Herbal Wellness and Nutrition Consultations

I have a commitment to health, to fostering that in myself as well as doing what I can with the "tools" I have to foster that in others. I am passionate about health and wellness in the many ways it presents itself and in the many ways we can manifest that for a well rounded self, society, family, and community. This is where the change happens, the personal and community revolution can begin! As an herbalist I attempt to give people an alternative to choices about health, the knowledge to put their health back into their own hands with the help of herbs and nutrition, and the guidance as a practicing clinical herbalist to do so. Nutriton and what we physically put into our mouths is one of the most crucial elements in the health of our body. So much of the 'fuel' we put into our bodies comes directly from the foods we eat, from the nutrients we ingest. So if you want to get the most out of your body for your every day, if you want to feel ALIVE, if you want to keep rockin' in everything you do...then you must look more closely at food as your fuel! As part of the Wellness Consultations, Roots Wise offers nutrition counseling to get REAL food back into your life and your lifestyle. The nutrition consultations take a look at how food fits into your life, what foods fit into your life, how your food choices affect your overall health or any specific health issues you may have and how you can incorporate healthy choices into each meal to get the most out of life! The main goals of the consults are to facilitate lifestyle awareness, explore alternative and practical options to promote healthy lifestyle decision making and to pass on the tools to take appropriate action. Food is also your fuel for action, adventure and FUN! Movement and physical activity is the other crucial component to health. Roots Wise has teamed up with Mocean365, an action and adventure based movement powerhouse, who offers "Personal and Group Training to get you prepared for ripping in the outdoors no matter if you are hucking cliffs or chasing the kids. Led by a trainer who lives and breathes Action each and everyday possible. The workouts are done outside whenever possible and are designed to be effective, complete and though challenging; are very FUN! It is possible to take a creative, systematic and progressive approach to your physical conditioning." Check out their website at www.mocean365.com. Together Roots Wise and Mocean365 will inspire, educate and get people moving and feeling better than ever by offering dynamic workshops centered around physical health through movement and nutrition. Keep an eye out for updates on the when and where of these workshops. In the meantime to set up an Herbal and Nutrition Wellness Consultation, contact me at 603-674-7249 or via email at: megewroot@yahoo.com. Also be sure to keep posted on Mocean365's incredible movement/fitness classes and adventure opportunities at their website listed above. It's time to rock the life you dream about! Photo credits to Jean Jennings (first 2 pics) and Mocean365 (last 2 pics)

Tea Tasting!

Hey everyone! Come on down to the Blue Moon this Saturday, the 5th, from 2-4pm for a Roots Wise Tea Tasting!! Sip on various samples of my herbal tea blends, talk tea with me, learn about the many ways loose leaf tea can be brewed and have fun with me!! For anyone around Vermont next weekend, I will be doing tea tastings on Saturday the 12th at LACE (Local Community Agricultural Exchange) in Barre, VT from 10-1pm then from 2-4pm at Buffalo Mountain Coop in Hardwick, VT.

In fundere...

The word infusion comes from the latin "in fundere" meanning "to pour in". Pour in the water, seep the tea and strain. Simple, effective, enjoyable. Last weekend I had the opportunity to sample out my herbal tea blends at the local market. We talked tea, drank tea and appreciated tea. This was a great chance to get with the employees and locals and hash over what makes an herbal tea, why herbal teas, why loose leaf tea vs tea bags and how they can be easy to enjoy. I feel as though, all too often, loose leaf tea blends are looked at as too time consuming, messy or inconvenient and this was a chance for me to demonstrate that that certainly doesn't have to be the case and often is not. There are so many infusion methods/materials out there these days that support the process of simple, effective, and enjoyable. We also discussed the benefits of loose leaf tea over tea bags, which are plenty, and how medicinal herbal teas are best served as loose leaf infusions to maintain integrity of the plant material and provide you with optimal nutrients and medicine. I was totally stoked to see the interest, the "oh yeahs!", and frankly the conversion!!! Once provided with more information, people can then go and make better informed choices for their health and the health of those that surround them...if you are curious though skeptical...ask! You will not merely being drinking a cup of tea but rather preparing and administrating an easily assimilated medicine, food, and supplier of water! I will doing a tea tasting at the Blue Moon Market in Exeter, NH on Dec 5th (I think it will be around 2-4pm, but will keep you posted), so if you want to come sample, hash over, or do whatever else you can think of regarding tea...come on by! Special props to Skye Nacel for the kick ass photo work!

It's been awhile!!

Hey everyone.... I am feeling back on track with Roots Wise these days as the transition to Vermont is no longer really in transition anymore! So I figured it's about time to share some thoughts and an update or two...First off winter is imminent and that means FIRE CIDER! If you aren't familiar check out the post on my blog a few posts or two back and get the low down so you can be fiery warm and healthy throughout the winter months...esp with the threat of the flu being forced down our throats. Personally I am not one to use the term the "cold and flu season" so readily anymore b/c what it really is about is keeping healthy throughout the year and winter just means you have to get outside more and breathe in some fresh air! There are so many ways to do this and to be comfortable doing so...grab the boots/snowshoes/x-country skies, whatever, and tromp around any which way you find enjoyable! With fire cider on board and your blood moving from MOVING, you'll be warm in no time. Then!....come on back inside and enjoy a warm cup of tea! Now that I'm nestled in Vermont, I have been working on getting Roots Wise Herbals' teas back out there in the stores. Being in Vermont I've realized that medicinal herbal teas blended by an herbalist are not that hard to come by...which is great on many levels but also has made me reflect upon what is it about my tea blends that are so special, why do I stand behind them and why should you??!! "From early on in herbal tradition, the infusion and the decoction have been the predominant form of extraction of medicinal plants and their properties." (James Green). My passion for herbs and teas stems from my growing of herbs...getting to know the herb through it's life cycle, from seed to seedling and from whole plant to infused herb. You learn about exceptional quality vs good quality herbs and about the true taste a plant should leave on your tongue. I have chosen the blends very thoughtfully, taking into consideration their "constitutional" qualities and how all the herbs in a particular blend will work synergistically. They are not blended with "filler" herbs just for flavor but rather with medicinal herbs for their therapeutic properties and they are loose leaf to ensure maximum extraction of those therapeutic properties. Whether you just want some tea to wind down or are looking for some deep immune support...Roots Wise Teas offer a variety. I also love putting together custom blends so feel free to hit me up with whatever ails you! Get to know your local herbalist and where your herbs come from!! This Saturday I am doing a tea tasting at the Green Top Market in Morrisville, VT...a great local market, chock full of goods (most of which are local), and good people! If you just happen to be in the area...swing on in!

Celebrate the Earth that supports us!

Happy Earth Day everyone, today and everyday! It's inspiring to see so many movements towards, in supportive of and in praise of this incredible place we call Earth. While these movements, old and new, blossom and grow deeper, there still are many "movements" out there that are acting in direct opposition to the support of that which sustains them. Check out some of the great movements and organizations that are taking the time, energy, patience, dedication and respect that it takes to support that which supports them and spreading the good word along the way! www.seacoastgrowers.org www.mocean365.com www.seacoasteatlocal.org www.surfrider.org Supporting local is one great way that individuals can both support the local economy while reducing your carbon footprint, start simple or go all out , whatever works for you in your life...it's about the consciousness. Check out what Seacoast Local is doing to educate individuals about what easy steps they can make in their lives: www.seacoastlocal.org. Another great site is www.cuesa.org, the Center for Urban Education Sustainable Agriculture. An organization based out of San Francisco but with applicable info to all running rampant on their site. Roots Wise is about a way of life. Incorporated into this life, very integrally, is health to maintain this way of life. For me herbal medicine is a strong foundation for my health and thus the health of this planet. Herbs are medicines of the earth, the old ways of healing that have sustained cultures of the healthiest and strongest peoples in history. Medicinal plants can be found in every region of the world and the use of plants for healing has been prevalent in all cultures throughout history and continues to play an important role in medicine today. Ponder how your choices for health and healing effect this earth, this great planet that needs our support. A quote from the late, great herbalist Michael Moore: "In this country, the herb business mostly revolves around recently marketed substances, with new research and it comes to us from them. Whereas, we're trying to establish, as much as possible (in this lower level, if you will) the fact that we need to create a practice and a model that is impervious to faddism. We're trying to practice in a way that derives from practice rather than marketing. Not from above to below but from below around. Bioregionalism uber allies. Keep it local. No centralization because centralization kills everything. The largest axe that I grind in my work is to make herb users aware that herbs don't mysteriously materialize into capsules. It is so important to view botanical medicine as they do their produce and dairy products, the closer to the source, the better the quality." Get to know your local herbalist too!

Winter Farmer's Market Feb 7th!

Early February may not exactly be the time that you would think to find a farmer's market....but February still holds the promise of stored goods...onions and garlic, winter crops...turnips, greens, potatoes and carrots, as well as incredible meats, poultry and pork, milk, yougurt and cheeses, wine, fresh bread, shrimp and lobster, maple syrup and tea! All local, all from your community! Check out seacoasteatlocal.rg for more details! "Health is more than simply the absence of illness. It is the active state of physical, emotional, mental and social well being" (as defined by the World Health Organization). I stand behind this defination with the belief that for a life of health, attention must also be given to our external relationships; including our community, and how we interact with our families, communities and environment. Go out and support what is around you, get involved, share and enjoy what is right in front of you!