It's starting to feel like summer here in Norcal, except on Muir Beach at night where we had to wear winter coats and brace ourselves for the wind. Still, the days are getting longer and longer, and Yang energy is peaking. It's a time to feel alive!
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Summer Solstice
Can you believe the summer solstice arrives on June 20? We’ve been waiting for the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. It’s the apex of light in the Northern Hemisphere and a natural point of expansion. The summer solstice gives us space to pause and look clearly at where we are, and what we’re ready to do next.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), summer is ruled by the Fire element. It governs the Heart and Small Intestine, organs that do more than their physiological roles. In TCM, the Heart houses the “Shen,” or spirit. When the Fire element is balanced, we feel connected and inspired. When it’s not, we may feel scattered, restless, or emotionally overheated.
Consider this a turning point to at long last, initiate those healthy habits and make big changes, the ones that felt impossible during the winter months.
June 20 is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year
Seasonal Practices to Support Health and Harmony in Summer
Here’s some practices to tap into this summer energy and align with the Fire element in TCM:
Favor cooling, hydrating foods: Add more bitter greens (like dandelion or arugula), cucumbers, watermelon, mung beans, and lightly cooked vegetables. These help cool internal heat and support digestion. Avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy meals that can increase fire and agitation.
Drink warm or room-temperature liquids: While it might be tempting to drink iced beverages in hot weather, TCM cautions against cold drinks, which can weaken the digestive fire (Spleen Qi). Opt for herbal teas like chrysanthemum, mint, or hibiscus to gently cool without shocking the system.
Prioritize rest during peak heat: Midday is when yang energy is most active. If possible, avoid intense activity in the early afternoon. TCM encourages rest or quiet practices during this window—take a short nap, meditate, or simply slow your pace.
Move with the season: Summer is a good time for more expansive movement—like swimming, walking, cycling, or gentle running—but avoid overexertion. Early morning or evening is best for outdoor activity. Movement should energize, not deplete.
Practice breathwork or qi gong: Gentle breath practices and qi gong exercises help regulate Heart fire, support circulation, and calm the mind. Even 10 minutes in the morning can reset your system for the day ahead.
Support your Shen (spirit): Create space for joy, connection, and meaning. The Heart houses the Shen in TCM, and when the spirit is unsettled, the body often follows. Journaling, spiritual practice, creative expression, and time in nature all help ground the spirit.
Use acupressure to calm and center: Pressing on Heart 7 (Shenmen, “Spirit Gate”), located on the inner wrist crease below the pinky, can soothe anxiety and promote restful sleep. Use gentle circular pressure for 1–2 minutes, especially in the evening.
Lean into community and shared experience: The Fire element thrives on connection. Spend time with people who nourish you. Sit outside, share food, move together. Healthy Heart energy is relational—it doesn't grow in isolation.
The more we live in rhythm with the seasons, the less we need to force change.
Want to tap into the energy of summer? There are just a few spots left for our 3-week program.
Join our $99 3-week program to connect with the fire energy of summer
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More Comprehensive Environmental Pollutants Testing
Announcing a NEW panel for our members!
We are excited to announce a new addition to our screening options: an environmental pollutants panel that includes glyphosate and pesticide testing.
Foundation Members:
All Foundation Protocol members have environmental pollutants included in their membership. This new test will be included as part of your second round of testing. And while it costs US three times more for the test we are NOT passing that cost to you!!
Prologue Members
If you added the detox/destress testing to our protocol you already got one level of testing for environmental pollutants. If you'd like to upgrade your testing in a few months to add the new test please reach out (additional fee)! If you have NOT added detox/destress, you can purchase it for an additional fee.
New Members:
We are updating the protocols to reflect these new tests. Please reach out to learn more.
I believe that health is more than perfect bloodwork or symptom-free living. Biomarkers and diagnostics matter but if your labs look great and you’re miserable, disconnected, or lacking purpose, does it matter?
True health to me means balance with your body, mind, and spirit and feeling aligned with life purpose.
Meaning matters.
A day in my favorite neighborhood in San Francisco
In the beginning of my breakup process, it was really easy to place blame. He did this. He is emotionally immature. He couldn’t communicate. He is an asshole. I was angry, and I stayed in the angry place for a while. All I cared about was getting validation that he was wrong and I was right. For some time, that felt pretty good. After a while, I realized the anger only hurting myself.
The problem with blame is that there’s no room for personal growth. Making someone else accountable for your experience places the entire outcome in their control. I felt so powerless - constantly in situations with men who hurt me, didn’t respect me or value the connection we had. Something had to change.
