Turmeric Coconut Latté
This hot, beautifully golden-hued drink features anti-inflammatory spices in a creamy, frothy format that is ideal to sip on in the morning, savour for an afternoon or enjoy as a bedtime snack. Turmeric, Curcuma longa was the “it” herb of 2016/17, and for good reason. It has been used as a healing herb for hundreds of years in Ayurvedic medicine and other Asian medicine systems. By present day scientific standards, it has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory properties. Interestingly, specific to our diet discussion, a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2008 found that turmeric suppresses the
Curried Squash Soup
Golden hued and full of warming spices, a steaming bowl of this soup is the perfect antidote to a cold & dark winter day. Spicy, satisfying and vegan, this recipe features many immune supportive nutrients. The curry spices (turmeric, coriander and ginger) are natural anti-inflammatories that also aid digestion. The robust orange squash is a good source of vitamin A, a key fat-soluble vitamin for healthy immune function. Lastly the coconut oil and coconut milk contain lauric and caprylic acids which have both antimicrobial and immune enhancing properties. Creamy dairy-free goodness! INGREDIENTS: 1 large butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds,
The Myth of “Hormone Balance”
What most women don’t know is that hormone balance changes over time. The definition of hormone balance depends on your age + stage. Here are the differences in a nutshell: 🌸 Premenopause (typically under age 40) During this time, it’s normal to have a monthly period. It’s normal to notice cyclical changes in your body and emotions as your estrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall each month. One hormonal imbalance to look out for at this stage is 💥estrogen dominance. This is when estrogen levels are too high in comparison to progesterone. Signs can include heavy or painful
Kale Arame Salad
Whenever I prepare this salad, whether for a small gathering or at a large retreat centre, it’s sure to be a favourite! I’m proud to say it’s the first recipe in Moreka Jolar and Heidi Scheifley’s cookbook, Hollyhock: Garden to Table and I just love their cute intro to the recipe where they state, “This is the kind of salad that goes straight to your blood bank. It’s so high in iron and mineral-rich that even the ocean gets jealous.” This salad features some nutritional heavy-hitters. Most of us have heard of kale’s superfood status, but did you know that
SUN TEA
This sun tea recipe helps you take full advantage of the warmth of the summer sun, try making a fresher tasting version of iced tea using solar energy instead of boiled water. This is a technique that sweetly coaxes out the essence of your tea with the rays of the sun creating a cleaner, smoother, more refreshing iced tea. What kind of tea? I love to have ones for pure flavour fun (like a berry one) but as a Naturopathic Doctor, I know they can also be therapeutic (medicinal) and delicious. For example: Hibiscus is so high in Vitamin
Brazil Nut Parmesan (Dairy-Free!)
This recipe is a delicious dairy-free topping for things like pasta, salads (kale, or vegan Caesar salad), stews, casseroles, you name it! Reducing dairy is a great way to begin to decrease inflammation and avoid potential foods that are commonly sensitivities for many people, often recommended to in the case of problem skin conditions and our hair is an extension of our skin! Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium- from 68-90 mcg/nut! Selenium is an important trace mineral that is very helpful for hair growth. Selenium is also key for proper functioning of thyroid hormones -particularly their conversion
Get Your Greens Soup
Get a great dose of nutrient dense leafy greens in this simple yet tasty creamy soup made with no dairy or other “cream”. Just like a green drink but in a warm soothing form — even better for digestion and absorption! Excellent for those needing to increase their intake of easy to eat greens for the increased nutrition demands of pre-conception planning, pregnancy and beyond. Many parents have told me this recipe is “Trojan horse soup” — similar to a sneaky smoothie where you can pack so many nutrient dense ingredients into one unassuming serving! The signi cant amount of
Fiber: How much is enough?
Fiber: How much is enough? Nutritional guidelines for North Americans recommend getting 14 grams of fiber for every 1000 calories in the diet. 💥 So we’re talking 25-30 grams of fiber per day for most adults. Here are some foods to help you get there! ✔️1 cup raspberries (8g) ✔️ 1 cup broccoli (5g) ✔️ 2 carrots (3g) ✔️ 1 cup quinoa (5g) ✔️ 1 cup black beans (15g) ✔️ 1 ounce chia seeds (10g) If you want to get into fibery details.... There are two main kinds of dietary fiber — soluble fiber and insoluble fiber and most plant foods have some
Dry Skin Brushing
Dry Skin Brushing is a wonderful technique to add to your daily self-care routine. Our skin is our largest organ of elimination therefore, it is important to pay it some much-needed attention. Dry Skin. Brushing helps increase circulation, bringing more blood flow to our skin, hair, and nails. It is good for: overall skin health. helps support the lymphatic system. helps with skin conditions like acne and eczema ( but you don't brush those areas themselves!). How to dry brush: The brush: Find a natural bristle brush or loofah with a long handle. The bristles should be firm enough that
