WHAT IS NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE? The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Medicine defines Naturopathic Medicine as a distinct primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. Naturopathic Doctors practice with the following principles in mind: 1. First, do no harm. Safety is at the forefront of Naturopathic care. 2. Support the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Understand that the body already has

PCOS is a metabolic condition. Learn more about naturopathic support for PCOS in Calgary.

Chickpeas are undoubtedly, one of my favourite foods! They’re great blended as a warm soup, pan-heated whole and infused with spices, as hummus, or even as a salad topper! But, recently, I’ve been experimenting with new ways to create snacks. Roasting chickpeas is super easy and fun, with added nutrition and protein for a salty snack! (You could also create a sweet snack with these as well). Roasted Chickpeas: The Perfect Salty Snack! What you need: Can of chickpeas Parchmen

The brain should be the focal point when we think of longevity. Here are 5 tips to care for your brain: 1. Try and incorporate healthy decisions a part of your daily routine. This not only is important in the foods we consume, but also how we decide to take care of ourselves. Healthy fats like avocado, coconut and raw olive oil and Omega 3’s are beneficial in preserving brain function and optimize brain health. Other healthy choices include walking instead of driving,

It’s February! Naturally, it seems like the time to talk about heart health. At recent conferences I have attended in the USA, beets have been a topic of discussion. But let’s first take a step back to understand cardiovascular disease, briefly. Cardiovascular disease is often something that we associate with certain medical condition (i.e. diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart attack, etc.) and potentially as truly hereditary in some cases as well. We also know that cardio

Women's Health is garnering more and more attention. Symptoms are starting to be addressed and solutions widely discussed in the medical field. Consider the following: · breast cancer · ovarian cancer · cervical cancer · uterine cancer · thyroid cancer · OR any other female reproductive condition such as: PCOS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, infertility, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), cervical dysplasia (precancerous cells found on cervix), etc. · OR any thyroid condition su

Glyphosate is an herbicide that is found around the world. It was originally introduced to kill off weeds in the early 1970s. Since genetically modified foods are resistant to glyphosate, high amounts are used around the world; not only on its own, but also in combination with hundreds of other products used in homes and farms. Research is showing us that exposure to glyphosate may be a potential contributing factor behind some chronic health concerns. There are foods that co

According to Health Canada, the month of March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month! So, I thought it would be fitting to briefly discuss Colorectal Cancer (CRC) and how naturopathic medicine may support you and/or your loved ones. CRC is diagnosed in the colon (large intestine) and/or the rectum when rapidly dividing tumor cells are detected through imaging; most commonly a colonoscopy. Although it is typical for CRC to occur in individuals over 50 years of age, new

Is your skin preventing you from being happy? It really shouldn’t. Skin is the largest external organ our body has and it deserves some TLC, lifestyle optimization, a reduction in inflammatory triggers and maybe some hormone optimization. Naturopathic Skin Support may include: 1. HEALTHY GUT = HEALTHY SKIN. Skin conditions are best addressed from the inside-out - find the cause. Approximately 70% of our immune system is in our gut. So, it’s safe to say that our gut modulates

This seasonal applesauce recipe is perfect to pair with nut or seed butters, vanilla coconut ice cream or just on its own! It’s also allergy-friendly (gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free). This guilt-free dessert is a perfect for any seasonal dinner. Here's what you'll need: 3 pounds of apples (I prefer variety: Granny smith, Gala, sometimes Red Delicious) ½ cup water (you may need more or less)...more explained in the directions For the fall/winter seasons, I like to add 2 tab

Have you experienced either of these symptoms or been diagnosed with any one of the following conditions? Thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroid/hyperthyroid/autoimmune thyroid) HPA axis dysfunction (not waking up rested in the morning, second wind of energy at night, always on-the-go etc.) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Endometriosis Uterine Fibroids Menopause/Perimenopause weight & mood changes Cervical dysplasia (pre-cancerous cell growth on cervix) Irregular periods Premen

In my humble opinion, these Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies are delicious! Unlike the other recipes where I have used fruit such as banana to sweeten, this recipe did call for some organic maple syrup. You can amend the recipe as you see fit, but this is a treat perfect for special occasions. What you need: 1 cup gluten free oat flour (I like to blend whole oats, so I don’t have to buy it) 1 cup GF whole oats 1 tbsp ground flaxseed 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/3 tsp salt 1/2 tsp c

June is Thyroid awareness month in Canada. The thyroid gland is integral in its contribution to the functioning of our bodies. It is located in the middle of the neck, in front of the trachea. It is often referred to the gland that resembles a “butterfly” shape, given its two lobes. The thyroid gland is a part of the endocrine system (the system regulating hormones) and is responsible for producing thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland plays an significant role in our body’s met

I have been "attempting" this overnight oat and chia pudding task for a couple years and I finally think I found the perfect recipe for me! Let's go! When I meal prep for something like this, I like to make a few at a time for simple choices throughout the week. I use the small mason jars - I find that it's perfect for what I like. If you feel like you would like to add more ingredients, you may need a larger jar. In each jar, add the following: 1/4 cup gluten free oats 1 tbs

May 17,2020 is World Hypertension Day. Let’s talk about Blood Pressure! Hypertension is the medical term for blood pressure that has been elevated over a long period of time. It is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Generally, hypertension does not present with any major aggressive symptoms and hence has been termed the “silent killer”. However, some individuals with very severe hypertension may experience symptoms such as: shortness of breath, nosebleeds, h

Sleep hygiene is essentially your "bedtime routine"....and preparing your body for QUALITY SLEEP and REST in the most effective manner possible. What's your current bedtime routine? Are you engaging in screen time before bed? Are you eating a late dinner right before bedtime? Do you prefer to exercise right before bed? Hint: All of the above may disrupt the quality of sleep that you get. So, here are a few basic tips to promote healthy sleep: Limit blue light exposure (screen

One thing I love about this Choco-Banana Oat Cookies recipe is that you don't need to be exact with proportions of the ingredients. Add WHATEVER you want to them...it's an opportunity to use up anything you have lying around the kitchen! Prep time: 10 minutes. Bake time: 20 minutes. Total time: 30 minutes. Ingredients: 2 bananas (Tip: the more ripe, the more sweet the cookies - beware!) 1.5 cups whole gluten-free oats 2 tbsp Cinnamon (I love cinnamon!...so maybe 3!) 3 tbsp 10

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a term encompassing two conditions: Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis. Both involve chronic inflammation of the GI tract. The immune system is heavily involved in IBD. Both Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis are considered autoimmune conditions. The infographic below has been sourced from Crohn's & Colitis UK. Primary Conventional Medical Treatments for IBD may include: Anti-inflammatory medications Immune medications (E.g. Biologics or TNF-al

Acne is a skin condition in which the hair follicles in the skin become clogged with oil and skin cells and may also be accompanied by bacteria & inflammation. Signs of acne may include: Lesions: Comedones (open comedones = blackheads; closed comedones = whiteheads), Pimples that include pus (pustules), Large tender bumps under the skin (nodules), Cystic pockets under the skin’s surface Tenderness localized to an area Location: face, back, chest, sometimes upper arms as well

We hear about self-care all the time. What does this look like for you? Here are my 5 Ways to Express Self-Care: 1. Set boundaries. The boundaries we don’t make are the lines that cause disappointment when crossed. Practice boundaries regularly, so that you and the others around you are aware that those are your boundaries. 2. Speak up when you feel a certain way about something. Sometimes, we tend to hold our thoughts back in conversations or situations, again, to accomm