MY BLOG

If your hands and feet spend half the year feeling like little ice cubes, you’re not alone. Many people chalk it up to “just running cold,” but in naturopathic medicine, we see chilly extremities as meaningful feedback from the body about your circulation. Your circulation is one of the most honest storytellers you have, and when it’s not working optimally, it’s worth listening to. Let’s dive into why your hands are freezing while everyone else seems fine, and what it could be telling you about your health.

As the trees drop their leaves, mother nature reminds us that letting go is a vital part of health and vitality. Just like those spent leaves drifting to the ground, our bodies, too, are ready to release what’s no longer serving us. In other words, fall is the perfect season to focus on lymphatic support and drainage.

With the damp Vancouver Island weather and drops in temperatures this time of year, many people… ahem north of 40… notice old aches start to whisper again, or roar. Whether its stiff fingers, sore knees, or that familiar dull ache in the hips, these are the telltale signs that tend to flare up when the weather turns for those who suffer with rheumatism or inflammatory joint conditions. But why does cold weather seem to make inflammation worse? And what can we do to find relief naturally?

Whether you’re an autumn lover, or mourning the end of summer, October is a marked time of transition. The air gets crisp, leaves start to fall, and our cozy sweaters finally come out of hiding. But there’s another shift happening right now that often slips under the radar: our vitamin D levels begin to take a sharp dive. And because vitamin D plays such a wide-ranging role in health, this seasonal dip can leave you feeling more tired, more moody, and more vulnerable to illness right as cold and flu season ramps up.

Before you pack away your gardening gloves… the growing season doesn’t have to end just because summer has! Creating an indoor garden is a simple, body, mind, and soul nourishing way to extend the garden magic all year long, and it comes with some surprising health benefits, too.

As the seasons shift, many of us notice our energy levels dipping. The shorter days, the full schedules, and colder weather can leave you reaching for that second (or third) coffee just to scrape through the day. But if you’re feeling more than just a little sluggish, your iron and ferritin levels might be the missing piece.

Pumpkin spice has become the unofficial flavor of autumn. It’s cozy, warming, and instantly makes you feel like fall is here. But beyond the infamous lattes and sugary treats, there’s real wisdom behind these spices. The spices used to create ‘pumpkin spice’ are traditionally used in herbal medicine, with ingredients that support digestion, circulation, and immunity. When we peel back the layers of syrup and whipped cream, we discover that maybe it’s popularity is more than superficial.

You ever feel like the gray west coast fog crept inside your head and is making it impossible to focus or get what you need to get done, done? Well you’re not alone. In my practice one of the most common symptoms my patients come to me with is brain fog, and the change is seasons can make it feel so much more… foggy. While the underlying cause of brain fog can be more complex and definitely worth exploring with your healthcare provider, you can help to support your brain with the right fuel, nutrients, and daily habits. 

If you aren’t one of those people who wake up with the energy of a golden retriever on espresso, mornings can feel like an uphill climb. You hear all the time about how good it is to have a solid morning routine to start the day right, but you just can’t seem to get yourself moving before you have to make a mad dash at the last minute out the door. Well, I’m here to tell you that you can still build a morning routine that supports your health, mood, and productivity all without trying to become a 5 a.m. sunrise chaser.

Summer is over and we are back in the regular grind. You’re inspired to do this season right, stay on track with your health goals and stick to your grocery budget… but the phrase “packed lunch” conjures up mental images of sad sandwiches or wilted salads you forget in the fridge while you go and grab fast food. But a lunchbox can actually be something you look forward to. It can be nourishing, satisfying, and way better than grabbing something random (and regretful), and easier on your wallet.

Summer is a favourite time of year for many people, but once the season winds down, you might notice your digestion isn’t quite as happy. Bloating, irregular bowels, heartburn, or that heavy “post-patio” feeling are all pretty common. So, besides eating more ice cream cones than we’d ever admit…why does the gut go off track after summer, and how do you reset?