use of acupuncture and herbs that I will be starting to read tonight - since seems like the type of thing patients and potential patients could ask about. However, I was not exactly looking for a serious book to read since also have several knitting relates projects that I am working on, as well as going through my recipe collection.