MY BLOG

Back-to-school season means the brain has a big job to do. Between remembering how to do homework, concentrating in class, managing emotions and navigating busy extracurricular schedules, the mental juggling is no joke!  Let’s shine a spotlight on an important nutrient to support growing brains for lifelong learning: Omega Fatty Acids. 

If you’re a Summer lover, the end of the season can feel like such a low. Especially as we hunker down for another rainy and grey West Coast Winter. No more fun in the sun, no more long days, backyard BBQ’s and camping trips. Heading back into the drudge of routine can really do a number for our mental health. So let’s take a look at some small steps we can take for our mental health as Summer closes to prepare us for a joyful Fall.

There's something magical about blackberry season, and it's already upon us! Whether you're wandering country roads with a bucket in hand, picking berries along your favourite hiking trail, or finding beautiful local berries at the farmers' market, blackberries are one of summer's sweetest gifts. These juicy little gems are more than just delicious, they're packed with antioxidants, fibre, vitamins, and plant compounds that support everything from healthy aging to brain health.

Let's face it… our phones aren't going anywhere. While you know I love to yap about how too much screen time is bad for our health, technology can also be a powerful ally when we use it intentionally. Think of these apps as tools that keep you connected to your health goals, while remembering that listening to your body will always be the most valuable tool you have.

When the weather heats up, the last thing I want to do is spend hours standing over a hot stove. Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of all the fresh, colourful produce available and there’s no better way to do that than a salad! Are you a salad hater? Well, allow me to try and change your mind.. a great salad isn't just lettuce tossed with limp dressing. The best salads combine protein, healthy fats, fibre, herbs, fruit, crunch, and bold flavours to create a meal that fuels your body while keeping you cool. They also make excellent leftovers for lunch the next day, making healthy eating pretty darn effortless!

One of the coolest things about the advancements happening in medicine right now is we are starting to understand more complex issues at a deeper level, which can revolutionize the care we are able to provide! One area that has long been misunderstood is women’s health, particularly when it comes to hormones and the systemic effect of their regulation. This is something that many women come to me frustrated with, and one of those key diagnoses that is gaining a deeper understanding right now is one that is becoming increasingly common: PCOS.

Your Summer herb garden is not just about fresh flavour into meals, it’s a living pharmacy right outside your door! Herbs are some of the most accessible, affordable, and underrated tools for supporting digestion, hormones, immunity, and nervous system health. Let’s explore what makes them so special, and how to actually use them in everyday life.

There’s a reason they call stress the silent killer. Stress is a major factor in things like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, immune issues, and even cancer so it’s not something to just shrug off. Our nervous system is the physical system behind our bodies response to the stresses of our world, and unfortunately it doesn’t know the difference between the pressures of modern life and being chased by a tiger. All our nervous system recognizes is that something that feels like a threat to our survival is happening and it does its job and gets our body prepared to either fight, fight, or freeze.. whichever one is better conducive to survival. 

I don’t know about you, but for me my sweet tooth always gets a Summer upgrade. Suddenly instead of longing for chocolate, I’m wanting something fresh and fruity… and I’m happy for that because it becomes easier to make dessert a lot healthier!

Ahhh summer… that delicious time of year where we can throw the rule book out the window and embrace freedom. Long days, lots of time outside, and the glory of summer BBQ. But that doesn’t mean you should throw out your healthy habits for the season, our bodies still need us to take care of them no matter what season we are in. Or maybe you dread the unstructured chaos that the kids being out of school wreaks on your routine and are desperate to find a way to keep your health momentum going. Either way, I thought it was a good time to check in with a few ways you can keep your healthy habits going over the summer holiday.

Where does your mind go when I tell you to keep hydrated? Most people think hydration simply means “drink more water.” But if you may cart that Stanley cup with you everywhere, feel like your guzzling water all day and yet still feel tired, dizzy, headachy, crampy or thirsty… there’s a good chance your body may actually be missing electrolytes and minerals, not just fluids. True hydration is about getting water into your cells and helping your body actually use it properly.

One of the biggest frustrations that leads patients away from conventional medicine and into my office is the experience of feeling deeply unwell, but being told everything looks fine in their testing. Many people are left feeling helpless, and they are looking for answers. Our maxed out medical system simply does not have the capacity currently to work with people on achieving their optimal health, and instead is fighting a battle just to help those who are critical. The answer to many is a mystery as to “what is wrong with me?” The reality is that there’s often a big difference between what the medical system considers “normal” lab ranges and the optimal levels for how your body actually functions.