In honor of Dr. Jaffe’s recent birthday, we thought it might be fun to share a few of his favorite things!
Organic Peaberry Kona Coffee
Peaberries are a special type of coffee bean created when a single berry/bean forms in the coffee fruit “cherry” rather than the usual two. Peaberries make up only 5% of all coffee beans and are thought to taste sweeter and possess more caffeine than typical beans. Kona is a specialty coffee grown in the prime farming locations of Hawaii on Hualalai and Mauna Loa, using a special production process.
DrJ loves organic shade-grown Kona peaberry coffee roasted the day it is shipped. It has many beneficial nutrients and stimulates dopamine release in the brain. He likes to use a burr grinder and French press to make his perfect cup of morning coffee.
Here is one example of organic, freshly roasted Kona peaberry coffee: https://bigislandcoffeeroasters.com/products/100-kona-peaberry-coffee-93pts-4oz
Tagine Cooking
A tagine is a specialized cooking pot for slow-cooking, as well as the name for the food that is prepared in it, typically a blend of sweet and savory flavors. It originated and is popular in Moroccan cooking. Tagines can be used in the oven or on the stovetop. They have a conical shape that allows steam to circulate, condense, and drip down on the food while cooking, keeping it moist. Dr. Jaffe enjoys preparing and eating various vegetable tagines. Here is an example of a tagine.
Permaculture Gardening
A permaculture garden is essentially a garden designed to take advantage of the local climate and ecosystem to create a self-sustaining system that mimics nature. DrJ has an extensive fruit, vegetable, and flower garden that brings him great joy year-round.
This winter, DrJ is experimenting with growing Reishi mushrooms. Reishi are one of many medicinal mushrooms that have a long history of use to treat a variety of conditions. They have been known to support the immune system, reduce stress, and decrease fatigue, and support quality sleep.
Forest Bathing
The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, encourages getting out into natural places. Evidence has shown that forest environments help boost immune function, improve attention, reduce stress, and improve mood. During the warmer months, forest environments also bathe you in green light.(see below). Dr. Jaffe enjoys walking in nature when he can and recommends walking at least 20 minutes daily in the most natural environment available.
Green Light Therapy
Since studying with the venerable Bhanté Dharmawara, DrJ has embraced Bhanté’s color theory. Green is the middle of the light spectrum and brings harmony and balance to the pineal and pituitary glands and through them to the body. Green is also the color of the heart chakra (love). Green light therapy will help rebalance the pineal control center, resulting in less harmful impacts from stress and an overall better-regulated mood. Want to try it? Use a dichroic green light (150 W PAR 38) regularly for at least 20 minutes before falling asleep and upon awakening.
Low Temperature Sauna
Whereas typical saunas use high heat to remove water-soluble metabolites through the sweat, low temperature saunas (105-110º F) require longer sessions. They are designed physiologically to remove more toxic fat-soluble metabolites like persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through sebum (oil glands). Low-temperature saunas are thus more effective for detox than their high-temperature relatives. Dr. Jaffe enjoys relaxing in his low temperature sauna on a regular basis. Here is an example of a far-infrared low temperature sauna: https://infraredsauna.com/new-clearlight-sauna/