I visited the only Whole Foods store in Toronto this week. Whole Foods is a grocery store entirely devoted to healthier eating. Imagine a health food store, only the size of an entire grocery store! They sell almost every food you can imagine in an organic form, plus they have tons of "specialty" foods that regular grocery stores don't sell, like tempeh and coconut milk ice "cream". My favorite part of the store was the 'grind your own nut butter' section, featuring almonds and peanuts. I must say that making freshly ground peanut butter is pretty darn fun.
On the topic of healthier eating, I find that many people think that healthy foods cost more. Yes, some specialty foods can be quite pricey, but on a whole, I disagree with this statement for the following reasons:
First, you have to do your homework. Yes, some places will price vegetables at outrageous prices, but if you buy in season, locally, and shop at smaller independent markets, you'll find much better prices. If you want a mango in the dead of winter, you're going to pay for it, and if you only shop at big-box grocery stores, you're probably going to pay more than at a farmer's market.
Second, eating healthier doesn't necessarily mean vegan, 100% organic, fancy ingredient meals. If you are trying to make healthy recipes that call for saffron threads and starfruits, then you are going to get the impression that healthy eating is VERY expensive. In general, plain old beans, vegetables, and whole grains don't tend to be pricey.
Third, I'd like to ask you to define expensive. How is a $2 can of organic chickpeas expensive but a pair of $100 shoes a bargain? In my opinion, investing in your health is the NUMBER ONE investment you can make. You only get one body so it's best to fuel it optimally.
I am sorry if I sound naggy or preachy, you have to understand that I'm just REALLY passionate about healthy eating!
And with that, I leave you with a simple, healthy, and inexpensive recipe:
Dahl
4 cups water
1 cup dried red lentils
1 cup brown rice
1 cup tomato sauce or salsa
1 cup chopped vegetables of choice (I use onions, red peppers, and green peppers)
1 tablespoon fresh garlic (or 2 teaspoons dried)
1 tablespoon fresh ginger (or 2 teaspoons dried)
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon white or black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Bring water to boil. Reduce to medium heat and add lentils and brown rice. Cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, add the tomato sauce or salsa, the vegetables and spices. Cook 10 more minutes or until the rice and lentils are soft (there should be some water left, it should be the consistency of a thick stew).
- Variation: cook the rice separately and serve the lentil mixture over the rice.
- This is amazing served with naan or pita bread, raita, and a fruit chutney.
2010-09-30
2010-09-29
Modalities.
The modalities of naturopathic medicine include:
Nutrition. E.g. prescribing foods that heal, foods that prevent disease.
Herbal Medicine. E.g. herbs that help your body cleanse.
Asian Medicine. E.g. acupuncture, herbs, tea.
Homeopathic Medicine. E.g. correction of the root causes of diseases through remedies.
Physical Medicine. E.g. massage, water therapy.
Lifestyle Counseling. E.g. work to understand and adapt a healthy lifestyle.
Through these six modalities, a naturopathic doctor will work to find the cause of disease and will treat the patient as a whole, helping his or her own body to heal itself.
Nutrition. E.g. prescribing foods that heal, foods that prevent disease.
Herbal Medicine. E.g. herbs that help your body cleanse.
Asian Medicine. E.g. acupuncture, herbs, tea.
Homeopathic Medicine. E.g. correction of the root causes of diseases through remedies.
Physical Medicine. E.g. massage, water therapy.
Lifestyle Counseling. E.g. work to understand and adapt a healthy lifestyle.
Through these six modalities, a naturopathic doctor will work to find the cause of disease and will treat the patient as a whole, helping his or her own body to heal itself.
2010-09-28
Vitamin D.
Today was windy and cold, and it down poured. This weather reminded me that summer is so over and that I need to start considering my vitamin D levels again. I met with my ND recently and we discussed vitamin D. I told her that I supplement (with a chewable tablet, supplying 1000 IUs of the vitamin) only during winter months. Everyone living in Canada should be supplementing with vitamin D in winter months and even in summer months if you aren't outdoors (and bearing skin) for hours and hours at a time because Canada is far away from the equator and because Canada is situated such that the angle of the sun doesn't our land in a way that we can easily absorb vitamin D from the sun. It is hypothesized that those deficient in vitamin D (and the majority of Canadians are) are at a higher risk for developing cancer. Although I though I was supplementing vitamin D well in winter months, I was wrong because even 1000 IUs wasn't enough. The sharp contrast in how much vitamin D I got in the summer (lots) compared to how little I got from the sun in the winter (virtually none), meant that I was still deficient overall. I am now taking 2000 IUs a day of vitamin D (on the tongue, in drop form). Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so you can take your drops all one day (14...enough for the week).
Another interesting bit from today: you are taller in the morning than you are in the evening. The spinal column is made up of vertebrae that are stacked on top of one another but are separated by cartilaginous joints. These joints are sac-like and are filled with jelly-like nucleus pulposes. During the day, due to force of gravity constantly putting pressure on the spinal column, these sacs compress. However, during the sleep, when the spinal column is compression free, the nucleus pulposes have the ability to absorb more fluid and "plump up". Leaving you a couple of millimeters taller in the morning!
A bit on medicine: "Let your patients be teachers and let sickbeds be classrooms". - Paracelsus (1493-1591). He was a doctor who burned all his school's textbooks saying that everything to be learned about medicine would come from treating patients.
Another interesting bit from today: you are taller in the morning than you are in the evening. The spinal column is made up of vertebrae that are stacked on top of one another but are separated by cartilaginous joints. These joints are sac-like and are filled with jelly-like nucleus pulposes. During the day, due to force of gravity constantly putting pressure on the spinal column, these sacs compress. However, during the sleep, when the spinal column is compression free, the nucleus pulposes have the ability to absorb more fluid and "plump up". Leaving you a couple of millimeters taller in the morning!
A bit on medicine: "Let your patients be teachers and let sickbeds be classrooms". - Paracelsus (1493-1591). He was a doctor who burned all his school's textbooks saying that everything to be learned about medicine would come from treating patients.
2010-09-27
Random health facts.
- When we age, our telomeres shorten (telomeres are the ends of our chromosomes, which hold our DNA). It is hypothesized that the herb ginseng reduces the shortening, possibly prolonging life.
- Bitter tasting foods promote digestion. Examples include lettuces, endive, dandelion greens, lemon juice, cucumbers, herbs (such as parsley).
- Cooked/stewed tomatoes are better than raw tomatoes because the cell membranes are broken down, releasing lycopene (which has anti-cancer properties). Lycopene is a fat soluble molecule, so it is best to pair cooked tomato products with a fat. A good example is cooked tomato sauce, served over pasta, and then drizzled with olive oil. Mmm!
- People often get heartburn when eating spicy foods because spicy foods (such as cayenne pepper and jalapenos) because chemical properties in these foods/spices relax smooth muscle, including the sphincter (which should normally keep the food in the stomach and OUT of the esophagus).
- A super anti-prostate cancer cocktail for men (drink daily): one cup of tomato juice (lycopene has anti-cancer properties), one tablespoon olive oil (helps the lycopene be absorbed), one teaspoon tumeric (anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties, a cousin of ginger), a sprinkle of black pepper (helps to absorb the tumeric).
- Don't eat peanuts in countries other than Canada. Peanuts are very susceptible to aflatoxins (mold!) but in Canada all peanuts are tested for contamination before they are sold.
- Vegetarian females generally experience fewer "female complaints" as they consume more phytoestrogens (e.g. soy, flaxseeds) (I explained phytoestrogens in a previous blog post).
- When you eat a banana that isn't ripe, you get a sour bitter taste due to tannins. Tannins are also found in coffee and tea, which makes them bitter too. People often mix coffee and tea with milk because the milk protein binds to the tannins, making them less bitter.
- Tomorrow I'll have a nice post on Vitamin D (sorry, but no time to write it tonight, PJ!).
- Lastly, my Yogi tea quote of the day was a good one: "To be healthy: eat right, walk right, and talk to yourself right". :)
- Bitter tasting foods promote digestion. Examples include lettuces, endive, dandelion greens, lemon juice, cucumbers, herbs (such as parsley).
- Cooked/stewed tomatoes are better than raw tomatoes because the cell membranes are broken down, releasing lycopene (which has anti-cancer properties). Lycopene is a fat soluble molecule, so it is best to pair cooked tomato products with a fat. A good example is cooked tomato sauce, served over pasta, and then drizzled with olive oil. Mmm!
- People often get heartburn when eating spicy foods because spicy foods (such as cayenne pepper and jalapenos) because chemical properties in these foods/spices relax smooth muscle, including the sphincter (which should normally keep the food in the stomach and OUT of the esophagus).
- A super anti-prostate cancer cocktail for men (drink daily): one cup of tomato juice (lycopene has anti-cancer properties), one tablespoon olive oil (helps the lycopene be absorbed), one teaspoon tumeric (anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties, a cousin of ginger), a sprinkle of black pepper (helps to absorb the tumeric).
- Don't eat peanuts in countries other than Canada. Peanuts are very susceptible to aflatoxins (mold!) but in Canada all peanuts are tested for contamination before they are sold.
- Vegetarian females generally experience fewer "female complaints" as they consume more phytoestrogens (e.g. soy, flaxseeds) (I explained phytoestrogens in a previous blog post).
- When you eat a banana that isn't ripe, you get a sour bitter taste due to tannins. Tannins are also found in coffee and tea, which makes them bitter too. People often mix coffee and tea with milk because the milk protein binds to the tannins, making them less bitter.
- Tomorrow I'll have a nice post on Vitamin D (sorry, but no time to write it tonight, PJ!).
- Lastly, my Yogi tea quote of the day was a good one: "To be healthy: eat right, walk right, and talk to yourself right". :)
2010-09-25
Sugar digestion.
Why do people tend to pass gas when they eat beans? It is because beans contain the sugar raffinose that human bodies are incapable of breaking down. When buying canned beans, make sure you rinse the beans SUPER well. The liquid that the beans are stored in will contain the majority of the raffinose sugar as it would have diffused into the liquid during storage. When you soak dried beans, the raffinose diffuses out of the beans. Also, if you are cooking beans from scratch, soak the beans for 24 hours, drain and rinse the beans (to wash away the leached raffinose), and boil well. Cooking beans to an appropriate softness also breaks down any remaining raffinose.
Starch digestion starts in the mouth. Don't believe me? Then trying eating a plain cracker. Crew on the cracker for a long time and will start to taste sweet. The sweetness is a result of the salivary amylase enzyme breaking the large starch molecules into smaller, fragmented sugar molecules.
On a side note, I went to Canada's Wonderland today with Tony. We had an absolutely fabulous time. I haven't been to this theme park since I was around six or seven years old. I finally got to ride the "Bat" roller coaster, which I remember looking terrifying as a little kid.
Starch digestion starts in the mouth. Don't believe me? Then trying eating a plain cracker. Crew on the cracker for a long time and will start to taste sweet. The sweetness is a result of the salivary amylase enzyme breaking the large starch molecules into smaller, fragmented sugar molecules.
On a side note, I went to Canada's Wonderland today with Tony. We had an absolutely fabulous time. I haven't been to this theme park since I was around six or seven years old. I finally got to ride the "Bat" roller coaster, which I remember looking terrifying as a little kid.
Veganism is about so much more than food.
When I was young, I fell in love with the poem "I had a tiny starfish". (http://quizilla.teennick.com/poems/7853756/i-found-a-tiny-starfish). My loving of this poem may have been predictive of my future vegan days. In my introduction to this blog, I said that I embraced veganism due to health and environmental reasons. However, I have a soft spot for animals. I am also motivated by ethical reasons to not eat, wear, or buy animal products, and hence I fully embrace not just a vegan diet, but a vegan lifestyle!
2010-09-24
Random Friday Facts.
- Fontanelles are the soft spots found on the skull of a newborn. They are made of fibrous tissue cartilage and are places on the baby's head where the skull has not yet fully ossified (i.e. developed into compact bone). There are two fontanelles (one major, and one minor). Within one year of the birth, the two soft spots will have ossified. When a baby is born, the doctor will gently rub his or her hand over the baby's head to examine the fontanelles. The fontanelles are good indicators of the baby's health. If the fontanelle is indented more than usual, then the baby is dehydrated. With less fluid in the brain, the brain is slightly 'deflated' and the fontanelle sinks into the skull more as a result. If the fontanelles are smaller than normal, then the skull won't have room to expand for the developing brain. Without adequate room for the brain to expand, the brain can be 'squished', potentially causing the baby permanent brain damage.
- Humans have the unique ability to "hide" their thumbs. It is said that a hallmark of human evolution is the opposition of the thumb. The thumb joint has a bilateral axis, meaning it can move on two axis. The thumb is capable of abduction/adduction (think of spreading your fingers apart and then bringing them back together) and is capable of flexion/extension (the thumb is able to "hide" behind the other four fingers of the hand).
- Circadian rhythms are supposed to regulate our sleep patterns (and not our alarm clocks!). In the morning, the body should wake you up by beginning to raise its internal temperature. Similarly, at night time, your should begin to feel sleepy when your body begins to cool its internal temperature. The waves of heating and cooling of the body should ideally regulate our sleeping patterns. Also, our cortisol (i.e. stress levels) should regulate sleep. In the morning, the body is typically the most stressed, and the evenings, the body should be the least stressed. However, when people lead stressful lives such that they are always stressed, the body will have a hard time falling asleep at night. Highly stressed people can suffer from insomnia as their sleep and stress levels are out of sync.
- We have to LEARN how to resolve disagreements: Listen to each other, Explain each point of view, Acknowledge the differences of opinion, Recommend ways of resolving the disagreement, Negotiate a compromise.
- Pharmacology is (basically) the science of mimicing physiology. The majority of drugs available simply mimic a cellular molecule/function/reponse/pathway that already exists in the human body.
- Humans have the unique ability to "hide" their thumbs. It is said that a hallmark of human evolution is the opposition of the thumb. The thumb joint has a bilateral axis, meaning it can move on two axis. The thumb is capable of abduction/adduction (think of spreading your fingers apart and then bringing them back together) and is capable of flexion/extension (the thumb is able to "hide" behind the other four fingers of the hand).
- Circadian rhythms are supposed to regulate our sleep patterns (and not our alarm clocks!). In the morning, the body should wake you up by beginning to raise its internal temperature. Similarly, at night time, your should begin to feel sleepy when your body begins to cool its internal temperature. The waves of heating and cooling of the body should ideally regulate our sleeping patterns. Also, our cortisol (i.e. stress levels) should regulate sleep. In the morning, the body is typically the most stressed, and the evenings, the body should be the least stressed. However, when people lead stressful lives such that they are always stressed, the body will have a hard time falling asleep at night. Highly stressed people can suffer from insomnia as their sleep and stress levels are out of sync.
- We have to LEARN how to resolve disagreements: Listen to each other, Explain each point of view, Acknowledge the differences of opinion, Recommend ways of resolving the disagreement, Negotiate a compromise.
- Pharmacology is (basically) the science of mimicing physiology. The majority of drugs available simply mimic a cellular molecule/function/reponse/pathway that already exists in the human body.
2010-09-23
Birthday Cake!
My friend's birthday was this week so I baked her this Peanut Butter cake. You can't really even call it "cake" because it is pretty darn healthy.
2 cups spelt flour
Pinch of salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups apple juice concentrate*
1/2 cup almond milk (or soymilk, or cow's milk)
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup carob (or chocolate) chips
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
Mix all dry ingredients. Mix all wet ingredients. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Poor into an 8"x8" oiled baking pan. Sprinkle the cake with the chips and nuts (or you could ice the cake when it has finished baking and has cooled). Bake at 350F for one hour. Let sit 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy.
*Apple juice concentrate is sold in the frozen juice section of grocery stores. One can of frozen apple juice concentrate is equivalent to 1 1/2 cups. Let the juice thaw to room temperature before using.
2 cups spelt flour
Pinch of salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups apple juice concentrate*
1/2 cup almond milk (or soymilk, or cow's milk)
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup carob (or chocolate) chips
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
Mix all dry ingredients. Mix all wet ingredients. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Poor into an 8"x8" oiled baking pan. Sprinkle the cake with the chips and nuts (or you could ice the cake when it has finished baking and has cooled). Bake at 350F for one hour. Let sit 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy.
*Apple juice concentrate is sold in the frozen juice section of grocery stores. One can of frozen apple juice concentrate is equivalent to 1 1/2 cups. Let the juice thaw to room temperature before using.
2010-09-22
Fall.
Well, Fall is officially here. Today I appropriately noticed some green plants that were in the midst of transitioning into their fall colors. I was very shocked, however, because instead of turning a nice hue of yellow, orange, or red, the plant was changing from green to HOT PINK. I wish I could get the picture uploading on this blog to cooperate with me because I would love to show you a picture of this neon fall plant.
Today I also saw, while walking through the woods with Tony (who is here visiting), a deer. So much for living in a big urban city. Not only was I able to go for a walk in a wooded area, but I came across a male deer, only 10 meters away from me!
Now for a lesson on the condition spina bifida:
Spina bifida (S.B.) means split spine. There are two types of S.B.: occulta and cystica. S.B. Occulta is the condition when a thoracic vertebra of the spinal column did not completely fuse together during bone ossification (i.e. bone development). This condition means that there is a gap in a vertebra, but that the spinal cord and nerves have not leaked out of the spinal cord. People with S.B. Occulta have no symptoms and can go their whole lives without knowing about this deformity. The only physical sign of someone having S.B. Occulta is the appearance of thick and coarse hair on his or her lower back. A doctor treating a patient with the presence of this thick hair would simply have to pay more attention when interacting with the patient's back (e.g. during the application of acupuncture needles or during therapeutic massage treatments).
S.B. Cystica is, however, a much more serious condition. A thoracic vertebra also did not fuse together, leaving a gap and exposing the spinal canal. However in this case, the content of the spinal canal (such as meninges, cerebral spinal fluid, and/or spinal nerves) has leaked out and has leaked into a cyst (or bubble) on the outside of the lower back. This condition is only found in new born babies. Some ultrasounds detect the presence of the cyst prior to pregnancy, but in other cases the cyst is not recognized until the baby is born. Surgery must take place immediately as the cyst is extremely fragile and could burst. The lives of children born with S.B. Cystica are often short lived. The length and quality of the life is unknown because it depends on how much and what kind of spinal canal material leaked into the cyst.
Unfortunately, the cause of spina bifida is still under investigation.
(Sorry for the serious topic, but much of what I am learning is not all peachy :( )
Today I also saw, while walking through the woods with Tony (who is here visiting), a deer. So much for living in a big urban city. Not only was I able to go for a walk in a wooded area, but I came across a male deer, only 10 meters away from me!
Now for a lesson on the condition spina bifida:
Spina bifida (S.B.) means split spine. There are two types of S.B.: occulta and cystica. S.B. Occulta is the condition when a thoracic vertebra of the spinal column did not completely fuse together during bone ossification (i.e. bone development). This condition means that there is a gap in a vertebra, but that the spinal cord and nerves have not leaked out of the spinal cord. People with S.B. Occulta have no symptoms and can go their whole lives without knowing about this deformity. The only physical sign of someone having S.B. Occulta is the appearance of thick and coarse hair on his or her lower back. A doctor treating a patient with the presence of this thick hair would simply have to pay more attention when interacting with the patient's back (e.g. during the application of acupuncture needles or during therapeutic massage treatments).
S.B. Cystica is, however, a much more serious condition. A thoracic vertebra also did not fuse together, leaving a gap and exposing the spinal canal. However in this case, the content of the spinal canal (such as meninges, cerebral spinal fluid, and/or spinal nerves) has leaked out and has leaked into a cyst (or bubble) on the outside of the lower back. This condition is only found in new born babies. Some ultrasounds detect the presence of the cyst prior to pregnancy, but in other cases the cyst is not recognized until the baby is born. Surgery must take place immediately as the cyst is extremely fragile and could burst. The lives of children born with S.B. Cystica are often short lived. The length and quality of the life is unknown because it depends on how much and what kind of spinal canal material leaked into the cyst.
Unfortunately, the cause of spina bifida is still under investigation.
(Sorry for the serious topic, but much of what I am learning is not all peachy :( )
2010-09-21
Random interesting facts and a recipe.
- In pathology, signs are objective and symptoms are subjective. Examples: a doctor can measure your blood pressure (a sign) and you can tell him or her about your headache (a symptom).
- Fiber is good for the good bacteria in your gut. Heard of probiotics? They are bacteria that are beneficial to your digestive tract. Heard of prebiotics? They are food sources for probiotics. Examples of probiotics: bananas, leeks, oats, whole grains, apples, green peas, flax seeds...
- When you are in the bathtub, despite getting all wrinkly, you have actually absorbed water. The tub water is hypotonic and causes your body to swell. If you add epsom salts, however, the opposite will occur and your body will actually lose some water as you bathe.
- The best way to fight a cat allergy? Get a cat! Your immune system will learn to recognize the cat allergen as a normal molecule and not as a threat (this is the same affect as getting allergy injections).
- Once you have become infected with the "chicken pox" virus, you will have it for life. This virus hides in your cells, so your body can never fully rid itself of this pathogen.
- You have cancer, right now. The adaptive immune system is always busy killing off cancerous cells. The evidence for this comes from people infected with HIV. The adaptive immune system is destroyed in patients with HIV and without it these patients have been shown to have ridiculously high amounts of cancerous cells.
- Some people can be allergic to a raw food, but when that food is cooked, they can eat it with no problems. This is because some antigens (a marker on foreign material that is recognized by your antibodies) contain continuous and constant stretches of amino acids. Upon heating, the protein structure of the antigen is denatured (i.e. broken down) and the ordering of the amino acids is scrambled. Without the continuous stretch of amino acids, the antigen is no longer recognized by your body and you won't experience an immune response to the food.
And before I go... a little recipe.
This is my cream-less cream sauce. It is awesome over steamed veggies, tossed with pasta for an alfredo style sauce, drizzled as a salad dressing, or as a dipping sauce (especially for falafels). I love it because it is creamy and tangy.
4 Tablespoons tahini
2-4 Tablespoons water (depending how thick you want the sauce)
1 Tablespoon white miso (or tamari, or soy sauce)
2 Teaspoons sweetener (honey, agave, maple syrup, brown sugar)
2 Teaspoons lemon juice or yellow mustard
A Pinch (or to taste) of dried garlic, ginger, cumin and tumeric (for color, optional)
Blend (or stir very well) all ingredients. Refrigerate when not using. Serves 2. Enjoy.
- Fiber is good for the good bacteria in your gut. Heard of probiotics? They are bacteria that are beneficial to your digestive tract. Heard of prebiotics? They are food sources for probiotics. Examples of probiotics: bananas, leeks, oats, whole grains, apples, green peas, flax seeds...
- When you are in the bathtub, despite getting all wrinkly, you have actually absorbed water. The tub water is hypotonic and causes your body to swell. If you add epsom salts, however, the opposite will occur and your body will actually lose some water as you bathe.
- The best way to fight a cat allergy? Get a cat! Your immune system will learn to recognize the cat allergen as a normal molecule and not as a threat (this is the same affect as getting allergy injections).
- Once you have become infected with the "chicken pox" virus, you will have it for life. This virus hides in your cells, so your body can never fully rid itself of this pathogen.
- You have cancer, right now. The adaptive immune system is always busy killing off cancerous cells. The evidence for this comes from people infected with HIV. The adaptive immune system is destroyed in patients with HIV and without it these patients have been shown to have ridiculously high amounts of cancerous cells.
- Some people can be allergic to a raw food, but when that food is cooked, they can eat it with no problems. This is because some antigens (a marker on foreign material that is recognized by your antibodies) contain continuous and constant stretches of amino acids. Upon heating, the protein structure of the antigen is denatured (i.e. broken down) and the ordering of the amino acids is scrambled. Without the continuous stretch of amino acids, the antigen is no longer recognized by your body and you won't experience an immune response to the food.
And before I go... a little recipe.
This is my cream-less cream sauce. It is awesome over steamed veggies, tossed with pasta for an alfredo style sauce, drizzled as a salad dressing, or as a dipping sauce (especially for falafels). I love it because it is creamy and tangy.
4 Tablespoons tahini
2-4 Tablespoons water (depending how thick you want the sauce)
1 Tablespoon white miso (or tamari, or soy sauce)
2 Teaspoons sweetener (honey, agave, maple syrup, brown sugar)
2 Teaspoons lemon juice or yellow mustard
A Pinch (or to taste) of dried garlic, ginger, cumin and tumeric (for color, optional)
Blend (or stir very well) all ingredients. Refrigerate when not using. Serves 2. Enjoy.
2010-09-20
Peppermint Tea.
Peppermint tea helps with digestion, so it is the perfect after dinner drink. It also soothes upset stomachs, for the times when dinner isn't setting too well.
If you want to enjoy a healthy mug of peppermint tea, here is the proper way to make it: boil some water, pour the water onto peppermint leaves (that have been placed in the bottom of a mug) OR onto a peppermint tea bag, COVER the mug, let it seep for 5 minutes, drink, and savor the aromas. Peppermint is high in essential oils that are volatile and evaporate easily when heated, so the covering step is very important to preserve the healthiness of the tea.
Ever wonder why restaurants give out peppermints at the end of a meal? No, the mints are not there to cover up your garlic breath, but they are supposed to help you digest due to biological properties of the peppermint herb.
Also, in Indian restaurants, you sometimes see candy covered caraway seeds. Same thing as with the peppermints, these seeds are there to help you to digest.
Lastly, today is a special day because it is my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. Congratulations! xoxo
If you want to enjoy a healthy mug of peppermint tea, here is the proper way to make it: boil some water, pour the water onto peppermint leaves (that have been placed in the bottom of a mug) OR onto a peppermint tea bag, COVER the mug, let it seep for 5 minutes, drink, and savor the aromas. Peppermint is high in essential oils that are volatile and evaporate easily when heated, so the covering step is very important to preserve the healthiness of the tea.
Ever wonder why restaurants give out peppermints at the end of a meal? No, the mints are not there to cover up your garlic breath, but they are supposed to help you digest due to biological properties of the peppermint herb.
Also, in Indian restaurants, you sometimes see candy covered caraway seeds. Same thing as with the peppermints, these seeds are there to help you to digest.
Lastly, today is a special day because it is my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. Congratulations! xoxo
2010-09-19
A burger, topped with some healing, and washed down with a white beer.
- I know I am not in Kansas anymore. There was a BBQ at CCNM recently. It was the first BBQ that I went to that where every bun was whole-wheat bun, veggie burgers and grilled chicken breasts were offered in addition to burgers, and there were roasted red peppers, sauerkraut, and caramelized onions for toppings in addition to the regular lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. Talk about fancy... and yum!
- I read recently that to become well, one must develop a sense of responsibility, of participation, and must take pride in his or her achievements on the road to good health. I like this a lot. I feel like many sick people put a lot of emphasis on their doctor or medicine to make them better, but the only thing truly capable of curing them is their own bodies. A simple example: a doctor giving someone stitches for a wound. Neither the doctor nor the actual stitches heal a wound. All the stitches do is bring the skin closer together and then the body heals itself.
- Did you know white beer is to filtered beer as whole-wheat bread is to white bread? In the world of beer, the white one is the whole one. White beer is unfiltered (giving it that cloudy appearance), leaving the beer with more nutrients from the yeast and barley malt. One of the nutrients lost from most beers are the B vitamins which are not removed from unfiltered beers. So, as with breads, the whole option seems to be the healthier one.
- I read recently that to become well, one must develop a sense of responsibility, of participation, and must take pride in his or her achievements on the road to good health. I like this a lot. I feel like many sick people put a lot of emphasis on their doctor or medicine to make them better, but the only thing truly capable of curing them is their own bodies. A simple example: a doctor giving someone stitches for a wound. Neither the doctor nor the actual stitches heal a wound. All the stitches do is bring the skin closer together and then the body heals itself.
- Did you know white beer is to filtered beer as whole-wheat bread is to white bread? In the world of beer, the white one is the whole one. White beer is unfiltered (giving it that cloudy appearance), leaving the beer with more nutrients from the yeast and barley malt. One of the nutrients lost from most beers are the B vitamins which are not removed from unfiltered beers. So, as with breads, the whole option seems to be the healthier one.
2010-09-18
A biochemistry lesson.
I know I've been raving about my professors lately, so I'll try to make this my last post about them (for awhile at least).
One of my classmates, whose mother tongue is not English, recently referred to a couple of my professors being "rockstars". At first, I was confused, but I soon realized that he probably means that as rockstars, my professors are performers. I agree with my classmate as my professor really do put on a show and make their subjects so interesting.
Yesterday's biochemistry class was impressive. The class was taught by a little old man who wore suspenders. His adorable appearance alone may have made me like the class, but what really made the class special is well he related the dry and complicated biochemistry material to real everyday health concerns and bodily functions.
Here is a little excerpt from my biochemistry lesson:
Maltose is a sugar made of two glucose molecules strung together. The body has the enzyme maltase to break maltose down into glucose, which we absorb into our blood for a direct source of energy.
Cellobiose is a the sugar found in cellulose. Our bodies don't have the enzyme cellulase, the enzyme needed to break this molecule down to be absorbed into our blood stream. As a result, cellobiose passes right through our bodies. Sound familiar? That's because cellobiose is more commonly referred to as fiber, which we all know helps us "move things along" in the digestive track.
Lactose is the sugar found in milk. You need the enzyme lactase to break this sugar down. The majority of the North American population does not have this enzyme. Humans typically stop producing this enzyme after infant-hood because we are not supposed to drink milk after we are breast fed (Note: humans are the only species on the planet to drink milk after infant-hood AND are the only species on the planet to drink the milk of another species). Lactose intolerance is the condition experienced by an individual when the don't make the lactase enzyme. If a lactose intolerant individual were to drink milk, he or she would experience bloating, diarrhea, and gas. The bloating and gas are due to the bacteria in our large intestines; lactose is a real treat for them because they are able to digest lactose and when they do, they produce hydrogen (i.e. gas) and lactic acid by-products, causing flatulence, bloating, and swelling (lactic acid aggravates the intestinal lining). The diarrhea is due to the hydrophilic (i.e. water loving) properties of lactose. When lactose passes through the digestive tract to the large intestine, it brings water with it, causing stools to be very runny. Lactose intolerant people can drink milk that has been treated with lactase enzymes (e.g. the brand Lactaid). If you ever try lactase-treated milk, you might notice that it tastes much sweeter than untreated milk because the lactose has already been broken down into individual glucose molecules.
Before I sign off, I just wanted to say that another professor told my class that an ND is: a manager (run a business), a professional (be a part of the medical world), and a health expert (give the best treatments/advice), scholar (preform and review research), and advocate (promote good health and lead by example). That seems like a lot of important roles to fulfill, but I am 100% up for the challenge!
One of my classmates, whose mother tongue is not English, recently referred to a couple of my professors being "rockstars". At first, I was confused, but I soon realized that he probably means that as rockstars, my professors are performers. I agree with my classmate as my professor really do put on a show and make their subjects so interesting.
Yesterday's biochemistry class was impressive. The class was taught by a little old man who wore suspenders. His adorable appearance alone may have made me like the class, but what really made the class special is well he related the dry and complicated biochemistry material to real everyday health concerns and bodily functions.
Here is a little excerpt from my biochemistry lesson:
Maltose is a sugar made of two glucose molecules strung together. The body has the enzyme maltase to break maltose down into glucose, which we absorb into our blood for a direct source of energy.
Cellobiose is a the sugar found in cellulose. Our bodies don't have the enzyme cellulase, the enzyme needed to break this molecule down to be absorbed into our blood stream. As a result, cellobiose passes right through our bodies. Sound familiar? That's because cellobiose is more commonly referred to as fiber, which we all know helps us "move things along" in the digestive track.
Lactose is the sugar found in milk. You need the enzyme lactase to break this sugar down. The majority of the North American population does not have this enzyme. Humans typically stop producing this enzyme after infant-hood because we are not supposed to drink milk after we are breast fed (Note: humans are the only species on the planet to drink milk after infant-hood AND are the only species on the planet to drink the milk of another species). Lactose intolerance is the condition experienced by an individual when the don't make the lactase enzyme. If a lactose intolerant individual were to drink milk, he or she would experience bloating, diarrhea, and gas. The bloating and gas are due to the bacteria in our large intestines; lactose is a real treat for them because they are able to digest lactose and when they do, they produce hydrogen (i.e. gas) and lactic acid by-products, causing flatulence, bloating, and swelling (lactic acid aggravates the intestinal lining). The diarrhea is due to the hydrophilic (i.e. water loving) properties of lactose. When lactose passes through the digestive tract to the large intestine, it brings water with it, causing stools to be very runny. Lactose intolerant people can drink milk that has been treated with lactase enzymes (e.g. the brand Lactaid). If you ever try lactase-treated milk, you might notice that it tastes much sweeter than untreated milk because the lactose has already been broken down into individual glucose molecules.
Before I sign off, I just wanted to say that another professor told my class that an ND is: a manager (run a business), a professional (be a part of the medical world), and a health expert (give the best treatments/advice), scholar (preform and review research), and advocate (promote good health and lead by example). That seems like a lot of important roles to fulfill, but I am 100% up for the challenge!
2010-09-17
TCM Principles.
Do you drink tea? If so, I highly recommend the tea company Yogi (www.yogiproducts.com). This tea company is organic, has a large variety of flavors, and every tea bag has a teeny-tiny inspirational quote attached. It's like a fortune cookie fortune, only in your cup!
Two principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine:
The Holographic Principle: the theory that a part of the body can represent the whole. Example: If your doctor suspects that your kidney isn't functioning properly, he or she does not have to remove your kidney in order to confirm his or her hypothesis. Instead, your doctor can analyze a urine sample. By examining a part of the body (e.g. urine) you can determine overall how a body/organ/system is functioning (e.g. kidney function).
The Body-Mind Complex: the theory that the body and the mind are integrated. Example: Remember how you feel before an interview? The mental emotion you are experiencing is nervousness. However you are experiencing differences in your bodily functions as a result of this mental change: you have 'butterflies' in your stomach, your palms are sweaty, your heart rate has increased. This example shows how mental processes are intimately connected to our physiological functioning.
...Happy Friday!
Two principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine:
The Holographic Principle: the theory that a part of the body can represent the whole. Example: If your doctor suspects that your kidney isn't functioning properly, he or she does not have to remove your kidney in order to confirm his or her hypothesis. Instead, your doctor can analyze a urine sample. By examining a part of the body (e.g. urine) you can determine overall how a body/organ/system is functioning (e.g. kidney function).
The Body-Mind Complex: the theory that the body and the mind are integrated. Example: Remember how you feel before an interview? The mental emotion you are experiencing is nervousness. However you are experiencing differences in your bodily functions as a result of this mental change: you have 'butterflies' in your stomach, your palms are sweaty, your heart rate has increased. This example shows how mental processes are intimately connected to our physiological functioning.
...Happy Friday!
2010-09-16
My professors.
I am very impressed with all of my professors at CCNM. With so many professors (I have 11) I haven't met one whom I did not like. They are all unique and passionate about their particular field. They do not have research and grant-writing pressures at CCNM and thus are so much cooler and calmer than my undergraduate professors. They are all truly interested in helping us succeed in our journey of becoming Naturopathic Doctors.
I started learning a new language today: the language of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This form of medicine is the oldest in the world (2750 B.C.E!) and can be very difficult to wrap your head around. To my surprise, my professor is a white, middle-aged man who swears profusely (I guess I was expecting the course to be taught by a stereotypical wise-looking Chinese man :P). He was funny, energetic, and very reassuring (he said that even though most of the material will fly over our poor Western heads, that with time the TCM theories will start to make sense). The best part of the class was that every once and awhile he referred to us as his "young Grasshoppers". :D
Another one of my professors remarked today that we spend up to eleven hours a week with him. He said we are like a big family, because what other family member to you spend eleven solid hours a week with? Then he affectionately exclaimed "Okay my brothers and sisters, let's go!" and he resumed his teaching.
I will close today's post with two interesting health-related things from the day...
- Why do we get sick? It is very important to reflect on the fact that we are constantly surrounded by billions of pathogens (i.e. disease-causing entities), why is that a couple times of year it seems like our immune system has failed and we get taken over by one of these bad guys. So, did we sick because we encountered a super bug? No, we got sick because our immune system was not working at its best because our body isn't functioning at its best. Succumbing to an illness is sometimes the only way our body can force us to rest and start focusing on our physical well-being.
- Have you ever heard of Rider's Bones? Now that I am studying Anatomy, I see the body as a beautiful/y connected puzzle. Every piece fits together so perfectly. We are born with every bone that we will need to become fully functioning adults, but obviously all of the bones are not fully developed and have MUCH growing to do. However, it rare circumstances, our body develops extra bones. People who ride horses full-time (i.e. riders) have their thighs in constant contact with the horse. Eventually the riders' start developing bone in the thigh region as a result of the continuous rubbing of the thigh by the horse's back.
I started learning a new language today: the language of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This form of medicine is the oldest in the world (2750 B.C.E!) and can be very difficult to wrap your head around. To my surprise, my professor is a white, middle-aged man who swears profusely (I guess I was expecting the course to be taught by a stereotypical wise-looking Chinese man :P). He was funny, energetic, and very reassuring (he said that even though most of the material will fly over our poor Western heads, that with time the TCM theories will start to make sense). The best part of the class was that every once and awhile he referred to us as his "young Grasshoppers". :D
Another one of my professors remarked today that we spend up to eleven hours a week with him. He said we are like a big family, because what other family member to you spend eleven solid hours a week with? Then he affectionately exclaimed "Okay my brothers and sisters, let's go!" and he resumed his teaching.
I will close today's post with two interesting health-related things from the day...
- Why do we get sick? It is very important to reflect on the fact that we are constantly surrounded by billions of pathogens (i.e. disease-causing entities), why is that a couple times of year it seems like our immune system has failed and we get taken over by one of these bad guys. So, did we sick because we encountered a super bug? No, we got sick because our immune system was not working at its best because our body isn't functioning at its best. Succumbing to an illness is sometimes the only way our body can force us to rest and start focusing on our physical well-being.
- Have you ever heard of Rider's Bones? Now that I am studying Anatomy, I see the body as a beautiful/y connected puzzle. Every piece fits together so perfectly. We are born with every bone that we will need to become fully functioning adults, but obviously all of the bones are not fully developed and have MUCH growing to do. However, it rare circumstances, our body develops extra bones. People who ride horses full-time (i.e. riders) have their thighs in constant contact with the horse. Eventually the riders' start developing bone in the thigh region as a result of the continuous rubbing of the thigh by the horse's back.
2010-09-15
Brownies.
I made brownies on the weekend that have been ridiculously popular among my classmates. I thought I'd share the recipe for these brownies that are guilt-free because they are sugar-free, refined oil-free, whole-grain, and vegan. Some of the ingredients may seem foreign so feel free to substitute for more "regular" products (e.g. substitute ground flaxseeds with eggs, carob chips with semi-sweet chocolate chips) ...but remember they won't be quite as healthy. :P
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup dried dates
1 mashed banana
1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
1/4 cup nut/seed butter
---
1 and 1/4 cup spelt flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup carob chips
---
Another 1/4 cup carob chips
Soak the dates in the water for an hour or two (up to 24 hours). Blend the dates with the water in a blender. Pour the date puree in a bowl and add the ground flaxseeds. Let this mixture set 10 minutes. Add the mashed banana and nut butter.
In a new bowl, mix all of the dried ingredients. Now add the wet to the dry. Pour the batter into a greased 8x8 (inches) or 9x9 baking pan that has been greased with oil. Sprinkle the batter with the remaining carob chips.
Bake at 375 F for 20-30 minutes. The brownies will be ready when the center has set. If them seem a bit moist when out of the oven that is ok (let them sit 10 minutes and they should have a normal texture).
Store the cooled brownies in the fridge and eat within 5 days. Makes about 12 brownies.
2010-09-14
Random new things.
This program is intense. I am taking 12 classes at once right now and am in lecture from roughly 9-to-5 everyday. I am so happy I have this blog to let family and friends know how and what I am doing each day even though I can't call or email them as much as I would like.
Tuesday is my worst day of classes (too much material in one day, gahh!). However, here are some interesting and random things that I learned today...
Cats don't need to eat fruit because they can make Vitamin C on their own (humans can't and must eat Vitamin C daily in the form of fruits, veggies, or supplements).
Children don't like green foods because they have an innate response to associate them with mold.
The peanut is a very complicated molecule and thus it is no wonder our immune system usually considers it as toxic.
In Europe it is illegal to work all day in an office without any windows.
Anatomy uses the dead to learn about the living, whereas in physiology, only the living is studied as all human physiology stops upon death.
Swollen lymph nodes mean your immune system is working well (your body is producing lots of lymphocytes that are riding the body of invaders and it is in the nodes that invaders are taken from the lymph fluid and are confronted by your defense system). Puss is good too; it is not a bacterial build-up but your own cells who generate white puss in an infected area (it is actually dead neutrophils, and if they are building up, it means the battle is almost over!)e
We get most of our genes and important organelles (i.e. the mitochondrion) from out Mother, so it is funny how people trace blood lines by tracing their Father's name and how children often take their Father's last name.
And lastly, another Hippocrates quote: "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food". :)
Tuesday is my worst day of classes (too much material in one day, gahh!). However, here are some interesting and random things that I learned today...
Cats don't need to eat fruit because they can make Vitamin C on their own (humans can't and must eat Vitamin C daily in the form of fruits, veggies, or supplements).
Children don't like green foods because they have an innate response to associate them with mold.
The peanut is a very complicated molecule and thus it is no wonder our immune system usually considers it as toxic.
In Europe it is illegal to work all day in an office without any windows.
Anatomy uses the dead to learn about the living, whereas in physiology, only the living is studied as all human physiology stops upon death.
Swollen lymph nodes mean your immune system is working well (your body is producing lots of lymphocytes that are riding the body of invaders and it is in the nodes that invaders are taken from the lymph fluid and are confronted by your defense system). Puss is good too; it is not a bacterial build-up but your own cells who generate white puss in an infected area (it is actually dead neutrophils, and if they are building up, it means the battle is almost over!)e
We get most of our genes and important organelles (i.e. the mitochondrion) from out Mother, so it is funny how people trace blood lines by tracing their Father's name and how children often take their Father's last name.
And lastly, another Hippocrates quote: "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food". :)
2010-09-13
Hippocrates and Soy.
Today I learned that Hippocrates said, back in 400 B.C.E., that the keys to good health are to "Eat Well, Sleep Well, and Rest Well". Why is it that thousands of years later the majority of the public still haven't grasped this simple concept?!
I also learned a reason to eat more phytoestrogens (dietary steroids that act like estrogen, found in flaxseeds and soy). The phytoestrogens bind to the same receptor as the estrogen molecule, activating estrogen pathways in the body. Bisphenol (found in plastics, you might have heard of Bisphenol-A in the news recently, it is found in aluminum cans and it is released from plastics, especially when the plastics are heated (e.g. plastic containers being microwaved)) also binds to the estrogen receptor, stimulating it, which could lead to the activation of cancer cell pathways. Phytoestrogens compete with bisphenols to bind to the estrogen receptors. As it is MUCH better for a phytoestrogen to bind to the receptor than bisphenols, when you are exposed to plastic and cans (as EVERYONE is) foods like soy and flaxseeds have a protective effect.
Oh, and in regards to my allergies blog entry, I found out today that Naturopathic Medicine is (teasingly) called "Dirty Medicine" ...because it supports the consumption of a little dirt from time to time!
I also learned a reason to eat more phytoestrogens (dietary steroids that act like estrogen, found in flaxseeds and soy). The phytoestrogens bind to the same receptor as the estrogen molecule, activating estrogen pathways in the body. Bisphenol (found in plastics, you might have heard of Bisphenol-A in the news recently, it is found in aluminum cans and it is released from plastics, especially when the plastics are heated (e.g. plastic containers being microwaved)) also binds to the estrogen receptor, stimulating it, which could lead to the activation of cancer cell pathways. Phytoestrogens compete with bisphenols to bind to the estrogen receptors. As it is MUCH better for a phytoestrogen to bind to the receptor than bisphenols, when you are exposed to plastic and cans (as EVERYONE is) foods like soy and flaxseeds have a protective effect.
Oh, and in regards to my allergies blog entry, I found out today that Naturopathic Medicine is (teasingly) called "Dirty Medicine" ...because it supports the consumption of a little dirt from time to time!
2010-09-12
Allergies.
A reader recently asked why "...Western life makes children allergic to everything?". After reviewing my immunology notes from last week, I have this to say:
Children are too clean and are not getting sick enough. My professor's advice was to try to get children sick as much as possible (without being cruel!) when they are young.
When young children don't get exposed to enough pathogens, their bodies are not able to properly build up their immune system. Up until the age of seven, the immune system is learning and strengthening itself. ("What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger" is a very true expression!). If, while developing, the immune system is not exposed to enough "true invaders" (e.g. bad bacteria, viruses), then it starts to consider normal molecules (e.g. nuts, dairy, bananas) dangerous and elicits an immune response against these foreign (but safe) molecules.
Also, did you know that there are no allergies or asthma in most parts of Africa? This is likely due to the fact that African children are exposed to SO much when they are young (e.g. bugs are eaten in meals, baths are taken in dirty ponds, no one washes their hands after using the washroom). As a result, there immune systems get very good at detecting what is a real threat and what is harmless.
Children are too clean and are not getting sick enough. My professor's advice was to try to get children sick as much as possible (without being cruel!) when they are young.
When young children don't get exposed to enough pathogens, their bodies are not able to properly build up their immune system. Up until the age of seven, the immune system is learning and strengthening itself. ("What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger" is a very true expression!). If, while developing, the immune system is not exposed to enough "true invaders" (e.g. bad bacteria, viruses), then it starts to consider normal molecules (e.g. nuts, dairy, bananas) dangerous and elicits an immune response against these foreign (but safe) molecules.
Also, did you know that there are no allergies or asthma in most parts of Africa? This is likely due to the fact that African children are exposed to SO much when they are young (e.g. bugs are eaten in meals, baths are taken in dirty ponds, no one washes their hands after using the washroom). As a result, there immune systems get very good at detecting what is a real threat and what is harmless.
2010-09-11
Beyond the Peanut.
My day started with an appointment with a naturopathic doctor, then I went to the Toronto Vegetarian Association's 26th Annual Vegetarian Fair, then I came home and cooked Indian curry and made brownies. What a day! Talking health, shopping for veg products, and having fun in the kitchen... all of my favorite things :P
One amazing product that I picked up at the veg fair was Hemp Seed Butter (http://www.manitobaharvest.com/cartshop/productview.asp?key=10). Hemp seeds are nutritional powerhouses. They are very high in protein, fiber, and have omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seed butter not only tastes good, but it looks good. (Just imagine your toast gleaming a beautiful forest green color).
Speaking of seed butters, I really want to encourage people to think "Beyond the Peanut". There are SO many nut and seed butters out there beyond peanut butter. Sure, PB is great, but the same old, same old can be boring. Instead, try lathering your morning toast with the following butters...
hemp seed butter, pumpkin seed butter, sesame seed butter (aka tahini), walnut butter, pecan butter, almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, sunflower seed butter, and macadamia nut butter
Remember, they won't taste like peanut butter (because they aren't made of peanuts!). My advice when trying a new food is to consider the food as just that, new. Avoid comparing the food to anything else you are used to. This way you will (most likely) better appreciate the taste of the new food.
One amazing product that I picked up at the veg fair was Hemp Seed Butter (http://www.manitobaharvest.com/cartshop/productview.asp?key=10). Hemp seeds are nutritional powerhouses. They are very high in protein, fiber, and have omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seed butter not only tastes good, but it looks good. (Just imagine your toast gleaming a beautiful forest green color).
Speaking of seed butters, I really want to encourage people to think "Beyond the Peanut". There are SO many nut and seed butters out there beyond peanut butter. Sure, PB is great, but the same old, same old can be boring. Instead, try lathering your morning toast with the following butters...
hemp seed butter, pumpkin seed butter, sesame seed butter (aka tahini), walnut butter, pecan butter, almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, sunflower seed butter, and macadamia nut butter
Remember, they won't taste like peanut butter (because they aren't made of peanuts!). My advice when trying a new food is to consider the food as just that, new. Avoid comparing the food to anything else you are used to. This way you will (most likely) better appreciate the taste of the new food.
2010-09-10
I am so motivated right now.
I recently heard a very successful ND, Dr. Jason Lee, give a talk about his time at CCNM, his practice, and his passion for this field of medicine. I desperately wish I had had a way to record this talk so that I could have shared it with all of you as Dr. Lee did an excellent job of reassuring the audience how important naturopathic medicine and doctors are to the seriously flawed health care system in Canada. I also wish I had a copy of his talk so that if I ever question my decision to enter this profession, I could listen to him speak and feel inspired and motivated all over again. :)
Alas, there are no copies of his talk (but there will be one in the future as Dr. Lee is talking at an upcoming TED talk! www.ted.com). In the meantime, here are some interesting things from his talk...
- The word doctor actually means "teacher". Dr. Lee explained that is the duty of NDs to educate their patients about their health. Doctors, contrary to popular belief, doctors are not healers. It is the human body that does the healing. Naturopathic doctors are simply around to teach their patients how to treat their body so that it heals itself.
- Dr. Lee thinks we need to do away with "kid" food. Who decided that kids should be fed Frosted Flakes, Fruit Roll-ups, and Alphagetti? Why is it that so many junky foods are designed for children? When children go from breast milk, to formula, to packaged baby food, to sugary "kid" food, to fast food, it is NO WONDER that they have trouble liking asparagus, whole-grain breads, and papayas. When you've eaten "dessert" for the majority of your life, it must be hard to start eating "adult" foods. Dr. Lee thinks that healthy "adult" foods should be given to kids as soon as they can chew. I personally think it is unfortunate that so many people think they have a free-ride when they are young because they have a good metabolism and can thus eat anything without gaining weight. All I can say is that eating-well is not just about weight (I have heard about very skinny people with high cholesterol and inactive gallbladders because of their poor diets) and that research has shown that heart attacks in people in their forties and fifties were the result of a lifetime of damage being done to their arteries (with damage starting as early as their teen years!).
- Dr. Lee said that getting people to stop smoking is very tricky. For one, you can't scare smokers into thinking that they will die if they keep smoking (there are already death warnings on cigarette boxes that obviously don't work!). He said that it is important to realize that smoking is not a disease, but is a SYMPTOM of something else. Naturopathic medicine focuses on treating the disease/root-of-the-problem and not just fixing the symptoms/discomforts. When treating a smoker, the doctor has to find out what is the bigger problem; what is causing the smoker to smoke. It is the stress, depression, pain, anxiety, trauma, frustration, that needs to be treated, and once the main issue is addressed, the smoking won't be needed as a coping mechanism.
- Dr. Lee talked said that he is very intense with patients. He is very honest with them about what they are doing wrong and what NEEDS to be done to improve their health. Sometimes he said patients come back to him without any improvements to their health because they didn't follow any of his recommendations (for example, when told to give up dairy, a patient may have said "but it is just too hard to give up cheese"). His response to these patients: "Life isn't easy!". My interpretation of his brutally honest remark is that yes, good health isn't handed to us on a silver platter; you have to work to be healthy.
I have never felt so reassured that I am the right profession. THANK YOU, Dr. Lee!
Alas, there are no copies of his talk (but there will be one in the future as Dr. Lee is talking at an upcoming TED talk! www.ted.com). In the meantime, here are some interesting things from his talk...
- The word doctor actually means "teacher". Dr. Lee explained that is the duty of NDs to educate their patients about their health. Doctors, contrary to popular belief, doctors are not healers. It is the human body that does the healing. Naturopathic doctors are simply around to teach their patients how to treat their body so that it heals itself.
- Dr. Lee thinks we need to do away with "kid" food. Who decided that kids should be fed Frosted Flakes, Fruit Roll-ups, and Alphagetti? Why is it that so many junky foods are designed for children? When children go from breast milk, to formula, to packaged baby food, to sugary "kid" food, to fast food, it is NO WONDER that they have trouble liking asparagus, whole-grain breads, and papayas. When you've eaten "dessert" for the majority of your life, it must be hard to start eating "adult" foods. Dr. Lee thinks that healthy "adult" foods should be given to kids as soon as they can chew. I personally think it is unfortunate that so many people think they have a free-ride when they are young because they have a good metabolism and can thus eat anything without gaining weight. All I can say is that eating-well is not just about weight (I have heard about very skinny people with high cholesterol and inactive gallbladders because of their poor diets) and that research has shown that heart attacks in people in their forties and fifties were the result of a lifetime of damage being done to their arteries (with damage starting as early as their teen years!).
- Dr. Lee said that getting people to stop smoking is very tricky. For one, you can't scare smokers into thinking that they will die if they keep smoking (there are already death warnings on cigarette boxes that obviously don't work!). He said that it is important to realize that smoking is not a disease, but is a SYMPTOM of something else. Naturopathic medicine focuses on treating the disease/root-of-the-problem and not just fixing the symptoms/discomforts. When treating a smoker, the doctor has to find out what is the bigger problem; what is causing the smoker to smoke. It is the stress, depression, pain, anxiety, trauma, frustration, that needs to be treated, and once the main issue is addressed, the smoking won't be needed as a coping mechanism.
- Dr. Lee talked said that he is very intense with patients. He is very honest with them about what they are doing wrong and what NEEDS to be done to improve their health. Sometimes he said patients come back to him without any improvements to their health because they didn't follow any of his recommendations (for example, when told to give up dairy, a patient may have said "but it is just too hard to give up cheese"). His response to these patients: "Life isn't easy!". My interpretation of his brutally honest remark is that yes, good health isn't handed to us on a silver platter; you have to work to be healthy.
I have never felt so reassured that I am the right profession. THANK YOU, Dr. Lee!
2010-09-09
Veganism and Naturopathy
In four years time I will be a certified Naturopathic Doctor. Now you may ask whether I, as a committed vegan, will push this diet on my patients?
Absolutely not.
I believe that choosing veganism is a completely personal decision. As I will mention in a future blog post, I believe that choosing veganism is much more than a diet but is a way of living. With that however, the teaching of naturopathic medicine do support the consumption of a primarily plant-based diet. Many people have allergies, sensitivities, and/or trouble digesting animal products. My body responded well to the elimination of these foods, but I recognize that results may very. As all of my patients will be unique, their treatments will differ. I am committed to working with patients to find a diet that is reasonable for their health conditions and for their lives.
2010-09-08
Disclaimer + About my field + About the Immune System
I have start this post with a disclaimer: I am not a doctor (yet). Please do not take any of the medical and health advice I may talk about on this blog seriously without seeking the advice of a health professional. What I share on this blog is just my personal interpretation of what I am learning while studying naturopathic medicine (NM) and should not be taken as solid fact.
Alright, now on to some interesting tidbits from today about NM...
Allopathic medicine is typically about treating a disease, whereas NM is about treating a person. NDs examine the person in whole, taking into consideration their emotional, mental, and physical well-being. NDs care about how people feel and not just the lab results. For example: if your thyroid hormone levels are normal (according to the lab result) but you still feel fatigued, an ND will still consider you to be unwell and will work to find the root cause of your ailment until you feel optimal.
When in doubt, allopathic doctors (aka MDs) prescribe their patients antibiotics (drugs, drugs, drugs!). I learned today that the naturopathic equivalent is fish oil and probiotics. My personal naturopathic doctor (ND) once told me that all of his patients walk out of this office with this very prescription. I guess every field of medicine has their own "go to" remedy!
Other random and interesting things I learned today...
- The symptoms experienced when sick (e.g. fever, headache, mucous, chills) are not caused by the virus/bacteria, but are caused by your own body. Feeling these symptoms is a good thing because it meats that your immune system is working hard to battle the invader. People too often take medicine to relieve them of these yucky feelings, but you need them in order to fight off the invader!
- When people get sick, they usually feel sick for 5 days or so because it takes 5 days to the adaptive immune system to grow strong enough to actually kill off the infection.
- It is important that children get sick when they are sick because the only way to build up the immune system is to "teach it" how to fight invaders.
- Babies are not born with the ability to make antibodies (these help the body recognize foreign cells), so the only way babies get antibodies is through their Mother's milk (breast feeding is SO important to the development of infants... more to come on this!).
- The HIV virus doesn't actually hurt your body. It just destroys your immune system. Without an immune system, something as simple as a cold virus can kill you.
Alright, now on to some interesting tidbits from today about NM...
Allopathic medicine is typically about treating a disease, whereas NM is about treating a person. NDs examine the person in whole, taking into consideration their emotional, mental, and physical well-being. NDs care about how people feel and not just the lab results. For example: if your thyroid hormone levels are normal (according to the lab result) but you still feel fatigued, an ND will still consider you to be unwell and will work to find the root cause of your ailment until you feel optimal.
When in doubt, allopathic doctors (aka MDs) prescribe their patients antibiotics (drugs, drugs, drugs!). I learned today that the naturopathic equivalent is fish oil and probiotics. My personal naturopathic doctor (ND) once told me that all of his patients walk out of this office with this very prescription. I guess every field of medicine has their own "go to" remedy!
Other random and interesting things I learned today...
- The symptoms experienced when sick (e.g. fever, headache, mucous, chills) are not caused by the virus/bacteria, but are caused by your own body. Feeling these symptoms is a good thing because it meats that your immune system is working hard to battle the invader. People too often take medicine to relieve them of these yucky feelings, but you need them in order to fight off the invader!
- When people get sick, they usually feel sick for 5 days or so because it takes 5 days to the adaptive immune system to grow strong enough to actually kill off the infection.
- It is important that children get sick when they are sick because the only way to build up the immune system is to "teach it" how to fight invaders.
- Babies are not born with the ability to make antibodies (these help the body recognize foreign cells), so the only way babies get antibodies is through their Mother's milk (breast feeding is SO important to the development of infants... more to come on this!).
- The HIV virus doesn't actually hurt your body. It just destroys your immune system. Without an immune system, something as simple as a cold virus can kill you.
2010-09-07
Day One
Phew. I am exhausted.
Today was Day One at CCNM and so the hecticness begins! This is med school, so I expected it to be busy, but I can't count on both my hand how many times today the staff members, upper-year students, and professors told us "this program is intense". And so I say: Bring it!
Today started with goodies. It was Christmas for the class of 2014; we all received orientation bags filled with tons of vitamin/supplement samples, a couple of reusable bags, a travel mug, a couple of tubes of natural toothpaste, a t. shirt, and more! ...all were (most likely) supplied by big medical equipment and supplement companies (they want our future business of course!).
The day continued with lots of presentations (by Student Services, the Dean, the President, the Student Union), and four classes. All of my classes were amazing, and I already have so much interesting information to share on the blog, but that will have to wait until tomorrow because I now need some sleep...
Today was Day One at CCNM and so the hecticness begins! This is med school, so I expected it to be busy, but I can't count on both my hand how many times today the staff members, upper-year students, and professors told us "this program is intense". And so I say: Bring it!
Today started with goodies. It was Christmas for the class of 2014; we all received orientation bags filled with tons of vitamin/supplement samples, a couple of reusable bags, a travel mug, a couple of tubes of natural toothpaste, a t. shirt, and more! ...all were (most likely) supplied by big medical equipment and supplement companies (they want our future business of course!).
The day continued with lots of presentations (by Student Services, the Dean, the President, the Student Union), and four classes. All of my classes were amazing, and I already have so much interesting information to share on the blog, but that will have to wait until tomorrow because I now need some sleep...
2010-09-05
Arrival
Well, I have arrived at CCNM. School start doesn't start for two days but I have already explored the campus and met some fellow classmates.As an aside, I am very much enjoying life as a vegan in Toronto. It is fantastic living in a city where pizza places use vegan cheese, coffee shops offer vegan goodies, and there are oodles and oodles of veg restaurants to visit!
2010-09-02
About my blog
My blog title 'Navigating Naturopathy' was picked because I am starting a degree in Naturopathic Medicine (aka Naturopathy) and because I will use this blog to document my journey as I navigate through this field of medicine.
In addition, my partner (Tony) navigates in his field of work, so the blog title is a tribute to both of our careers. :)
In addition, my partner (Tony) navigates in his field of work, so the blog title is a tribute to both of our careers. :)
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