2014 has been a year of beginnings and endings. I ended two major relationships: one with the school I went to for 4 years and another with a long-term boyfriend, and began two new ones: I embarked on my own career as a naturopathic doctor and started a new relationship. The past year for me represents the tail end of several important life-cycles and the promise of exciting new beginnings.
It was the year I turned 28, starting a new 7-year karmic cycle. I broke up with my now ex-boyfriend of 5 years and finished my studies at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. I dedicated a large portion of my time to social activities, self-expansion and personal growth. I got out into the world and made new friends while strengthening old friendships. I became a little more daring and a lot more open. These changes helped groom me into a better doctor.
I spent the summer working, dating and studying for NPLEX II. I embraced new opportunities and made many new friends with co-workers, ex-classmates and complete strangers. I became more artistic.
I went to India in August and September after finishing NPLEX II. After 4 years of constantly doing, it felt wonderful to relax into the chaos of India and become an observer for a month. Simply being felt foreign and very uncomfortable at times, but also balancing. I relished the long train rides, the heat and the variety of cultures, smells and colours – especially the food. India contains a furious energy about it. It was a wonderful experience and a brilliant way to open myself up further to new experiences while exploring a different corner of the world.
When I arrived home from India I was ecstatic to find that I had passed NPLEX II and my Ontario board exams. I applied for my naturopathic licence and began looking for clinic spaces. When I met Heather Osler at the Bloor West Homeopathic & Wellness Clinic, I immediately knew that the space was an excellent fit. So far, I’ve been right. The calming, healing energy of the space and the wonderful staff have been amazing. I have been blessed with a practice that has been slowly and steadily building from my first week. I am grateful for the wonderful patients that have booked with me in 2014. I have learned a lot from them and have had the opportunity to help them feel better, something that I love to do.
2015 brings with it the promise of more successes in private practice as I grow my existing patient base and eventually add more practice days to my week. I look forward to connecting with my ex-classmates and new colleagues, to giving talks and writing blogs and connecting with the community. I will be taking a course in Motivational Interviewing (MI) at OISE at the University of Toronto this January and February. I also hope to take more courses in psychological methods to strengthen my ability to treat mental health conditions; I plan to find ways to bring my love for art and writing to the therapeutic experience.
I have the opportunity to volunteer 1-2 days a month at the Yonge Street Mission health clinic and am looking forward to spreading naturopathic medicine to the community, a passion of mine. Between my private practice and volunteer work, I hope to quickly expand the number of people I help with naturopathic medicine.
2015 will bring with it creativity, in the form of exciting new writing projects and an effort on my part to make time for painting and consuming art.
I hope 2015 will be a year of love, bringing with it more fulfilling relationships and the opportunity to strengthen my existing ones with friends, my significant other, my family and, of course, my Colombian yorkie, Coco. I learn so much from my relationships and they remain the most important part of my life. They encourage me to grow and continue to challenge me to become a better person, writer and doctor. I hope to find mentors both inside and outside my profession that challenge me to continue to grow and provide me with needed guidance on my journey.
I plan to travel in 2015, to Puerto Rico, to visit the home of a dear friend and his growing family and back to Guatemala, to see my best friend in her tiny, bohemian village. I would also love to do a silent meditation retreat this year, finding more centring and balance.
I also know that 2015 will be about my own personal health. I have resolved to cut out sugar, drink more water and dedicate myself to becoming physically fitter by engaging in more yoga and strength training. I also resolve to strengthen my mindfulness practice and meditate more regularly, which I believe will help me become more conscious and present, both as a human and as a healthcare practitioner.
Most of all, I hope that 2015 will be about gratitude. As I become older, time seems to pass all the more quickly and I find this to be an alarmingly unpleasant realization. As a lifelong student and now a professional running her own business, I often find myself consumed by future goals, wants and needs, which interferes with my ability to live in the present moment, be reflective of and grateful for all the blessings I have been given in my life and currently enjoy. Dedicating myself to counting these blessings helps to anchor me to the present moment and feel happier with the wonderful life I’ve been given and the wonderful people who surround me.
2014 was an amazing year of transformation and growth. While Back to the Future II promised us a 2015 of flying cars and 80’s-style sneakers that automatically lace themselves, I believe the real 2015 will be an even better year filled with strength, opportunities for further growth and development and love. I hope to build more confidence and wisdom this year, develop more confidence in myself and add more stability to my life. 2015 will be about building strength and foundation.
I wish all of you the best this 2015. What are your reflections, hopes and resolutions for the coming year?
It has been two years since I wrote this popular post. While we’re still strapped for cash, I decided to create an updated version of gift ideas for naturopathic students, doctors and people alike. These gifts are designed to fit the tastes and lifestyle of a health-conscious individual and are geared towards creating a minimal impact on the environment and your wallet while supporting local business and artisans. Happy Holidays!
Supplements:
I have decided that this year my family is receiving vitamin B12 shots and vitamin D drops. I love the d-drops that Shopper’s Drugmart sells. They are inexpensive and have only medium-chain triglycerides and flaxseed oil as additives. This provides the fat needed for vitamin D absorption. Each drop gives you 1000 IU so it’s quick and easy to dose. Vitamin D deficiency can result in autoimmune disease and decreased immunity, hair loss, fatigue and increased risk of certain cancers. So supplement daily from fall until spring. Other great go-to supplements are fish oils, probiotics and herbal tinctures. Talk to your naturopathic doctor about quality brands and the correct dosing and indications.
Teas:
This is a fan favourite. You can visit David’s Tea or Teavana or other local places for ready-made, delicious loose leaf teas. I found some great teas at Adagio Teas and ordered a massive bag. Or you can shops at Perfect Herbs (for practitioners), the Herbal Dispensary or Clefs de Champs, and mix and match herbal concoctions according to the personality and health needs of your family members. Is your brother suffering from premature hair loss and work-related stress? Mix in some Fo-ti and liquorice root. Is your father always on edge? Add in some chamomile and lavender to calm his nerves. Put the containers in a mason jar and create fancy labels and instructions for them. Consider infusion teapots of these Libretea glass mugs, recommended by a friend and colleague.
Natural Body Care:
You can make your own (start with my recipes page or wellnessmama.com), which I prefer, or you can buy from local businesses and artisans; you can start with some amazing products from these lovely herbal ladies or visit a crafts or health fair. Alternatively, Winners often amazes me with some of the organic and natural products that they sell for decent prices, including a face cream with hyaluronic acid made in Italy and argon oil serums. If you’re pressed for cash, I’ve made a great face mask out of matcha green tea powder, castor oil and coconut oil.
Natural soaps, snacks and healthy baking essentials:
Bulk Barn is my new favourite natural haven. I found $1 handmade soaps of evening primrose oil and goat’s milk. I also saw $3 bags of kale chips with vegan seasonings like hemp cream and chives. You can put together a body care and snack package, hooking your loved one up with a selection of gluten-free flours, cereals and even protein powders. You can even purchase glass jars for creating pretty packaging.
Castor oil:
Seems silly, but this really is the gift that keeps on giving. Include a package of instructions on how to create castor oil packs (you can even include a hot water bottle), hair masks and full-body massages. I love castor oil and use it in some way everyday. Alternatively, you can also buy your loved one a quality coconut oil.
Books:
Always a great idea for a gift and the prices range dramatically, making them appropriate for any budget. On my wish list are, Healing Depression Naturally, Motivational Interviewing 3rd Edition,Narrative Practice and Food and Healing. Ebooks are often free or very inexpensive. They are another great option and easily accessible on any tablet, smartphone or e-reader.
Intakes are $150 and covered under most extended health insurance plans. Give your loves ones the gift of health while supporting a local professional. Related options are a package of massages, a gift certificate to Body Blitz or a series of yoga or meditation classes.
Handmade items:
I love Etsy. Also check out Christmas markets and one-of-a-kind shows. Or get in touch with crafty friends who are selling their handiwork. Last year I bought “magic bags” for the whole family, which were made by a particularly crafty friend. Now whenever anyone has sore muscles, indigestion or a headache, we microwave or heat up a bag and enjoy the warmth.
A night out:
This is usually my go-to gift for my father who much prefers quality time over material items. We take him to a movie that he wants to see, a comedy show at Second City ($15 a ticket for students), Art Battle Toronto (held one Tuesday night a month) or Toronto Poetry Slam and out to dinner. Or you can cook a nutritious and delicious dinner at home. And in that case, you’ll need to buy:
A bottle of local wine or a case of craft beer:
I love Ontario wines and they are usually pretty inexpensive, sometimes organic and local. Light a fire, put on some wool socks and Christmas music and enjoy a bottle of red with some organic chocolate from ChocoSol (the most delicious thing I’ve eaten in a long time) and enjoy each others’ company.
A homeopathic first aid kit:
A must-have for any natural health nut, these kits contain a variety of acute, low-potency homeopathic remedies for any health occasion. These contain remedies for a variety of acute conditions including post-surgeries, bruises, bug-bites, coughs, colds and headaches. You can also consider a drainage kit or homeopathic detox kit.
Wall art:
Another personal go-to. I took pictures of mossy, graffiti-covered walls while traveling in India, printed them in 8×10’s and framed them for my brother’s new house. It adds colour, love and memory to your walls and transforms a space while being a meaningful yet inexpensive gift.
Plants:
Decorative or practical (herbs, spices, vegetables), plants are always a natural go-to for the lover of all things green. I’ve seen cool bags for making living walls at local nurseries, which can reduce the carbon footprint and increase the feeling of nature and tranquility to any indoor space.
What about you, what are your favourite go-to gift ideas for the healthy and environmentally conscious individual?
One of my favourite vitamins, after B6, is vitamin B12! (Magnesium is my fav mineral). I have recently bought 1000 mcg and 5000 mcg bottles of injectable methylcobalamin for my clinic. The vitamin contains no preservatives or additives. $15 gets you a quick burst of energy in your deltoid muscle.
Here are 12 things you should know about this snazzy, red vitamin.
1) Vitamin B12 is a water soluble B vitamin. It is excreted through the kidneys.
2) It is found naturally in animal products (meat, eggs, fish, dairy). Vegans do not get this from their diets and need to supplement.
3) Excess amounts of B12 are stored in the liver for up to 10 years.
4) B12 deficiency can result in neurological symptoms such as neuropathy: numbness and tingling, depression, dizziness, anemia and fatigue. Suboptimal levels can result in fatigue.
5) B12 absorption can be impaired in the elderly, those who have had gastrointestinal surgery and those with low stomach acid. It requires intrinsic factor, excreted in the stomach to be absorbed in the intestine.
6) B12 is cobalamin. Supplements of B12 come in three main forms: cyanocobalamin, hydroxycobalamin and methylcobalamin.
7) Methylcobalamin is the active form of B12, which is easily absorbed and passes the blood brain barrier, making it an effective treatment for depression and mental fatigue. Cyanocobalamin must be converted to hydroxycobalamin, which is then converted to methylcobalamin. Many people have inadequate enzymes to convert cyano and hydroxycobalamin to the active form. Therefore, supplementing with methylcobalamin is the best option. It also helps support methylation, which our bodies need for detoxification and mental functioning, among a myriad of other biological pathways. Getting a dose of methylcobalamin is like a 2-for-1 deal: you get a bioavailable form of vitamin B12 AND a methyl donor. Who wouldn’t want to get in on that?
8) B12 levels of under about 200 umols/L of blood is termed a B12 deficiency, where neurological symptoms begin to appear. However, for health, naturopathic doctors prefer B12 levels to be at least above 600 umols/L of blood, ideally 1000. Symptoms are often used as the primary guiding force for B12 supplementation. Some genetic variations result in impaired absorption of B12, resulting in high blood levels, but low levels available to cells. Therefore, testing serum B12 is not a very reliable marker of B12 status in the body. Other markers such as homocysteine and methlymalonic acid can help tell more of the story, or you can choose to supplement and listen to your body, seeing how B12 injections make you feel. B12 is non-toxic and there is no known upper limit.
9) Injections of B12 can be used to treat depression, obesity, weight gain, fatigue, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis and dementia among other conditions. In most people, B12 injections provide a welcome energy boost. A series of shots of 5000 mcg of methylcobalamin is a powerful treatment for depression; B12 helps the body make serotonin, the happy neurotransmitter.
10) People taking Metformin (a glucose-lowering medication for type II diabetes) should supplement with B12 as this medication depletes the vitamin.
11) Vitamin B12 is required to make red blood cells. Deficiency can cause anemia.
12) B12 also keeps homocysteine low. High homocysteine is an independent risk factor for heart disease and can cause inflammation in the body.
Contact me to learn more about getting B12 injections and injecting some energy into your holiday season!
I’ve had two coffees today and I’m not ashamed. Sometimes I even have three.
Today was a good day.
The caffeine flowing through my veins powers my legs down Yonge Street as my calves tighten – good thing I’m on magnesium – and my spine bends in response to the weight of my cross-body bag stuffed with supplies.
I woke up in the middle of the night to find the dragon lying in my bed. Snoring politely, he looked very small, about the size of a beagle. He was staying on his side of the bed, so I tried to get back to sleep. I’d met this beast before and knew he often brought with him ominous feelings of death and despair, but sometimes he would show up at night only to be gone in the morning. Maybe this time I wouldn’t need to worry.
The next morning, though, the dragon was still there. It rolled over and looked at me with its yellow lizard eyes. Its grey, shiny scales were smooth and glistening. I felt a sharp shiver of fear run through me. I wondered if this time he was here to stay. I worried about what he might do.
The class of 2014 has graduated! I’ve received an email showing that I’ve officially completed my clinic numbers for the term. What has followed in the past few weeks has been a whirlwind of emotions: euphoria, exhaustion, excitement, sadness, grief, accomplishment, pride and anticipation for the future.
For the time being, I’ve returned to my part-time job as an English language teacher in down-town Toronto, entering the grey zone of being a post-graduate, pre-licensed ND on the one hand, and an ESL teacher on the other. Being a part of the real-world and outside of the naturopathic medical student bubble has proven to be interesting. It provides real insight into how other people see naturopathic doctors, or what things they associate with that term.
I know about the healing power of art. Sitting in front of a painting and quietly filling in a private world of colour helps to open up the right side of the brain, dissolving the hard edges of worn thought patterns and softening us to possibility. I know that wonderful realizations arise from the quiet space that art can provide. Bright colours draw attention to inner darkness. Self-criticism becomes louder and steps out into the light, allowing us to properly examine it.
Therefore, when I decided to attend an art therapy workshop, I figured myself to be already part of the choir who I thought would be preached to. I knew that art held the magical power to do deep psychological work. I was just curious as to how that would look in a therapeutic setting.
Spring is about cleaning. The April rains wash away the dirt and grime from the winter, people emerge in fresh, light clothing, we tackle the stacks of papers on our desks, sweep out dust and clutter, open the windows to allow fresh air to ventilate our lives and donate old, knobbing winter sweaters to charity. Spring is also the season of the Liver and Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine. This means that our body’s ability to clean revs itself up at this time of year as well. Some wonderful plants also push their way through the ground. Pick some from your garden and start throwing them into everything you eat. Spring is in the air!
I remember sitting in the walk-in clinic. I’d been waiting for over an hour, not to mention the time lost denying my symptoms, waiting until they got bad enough to warrant the visit in the first place. Finally, it was my turn. I walk into the treatment room, where a thin, middle-aged doctor was seated, her hair short and grey, her eyes encased in dark, baggy skin. She didn’t smile. “How can I help you?” She asked, bored already. I began where I thought the story began, at the beginning. I got a few sentences out before she cut me off. I was surprised; couldn’t she see that all this information was relevant? I didn’t just have fatigue, it was a part of me. It was woven into the fabric of my life; it had a back-story. This doctor needed to know when it began, what my life was like at the time, what I’d tried to do to treat it myself, when it felt better, when it felt worse. I didn’t believe she could treat me without that information. Surely it all mattered.
