Auricular Medicine - treating the cause

Arnel and I just finished up a refresher course in Auricular Medicine. Our colleague, and friend Dr. K.C. Bateman is a leading practitioner in this technique, and we were fortunate to spend the last few days refining our skills with him. It was unbelievable!

We often use the analogy of peeling an onion when describing naturopathic medicine to someone. Our therapies are meant to allow the body to heal and move through various layers in order to reveal the root imbalance. Auricular medicine uses the ear to quickly and precisely identify those root blockages in the body! The results were amazing. Identifying areas that are preventing the body from moving in the direction of cure makes all the difference! When you are evaluating your own health plan for the New Year, make sure you treat the cause.

Now off to cook some Christmas goodies...

Happy Holidays!!!

Oil of Oregano helps protect your gums

Do you know that over 80% of the adult population have some sort of gum disease? This is a staggering number, considering that gum disease has been documented by the American Heart Association and American Dental Association as correlating strongly with heart disease. Oral health is really important!

With Oil of Oregano, a little goes a long way in protecting your gums! Here how it works: Gum disease results from a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Oil of Oregano is a powerful antiseptic, the body of evidence supporting oregano oil as a major antibiotic is growing yearly. I've included some footnotes if you are interested in reading further. It's totally amazing.

Here's what you do:

Either place 3 drops on your toothbrush and brush gums directly with oil of oregano, or add a couple drops to water to gargle after brushing. Only a couple of drops of oil of oregano, applied locally to gum tissue on a daily basis, will help decrease the bacteria known to cause gum disease.

Check out some of this research on Oil of Oregano....


1. Oil of Oregano is considered to have "pharmacologic" action against common bugs such as Candida albicans (yeast), E. coli, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [Journal Applied Microbiology, Volume 86, June 1999]
2. Oil of oregano at relatively low doses was found to be efficacious against Staphylococcus bacteria and was comparable in its germ-killing properties to antibiotic drugs such as streptomycin, penicillin and vancomycin. [Science Daily 10/11/2001]
3. Researchers at the Department of Food Science at the University of Tennessee reported that, among various plant oils, oil of oregano exhibited the greatest antibacterial action against common pathogenic germs such as Staph, E. coli and Listeria. [Journal Food Protection, Volume 64, July 2001]


Give it a try!

The Truth about Soy!

Arnel and I were in Edmonton this weekend at a Christmas party - man was it COLD! I truly think it was the coldest weekend I can remember! Anyways, while at the party I met a really nice woman who asked me ways in which she could start incorporating more soy into her diet (yes, nutritional conversations are quite common once people find out what we do for a living!) Like many people, she assumed soy was a healthy food choice. She was quite surprised when I advised her AGAINST soy consumption! Why? Let's learn the truth about soy:

1. High levels of phytic acid in soy reduce assimilation of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. Phytic acid in soy is not neutralized by ordinary preparation methods such as soaking, sprouting and long, slow cooking.
2. Soy phytoestrogens are potent antithyroid agents that cause hypothyroidism.
3. Vitamin B12 analogs in soy are not absorbed and actually increase the body's requirement for B12.
4. Soy isoflavones are phyto-endocrine disrupters. At dietary levels, they can prevent ovulation.

Fermented soy beans in the form of miso, tempeh, natto and tamari are the only acceptable forms of soy consumption, in VERY small quantities, used as a condiment, not a protein replacement. Say no to tofu and soymilk!

Any questions?

Cranberry Kale...Yum!

Delicious recipes don't have to be complex! I'm always on the hunt for healthy recipes that are super quick and tasty. I often recommend people increase their consumption of green leafy greens, such as kale.

If you need convincing to give kale a try, consider these facts:

- Kale is absolutely rich and abundant in calcium, lutein, iron, and Vitamins A, C, and K. Kale has seven times the beta-carotene of broccoli and ten times more lutein.
- Kale is an abundant source of the phytochemicals sulforaphane and indoles, which research suggests may protect against cancer.


Cranberry Kale
2 bunches kale
¼ cup pine nuts
¼ cup dried cranberries
3 tablespoons olive oil

1.Steam the kale until it is bright green
2.Meanwhile, in a cast iron skillet, toast the pine nuts
3.Allow kale and pine nuts five minutes to cool, then toss together in a large bowl
4.Add dried cranberries and olive oil
5.Toss and serve

It's that easy!

When travelling to the tropics, don't forget these!

We're back from Mexico, what a great trip! We were visiting our great friends, Megan and Carlos, for some fun in the sun! As usual, before we travel, I gather all my homeopathics and first aid remedies, "just-in-case." If you're heading to the warm sun to escape the cold, make sure to bring a long the following:

1. To soothe sun-soaked skin: Olive Baby Body Butter. I totally forgot to bring my aloe-vera cream, but had my body butter with me. It was awesome. Olive oil is incredibly healing for the skin. We all used it, from head to toe after long days at the beach. www.olivebaby.ca

2. Benefect Disinfectant: Our airplane aisle smelled delicious! As soon as we sat down, I sprayed benefect all over the table trays, seats and arm rests. The kids were all over them, so I didn't have to worry. While in Mexico, I kept it in my purse and sprayed it at restaurants, in our hotel room and toys. I will never leave home without it!!! All natural too!

3. Acute homeopathics. Homeopathy is so wonderful for acute ailments, and so incredibly easy to travel with. I always bring a remedy for upset tummy's, one for ear infections and the flu. Lucky I had them! Quinny came down with a nasty cough during our stay, but was able to clear it in under 36 hours with the use of my homeopathics. Ask your practitioner to help select ones best suited for your family. It is worth it! I will never travel without them.

Happy travels this holiday season!

Mother's tone of voice during first trimester matters!

I'm reading a great book right now! Heaven on Earth, by Sharifa Oppenheimer, is the most fantastic parenting book I've come across in a very long time. I just read that the tone of a Mother's voice during the first trimester elicits specific muscular responses from the fetus. These movements lay down neural pathways in the developing brain. Stimuli is categorized as stressful or not. Hmmm...interesting! A happy mom helps to establish the framework for a happy baby.

Epsom salts absorb EMR!

Arnel was at a great seminar this week. The main topic of discussion was the effect of environmental toxicity on hormonal function. A lot of us don't think about electromagnetic radiation as a toxin because we can't see it...but it is all around us! Our computers, cell phones, cordless telephones and alarm clocks are all sources. Apparently, flat screen TVs are one of the most toxic sources! EMR is damaging to our DNA, and is increasingly becoming a major factor in infertility. Arnel was excited to learn that epsom salts are one of the most effective ways to absorb the harmful effects of EMR. Regularly bathing in epsom salts, as well as placing small bags of epsom salts strategically around the house is a great place to start!

It's never too early for festive recipes! Vegan egg nog

I know, I know...it's a bit early, but it's great to try out new festive recipes BEFORE serving them at your holiday gathering, so I am really excited to pass this along! I got this from a blog I follow, Elana's Pantry. Egg nog is so delicious, but not always easy on the gut for those with food sensitivities. This recipe is free of dairy, egg and gluten (it does contain nuts though).


Vegan Eggnog
3 cups almonds
4 cups water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons agave nectar
2 tablespoons yacón syrup
2 teaspoons nutmeg, ground
¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ground
pinch cloves, ground

1.Soak almonds overnight
2.Discard soaking water and rinse almonds in a deep bowl of water, repeat until water is clear
3.Place soaked almonds and 4 cups of water in a high powered blender or processor.
4.Blend on highest speed for 90 seconds
5.Strain milk through a fine mesh paint bag, discarding solids
6.Place almond milk in a mason jar
7.Add agave, yacón, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, then shake well
8.Refrigerate until cold and serve

FYI: What the heck is yacon syrup anyway?
The syrup is derived from the roots of the yacon plant, and is a rich source of antioxidants. The root is also high in fructooligosaccharides, or FOS. This provides the sweet flavour. (Probiotics feast on FOS! Great for your immunity and digestive tracts).

Because the body cannot process FOS, it passes through the system without leaving behind absorbable sugar compounds, so it has a low glycemic effect on the body. It also is relatively low in calories, compared to most other sweeteners.

Yacon syrup is often compared to molasses, caramel, or honey in taste, with a deep and rich flavor. It easily substitutes for maple sugar or molasses in recipes, and can be used to sweeten beverages.

If you try the recipe, let us know that you thought!

Benefect - my favorite disinfectant!

A lot of people are asking me what I use to keep surfaces disinfected when I'm out with the kids in public places. Benefect is my all-time favorite disinfectant. I love it because I can use it anywhere, on any surface. During the cold and flu season I take a travel size bottle of it around to clean off grocery cart handles, toys and other surfaces our family comes into contact with. At Moksha Yoga Calgary, we use Benefect to keep our studio immaculately clean. It's awesome. Here's why:

Benefect is 100% natural. It is made from biodegradable, renewable, botanically pure plant extracts with pleasant aromatherapeutic vapours. There are no added artificial dyes or fragrances.

It is scientifically proven to kill 99.99% of all germs…naturally. Use on kids toys, diaper change tables, garbage cans, door knobs, toilet seats, sickrooms, high chairs, counter tops, cutting boards and many other places where germs are spread.

Most other disinfectants use toxic chemicals to kill germs which are unnecessary and unhealthy. In nature, plants must defend themselves against germs and illness. Plants produce substances to kill germs and only germs, without harming the plants' healthy tissue. Benefect is a synergistic mixture of the plant extracts that are the most effective against germs and the safest for humans.

The federal Bureau of Chemical Safety has even confirmed that Benefect™ is suitable for use on food contact surfaces without a rinse or a wipe. Benefect™ is the ONLY disinfectant with no warning labels or cautions for use AND it kills more germs than Lysol or Clorox sprays!!

It's a great product, check it out!

Thanksgiving Chocolate Cake?

This Thanksgiving was also Quinny`s first birthday, so I decided to bake a chocolate cake instead of pumpkin pie. She`s not on grains yet, so us grown ups thoroughly enjoyed it while she devoured her kiwi and banana. I modified the recipe of course, and it was awesome, so I can`t resist sharing!

Cake Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups spelt flour
1 cup sucanat
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 cup warm water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Chocolate Glaze:
Coconut Oil 3 tbsp (or more if you want more glaze)
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Agave (to desired sweetness)


Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In an 8X8 square pan/dish, mix together flour, sucanat, cocoa, baking soda, and salt with a fork, making sure it is really blended together. Add the water, vanilla, oil, and vinegar, and again, mix together so that all is blended well. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides if necessary.Place in oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean. Cool on a rack completely (2 hours).

For the glaze, simply heat the ingredients in a pan and serve warm over cake.

Enjoy!

Wait! Don't kill your fever just yet...

We are a fever-phobic culture! Using drugs to suppress fevers is such a standard medical practice, we have forgotten the importance of this logical, natural immune response. How many of us know that suppressing fevers may actually increase viral replication? Let's take a minute to review what exactly a fever is, and how it benefits the body. Remember - the body mounts a fever for a reason!

Fevers over 101 degrees F stop viral replication. The rise in temperature inhibits the viral DNA strand from capturing free amino acids, required for replication. REDUCING a fever during a viral influenza attack may actually accelerate a virus's rapid replication!

Fasting on light broths and water assists the body during a fever by taking the burden off the liver, so that it may efficiently get rid of the body's microbial waste.

Encourage a fever by staying warm, and sweating! Take a warm bath, cover up in warm clothes and drink warm teas.

Let the fever help you heal.

Coconut Oil Protective against H1N1

All of you who know us at Integra, know we are coconut oil's biggest fans! As the hype surrounding swine flu escalates, rest assured there are amazing immune boosting foods right under our noses! Coconut oil is particularly protective against swine flu. H1N1 is a lipid coated virus, and thus is inactivated by sufficient amounts of monolaurin. Lauric acid, found in coconut oil is converted to monolaurin - very cool!

Two to three tablespoons of coconut oil per day appears to be an adequate dosage to fight infection, even from virulent antibiotic-resistant organisms such as MSRA. I know that is a lot of oil, so just start by adding to your diet in a variety of ways. Remember that coconut oil is used for energy in the body, it aids in weight loss - it is not stored as fat.

Another great source of lauric acid? Breast milk - another incentive to breast feed your baby! They don't need a flu shot, they just need mama's milk!

Hummus, anyone?

A great hummus recipe is hard to come by, so I am really excited to pass this along! I served it at a BBQ we had last weekend, and everyone enjoyed it, even the toddlers.

Ingredients:
1 cup dry or 19 oz can chickpeas
1 tbsp tahini
2 tsp toasted sesame oil (this adds incredible flavour!)
2-3 tbsp garlic, minced (I used 2 tbsp and it was powerful!)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/3- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Method:
Cook chickpeas until soft. In a food processor, mix all ingredients - add olive oil slowly until well blended. If there is remaining olive oil, mix until desired consistency is reached.

Yields 2 cups (quite a bit.)

Hummus is a great source of fibre (helps to manage blood sugar) and protein. Kids love it on crackers or celery.

Enjoy :)

Lower risk of problems in midwife-assisted home births, study finds

Having had our two babies at home with incredible midwives, this study brings a smile to my face. Obstetrical care is a very personal choice, and I think a lot of women would consider midwifery more readily if women knew the facts!

"A large-scale study finds that Canadian women who delivered at home faced fewer difficulties, and researchers hope it may put to rest any safety concerns surrounding the practice."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/lower-risk-of-problems-in-midwife-assisted-home-births-study-finds/article1270829/

Quick meal ideas....

Since being on our Healthy-Active metabolic program, Arnel and I have discovered some secrets we'd like to share! These tips have helped us prepare quick meals on days when eating healthy and food prep is not only the last thing on our minds, but nearly impossible.

- Stocking up at Costco: ORGANIC frozen peas and ORGANIC green beans. Of course fresh is best, but on those days when meal planning is out the window, these really come in handy! We either steam them in under 5 minutes or lightly saute in coconut oil, ghee or butter. Add some seasoning, and presto...we have green in our meal! Hey, did you know that butter and coconut oil are rich sources of medium chain triglycerides, which makes them an ideal energy source for the body, they are not stored as fat!
- Stopping by Sunterra or your local Market: Shaved Roast Beef and Turkey (the real stuff of course, not the deli processed variety!) Arnel enjoys his warmed up and seasoned - it is great, and allows you to eat shaved meat in a different way (it doesn't have to be in a sandwich!), in under 10 minutes. Organic is best of course when it comes to animal protein.
- Farmers market for ORGANIC sausages- Our Market is full of vendors offering organic turkey, chicken and beef sausages. These are an alternative to hotdogs and conventional smokies which are full of nasty fillers. We especially love that these sausages are not made of poor quality meat sources and they have no nitrates or nitrites(more on this at a later blog). They are great on the BBQ, but if we are pressed for time we pop them into the toaster oven for 10 minutes, while sauteing veggies. It's a fun meal to do on the weekend!
- Chop extra onions! Onions and garlic are our absolute favorite way to flavour veggies! I always chop a lot extra, and store in the fridge for our next several meals. It saves time, and is the basis for all our sauteed veggie dishes.
- Pre Cut Yam Fries: Yams take no time to cook in the oven, most of the time is spent cutting them up into edible pieces. Everyone in our house loves yam fries, so I make a point of preparing at least 5-6 large yams at once, julienne style, so I can freeze what I don't bake. Olive oil, sea salt, rosemary and a dash of pepper are all that is required! We cook them at 400F for 15minutes or so. Delicious!


Happy eating!

Healthy Active- UPDATE!

Well...its been ten days for Arnel and I on the Healthy-Active metabolic program. It's been an incredible kick in the you-know-what. It has forced us to eat with intention because food preparation is vital to success on this program. Essentially, the program is based on 40 blood markers (6 vials of blood!). Each person has unique metabolic results, and differing foods are chosen to specifically maximize metabolism and harmonize hormones, so really the program is for anyone. Arnel, for instance, has no weight to lose, in fact he wants to gain 10 pounds, so his program is modified so that he still receives the benefits of harmonizing his insulin and cortisol, while not using any weight.

I know there are a lot of you on the program, so we've been taking pictures of our actual meals to help give you all ideas. Thank God Arnel is a culinary genius! The variety of food allowed is great, and the portions are generous.

So, how do we feel? Awesome! I have lost 6 pounds and both of us have renewed energy and vitality. It requires a lot of dedication, but worth it! It took me a full week for my system to adjust to my new metabolism, but I am already seeing and feeling the benefits. Rather than a diet, I truly feel we are establishing some wonderful dietary principles for a long time to come.

mmm...Beano!

We are so excited to report that Cafe Beano has almond milk! Beano is our absolute favorite cafe for warm beverages - the Indian Tea is my favorite, however I'm not a fan of soy or cow's milk, so the addition of almond milk to the menu is such a treat. I'm impressed that there is enough demand to warrant this addition, way to go! If you haven't been there, it's located just off of 17th Ave on 9th St SW. If you're visiting from out of town, you don't want to miss this favorite, local destination.

Is your little one ready for solid food?

Quinny is finally eating solids! She humbles me as a practitioner because she certainly does not follow any textbook theory on raising children. She is almost 10 months old, and up until now has been exclusively breast fed, thriving at nearly 20 pounds. Rather than worry that she was not taking to solids, I decided to follow her clues and sure enough, this week her body felt it necessary to commence the solid food journey. Even though she is older, I am still following strict food introduction principles. Namely, no grains! I usually get quite a reaction from parents when I explain how difficult grains are on a developing digestive tract. Parents have been wrongly advised to start their babes on cereal grains. It is common knowledge that babes lack sufficient amylase (the enzyme required to digest grains), so it makes sense to wait until a child is at least one to introduce grains, especially wheat. A healthy digestive tract allows for a strong immune system, radiant skin and optimal nutrient assimilation. Many children suffer from later allergies, skin reactions, constipation and other gut related disorders as a result of early grain introduction, because of the inflammation caused at the intestinal wall. Instead, egg yolk, vegetables, fruit and organic meats are ideal. Food introduction is one of the most important milestones of your child's development!

Dessert on a fly....

Whew! That was a busy weekend. Arnel had a rare Saturday off of work, so we decided to make the most of it and take the kids to Heritage Park in the morning, and then to Lake Bonavista for swimming with friends in the afternoon. Everyone slept well that night! Sunday, our great friends Ashif and Rebecca invited us over for a delicious brunch, however, when I got home I totally forgot that we were having my brother and fiance over for an afternoon visit. My soon to be sister in-law shares a passion for cooking and experimenting with healthy food, so I always like to use her as my test subject. I couldn't resist the opportunity, so I tried out a new pie crust recipe and filled it with a favorite raw food recipe: avocado key lime. Remember - I was in a rush, so rest assured this recipe was a quicky!

NUT CRUST
2. tbs. light, cold pressed oil
2. tbs. maple syrup
1/4 c arrowroot powder
1/4 c. spelt flower ( OR BUCKWHEAT FOR GLUTEN FREE)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. ground almonds ( I blend whole almonds in my magic bullet)

Preheat oven to 350F. Mix the oil and syrup, then add arrowroot powder, flour and cinnamon. Lastly, mix the ground nuts. Press the crust into the bottom of a lightly oiled small pie pan. For no-bake pies, bake the crust for 12-14mins or until firm. Cool.

** It made one small pie, I would recommend using 1.5x this recipe for a larger pie.


FILLING
2 avocados mashed
3 tbsp. fresh lime juice
1/4c. agave nectar

Add to a food processor, until smooth.
Add to pie crust, and chill for 2 hours. Add fresh berries!


The verdict - DELICIOUS! The crust has an outstanding flavour, and the filling...well, divine! It tastes even better today!

High Triglycerides- a sign that you may be too stressed

I was having a friendly 'debate' with one of my friends, who happens to be a MD, about our differing approaches to lowering lipid levels in patients. She was claiming that the key to lowering cholesterol was to avoid dietary saturated fats, in addition to drug therapy. I disagree. I routinely treat people who are baffled by elevated lipid levels, despite their best efforts to eliminate fat from their diets. Dietary fat is not necessarily the culprit here - sugar is! Take triglycerides for example, which are made in the liver from excess SUGAR (not fat). What does this have to do with stress? Stress causes the secretion of cortisol, a powerful hormone that alters insulin and sugar balance in the body. The end result - elevated blood sugar levels saturate the liver, and cause lipid levels to rise! Naturopathically, the key to balancing lipid levels is very logical - decrease consumption of refined carbs, and get a handle on stress by supporting the pancreas and adrenal glands. Presto, levels will drop!

Companion Planting- Holistic Gardening

What an amazing concept! Companion planting is my newest fascination. With all the rain we've been getting lately, I've decided to curl up more frequently with some great books and dive into gardening. My great friend, Kim, recommended a wonderful book by Louise Riotte, Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Companion planting allows gardeners to attract certain insects and repel others, to create a balanced, healthy eco-system. By combining purpose and beauty, holistic gardening can be very rewarding.

I'd love to hear back from any of you with experience in companion planting...

Tip: use plants that are native to your area so the insects you are trying to attract already know what to look for!

Thiamin - the superhero of B vitamins

This past week Arnel and I moved homes. With our two small children, it was something of a whirlwind! Needless to say, our daily B vitamins were our lifeline! Thiamin (B1), is not often given much attention, but it is truly a powerhouse vitamin. Here are some fun facts about B1:

- B1 is critical for energy production. Aerobic respiration cannot take place without sufficient B1.
- B1 is key in supporting the nervous system, in particular the development of the myelin sheaths, the coverings which surround most nerves.
- Foods high in B1 include asparagus, spinach, sunflower seeds, green peas, brussel sprouts and eggplant.
- Signs that you may be low in Vitamin B1 include 'Pins and needles' sensations, calf muscle tenderness and numbness in the legs.
- The leading risk factor for B1 deficiency is alcoholism, heavy coffee and tea drinking.

We couldn't have done it without you, B1!

It wouldn't be summer without popsicles!

What would summer be without Popsicles? Nearly every one of us ate Popsicles growing up, and as I recall most of them were a bright, neon color! Jammed pack full of sugar, artificial colors and flavors, they aren't exactly the kind of snack I want my family devouring on hot, summer days.

Wholesome and nutritious Popsicles are super easy to make and taste a lot better than those bought in the store. Coconut milk is the key ingredient to make 'creamsicles' without dairy.

This is a basic recipe, but feel free to get creative! Follow your taste buds....

Makes 8 Tropical Treats!

1 13.5oz can coconut milk (light or regular)
2 cups of fresh pineapple
1 banana

1. Pour ingredients into a blender and puree
2. Pour into molds and freeze for at least 4 hours
3. Serve.

Enjoy!!!

Dermatologist can't believe how awesome natural skin product works!

I always love when my conventional counterparts are impressed with natural products, so when a client of mine told me her story visiting her dermatologist, it certainly made me smile. After experiencing severe chloasma (pregnancy skin discoloration), my client was referred for a photo facial and manditory 3 microdermabrasion treatments. After her photo facial, she met with her practitioner to commence her microdermabrasion treatments. The doctor was literally speechless. Never in her practice had she seen an instance where microdermabrasion wasn't needed, there was nothing to be removed! My client is 36, and was told her skin was that of a women in her mid-20s. She was shocked to learn that for the last 6 months my client had been using a manual, at home microdermabrasion product (Epidermx), and that it was all natural! The dermatologist was so impressed, she has since switched all her patients over to using it. Let's spread the word that there is no need for women to use toxic, endocrine distrupting chemicals to have beautiful skin!

To learn more about Epidermx visit: http://www.realskintherapy.com/

The best salad of all time...Hail to the Kale!

The sun is shining and we're heading to a BBQ this evening, so I've decided to bring my all-time favorite salad, Hale -to-the-Kale. It is so delicious and packed full of nutrients. Whenever someone tries it for the first time they ALWAYS ask for the recipe. You'll love it, guaranteed! Give it a try....

The recipe is courtesy of Planet Organic...their cookbook is awesome!

Ingredients:
1 bunch Kale, chopped very fine
3 cups Carrots, grated
1/2 head Red cabbage, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Tamari pumpkin seeds (see method below)
1/2 cup Tamari sunflower seeds (see method below)
1/2 cup Flax or hemp or sunflower oil
1/3 cup Bragg Liquid Aminos (or 1/2 tsp. of salt)
5 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Oregano, dried

Method
Wash kale and chop. Be careful to rinse the leaves to remove dirt and grit.In a cast iron skillet over medium to high heat, stir sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Remove from heat when they’re toasted golden brown. While the skillet is hot, add in a few drops of tamari, which will sear onto the seeds. Remove and let cool.In a large bowl combine chopped kale, carrots, cabbage and seeds. Set aside.In a small bowl whisk together oil, Bragg Liquid Aminos, vinegar and oregano and pour over kale mixture. Toss until evenly coated and chill 2 hours before serving. This salad keeps well refrigerated 2-3 days.Yields 8 - 10 servings.

Are you waking up at the same time every night?

My sister in law phoned me yesterday, concerned as to why her toddler has recently started waking at 5am. Naturally, my interest is peaked when a particular symptom happens with regularity, at the same time everyday. The Chinese Body Clock system describes how energy peaks in each meridian (or organ function) throughout the day. 5am is the transition between lung (3-5am) and large intestine (5-7am) energy. The lungs govern our immunity, and sure enough my poor nephew is recovering slowly from a nasty chest infection. I gave her suggestions to boost his immunity and assured her that once his lung Qi healed, the early morning wake ups would be a thing of the past. Whew!

Tune into the subtle ways your body attempts to communicate with you. Do you have any symptoms that occur at the same time everyday?