Dr. Marita Weighs In On Trends in Health for 2024
With the world at our fingertips, trends seem to rise and fall like a kid on a pogostick. One minute everyone’s saying skinny jeans are out, and the next minute they’re back. This can be especially confusing when it comes to health trends. The rise of ‘health influencers’ and the sparkling carrot of viral fame has led to claims circling around that promise to be the ultimate secret to perfect health… but what is the truth? Let’s sift through some of the top health trends we’ve seen so far in 2024 and I’ll weigh in on whether they’re worth your time, or just another passing trend.
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Arthritis Awareness: Natural Remedies for Joint Pain as the Weather Cools
As we begin the daydreaming of leaves starting to fall and the air getting that crisp, cool bite, we might look forward to cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice everything, and the upcoming holiday season. But if you’re one of the millions of Canadians who deal with arthritis, you might also be bracing yourself for the not-so-fun part of the season: increased joint pain.
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The Benefits of Seasonal Eating: Fall Edition
Last month we looked into the amazing benefits of local seasonal eating, and covered some delicious recipes for the bountiful August abundance. With the season of harvest upon us, I thought we’d look ahead at what’s in season this Fall and discover some more delicious recipes!
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Understanding Glycemic Load (Plus Recipe Round Up)
What is a glycemic load, you ask? And why should you consider it when selecting the foods you eat? Understanding this can be helpful when you are trying to manage blood sugar levels, like in diabetes or if you’re aiming for steady energy throughout the day, wanting to balance hormones, help with weight loss, and prevent insulin resistance.
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World Alzheimer's Month: Eating and Lifestyle for Alzheimer’s Prevention
September is World Alzheimer’s Month. With Canada’s aging population, this is a tragic walk that many families are taking. It’s estimated that around 750,000 Canadians are currently living with the disease. While the cause of this disease is still yet to be uncovered, there are links to genetics, environment, and lifestyle. This is good news because it means there are many lifestyle habits that can help prevent it.
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The Back to School Packed Lunch Roster
With back to school nigh, many parents or students might be finding their summer brain can’t wrap around the concept of packed lunches again. Stress not, I’ve gathered 10 (thats two weeks worth!) of packed lunch ideas for you.
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Fun and Healthy Ideas to Beat the Dog Days of Summer
With August, comes the dog days of Summer. You know, after what seems like endless hot days laying about. Cold drinks and popsicles by the pool starts to feel kind of ho hum, maybe the laziness and lack of motivation the summer heat can bring has set in. Time for some fresh infusions of ideas, whether you try these on your own, with a partner, a friend, or use these to make the last bit of Summer active and fun with the kids before they head back to school!
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Natural Sunburn Relief
We’ve all been there… Despite your best efforts to be sun safe, you feel that flush that turns into a searing burn at the end of a day out in the sun’s rays. While prevention trumps all else when it comes to the sun and our skin, there are some natural ways to relieve sunburn when it does sneak up on us
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The Benefits of Seasonal Eating: August Edition and Recipe Roundup
Summer here on Vancouver Island could not be a more blissful experience… especially when it comes to the abundance of local fare! The benefits of eating local are many, with positives for the environment, our bodies, and the community. Let’s have a look at some of the benefits, tips, as well as round up some inspired recipes for a few ingredients in season here in August!
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10 Summer BBQ Recipes that Aren’t Burgers
Ahhh BBQ season. Is there truly anything better? Something about being cooked over a flame makes everything taste better. Couple that with eating outside, surrounded by family and friends… it’s a recipe for joy if I ever found one. That being said, sometimes we can go overboard with the burgers. Burgers burgers burgers. There are so many more amazing things we can bring to the BBQ.
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Travel Health Tips: Staying Healthy on the Go
I recently returned from a trip to Portugal, and I’ll be honest, this trip really reinforced how much I love to travel! That being said, it can be hard to stay committed to healthy habits while jet setting or road tripping. With the busy travel season of summer upon us, I would love to share some of my favorite ways to enjoy travel while staying healthy.
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Cooling Foods: How to Eat to Beat the Summer Heat
Phew! It’s hot out there… I don’t know about you, but this time of year I’m willing to try just about anything to beat the heat! But did you know that one of the best ways to keep your body temperature down is through your diet? Certain foods have natural cooling properties that can help you stay cool and feel refreshed.
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Staying Active in the Summer Heat: Safe Outdoor Exercise Tips
While many of us feel our energy levels peak naturally in the summertime, hot days can sometimes suck that motivation right out of us. You may find yourself opting for a lay in the hammock over your usual walk or run. And while surrendering into rest and relaxation is also part of healthy living, it is important to make sure our bodies are still getting the exercise they need.
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Dr. Marita’s Guide to Eating Healthy After 50
Whether you have already passed the 50 mark, or are fast approaching, healthy eating has never been more important. For many people, they might start to feel their bad habits start to catch up with them, or find their metabolism changes and what used to work is no longer working for them. While there’s some standing good health habits that cross the ages, there are some key focus areas that should take center stage in the later half of our lives to keep us healthy and ready for everything life has to offer during this exciting phase of life.
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Dr. Marita’s Top Tips for Surviving Summer
Summer is upon us, and whether you love the hot season, or you don’t, the heat is coming either way. No matter if your doing the status quo all summer, or getting out and creating summer magic, you’re going to need some survival tips. Here are my top tips to survive, and thrive this Summer season.
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Celebrating Father's Day: Top Supplements for Supporting Men's Health
Fatherhood as a modern dad demands a delicate balancing act. From juggling career responsibilities to being present for family moments, dads often find themselves spread thin. It’s more and more important for many men to be supportive, loving, and engaged fathers. As Father’s Day approaches, how about we acknowledge and support the well-being of fathers no matter what the stage of life. Plus, some of these might make great gift ideas for the health conscious father in your life.
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Freshen Up Your Packed Lunch Roster (11 Days Worth of Ideas)
If you’re anything like me, after a while of being on track and eating healthy packed lunches, your eye starts to wander onto expensive and sometimes not as healthy takeout or restaurant options. Being bored with lunch is one thing, but when it impacts our willpower to stay on track with our nutrition goals, it’s time to spice things up! I’ve scoured the far reaches of the internet to find some fresh, exciting packed lunch ideas to keep you full, satisfied, and looking forward to opening your lunchbox.
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What Your 💩 is Telling You About Your Health
Here is is: EVERYBODY POOPS. You do, your mom does, your husband does, and so does your favorite pop star. It’s time to brush aside the shame, because that shame keeps a lot of health issues in the dark. Not only are a lot of people ashamed to talk about their poop with friends and family, but with their doctor as well. It’s important to break this silence, because our bowel movements, in all their gory details, tell us a lot about our overall health.
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Healthy Swaps for your Favorite Junk Foods (Recipe Roundup)
In a junk food saturated world, it’s easy to get lost eating nutrient void treats and snacks that serve only the taste buds and leave the body wanting– and often packing on the pounds. Most junk food is not only devoid of nutrients, but packed with calories, sugar, and salt. Not to mention chemical additives that wreak havoc on the body. And while I’m ALL for eating purely for pleasure as an important part of being alive, wouldn’t it be nice if your favourites also packed a healthy punch and used real food ingredients??
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Top Supplement Recommendations for Moms
Being a mom in today’s world is often a borderline super-human experience. From working to caring for the kids, the home, and having their own interests and hobbies, self care, side hustles… it’s no wonder many mothers are burnt out. With Mother’s day this month, there’s an opportunity to celebrate mothers and while a day of pancakes in bed and flowers is oh so lovely– let’s take it a step further and look at the top supplements to help support long lasting good health in mom– no matter what stage of life she is in.
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