halcyon house

a worker owned holistic wellness cooperative

BOOK NOW

Tag: Seasonal

  • Seeking energy and peace in nature

    Seeking energy and peace in nature

    Hello Beautiful Souls, I hope that you are having an amazing day. I have been thinking recently about how I spend my own currency—specifically, how I spend my time and where I focus my attention. With the world feeling so heavy, I have found that I need to spend more time in nature, listening to the creeks, enjoying the waves of Lake Superior, and feeling the sun.

    Being in nature energizes me, brings me peace, and raises my vibration by allowing the simple things in life to carry me forward.

    In addition, I have been working with my bowls, using their sounds and frequencies to release and unstick what is stuck in my energetic field. There is so much energy in our cosmos universe right now with the current astrology, and I have found the timing is incredibly supportive to work with your own energy. As an Intuitive Sound Bowl Practitioner, this practice has made me realize the importance of being more intentional about the energy we absorb and how we clear our space to maintain emotional and spiritual clarity.

    I am also offering personal sound bowl sessions for individuals and small groups at Halcyon House. If you are interested in a session and do not see a time on the calendar that works for you, please call Halcyon House directly to find a time that fits your schedule.

    At the end of the day, remember to be kind to yourself, find joy in the simple things, and remain aware of the energy you carry. Take the time to listen from a deeper space to hear what your mind, body, and spirit are calling out for. 😇

    I’m looking forward to connecting with you!

  • Did You Know Your Body Has an Inner Sense? Interoception

    One of our eight senses is interoception — the awareness of signals from inside your body, like hunger, thirst, breath, heartbeats, and fullness. This sense helps you care for yourself, regulate emotions, and respond to your body’s needs.

    Here in the Northland, June arrives with longer days and warmer sun. Flowers bloom, the grass is green, rivers run freely, and the air carries new scents and sounds. Our bodies notice the change: the warmth of the sun’s rays on our skin, the pull of daylight, the rhythm of our heartbeat during movement. When we intentionally check in with these inner signals — pausing to feel our breath, noticing when we feel tired or energized — we give our nervous system guidance and balance after months of winter stillness.

    This June, discover your interoception by turning inward. Your nervous system is adapting to growth and expansion — and mindful attention to your body’s signals can help you move with ease and vitality through the month

  • Goji berry lemonade – a summertime TCM treat

    Goji berry lemonade – a summertime TCM treat

    Looking for a delicious summer refreshment that can also support balancing the systems of your body? Goji berry lemonade:

    • Nourishes blood and yin, moistens the lungs, promotes circulation, & clears heat
    • Treats a dry cough, dry mouth or throat, blurry or diminishing vision, dizziness, & phlegm
    • Recommended for lung dryness, lung yin deficiency, liver or kidney yin deficiency, and qi stagnation
    • Drink one cup once a day for a week

    Goji berries

    • Neutral and sweet
    • Affects the Liver, Lungs, & Kidneys
    • Tonifies liver and kidney yin, moistens the lungs, improves vision, and brightens the eyes

    Lemons

    • Cold and sour
    • Affects Lungs, Spleen, Kidney, Liver, & Gallbladder
    • Lemon is known for its ability to promote qi circulation, regulate blood circulations, clear heat, eliminate toxins, and resolve phlegm

    Feng Mi (Honey)

    • Neutral and sweet
    • Affects Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, and Lung
    • Tonifies the middle burner and lung, moistens lungs to relieve cough, moistens intestines to smooth stool, relieves spasms, and reduces pain

    Ingredients

    Makes 1 pitcher (8 servings)

    • 1/2 cup Goji berries
    • 1 cup fresh lemon juice (approximately 6-8 lemons)
    • 4 cups water
    • 1 1/2 TBSP honey or sugar

    Directions

    1. Soak Goji berries in 1 cup cold water for 20 minutes, until soft
    2. Blend Goji berries in a mixer with soaking water & 1 additional cup of water
    3. Strain out Goji berries to yield about 1.5 cups of Goji berry juice
    4. Juice fresh lemons to make 1 cup of juice
    5. Combine the Goji berry juice and the remaining 2 cups of water in a pitcher
    6. Add sweetener and mix well

    Adjust the flavors as desired. Add water if it is too strong

    Warnings of over-consumption

    • Too much sour can negatively affect the liver and spleen
    • Too much sweet can negatively affect the spleen and kidneys
    • A warmer version would be better suited for winter seasons to warm internally
  • Getting the most out of these long days with extra time outside

    Getting the most out of these long days with extra time outside

    As the days get longer, it’s easier and easier to squeeze in extra time outside – more dog walks, biking to the store to pick up the missing ingredient for dinner, visiting friends for back yard hang-outs, skipping rocks, more dog walks, etc. I have been noticing a shift in people’s mood with the uptake in greenery and vitamin D.

    • +10 cheeriness
    • +5 stopping to admire gardens
    • +15 smelling blossoming trees
    • +10 walking all over the place

    Another thing I have noticed, not only in others but with myself as well, is a tendency to use the overload of activity during summer to distract from the goings-on of the rest of the world. And while we DO need to take mental health breaks, rest, and recharge, we are now seeing our neighbors who we didn’t see all winter, more people stopping to chat in the front yard, and people visiting from around the country. Use this extra time outside to connect with your community.

    Seeing more people? Take advantage and build community

    Now is a great time to grow our network of real community connections. For some people, it comes naturally; for others, it takes some practice. And there are various levels of effort depending on your comfort level. Here are a few ideas, from small to large:

    • Equipment sharing – yard tools, power tools
    • Offer to be help neighbors in a pinch (i.e. their car has a flat tire and they need a ride to work)
    • Find a local mutual aid organization to donate time or needed items
    • Get involved with a cause you care about (from local, national, and international)
  • Liver Season is in full swing in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

    Liver Season is in full swing in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

    This is a time for renewal, growth and awakening. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the Liver governs smooth flow of energy throughout the body. If it gets out of balance you might experience:

    • Tension in the form of headaches, eye issues, jaw tightness, neck tension.
    • Emotions might come through as increased irritability, frustration, struggles with sleep and feeling stuck.
    • Digestion issues with increased bloating, indigestion and gas.

    Spring is a good time to clear out energy that no longer serves you:

    • Clear out physical clutter, organize one area of your house that always seems a mess.
    • Mental clutter that might be ready to be released, fears and stories you might tell yourself that no longer serve you, limitations you placed on yourself you might be ready to push through.
    • Set digital boundaries for yourself, prioritizing more time outdoors, taking in fresh air and allowing your bare feet to touch the earth.
    • Create a list of what you were grateful for from this past season

    TCM and Acupuncture in Duluth, MN

    I’m always interested in talking about nutrition as it pertains to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Check out my other blog posts for recipes!

    Posts by Jakki
  • Did you know your body has a balance system?

    Did you know your body has a balance system?

    What is our balance system?

    One of our eight senses is the vestibular system — our inner sense of balance and movement. It helps us know where we are in space, keeps us upright, and supports coordination, focus, and emotional regulation.

    Here in the Northland, April is all about the thaw, the gentle ending of our winter reset. Ice loosens, snow melts, and the ground shifts beneath our feet. Wind moves through bare trees. The weather is unsteady and unpredictable — and sometimes we feel that way too. When we intentionally notice gentle movement — slow walks on uneven ground, swaying branches, rocking, stretching, or simply lifting your face to the sunshine and feeling the ground beneath your feet, we give our balance system a chance to recalibrate and reconnect after winter’s stillness.

    This month, move with awareness. Your nervous system is waking up with the season — and steady, intentional movement can help you find your footing again.

    More Occupational Therapy Posts
  • Spring equinox

    Spring equinox

    Spring equinox to me has always meant the height or middle of spring. I consider February 1st to be the beginning of the end of winter and the returning of the sun in preparation of spring. I think this helps me mentally make it through a rough winter. The sun is returning and there is hope for warmer days ahead. This is also a time when seeds are chosen to be planted for the summer growing season and fall harvest. What a great opportunity to clean our outer and inner spaces.

    What do you want to grow this year?

    Community, Self-love, compassion, strength? Stand or sit in a window facing East in the morning and soak in the morning light to help the body reset the Circadian Rhythm. Decide which idea/seed you want to nurture on this day/week/year and breathe the morning light into it as you sip your tea or coffee. Have hope! Soon there will be flowers to smell and all of the ice in Minnesota will be gone.

  • Winter grieving

    Winter grieving

    Finding Comfort in Community This Winter at Halcyon House

    Winter invites quiet reflection and healing. For many, the colder months bring a natural time for grieving. It is a season to pause, remember, and heal. Recently, our dedicated team at Halcyon House experienced deep, personal losses. Navigating grief is never easy. However, sharing the burden makes the journey lighter.

    During this difficult season, we lean heavily on our local community. We are deeply grateful for your continuous support. The kindness of our neighbors brings real warmth to these cold days. Truly, the strength of a community shines brightest during tough times. Your comforting words and presence mean the world to our staff.

    As the holidays draw near, we invite everyone to slow down. The winter season often rushes by in a blur. Instead, we want to focus on meaningful connections. Let us cherish our loved ones tightly. Let us find true holiday comfort in simple moments together.

    We welcome you to join us in creating a space for mutual support. Come share a warm cup of tea or hot cocoa. Sit by the fire and share a favorite memory. We can listen to one another, offer gentle smiles, and heal as a collective group.

    Time with family and friends is incredibly precious. This winter, let us make the most of every single moment. You do not have to carry your grief alone. Halcyon House remains a place of peace, hope, and togetherness for all. We look forward to walking through this season hand in hand with our amazing neighbors. Thank you for being our pillars of strength.

  • Winter Digestive Cleanse

    Winter Digestive Cleanse

    Winter Detox Tips for Minnesota: Why You Should Try a Kitchari Cleanse

    A winter digestive cleansing routine is an excellent way to reset your health and start the new year fresh. While many people gravitate toward extreme juice fasts, freezing raw liquids can severely shock your body during a harsh Northern Minnesota winter.

    Instead of depleting your system, an Ayurvedic kitchari cleanse rests your digestive tract while deeply nourishing your cells with warming, comforting nutrients.

    The Danger of Winter Juice Fasting in Cold Climates

    In Ayurveda, winter is a time to stoke your internal digestive fire (agni), not douse it with cold juices. Cold, raw fasting during a freezing Minnesota January can leave you feeling fatigued, ungrounded, and (more) sensitive to the cold.

    Choosing a warm, cooked food cleanse preserves your energy while gently clearing out accumulated sluggishness.

    What is Kitchari?

    Kitchari (pronounced kich-uh-ree) is a traditional Indian healing dish made from split yellow mung dal (lentils) and basmati rice. Together, these ingredients form an easily digestible, complete protein that stabilizes your blood sugar.

    A traditional kitchari recipe uses a strategic blend of warming spices to balance all five tastes:

    • Sweet
    • Spicy
    • Salty
    • Pungent
    • Sour

    This delicious combination kindles your metabolism, flushes out toxins, and soothes the nervous system. If you want to safely detox this winter, skip the cold juices and try this gentle alternative!

    Here is a great recipe to get you started: Kitchari Recipe 

  • Winter

    Winter

    Embracing the Yin Season: Winter Wellness and Mindful Rest

    As the temperature drops and winter approaches, we naturally enter the most Yin time of year. In the realm of holistic wellness, winter represents a powerful seasonal shift that invites us to mirror the rhythms of nature. This is a sacred season of going inward, conserving our vital energy, slowing down, and deeply honoring rest as a form of proactive healthcare.

    Rather than resisting the darker days, let these quiet months guide you back to your inner self. Achieving true mind-body balance during a seasonal transition requires us to tune into what our physical and emotional bodies genuinely need. You can easily find your own natural rhythm by seeking out daily warmth, intentional joy, and restorative light. At the same time, practice the essential holistic art of boundary-setting. Ensure you are not overextending your personal energy reserves.

    A mindful balance of gentle activity and quiet introspection is the ultimate key to keeping your Yin and Yang energy healthy, vibrant, and aligned. To support your holistic health this winter, focus on seasonal self-care practices:

    • Nourish your body with warming, mineral-rich whole foods.
    • Engage in gentle, restorative movement like yin yoga or intuitive stretching.
    • Dedicate quiet time to daily meditation, journaling, and breathwork.
    • Prioritize deep, restorative sleep cycles to naturally boost your immune system. A little cat mint tincture can help calm the nervous system to promote restful sleep.

    By intentionally shifting from the high-energy demands of summer and autumn into the slow, restorative frequency of winter, you protect your nervous system from burnout. Honor this natural pause. It is an essential phase of your lifelong wellness journey. Allow your mind, body, and spirit to replenish themselves from the inside out.

    Find a session that works for you to care for your body, mind, and spirit! We find that the table heaters warm us through-and-through during a massage.

    Find a Service for You

Powered by CookieAdmin