Curry Kale-Zucchini Soup and Grief-based Insomnia

...and more awards for "Mom's Search for Meaning"

I know. This is not a recipe you’d expect in a pre-Thanksgiving post, but it is a delicious, light soup for The Aftermath. As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, in Chinese medicine, autumn is a time to protect immunity and the lungs. Dark green and light orange veggies are full of beta-carotene which protect our skin and mucus membranes, including those in the lungs, nose and throat. Kale is also packed with fill-you-up fiber, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins C and K. Curry powder contains turmeric and other spices that reduce inflammation. Zucchini is also full of the aforementioned goodness, and with cilantro, benefits the eyes. My clients who battled macular degeneration swore by this sumptuous soup.

NOTE: If you have a medical condition or take medications that call for vitamin K restriction, talk to your prescribing doctor before consuming kale.

As I mentioned last newsletter, in Chinese medicine, autumn is considered part of the metal element, ruled by the lungs which process grief and sadness. When grief is expressed, it strengthens our lungs and overall health. When it is repressed, grief caused constriction in the lungs, which hinders their functioning—to fill up with vitality, disperse tat vitality, then empty themselves. Focusing on where we feel grief, releasing our emotions and sharing our grief with others, is not only good for our mental health, but our lungs, immunity, AND SLEEP as well.

In that spirit, it was an honor to interview grief therapist Claire Bidwell Smith and Dr. Chester Wu — a psychiatrist and sleep specialist — for an article I placed in Well + Good magazine last week. We talked about how grief impacts sleep and what you can do to improve sleep during times of grief. You can read that here.

It was also an honor to have my grief journey featured in USA Today last week. It’s the second story down in this article. You can check it out here.

I am honored that my memoir Mom’s Search for Meaning was a finalist in two categories — Grief/Hardship and Women’s Non-fiction — in the Independent Author Network’s Book Awards. Thank you to all who have supported me and the book by purchasing and reviewing. I deeply appreciate it.

To your health,

Melissa