Chemistry

Green Chemistry! What a dream it sounds to have green chemistry. I  know "green" is a very overused buzz word, but conceptually this is a great move in the direction that our planet needs. Particularly the emphasis on holding companies accountable for the toxicity their product produces.  We need more policy around commitment to protect and preserve our world. People from all economic backgrounds should have the accessibility to clean products and less harmful living conditions, less exposure to toxins and more support and accessibility to energy efficient resources.  I like this image too because it reminds me of the five element generating cycle. 

Question 1: Reflection on one of our class discussions from this afternoon: The discussion that sticks out the most to me is the microplastics blowing in from the ocean breeze. This is so disturbing, but I ask myself why? Plastic has been a product of the future my entire life. From the first computers, to leggos, to children's toys and bikes, to our clothing, cars, food containers-- it is everywhere! Even though I try to be mindful of what I purchase and how it is stored. I find plastic every place  I look. It is really disturbing that it feels like we cannot live without plastic, yet we know how incredibly toxic it is to our world and ourselves. And now microplastics are making there way to some of the untouched places of the earth. It is really depressing & I hope we can find a collective solution to our plastic problem in my lifetime.

Welcome to under my sink, aka the chemistry lab. We just replaced part of the pipe the day before so this is relatively clean believe it or not. In the back you can see hydro logic water filter, crowded by a bag of sponges (so they don't get wet) and cleaning materials. I am trying to refill plastic bottles so there are some empty dish soap containers, some seventh generation disinfecting liquid, rubbing alcohol, distilled white vinegar, some silver polish for silverware, a Clorox bleach pen (have no idea where that camp from), bon ami powdered cleanser for tough surfaces, a jar a bacon grease (yum) hand sanitizer from my friend at the local distillery, and a bag of recently cleaned towels for cleaning up messes. IN the back is a bottle of simple grean, and liquid soap for washing the floors and finally a fire extinguisher that I have no idea how to use. Oh there is also one emergency candle. How's it look?

Hello everyone My name is Kate August. I am at the end of my first trimester here at ACCHS, which means I started my journey with acupuncture school last May 2019. I have a background with western herbal medicine and I work part time as an educator at the California School of Herbal Studies where I have been sharing plant medicine information for the past (almost) decade. I feel honored to do this work and it is what inspired me, among many other paths, to study Chinese medicine. I have long history in the bay area food scene and flavors and tastes shape my medicine making approach. I enjoy digging in my garden, reading, walking in the woods with my dog and being in water, particularly the ocean but I also enjoy rivers and alpine lakes. Nature makes me happy.