For the next three weeks I’m house-sitting at my parents’, 1.5 hours away from the school. Not only are classes at CCNM long and tiresome, my commute time has also increased. I also have the added stress of having a small dog waiting for me when I get home. This makes finding the time to prepare something healthy to eat at night a challenge.
I have been in a long-distance relationship with J since August 2010. Here is my reflection. It’s a rollarcoaster of emotions – the oscillation between being OK with it – the “it’s better this way, we’re both so busy we wouldn’t survive if we were physically together” – and complete dejection and despair.
Now that we’re into fall it seems like I have a to-do list a mile long. Fortunately, even in a city like Toronto, there is still the opportunity to find the space between all the things that have to be done and slow down by doing some Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing”.
One of my favourite herbs to treat skin is calendula, or marigold. The bright orange petals from this pretty flower helps soothe and moisturize minor cuts, burns, bruises and scratches, helping to increase the speed of wound-healing and decrease infection. Calendula is also used to treat dermatitis or other itchy skin conditions, especially allergic conditions like poison ivy rash or bug bites, or can simply be used as a skin moisturizer, improving skin health and appearance.
The Elimination Diet doesn’t have to be just about chicken and brown rice. Here’s how to enjoy delicious Asian food-cart food from the comfort of your own home, without sacrificing your diet.
It seems that, for every person who embraces the idea of holistic medicine with open arms and an open mind, there is at least one skeptic who refuses to acknowledge that alternative medical practices not only exist, but are growing in popularity, helping thousands of people and, most likely, are here to stay.
Treat yourself to some visual nature cure with green scenes from Colombian towns around Bogotá and Medellín. 2012.
Back in May, when the four glorious months of summer lay before me like a vast, expansive ocean, I had the luxury of fantasy. I imaged myself, summer skirts flowing and carrying a basket full of flowers, gliding over pavement on my bicycle.
It´s been a while since I´ve talked about food on this blog, which is a shame, since this blog is about naturopathic medicine and, as Hippocrates said, “let food be thy medicine.” Any naturopathic doctor will tell you that a great diet is the key to health, happiness and longevity. I´ve just gotten back from my fourth trip to Colombia and have decided to reflect on my most recent experience with Colombian cuisine.
The first thing I notice about Bogotá, when descending the rickety stairs of the airplane, is the smell: a strange mixture of damp clay, lush green vegetation and diesel smoke. The altitude provides a lightheaded feeling of well-being and forceful palpitations of your abdominal aorta begin somewhere between your sternum and navel.
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