by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Mar 5, 2013 | Dessert, Diet, Digestion, Elimination Diet, Food, Food Sensitivities, Gluten Free, Health, Nutrition, Recipes
Being on a diet makes it hard to snack, especially when on the road. Any true Canadian will tell you that no road trip is complete without a stop at Tim Horton’s, our favourite roadside coffee hub. And, of course, no Tim Horton’s coffee is truly satisfying without a delicious box of “Timbits”, or assorted doughnut holes, by its side. Every Friday, while teaching English in the summer, I would bring in a box of Timbits for my students to sample some “authentic Canadian cuisine”. They loved them, not surprisingly. Sadly, most people on a naturopathic diet – whichever naturopathic diet you follow – can’t eat Timbits, which are basically little balls of gluten and sugar. But don’t despair, this snack makes a delicious grain-free, whole foods substitute. And the best thing about these coconut-covered balls? They’re good for you!
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Mar 1, 2013 | Cooking, Diet, Digestion, Elimination Diet, Food, Food Sensitivities, Gluten Free, Nutrition, Recipes
This recipe is based on the one provided to me by my colleague Amy, who is currently putting together a cookbook. It’s a fabulous idea for a good-for-you flatbread made of 3 simple ingredients. When my cousin came to visit from Calgary, she brought homemade focaccia made with rosemary and olives. Not being able to eat gluten, I was tortured by that bread for the entire weekend. The sense of deprivation inspired the need to create a gluten-free version of her forbidden bread, using Amy’s grain free recipe as the bread base.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Feb 11, 2013 | Dessert, Detoxification, Digestion, Elimination Diet, Food, Food Sensitivities, Gluten Free, Nutrition, Recipes
I first heard about chia pudding, where else, but among my colleagues, fellow students of naturopathic medicine and self-professed health nuts. Chia seeds are chock full of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids. When placed in water and left for a while their fibre begins to form a gel, creating a “pudding”. I love pudding, but there are few things less naturopathic than the traditional store-bought pudding cups. Here is a great way to get your fibre, omega-3’s and to quench your cravings for soft, comforting pudding.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Feb 8, 2013 | Cooking, Detoxification, Diet, Digestion, Elimination Diet, Food, Food Sensitivities, Gluten Free, Nutrition, Paleo, Recipes
My family and I have been doing Natasha Turner’s Hormone Diet for the past few weeks. The diet mainly consists of eliminating all sources of starch (grains and root vegetables, mostly), sugar, caffeine, alcohol and processed foods, and eating a whole foods diet. While we thought it would be hard – there are a lot of rules to follow – it’s not too bad. We’ve helped each other get through it as a family, taking turns cooking and preparing meals. And as a family, we’ve become healthier: I feel lighter, more energetic and have experienced less cravings for sweets or “unhealthy foods”. I also find that my blood sugar is more stable throughout the day.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Feb 4, 2013 | Digestion, Food, Health, Therapeutic Diets
One of my favourite anti-health commercials on TV are the heartburn ones. My brother and I share a laugh while a woman is slapped by spicy spaghetti to prevent her from eating it and experiencing heartburn. The tagline asks, “Are your favourite foods fighting you? Fight back!” Why is this commercial so ridiculous? It’s the irony; if eating spicy, garbage food gives you heartburn then maybe, instead of “fighting back”… STOP EATING IT! Sometimes we take common sense for granted and, of course, using simple common sense would put Tums out of business.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Oct 29, 2012 | Asian Medicine, Balance, Digestion, Food, Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nutrition
I eat fast. I love taking huge mouthfuls of food and I’m usually the first one finished at the table. Maybe it’s because I’m Italian and have spent years becoming comfortable stuffing my mouth with large, heaping forkfuls, roped in spaghetti.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Oct 18, 2012 | Cooking, Diet, Digestion, Elimination Diet, Food, Food Sensitivities, Gluten Free, Recipes
Just for the record, I don’t follow the Paleolithic diet, nor any diet for that matter. Not to a T, anyways. I enjoy eating legumes, I consume whole grains such as brown rice and quinoa, and I also enjoy eating root vegetables, most of which are eschewed on the Paleolithic, or primitive, diet. I know that many people feel great on the paleo diet, but at this stage in the game that is my personal health journey, it’s not for me. Maybe one day it will be, but not today.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Oct 15, 2012 | Cooking, Dessert, Diet, Digestion, Elimination Diet, Food, Food Sensitivities, Gluten Free, Recipes
Now that it’s midterm season, I’m officially on the baking wagon. Everyone knows that there is no better way to procrastinate than by filling your kitchen with the glorious smell of baked goods.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Oct 4, 2012 | Cooking, Diet, Digestion, Food, Food Sensitivities, Gluten Free, Nutrition, Recipes, Salad
Since the summer I’ve been obsessed with this particular salad. It consists of strawberries, a handful of almonds and baby spinach (or mixed greens) and is dressed with a simple vinaigrette of balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Sep 17, 2012 | Cooking, Detoxification, Diet, Digestion, Elimination Diet, Food, Food Sensitivities, Gluten Free, Nutrition, Recipes
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.
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