HEALTH NEWSLETTER

At last the Spring is here! We can finally hear the birds chirping and with the temperatures on the rise and the snow melting away it will be soon be the time to enjoy the outdoors without heavy coats and boots and breathe in the fresh Spring air!

In this newsletter:

• Detox For The Spring


• Keeping On Top Of Allergies


• Mango Chia Pudding Recipe


• Ekaterina, Our Registered Massage Therapist, Is Back!

DETOX FOR THE SPRING

Feel energized, have mental clarity and prevent illness with a Spring Detox!

The Spring season is a season of new and healthy beginnings. The general tendency for most people is to think about Spring cleansing in and around the house, and also detoxification for the body, all of which are related to improving the health of the home as well as the health of the individual.

There are many rituals that people follow when it comes to detoxifying such as fasting, abstinence from food or certain foods for a few days and then reintroduce certain foods. From a health perspective, Paracelsus, considered a father of Western Medicine, considered fasting “greatest remedy.” In Buddhism, fasting may be used as a means if “invigorating one’s practice (a new beginning of sorts) and the end of a fast marked Buddha’s spiritual awakening (the ultimate new beginning).

Cleansing in our Century

With health food stores and the endless information on the Internet, cleansing has now turned into a science of its own, leaving one wondering what the best option may be for them. Although a generally safe activity, and of benefit to most, it should only be undertaken under the care of a healthcare professional – of course, I am arguably biased, but a naturopathic doctor would be most qualified for this as they have the training in different pathways the body uses to detoxify as well the clinical nutrition background.

LET'S GET STARTED!

Foods to enjoy for a detox:

Filtering the toxins out of the body happens through your liver and kidneys; hence supporting these organs is key when doing a detox. Ingestion of foods rich in nutrients that support these organs during the detox are important.

• Non-starchy vegetables, fruits and whole grains are high in fiber and excellent food sources for various nutrients for metabolic detoxification.
• The Brassica family of vegetables (cauliflower, kale, Brussels Sprouts) and other dark green leafy vegetables are particularly potent cleansing foods.
• Bitter tasting vegetables are great choices as they stimulate secretion of digestion juices and bile, which help flush the liver.
• Drinking water and herbal teas are an important part of any detox.

Foods to avoid during a detox:

• Foods containing any chemicals such as antibiotics, hormones, additives, coloring, dyes, pesticides and preservatives should be avoided.
• Alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks should ideally be avoided.
• Foods that you have a known allergy or intolerance to be better avoided as they hinder detoxification and slow down liver metabolism.

What about the toxins already stored in our body?

We offer a number of detox programs and heavy metal tests to check the type and amount of heavy metals stored in your body. To schedule a visit please call us at (416) 913 4325 (HEAL).

KEEPING ON TOP OF ALLERGIES

Breathe clearly, feel no nasal congestion, stuffiness and itchy eyes by clearing your allergies this Spring!

As the Spring season kicks off, it brings with it warmer weather, rain, melting snow, and the dreaded POLLEN and our reaction of hay fever to it. More children seem to have allergies today than ever before. There are many theories to explain why this maybe such as perhaps we are “too clean”, or introduction of certain foods to early such as peanuts maybe identified by the immune system as foreign, or a parent having allergies, eczema or asthma. Here are some things you can do for your child if they are suffering from allergies.

According to Food Allergy Canada, up to 300,000 Canadian children suffer from food allergies and children under the ages of 3 are most affected, however, the most chronic condition is non-food allergies in kids 12 and older.

How to manage these food allergies?

First, it is very important to identify that the symptoms are related to a true allergy and not a sensitivity / intolerance – there is an overlap with the symptoms produced by both such as rashes, fatigue, stomach issues. However, symptoms such as dark circles under the eyes, puffiness and swelling, chronic diarrhea and of course anaphylactic shock are related to allergies. A simple blood test will help reveal whether there is an allergy or an intolerance. Once identified, here are simple tips you can use to help your child:

1. There are natural and over the counter remedies that can help deal the symptoms of environmental allergies, so talk to your child’s naturopathic or medical doctor before starting either.


2. Getting tested for allergies is important to identify what additional allergies your child has. Cooking foods can sometimes make a difference, as there may be less of an allergen.


3. For environmental allergies, good hygiene practices and limiting or eliminating exposure helps.


4. Educating those around you when it comes to cooking with foods or being around kids or people with known allergies such as peanut and shellfish, or being affectionate with a person / child after ingestion of known food allergies can be disastrous!


5. Know the signs of anaphylaxis and how to treat them!

MANGO CHIA SEED PUDDING RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp. of Chia seeds
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 cup of milk or dairy alternative of your choice (cashew milk would taste creamier)
• 1 Tbsp. of cashew cream
• 1/3 cup of frozen mango cubes
• 1 Tbsp. of honey

Instructions:

1. Soak the chia seeds overnight in water.


2. Mix all the other ingredients and blend them in a blender.


3. Mix in the soaked chia with the blended mango puree.


4. Chill for about an hour and Enjoy!

OUR MASSAGE THERAPIST IS BACK!

Ekaterina is back !!!

Great news for everyone who has been waiting for Ekaterina, our Registered Massage Therapist! She had been on maternity leave and will be back in clinic starting April, on Saturdays starting at 10:00 AM. I know a lot of you were waiting for her to come back to get your massages, so call us at 416 913 4325 (HEAL) and book ahead as we are now booking for the last week of April due to high demand. She will be offering various types of massages:

• Deep Tissue Massage – for tight and sore muscles and sports injuries.
• Relaxation Massage with aromatherapy – to melt the stress away.
• Pregnancy Massage – for low back pain for pregnant women
• Lymphatic Drainage Massage – great for detoxification and circulation.

Typically appointments are usually for an hour, but we do have 30 minutes, 45 minutes and 90 minutes slots available as well.

The best part is the cost for an hour of massage - only $75+ HST!

For any questions, or concerns, or to schedule an initial naturopathic appointment, please contact us at 416 913 4325 (HEAL) or email us at [email protected]

* DISCLAIMER: The information on this article is the property of Dr. Sushma Shah, Naturopathic Doctor, and is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any diseases or promote any services or products mentioned on the website.