Simple nutritional tips to help manage your allergies

 The weather is not as warm as we might like but the pollen is in the air and this causes a lot of discomfort for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. So, this week, I will be looking at what is an allergic response and the lifestyle and nutritional changes

Summer fasting — a natural way to control your weight

 The word fasting often conjures up ideas and feelings of constantly being hungry, feeling deprived or even worse starved. However, this could not be further from the truth, as there is a difference between fasting and starvation. Fasting is a choice of voluntary abstinence of eating food for a certain amount of

Food for allergy relief – anti-inflammatories and good fats

 Although we are still home and staying safe, one of the things that I find helps to keep me grounded, is seeing that Mother Nature is still on course. Spring is most definitely on its way and with it the allergies that can make our lives quite uncomfortable at times.

Boosting your children’s immunity

 With the world we are living in today it is more important than ever before, that we really start to look after ourselves, not just by staying home but by improving what we eat. If you think about it, no athlete will go into a competition without some sort of

Boosting the immunity of the elderly

 If you or family member have a vulnerable immune system this article is for you. We will be looking at the various ways in which our immune system protects us and how we can very simply support it through lifestyle and nutritional changes. Due to the current circumstances, we hear a

Sleepy evening snacks

 Let’s talk about sleep first of all. Here are just a few facts to think about: a) sleeping less the 6.5 hours a night could potentially increase body fat by 8.5 per cent, b) the World Health Organization has declared that shift work is a likely carcinogen and considers the

The value in doubling up

 A little introduction, I’m a registered holistic nutritionist (RHN), originally worked as nurse in the UK and Switzerland and I now live in Ottawa with my husband, two teenage kids and mother in law. Just like everyone else, I sometimes struggle with what to eat in the evenings, our days

Mushrooms To Boost Your Immune System

 There's a new wave of options to help boost your immune system this season. While vitamin C, Echinacea and oregano oil have all had their claim to fame in enhancing your immune system, mushrooms are quickly gaining in popularity to positively impact the fight against viruses and bacteria, especially when

Getting a Grip on the Risks of Vaccination

 Every day when I see patients in my surgical clinic, some are offered a procedure to help them feel better. Whether it is a minor surgery like a tonsillectomy, or something larger scale such as tumor resection, I have a full discussion with the patient regarding the benefits and risks

Three important nutrients to help fight inflammation

 Sarah is 35, lives in Northern Ontario and has come to see me for nagging, persistent back pain. She has tried physiotherapy in her hometown but without much relief. She also lists on her intake that she is troubled by fatigue, insomnia and irritable bowel syndrome. When I palpate and

The signs and symptoms of burnout and what you can do about it

 By Jilla Kahrobaei, BSc ND It happens. And it happens to almost everyone exposed to stress. You wake up one morning and find yourself utterly exhausted. You feel like you have been hit by a truck and every movement is accompanied by stiffness, heaviness and pain. You have no interest

Health for the Holidays

 The holidays wear me down. Between the parties, rich food and cold weather, it is hard to stay on top of my to-do list. Now, I don’t want you to think I’m complaining. Just the opposite! I love the smell of freshly baked Christmas cookies and really look forward to

Why I Decided to Get the Flu Vaccine for Myself and my Children

 New flu vaccine options for children and those afraid of needles It’s time again for the familiar “Get the shot, not the flu” campaign. It comes every October and we are reminded into the spring that it still isn’t too late to get the flu vaccine for those who haven’t

Do you have Allergies?

 Fed up with taking meds or going for painful shots? —There is an alternative. Many people here in Ottawa have seasonal type allergies. For some it's the birch, dandelion, or grass pollen in the spring, for others the ragweed in the fall, and for some unlucky people it's all year