6 Tips for Falling Asleep
Cortisol, the stress hormone, is released as part of a the Fight or Flight response. You've probably heard the story: back when we were huntering and gathering, when faced with a wild, sabor-toothed tiger, adrenaline was released, our blood vessels dilated, our...
Occupy CCNM!
This common time, Monday, February 6 from 12:15-2:00 pm at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, an OAND Town Hall meeting will be held regarding the Transition Council, to discuss the new legislation for naturopathic doctors in the province of Ontario. As...
Easy Spinach Salad
When people picture "healthy food", chances are high that the first food that comes to mind is salad, especially nutrient-rich spinach salad. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, raw foods require more digestive "heat" to break down and, therefore, are not...
5 Ayurvedic Practices for Digestive Health
According to Ayurveda, disease is a result of poor digestion and poor assimilation of food into the body. Therefore, when we take care to attend to our digestive health, we prevent the occurrence of disease. Here are some tips from an excellent book a classmate lent...
My Top 5 Favourite Health Apps
We've all heard of the potential health implications of spending too much time wired in. Whether it's the radiation from our cell phones, the arthritis that sets in our thumbs, the damage done to our interpersonal communication skills or the strain on our eyes, we're...
Do Unto Others
We've all heard the Golden Rule before: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", and its many variations. But, how valid is this rule and it's impact on leading a happy, healthy and morally sound life? I look at lessons in homeopathy and ayurvedic...
Slow Oats for a Rushed Morning
There are few things as comforting as being greeted by a steaming bowl of warm oatmeal on a cold winter morning. Unfortunately, who has the time to prepare a pot at 6:30 in the morning? Isn't it a shame that we can't all have our own personal chef who prepares a...
Spicy Thai Peanut Soup
One of my favourite dishes for the cold, sluggish winter season is this hearty and invigorating peanut soup. This delicious soup is easy to make and is better (and cheaper) than going to a Thai restaurant. I guarantee you'll serve yourself a second bowl....
Ayurveda: The Doshas Part 3 – Kapha Dosha
This is the third part of the Ayurvedic Dosha Series. In Part 1 we discussed Vata Dosha and, in Part 2, Pitta Dosha. While most people are predominant in one constitution, there are a number of people who represent a combination of two Doshas - I myself am Pitta-Kapha...
Ayurveda: The Doshas Part 2 – Pitta Dosha
This is the second part of a series I am writing on the ayurvedic Doshas: a combination of natural elements that characterize our unique physical, emotional and mental constitutions. Click here to read Part 1 - Vata Dosha. Identifying your own constitution helps you...
Ayurveda: The Doshas Part 1 – Vata Dosha
Ayurveda is the ancient Indian science of healing meaning "Science of Life" (maybe that's why I was drawn to a degree in Life Sciences!). Similar to Traditional Chinese Medicine, ayurveda uses the elements as a means of understanding certain properties of nature....
Smoothie Move!
At my school, The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, smoothie breakfasts are very vogue. I personally haven't fallen to the tradition, preferring to start my day with something more substantial and warm, like steel cut oats. However, after the 2012 Supplier...
Art and “Amor”
There's always been something about the idea of Art Therapy that drew me in. I've always had a passion for creative expression and believe, based on my own personal experience, that the very nature of creating a work of art carries with it rich therapeutic value....
Squash Pasta: Italy Goes Naturopathic
Since beginning classes at CCNM, I've entered into a three-way conflict between knowing I shouldn't eat gluten, knowing I love all things gluten and, well, my Italian grandmother, Nonna. As most of you know, I live with Nonna and Nonna is not impressed with the...
Learning The Vis from Coco
The Vis Medicatrix Naturae, or the healing power of nature, is at the core of naturopathic philosophy. This power, present in all living things, is the blueprint for optimal health and well-being. In naturopathy, sickness is a result of an obstacle to the natural...
Sex and the Kidney
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, sexual health is largely managed by the Kidney organ system. Keep in mind, of course, that as with all organ systems of TCM, when we speak of the "Kidney" we are not talking about the actual, Western kidneys. TCM must be understood as...
Yoga and Mental Health
In North America, 10% of adults are currently taking an anti-depressant. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Canada estimates that 1 in 5 adults fall under the diagnostic criteria for mild to moderate depression. While the number of people...
Living “I Am” Moments
Last semester I took the Ayurvedic Lifestyle course at CCNM, taught by Matthew Remski. In this course, one of the ideas that most resonated with me was the concept of “I Am” Moments. These are moments where the past and future fall away and we become ingrained in...
Why Should I See a Naturopath?
There are some people that buy into that old phrase “a jack of all trades is a master of none”, which is why my classmates and I were disheartened one day when we realized, in a Naturopathic Principles class, that naturopathic doctors really don’t shine in any one...