A Botanical Remedy for Sunburned and Bug-Bitten Skin

A Botanical Remedy for Sunburned and Bug-Bitten Skin

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When the summer sun begins to shine its light on the Great White North, Canadians shed their winter layers and soak up some much-needed vitamin D. However, as many of us learned from a young age, along with more skin exposure comes a risk of sunburns, rashes from plants like poison ivy, eczema, heat rash and, my personal favourite, bug bites. Don’t let the bugs deter you and from family from enjoying the gorgeous summer air! An easy way to relieve pain and itching from these minor, yet uncomfortable, skin ailments can be found in this simple, home remedy.

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Canada’s Food Guide to the Dairy Lobby?

Canada’s Food Guide to the Dairy Lobby?

"Moooo! We need our milk for our calves!"

“Moooo! Our milk is for our calves!”

As far as Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating is concerned, naturopathic doctors differ in their views. In terms of a general guideline, I believe that it does a pretty good job of promoting a healthy diet: focusing on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, meat and protein. It even suggests adding healthy oils to the diet and supplementing with vitamin D. Not bad. But, as they say in my family, “Close, but no cigar.” I have one piece of beef with the Food Guide, and it’s not the beef, but rather another cow product that offends me: the outrageously huge influence on dairy.

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The Anti-Itch Shake

The Anti-Itch Shake

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There are many types of immune cells in our bodies and various groups that they belong to: leukocytes, lymphocytes, macrophages, natural killer cells, etc. Some of the major contenders, and the ones that are involved in autoimmune disease and allergic conditions, are a type of lymphocyte called the T cells. T cells can be divided into more groups: among them cytotoxic, “killer” T cells and helper T cells.

The helper T cells have a role in presenting inside invaders to B cells and other cells of the immune system, while the killer T cells kill the bad guys directly. The helper T cells can be divided into two more groups: Th1 and Th2 (the h stands for “helper”). Th1 cells are involved in the first part of the immune system, showing the invaders to macrophages, which eat the invading pathogens, Pacman style, while also sounding the call that the body has been invaded and recruiting more immune cells to the scene. The Th2 cells show the invaders to other lymphocytes, the B cells, which make antibodies, providing the body with memory of what to do when the same invader strikes again.

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The Benefits of Ginkgo

The Benefits of Ginkgo

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When I was very small, the tree at my parent’s house became sick and was cut down. I don’t exactly remember the great pine tree, but I remember it’s large, rotting stump, which was left as evidence of its towering existence on the lawn of our front yard. As a replacement, the city planted another tree in its place: a ginkgo tree.

What was once a disappointingly small, skinny sapling now towers over the two-story house, its trunk the diameter of my outstretched arms, an alarming reminder of the passage of time. I have always been fond of our ginkgo tree, with its delicate, fan-shaped leaves and its aire of exoticism, but I am developing an entirely new relationship with the plant as I begin to discover its array of clinical uses as well.

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Homemade Coconut Milk Ice Cream

Homemade Coconut Milk Ice Cream

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I never thought I’d enjoy ice cream again. During the 4 months I spent volunteering in Costa Rica, I became obsessed with ice cream. It wasn’t my fault; it seemed that the whole population was obsessed. At the end of a long work day, one could spot businessmen nursing a McDonald’s soft-serve cone, leaning their bodies back from the drips that threatened to send their suits to the dry cleaners early.

This obsession with ice cream, which is damp and cold, is probably not the best thing for people of Kapha constituion, but I knew very little about ayurvedic medicine back then. I also had no idea that one could be intolerant to dairy, which I now know that I am. My almost-daily ice cream treat contributed to a 40-pound weight gain in those 4 short months.

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When the Tests Come Back Negative

Many people come to see a naturopathic doctor only after they have already been to see everyone else, having run around the ring of the conventional medical establishment, all to have them conclude, “there’s nothing wrong with you.” Sometimes a patient might have heard, “it’s all in your head,” but they basically mean the same thing: “there’s nothing we can do for you. Now please leave us alone.” For the patient it might be a nice to hear that nothing serious is the the matter with them when the blood tests and other diagnostic testing come back negative, however, the symptoms that caused them to seek help in the first place still persist, leaving them feeling hopeless and confused.

After traveling to Costa Rica I experienced rapid weight gain, which I could not attribute to a  change in diet or a sedentary lifestyle; I still watched what I ate and exercised. The feeling that I was gaining weight despite what I did made me feel helpless, like my body was acting of its own accord. It damaged the trust I had in my body, hindering the relationship I have with it, and the feelings of getting larger in a society that praises thinness made me feel self-conscious and ashamed.

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What to Eat

What to Eat

For some weekend inspiration I compiled a simple poster on how to eat. What has become very complicated by popular diet books, Dr. Oz and billions of dollars of weight loss fads is really quite simple: eat real food. Follow these simple principles, one day at a time, in moderation, and I know you’ll do great things for your health and general well-being.

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And finally, remember, “it’s not always what you eat, but what might be eating you.” Diet and exercise have their place but dealing with the mental and emotional stuff is just as important too.

Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Healthy Breakfast Ideas

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Brussel sprouts with morning coffee? Why not?

Its seems that, for most people, the hardest part of starting a new diet is figuring out what to eat for breakfast. To help some of my RSNC patients on the road to hypoallergenic, healthier living, I compiled this handout to give them some inspiration for the most important meal of the day. These breakfasts might be appropriate for some on the elimination diet, but since each diet is different, make sure you review the ingredients first to verify that the recipe fits your dietary needs.

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Arugula Goat Cheese Salad

Arugula Goat Cheese Salad

IMG_1467Arugula is in season right now; everyone’s gardens are blossoming with it and that’s fantastic news. Its pretty, delicately shaped leaves and interesting, spicy bite combines well with any summer salad recipe. It provides flavour and punch to a nutrient-rich profile of fat soluble vitamins, calcium and carotenoids. Plus, there’s something about it that just makes me feel fancy.

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