March 3, 2017 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORM
Our first featured farm is Skyelark Ranch, located in Brooks, CA. I've been buying pastured eggs from them at the Davis Farmers Market for the past several months and have been impressed by the high quality - they have such beautiful, brightly-colored, firm yolks!
Skyelark Ranch is owned and operated by Gillies and Alexis Robertson. They lease 60 acres of land (about 20 acres of almonds, 20 acres of hay, and 20 acres of grazing land) in Brooks, as well as other acreage in Yolo County. Gillies was kind enough to take the time to speak with me in the middle of their busy lambing season.
Skyelark’s specialty is in diversified livestock - raising animals well and humanely for meat (lamb, pork, chicken) and eggs. Living in harmony with nature, they maintain their flocks in a way that benefits both the soil, by maintaining moisture and using ground cover, and their livestock. Skyelark’s pasture land and animals are raised without routine herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, or growth hormones and their pigs are fed GMO-free feed. The philosophy behind their work is for them to do something they enjoy and have it be something worthwhile: producing healthy protein from healthy animals.
As I was wondering about their name, Gillies told me that Skyelark is a play on the word, “skylark”. (Gillies is a birder) It’s a combination of the name of their dog, Skye, who was named after the Isle of Skye - a place that they both love off the coast of Scotland - together with the “lark” of jumping into starting a small family farm and having a bit of fun.
I am always curious about what draws people to what they do. Both Gillies and Alexis have degrees in Environmental Management and Alexis also has a Masters in Soil Science. After several years of working in environmental conservation and through conversations with friends, they settled on the idea of producing food. Although they originally thought about having a farm with orchards and vegetables, they realized that they both liked working with animals more than being farmers. The Robertsons moved to the Capay Valley in 2010, with 3 or 4 sheep to start, then added ewes, chickens and more sheep over the next 4 years. The people who had been on the property before them left behind a sow. After a good experience raising her, friends suggested that they should raise more pigs because they taste so good and fit in well with the farm's diverse population.
Laying hens have always been a part of their farm. In 2014, they went all out and bought an established egg-laying business with 2,000 hens. Their flock is currently around 1,400 and they are in the process of adding more chicks this spring to build it back up. Those chicks should be mature enough to be laying eggs by the summer.
Gillies and Alexis have chosen to raise breeds of animals that can withstand the hot, dry summers of Yolo County, a decision that fits well with one of the tenets of Chinese medicine that I promote: living in harmony with the seasons. Their sheep and pigs are able to handle the heat, but their meat chickens are not, so they only raise those in the spring and fall.
Skyelark Ranch can be found selling their meat and eggs under the covered section of the Davis Farmers Market on Saturdays, and on Sundays at the Jack London Square in Oakland. Their products are sold at V. Miller Meats in Sacramento and can also be purchased directly from them via their website.
- Available year-round: Grass-fed and grass-finished lamb, pastured eggs, and with some fluctuations in availability, pastured Berkshire pork.
- Available in the spring and fall: Pasture-raised broiler meat chickens (fresh for a week, then available frozen).
They also have stewing hens, ducks, and bones for stock or bone broth, and pigs trotters (a traditional Chinese food for postpartum women).
Visitors are welcome at Skyelark Ranch, but be sure to get in touch first because it is a working ranch. The best times of year to visit are now through the end of spring and fall through winter. Gillies doesn’t recommend visiting during the middle of summer because it is usually so blazing hot and dry then.
I encourage you to visit them at their stand at the Davis Farmer’s Market or to arrange a visit. Be sure to say “hello” for me! And while you’re there, pick up some eggs - you won’t be sorry!
Website: http://www.skyelarkranch.com/
Email: Farmhouse@skyelarkranch.com
Phone: (530) 680-6849
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skyelark-Ranch/233601660010601
Instagram: @skyelarkranch
February 22, 2017 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORMPhoto by Susan Miller
It has been wonderful to have so much rain this year, but after many months of gray skies, I am so ready for spring! And I know that it’s just about here - even though it’s still somewhat dark, I hear birds chirping early in the morning, blossoms are bursting forth, and the hills and valleys are so lush and green!
In Chinese culture, Spring belongs to the Wood element and is a time of birth and new growth. The associated color is green and the flavor is sour. We begin moving from a time of hibernation and rest to a time of increasing activity. Even though days are beginning to lengthen and become warmer, weather is frequently unpredictable. Just as ice thaws and refreezes, the energy of Spring moves in fits and starts, eventually expanding more and more outward and upward. Buds slowly start to form, then suddenly swell and burst open and flowers adorn the trees.
The Liver and Gall Bladder are the organs associated with the Wood element and they are said to "open to the eyes". This is a good time of year for visioning and planning. Some feel that it is an a better time of year to make New Year’s resolutions than January 1st as the desire to take action is more present now than then.
The Yellow Emperor's Classic (Huang Di Nei Jing) tells us to rise early and go to bed early in the Spring, to let our hair hang freely, and to walk taking long strides with our arms swinging. No power walking here! The focus is on being relaxed. Movements should be loose and flexible to begin moving the energy that has accumulated at the core of the body out to the extremities. Stretching exercises are useful as well. Because we are moving into longer, slightly warmer days, outside activity is advised, as long as one’s immune system is feeling strong.
The emphasis in the kitchen is still on warm, cooked food, but depending on the weather, we are moving from soups and stews to stir-frys. Foods that are especially good to eat in the Spring are leafy greens, such as chard, kale, cabbage, bok choy, asparagus, snow peas, spinach, radishes, arugula, carrots, broccoli, potatoes, beets, mushrooms, artichokes, fennel, leeks, spring onions, dandelion, bamboo shoots, and seaweed.
Foods to avoid are those that are uncooked, frozen, greasy, processed, or heavy, and alcohol.
In Chinese medicine, we focus on living in harmony with the seasons. After the quiet and stillness of winter, there is often an inner stirring to move that becomes more urgent as the days grow longer. When we feel that desire to push forth, yet still feel somewhat constrained, tension arises. Anger, and its cousins, frustration and irritation, are frequent visitors in the Spring, along with a wiry pulse reflecting that tension.
How to deal with that tension? Exercise and breathing help to move stuck Qi. An acupuncture “tune-up” is especially helpful in getting stuck energy to move in the body. Herb formulas also that promote the smooth flow of mental and physical Qi.
February 7, 2017 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORM In California, we receive most of our rain and snow between October and May. Because we receive very little precipitation during the summer, we rely on the melting snow to fill our reservoirs with water to see us through the dry summer months. If the snowpack is low, there will be insufficient snowmelt to fill our reservoirs and provide water for our needs. After the recent five years of drought, we are all well aware of the need to conserve and use water wisely; meeting our future needs depends on having a full reservoir.
We can apply this same idea to our Qi (vital energy). Your Qi is a precious resource, just as water is during a drought.
The fall and winter months are also the time of year to build up our reserves. This is when nature is slowing down, leaves fall from trees, growth stops, and the world becomes darker and quieter. Winter, in Chinese culture, is associated with the Water element and the Kidneys. It is the time of year for us to imitate nature - to turn inward, to hibernate, and to replenish ourselves - to rebuild and restore our reserves so that we have them at our disposal for the big burst of activity and growth in the spring and summer.
Kidney Qi naturally declines as people age, but lifestyle has a profound effect on how rapidly the decline takes place. Traditionally, the two things that really depleted the Kidney Qi were too much physical labor and too much sex (particularly for men. Women’s Kidney Qi was depleted by overwork and bearing too many children.) These days our Qi is more likely to be affected by other things such as negative emotions, too much social media, worry, anxiety, stress, overwork. Working too hard, a stressful job or home life, eating on the run, junk food, upset emotional states, overexercising, and sleep deprivation all take their toll.
Because each person’s constitution and needs are different, being aware of your energy drains is so important - they may not be the same as someone else’s. Your body is a trustworthy guide and has amazing wisdom to share.
There are three parts to replenishing your Qi. The first step is to notice your energy drains. Who or what causes you to feel tired? What makes you feel like water scattered all over the pavement?
The second step is boundaries. Water needs a container or boundaries to be its most powerful, whether as banks of a river or pipes that water flows through. Are your boundaries strong enough or do they have leaks? Can you identify what and where in your life they are? What can you do to shore up the banks to keep your energy intact?
The third step is to notice what replenishes your reserves, and then do more of it. If you’re not sure, think about what makes you feel whole. What fills your reserves at the deepest level? Laughter? Healthy food? Sleep? Time in nature?
In Chinese medicine, the focus is on living a long, healthy life, which is accomplished by having moderate habits. When our emotions or lifestyle habits are out of balance, we use extra Qi.
I'd love to hear what you think. How do you keep own reservoir full? Post your comments below.
February 1, 2015 Photo by Susan Miller
If you have been in my office anytime in the past year, you have seen the statue of Quan Yin on my cabinet. Quan Yin (also known as Guan Yin or Kwan Yin) is the Buddhist goddess of compassion and healing and her name roughly translates as "The One who Hears the Cries of the World".
I was drawn to this statue not for religious reasons, but rather because it's both beautiful and is a reminder of the calling that I feel we all have: to be a calm, compassionate presence to one another and to alleviate suffering within ourselves and others.
How exactly does one become calm and compassionate in the face of suffering? I'd like to share a few ways I've learned.
1) A willingness to be present with what is
Being present means adopting a stance of openness, non-judgment, and curiosity. When we resist something, it's hard to notice the nuances of our experience. We can allow things to be as they are, and get to know them and ourselves better.
2) Friendly curiosity
Imagine that you are trying to attract an animal in the wild (think a squirrel or a deer, not something dangerous). What do you do? Do you chase after it or do you hold yourself very still and wait for it to come to you? Chances are, if you are trying to make something feel safe and comfortable enough to come closer, your stance is one of open curiosity. You do not have an agenda, but are rather waiting for the animal to reveal itself to you.
This is the way that we can engage with an emotion or sensation that we feel. We can step back, give it space, and allow it to get to know it in its own way and time. This also works with others - we can step back and allow them to feel how they feel without trying to change things. This is particularly difficult for those of us in the helping professions. We've learned to fix, to save, to give advice (often unsolicited!), but what is more often needed is just to listen and to be present with whatever emotions are showing up, in ourselves and in others.
3) Acknowledge what we sense and feel
Acknowledgement, even if only to ourselves, is an important step. It allows us to be truthful and helps us to clarify what we're experiencing. Children often say, "Mom, watch. Watch me. Are you watching me?" when they're wanting our attention. Thoughts, emotions, and sensations can be the same way. Acknowledgment is a way of saying, "Yes. I see you," to those things we might have been ignoring, so that we can really start to look at them with fresh eyes.
Part 2 to follow...
December 3, 2014 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORM The gas gauge in my husband's van is faulty. Once it gets down to the last 1/4 of a tank, the needle gets stuck and stops dropping. He knows not to go too much farther once it reaches that point because he can't tell how much gas is really left.
The gas gauge in my car is more accurate and a light goes on when it reaches the last 1/4 tank. Our bodies also have "warning lights" that go on when our reserves are starting to run low, although many of us ignore them until we actually have to stop because of illness or extreme fatigue.
I have heard that there is a saying in Chinese that we should only eat until we are 3/4 of the way full to allow the body room to digest our food. When our stomachs are too full, we feel stuffed and stuck. I am now thinking that the idea of 3/4 applies to many other areas of our lives, particularly at this time of year.
In fall and winter, Qi begins to contract and move inward, and becomes more dense. It takes more energy to move, just like it does to move through water. This is the time of year to slow down, to harvest, to conserve, and to store so that we have to reserves to make it through the winter. Most of us, myself included, don't notice that life is easier when we allow the Qi of the season to carry us, rather than try to go faster or slower than it does.
What would happen if you started to notice what 3/4 was for you and stopped at that point? Our culture does not encourage this, but I'm finding that I feel better when I pay attention to my energy levels and stop before I get to the point of exhaustion. And I feel better when I rest regularly and go to bed on the early side. Stopping at 3/4 leaves me some energy left so that I'm not always running on fumes, and as we know, it's a lot easier to fill up your tank when you're not stranded somewhere!
June 22, 2014 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORM Summer is one of my favorite times of year. The school year is over, the days are warm and long, the pace is more relaxed, the garden is growing abundantly, and there's usually vacation to look forward to!
One of the things I've always loved about traditional Chinese medicine is its connection with the natural world and its emphasis on living in harmony with nature and the seasons. Below are some ideas to help your life remain in balance this summer.
Photo by Susan Miller
Summer belongs to the Fire element. It is the most Yang time of year. The quality of Yang energy is to spread upward and outward, animate, and transform, so summer is a season of warmth and activity. It is a time of expansion, abundant growth, and flourishing life, when things both planned and planted begin to come to fruition. This is the best time of year to put your ideas into action.
The Fire element is associated with the Heart in Chinese medicine, the center of human life. Characteristics we associate with the Heart, such as warmth, connection, intimacy, compassion, and joy are to be celebrated now. Unlike during the winter when we often want to retreat indoors, summer is the perfect time to get out of the house, be active, work in the garden, get together with friends, and enjoy life! Joy is the emotion associated with the Heart and Fire element, so it is particularly important to do things that make you feel happy, cheerful, and relaxed.
What happens when there is an excess of activity, Heat, or Fire? While essential for life and growth, too much can be destructive, causing us to become parched, feverish, and exhausted. Physically this can present itself as fevers, infections, rashes, inflammation, palpitations, insomnia, hot flashes, hot hands/feet, and flushed cheeks. Mentally and emotionally this can manifest as information overload, overstimulation, overcommitment, agitation, anxiety, and even burnout. For this reason, it is important to balance the activity of summer with quiet, coolness, and rest - qualities that are associated with the element of Water and Yin.
As the weather permits, be more physically active in the summer. The main thing to watch out for is being overheated, so take care to exercise in the morning or early evening, when the weather is cooler. Water sports are an ideal way to maintain physical activity, yet cool the excess heat of Summer.
Foods that are especially good to eat in the Summer are those that are light and easy to digest. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids, although preferably room temperature to avoid chilling the digestive system.
Melons
Tomatoes
Strawberries
Summer squash
Cucumbers
Mung beans
Lettuce
Stone fruits (cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, nectarines)
More vegetables and fruits than at other times of the year
White fish
Fresh herbs, such as basil, dill, mint, cilantro
Foods to avoid are:
Dairy, heavy, greasy, and fried foods
Summer is a wonderful time of year. If you feel that you are suffering from any of the side effects of Heat, acupuncture and herbs are a wonderful way to help bring your body back into balance.
I would love to hear from you!
What do you love best about summer? Was there anything in this article about the traditional Chinese perspective of the season that either resonated with you or was a surprise? Please post in the comments below!