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!!!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
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?
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?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, December 7, 2009
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!
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!
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