Introducing RootsofNourishment.com!

Longtime readers of Ill Wind may have noticed a drift in the subject matter of the blog over the years.  It's always been about whatever catches my fancy, but more and more my fancy has been caught up in certain themes that are probably, by now, familiar: traditional worldviews informed by close observation of nature, for one, and systems of healing that aim to harmonize the individual (microcosm) with the greater world (macrocosm).  More and more, my aim both in my writing and in my life in general is to apply my evolving understanding of these traditional perspectives--whether gleaned from East or South Asia, European or American Indian traditions--to help myself and others find balance, health and fulfillment.  It's enough work for many lifetimes, and being young and enthusiastic, I've been busy. My second year at NCNM's four year Classical Chinese Medicine program (towards a Masters and acupuncture licensure) has me delving into the meat and potatoes of Chinese medicine, with classes in pathology, herbs, acupuncture points and techniques, and clinical observation.  Meanwhile, my studies in Traditional Western Herbalism with Matthew Wood, in combination with my previous experience in Ayurveda and wholistic nutrition, have given me tools I am able put to work right away.  And slowly, out of the beautiful jumble of teachings I am being exposed to, my own individual style is starting to emerge.  Not surprisingly, it is grounded in deep nutrition, balancing the internal terrain (hot/cold, damp/dry) and empowering people to their own healing through practicing embodied awareness. 

Ill Wind has served as a remarkably flexible forum for my polyvalent interests and indulgences.  Now, as those interests narrow, deepen, and come into sharper focus, they need a new internet home.  It occurred to me over the summer that my recent sequence of Chinese Organ Network posts isn't necessarily everyone's cup of tea, and that I may risk alienating people who would otherwise be interested in the blog.  At the same time, I began recognizing the need for another, more professionally-focused website.  A forum to discuss Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, nutrition and herbs, as well as a storehouse of resources, articles and links for patients and fellow students alike.  I began scheming on the site in July, and two months many hours of toil later (thanks to web designer Nate Parsons!) it's become a reality--at least, the basic layout and some preliminary content have.  But there's enough meat on those bones already that I'm excited to go ahead and introduce RootsofNourishment.com!

Please take a few minutes to check out the various pages (accessed by clicking the sliding images at the top of the main page) and to browse through the blog postings there.  You may recognize some of them; I picked out the eight or so most relevant Ill Wind posts, patched them up a bit, and transfered them over to the new site.  Much more, original content is forthcoming, including a series of 'herbal allies' posts beginning with my trusty, deep-rooted friend Spikenard.  The Herbalism, Cosmology, and Cultivation pages are all slated to be worked up in the coming weeks; those for Ayurveda and Deep Nutrition are in place already.  Go on, have a gander! 

What does this bode for Ill Wind?  Well, the plan is to keep both sites alive and kicking, with the more technical, herb-geeky material going to Roots of Nourishment.  That should leave Ill Wind as a catch-all for the detritus of my restless mind--in other words, back where it started.  Over the next couple months, though, activity here at Ill Wind may be sluggish as I work away on content writing for Roots of Nourishment.  Then again, who knows...there's plenty brewing in the weird places of my mind.  So be it!  And selah.