About Preserve

One definition of preserve is to maintain or keep the same, but to me, the concept of preservation is much more complex.

Preserving food protects its goodness and edibility, but it does not keep the food the same. There are many ways to preserve food, and most methods are quite dynamic. Important changes take place--fermenting cabbage into sauerkraut or kimchi alters the flavor and texture while making it easier to digest. Freezing berries weakens the plant cell wall, making the antioxidants more bioavailable. Culturing milk into yogurt adds beneficial bacteria that can help restore a microbiome in need of some support. I love these examples of food adapting to an environment and transforming into something different, often better. My healing philosophy borrows from these examples--I believe we can face challenges of all kinds and adapt as we need to while protecting and preserving the parts of ourselves that make us who we are.

The word preserve also brings to mind canning jars, jam on toast, and afternoons in the kitchen with my grandmother. Somehow it captures strength, perseverance, comfort, and hope all at the same time. In my experience, we need all of these traits to heal. I strive to help patients access these attributes within themselves while they do the hard the work of healing.