Summer Time Is the Right Time!

3 Great Reasons to Visit the Berkshires and the Kushi Institute this Summer!

Summer time is the right time to visit the Kushi Institute and the beautiful Berkshires. With a myriad of activities and world class venues there is something for everyone. We picked our three favorite summer time activities, but there are many, many more. Whether you're into shopping and dining or hiking and biking, the Berkshires is for you!

1. Summer Conference! Every year the Kushi Institute hosts an Annual International Summer Conference Festival. Faculty and students gather from around the world to celebrate the power of natural healing. International teachers from Amsterdam, England, Japan and the United States offer a wide range of classes. Relax and rejuvenate with Yoga, Gi-Gong, Shiatsu Massage, and Meditation. Learn to prepare deliciously satisfying dishes in our Summertime Salads and Oddles of Noodles classes. With an average of four cooking classes offered daily you'll be sure to tantalize your taste buds with tofu and temeph, while learning to prepare fiber rich greens and balanced macrobiotic meals. We also offer plenty of courses to help you and/or your loved ones deal with health challenges such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and hypoglycemia. Our all-star faculty will be offering a variety of private sessions including menu planning, personalized health consultations, palmistry,  shiatsu massage, yoga, and much more. Day, weekend, and week passes are available. Click here for more information and afull schedule of classes. Call (800) 975-8744 with any questions.

2. Outdoors! Our backyard is in full bloom during the Summer! We have over 600 acres of natural beauty for you to explore. Our campus is located near many natural gems including Mount Greylock, Bish Bash Falls, and Ice Glen. We are surrounded by gorgeous hiking trails including the famous Appalachian Trail. Is Golfing more your thing? We got you covered. Not only are we offering private golf lessons with Les Bolland, but the Berkshires is home to many world class golf courses including Cranwell Resort and Spa. Clickhere for more info on golfing in the Berkshires. You can visit nearby lakes and streams for swimming, kayaking, canoeing and even fishing. Check out some of our local campgrounds for more information on outdoor activities here. 

3. World Class Attractions! Tanglewood is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops. Their world class line-up includes Sheryl Crow, Cirque de la Symphony, John Williams and much more.  The Berkshires is home to unique museums with exquisite collections. MASS MOCA is one of the largest contemporary and performing arts centers in the country. With large scale installation works and summer music festivals you'll be sure to impress art connoisseurs and novices alike.  The Clark is home to a collection of American and European paintings, sculptures, drawings and decorative arts. In addition to their impressive permanent collection of Manets, Monets, Renoirs, and the like, the museum is an architectural gem and a great place to go for an afternoon stroll. Looking for some Americana? The Norman Rockwell Museum is for you! Learn about Norman Rockwell's unique contributions to not only the field of art, but also popular culture and politics. Visit www.berkshires.org for more information on things to do and experience in the Berkshires. If you are like us and love a great farmer's market, visit www.berkshiregrown.org for a listing of local events. 

Visit www.kushiinstitute.org for more information. 

Corn Silk Tea: Recipe and Benefits 

Great for warm weather, Corn Silk Tea is the perfect summer time remedy! 

Corn has been enjoyed by Native Americans, as it's understood to be the only cereal crop native to North America, for thousands of years. Corn, rarely eaten fresh, was dried and processed to make cakes, breads, hominy, tamales, and meal. Nothing was disregarded. Husks were dried and used to make dolls, mats, baskets and even moccasins. The silk was used to make Corn Silk Tea. Among its many benefits, Corn Silk Tea is particularly good for the heart and kidneys. 

Corn silks are those long, fibrous, golden strands that you peel off your ear of corn and toss into the garbage or your compost bin. Not anymore, not after you learn about some of the amazing benefits of corn silk. 

Corn Silk Tea is a natural diuretic and is effective in detoxifying the body, especially the kidneys and bladder. It can increase the flow of urine and help flush toxins out of the system. It also decreases fluid retention. It can help alleviate pains associated with inflammation in the joints (arthritis), urinary track, bladder, and prostate. It is a natural and safe remedy commonly used for the following conditions:

1. Bladder Infections 

2. Urinary Tract Infection and Inflammation

3. Prostate Inflammation 

4. Kidney Stones

5. High Blood Pressure

6. High Cholesterol 

When purchasing corn, always look for organic. If organic is unavailable, please avoid it. Corn Silk Tea is also available for purchase in tea bags online and in health food stores. Look for brands that are certificated organic. Below is a recipe for fresh corn silk tea. For proper frequency of use, please consult an experienced Macrobiotic counselor. 

 
Recipe for Corn Silk Tea:

1/2 cup corn silk

1 quart of spring or filtered water 

Place corn silk in water in sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for several minutes on low. Enjoy hot! 

You can also dry corn silk and store for later use. 

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