Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that we are surrounded by energy fields which help us achieve balance, health and harmony in our lives.
The basic principle is that all things can be divided into 5 elements or phases: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal.
Most of us are familiar with these elements as they relate to feng shui, acupuncture and chi gong, but the same principles are also applied to foods and physical healing.
Each element has a corresponding season, organ system in the body, color and taste and emotion associated with it.
Learning to eat according to the 5 elements can help us balance our energy, nourish particular organs and achieve optimal health.
Once each season, I will be offering a comprehensive class on the corresponding element.
We will dive deeply into the ancient traditions of strengthening the organ systems associated with each element. We will use tools from Eastern medicine, energy medicine and spirituality in addition to food.
These classes are for you if:
You are seeking to deepen your knowledge of traditional cooking methods
You are desiring to branch out in your cooking and your cooking skills
You are interested in learning ways to prevent and/or heal disease.
You desire being around a community of like minded people
You understand that food and community are at the core of our well- being.
You love cooking and trying new foods.
You are open to different energy practices for grounding and healing (chi gong, meditation, energy medicine).
You wish to help others in your community heal.
These classes are hands on and include resources, recipes and a sit down meal at the end of the class.
Water Element
Saturday February 1st
1-5:30 pm
$130 per person
Winter is the time of the water element – an essential substance for life.
In Chinese medicine the Water element symbolizes depth, adaptability and renewal. It is a time to rest, restore, go with the flow and fall into deep introspection.
The focus is on the kidneys and the bladder which rule our life force and our nervous system.
In this class, we focus on the aspects of the water element and how, in our fast paced world, we can begin to honor and mimic the rhythms of nature. We engage in simple energy medicine exercises to balance the water element and help restore the bladder and kidney meridians.
We then gather to create a meal together to support this element. And, we eat!
Menu: may be subject to change based upon ingredients:
We are creating a small plates/ tapas menu for our meal!
Black Bean Soup
Wild Mushrooms with Garlic and Parsley
Salmon cubes with gomasio, mirin glaze and sea veg
Marinated Olives
Braised Oxtail
Baccala (salt cod)salad
Stewed Chick peas with greens
Simple Salad
Panna Cotta with Cranberry
Herbal Chai Tea with Adaptogenic Herbs
Various Teas for supporting the kidney/ bladder meridians.
Wood Element
Saturday April 5th
1-5:30 pm
$130 per person
Wood is the element of the spring – a time for rebirth, renewal and rejuvenation.
It is a time of dreaming, planting seeds, and planning action steps so that our dreams can become a reality.
It is the season where we nourish our livers and our gallbladder, ensuring the smooth flow of qi through the body.
After gathering for simple energy medicine exercises to support our Wood element, we create a delicious spring time meal that we share together!
Menu- subject to changes based upon availability at time of class:
Caramelized Leek Soup with Mushroom and Dandelion Topping
Roasted Beet Tartare
Artichoke Hearts with Preserved Lemon
Chicken Liver Pate
Marinated Chicken Skewers with Red Chimichurri
Pea Salad with Mint and Parmesan
Upside Down Citrus Cake
Dandelion Cappuccino
Various teas to support the liver and gallbladder
DIY Bitters Vinegar
Fire Element
Saturday June 21st
1-5:30 pm
$130 per person
Fire element- the time of the sizzling hot summer where are energies are up, we love being out socializing, laughing and having fun !
It is the time of the heart and small intestine. At this time, we nourish our heart and small intestine meridians to ensurer a smooth flow of emotional energy and honor our spirit.
After engaging in some soothing yet powerful energy medicine practices for our heart and small intestine meridians, we gather to create a tantalizing meal that feeds our bodies and our spirits!
Menu – subject to change based upon availability at time of class
Watermelon Gazpacho
Red Lentil Flat Bread
Roasted Eggplant Dip
Moroccan Chick Peas with Harissa
Moroccan Beef Kefta with Mint Sauce
Chicken Skewers with Tomato Salad
Arugula Salad with Strawberries, Feta and Balsamic
Mulhalbia – Middle Eastern milk pudding with orange blossom water
Earth Element
Saturday August 2nd
1 – 5:30 pm
$130 per person
The Earth element is our time of later summer- the time to reap the fruits of our hard labor during the summer and the bounty that Mother Earth is providing.
It is about deep nourishment and metabolizing that nourishment. The spleen and stomach meridians shine here, helping us digest and metabolize that which we need physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Learn easy techniques to support the spleen and stomach and create a bounteous meal rich in comforting foods!
Metal Element
Saturday October 18th
1-5:30 pm
$130 per person
Metal – the epitome of clarity, structure, function and alchemy.
The season of autumn is the time to release what is no longer needed in our lives and know that by doing so, we will grow and be renewed. This element is associated with the lungs and large intestine- two organs of release. It may also be a time of grief as we let go, which is the emotion of the lung.
In this class, we work with transmuting the grief and strengthening our lungs.
Foods highlighted in this meal are spicy and dispersive, allowing energy to move.
To register for any class, contact Annmarie directly at ambutera@cucina-verde.com
Full payment is due at time of registration to hold your space.
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