Men Need Self-Care Too!
When we think of self-care, we commonly default to stereotypical images of luxurious relaxation. Full days at the spa, candlelit bubble baths, manicures & pedicures, or maybe even an irresponsible shopping spree – at least that’s what television and modern media have equated with the term. If this is what you pictured, I’m almost certain that the protagonist in that mental image was a woman. That’s because most media outlets tend to target female audiences when promoting these kinds of self-care practices. This article is not meant to steer you away from indulging in a day of pampering, but rather, to highlight that the whole concept of self-care as…
National Self-Care Day
Saturday, July 24th, 2021 is National Self-Care Day! If you are like many others, we are so ready and deserving of this dedicated day! The past 17 months have presented an array of changes, challenges, and losses. Our social, physical, mental/emotional and spiritual wellbeing has likely been impacted in one way or another. Our brain, body, and heart have been impacted by stress! So as we begin to emerge into our “new normal”, we all need to focus on our recovery, and what better way to begin, then by actively embracing this National Day of Self-Care! The very idea of giving attention to yourself might be a rather novel idea,…
Thyroid: The Master Gland
Often when we think of thyroid related conditions, we associate them with women’s health issues. With a 2 to 8 times higher prevalence in women than in men, it may be easy for one to discount the likelihood of thyroid relation conditions in the context of men’s health. However, many common symptoms that men may experience as they age bear a very similar resemblance to symptoms experienced by those with thyroid conditions. Coincidence? Maybe. But as naturopathic doctors, our job is to determine the root cause of our patients’ concerns. One of the best way to do this is to follow the mantra – test; don’t guess. An abnormally functioning…
Subclinical Hypothyroidism and PCOS
Your thyroid is an incredibly important gland in your body that sits at the base of your neck and resembles a butterfly shape. It regulates so many important functions of the body including metabolization, temperature regulation, mood and energy. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 10 Canadians deal with thyroid-related issues. When it comes to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, it is even more important to get your thyroid assessed. For one thing, many of the symptoms associated with hypothyroidism look very similar to PCOS. The symptoms associated with hypothyroidism include: Fatigue Weight gain Intolerance to cold temperatures Brain fog Memory loss Dry skin Brittle nails Constipation Irregular cycles Hair loss Difficulty losing weight Depression Low…
The Men’s Health Mystery: A Pandemic Before the Pandemic
Long before the masks, the sanitizers, and the safety protocols, naturopathic doctors (and healthcare workers in general) have faced an entirely different medical phenomenon – a dismally low ratio of male to female patients. In fact, research has shown that more than 40% of men do not consult their medical professionals unless the situation is extremely dire. What a strange statistic to have, eh? And why is it the way that it is? The most common excuse that is presented to healthcare workers is the complaint of a “busy schedule”, but after digging into the data, it’s actually more complex of an issue than you might think! No – men…
Mental Health Awareness Month
As a mental health clinician, mental health awareness month is near and dear to my heart and yet when thinking about writing a blog post on this topic my mind has gone over so many different possibilities. How possibly can one blog post sum up all of the things I want to say and share about this topic? It can’t. So, I will do my very best to introduce you to two different models that shape an understanding of mental health because I believe that knowledge and perspective are powerful change agents. Mental health is a topic that is worth all of our attention because it impacts each and every…
One Pan Chicken, Golden Cauliflower & Carrot Fries
This month, we are sharing a gut-friendly grain-free recipe which provides anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats and turmeric, lean protein and valuable phytonutrients. It is also a great meal prepping recipe. After cooking, divide it into single serving containers and refrigerate for grab-n-go meals. Ingredients for 2 servings: 2 Carrot (medium) 1/2 head Cauliflower 3 tbsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided three ways) 8 ozs Chicken Breast 1 tsp Dried Thyme 1 tsp Turmeric (powder) 1/8 tsp Sea Salt Directions: Preheat oven to 375ºF (191ºC) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Peel and slice carrots into sticks. Wash and chop cauliflower into florets. Brush chicken breast with 1/3 of…
Your GUT Microbiome
Your gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms that lie in the gastrointestinal tract. This includes thousands of species of bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses. Together, these microorganisms weigh as much as 2-5 pounds and have a profound impact on your health. The microorganisms in your gut play a variety of roles, some of the bacteria have a positive effect on your health and some of them have a negative effect. The key is to increase the good bacteria and reduce the negative bacteria so that you can support the healthy function of your gut and the rest of your body. When the microorganisms in your gut are out…
Energy Date Balls Recipe
Need something quick and easy to snack on when at home or when you are on the go? Try these delicious date balls. They are a great snack to have on hand when you are feeling hungry and need something healthy to sustain you. Double Chocolate Mint Energy Balls INGREDIENTS (for 6 servings): 1/2 cup (6 pitted) Medjool dates 1/2 cup Almonds (raw) 2 tbsp Cacao Powder + extra for coating 1 tbsp Cacao Nibs 1/8 tsp Sea Salt 1/2 tsp Peppermint Extract 1 tbsp Water DIRECTIONS: Add the dates, almonds, cacao powder, cacao nibs, sea salt and peppermint extract to the bowl of a food processor. While the food…
Nutrition – Eating for your Body’s Needs
What is the single most important thing you can do to improve your energy and mental functioning, reduce pain and inflammation, reduce your risk for chronic disease and age gracefully? Improving your nutrition! Eating a healthy diet continues to be a challenge for many individuals because there are so many factors at play. The ability to break bad habits that, in most cases, have been established in childhood is challenging. Beyond the knowledge and awareness of what are healthy choices is the challenge that mental emotional imbalances and fatigue play on cravings and making bad decisions. There is a lot involved in what is the right diet for you. This article is intended to give…