What is the key to long term health? What separates those who stay healthy throughout life and continue to live vibrantly into old age? Across disciplines from psychology to public health, resilience is proving to be a core predictor of long-term health. At its definition, resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and grow in the face of adversity, and the good news is it’s trainable at every stage of life.
Read MoreWhen it comes to natural immune allies, few herbs have earned as much love and respect as the elderberry. This berry has been used for centuries to help the body fight off colds and flu, soothe inflammation, and boost overall resilience…and modern research is finally catching up to what herbalists have known all along. That’s why I am spotlighting the Elderberry as we head deep into cold and flu season!
I’ll be the first to say it: I’m human too. Don’t get me wrong, I am also pretty good about practicing what I preach, but I don’t want anyone being under the false impression that I live a perfect life just because I’m an ND. Recently, I returned from a beautiful trip to Portugal, and my trip was wonderful. Full of sunshine, walking, biking, laughter… and yes, plenty of indulgence. Rich meals, late nights, bread, wine, desserts, and a rhythm very different from my usual routine. And honestly? I enjoyed every bit of it.
Read MoreLong before supplements, superfoods, or wellness trends, there was soup. Across cultures and centuries, slow-simmered broths and soups were used as the original healing food because they worked. When someone was ill, depleted, postpartum, grieving, or aging, they were given soup. Always. From a naturopathic perspective, warm, mineral-rich liquids are one of the most powerful (and underrated) tools for deep winter wellness.
Read MoreBelieve it or not, one of the main reasons why alcohol, sugar, rich and processed foods, travel, stress, late nights, and disrupted routines leave us feeling so depleted is these things all burn through minerals at hyper speed! If you have a diet and lifestyle high in these things already, like many modern people do, you may have an even greater reserve to rebuild.
Read MoreAfter the holidays, getting back into a school routine can feel like a full-body reset. Mornings are earlier, schedules are more rigid, and by dinnertime, the decision fatigue is very real… especially coming off of a stressful Christmas! This is where having a meal plan that is full of simple, whole-food meals can make a huge difference. Where we can support energy, blood sugar, digestion, and avoid any hangry meltdowns without requiring hours in the kitchen.
Read MoreThere’s something magical about a new year, not because it demands a “new you,” but because it invites a deeper alignment with who you already are. Instead of forcing resolutions or hustling into unrealistic changes, 2026 can be the year you craft a wellness vision that’s rooted in self-compassion, clarity, and sustainable habits. Let’s create a game plan that actually feels good to follow.
Read MoreThe best part of Christmas baking is the spices! The aroma of these spices is enough to paint a picture of a tree and a cozy fire in your mind's eye… And it’s more than just a yummy thing. It's basically herbal medicine disguised as dessert. The spices we associate with festive treats have deep roots in traditional healing systems, and their therapeutic benefits are still celebrated today. Let’s explore the medicinal magic of three seasonal favourites: cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.
Read MoreT’is the season of joyful chaos, family politics, endless to-dos, sugar everywhere, and approximately 147 events you’re expected to attend. Where all that is merry and bright meets cortisol. As magical as it can be, this time of year often pushes our nervous and immune systems into overdrive. It's no accident many of us end up sick around the holidays! Let’s talk about stress-proofing the holiday season.
Read MoreIf 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreWith 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?
Read MoreIn Traditional Chinese Medicine, we transition from autumn into winter through the element of water. This brings a time of reflection, conservation, and restoration. Short days cause your circadian rhythm to naturally urge you to rest more, eat warmer foods, and do less. When we fight this instinct, it can leave us feeling depleted and run-down, but nature reminds us that rest is not laziness, its rhythm, Our culture is obsessed with constant productivity, a constant pulse on the next thing, and so tuning into November’s slower, more grounding energy can be a radical act of self-healing…
Read MoreWhether 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.
Read MoreBefore 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MorePumpkin 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.
Read MoreYou 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.
Read MoreIf 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.
Read MoreSummer 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.
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