ISSUE #6: Winter 2009-2010    

Happy Holidays From Our Staff

We’d like to thank you for a great opening year and hope we can continue to provide the best complementary health care in town!

Please remember to book your quarterly wellness check up’s to help you and your family prepare for the change of seasons and the common concerns that come with them.

Remember, prevention is key. If you feel well, this is the best time to check in with us. Also, look to gain more knowledge about common everyday supplements and which super foods are among your bag of groceries with our weekly nutrition seminars around the kitchen. Family naturopathic visits are covered under most extended health care plans of up to a maximum of $1000 per year, per person.

With more and more individuals being helped by naturopathic medicine, we all look forward to future OHIP coverage and government recognition for the profession. However, the time has come and soon it will be time to celebrate! As of December 1st, 2009 the 3rd reading of Bill 179 to amend the Naturopathy Act which grants naturopathic doctors the ability to prescribe, dispense, compound or sell drugs under the listed act, was accepted and the completion of this process is expected over the course of 2 or 3 years. If you’re interested in being an active voice for our profession, we welcome you to visit our website for links to all future legislative updates and how you can help.

We wish you and your family a safe and healthy holiday season!

Indulge Without Holiday Bulge

Along with the holidays also comes abundance, but this doesn’t have to translate into an increase in your waistline. Here are some helpful hints to help you maintain your weight during the holiday season.

Focus on the Festivities, Not the Food — If you over eat this holiday season, try sipping on peppermint or chamomile tea to help aide digestion. Also consider using digestive enzymes before larger meals to help with the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Try Tissue Salts— Take 4 tablets of Natrum Phosphoricum under the tongue every ten heartburn or indigestion.

Choose Your Beverages Wisely — Alcohol is high in calories. If you choose to drink, select wine or use non-alcoholic mixers such as water. Limit your intake to 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks per occasion.

Stick to Routine — Most individuals tend to gain 7-12 pounds over the holidays; so during the hustle and bustle don’t forget to stick to your regular exercise regime.

Warming Winter Spices!

Heat up the cold winter months with spices that not only add avour to your favourite winter dishes, but help to improve your overall health and wellness:

Cinnamon - Research indicates that cinnamaldehyde, the active compound in cinnamon, is both a sedative and analgesic. It also reduces blood pressure and is a classic remedy for digestive problems. Cinnamon accelerates the digestion of fats and enhances the activity of trypsin, an enzyme that breaks down proteins in the small intestine.

Cloves - Traditionally, cloves have been used to treat indigestion, diarrhea, and respiratory concerns. Toothache is e ectively treated with cloves, as a chemical compound in the spice, called eugenol, has both analgesic and antiseptic qualities. In the kitchen, cloves make a powerful contribution to both sweet and savoury dishes.

Nutmeg - In Chinese herbal medicine, nutmeg is used for intestinal prob lems and in some cultures is used as an aphrodisiac. In the kitchen, nutmeg is not only appetizing in sweet foods, but it also enhances the flavour of meats and vegetables. It is excellent sprinkled over hot or cold drinks and can be used in making healthy cakes and cookies.

Doctors Naturae Seminars

• 8-week Nutrition Makeover – Join our nutritionists every Wednesday as they attempt to demystify nutrition and healthy living!
• Natural Flu Vaccine Options – Learn about safe, natural options to the flu vaccination in a complimentary 15 minute session with one of our naturopathic doctors.
• Tuesday Talks – The DN team is proud to offer in house information sessions every Tuesday at 12 noon.

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men

Ingredients

• 5 cups blanched almond our
  
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  
• 1 tablespoon ginger powder
  
• ¼ teaspoon cloves - ground
  
• ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  
• ½ cup grape seed oil
  
• ½ cup agave nectar
  
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  
• ½ cup yacon syrup
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine almond our, cinnamon, ginger powder, cloves, salt and baking soda.
2. Next, in a smaller bowl, mix together grape seed oil, agave, vanilla, yacon, eggs and lemon zest.
3. Stir wet ingredients into dry.
   
4. Chill dough in freezer for 1-2 hours.
5. Roll out dough between two pieces of parchment paper to ¼ inch thick.
6. Remove top sheet of parchment paper, cut out cookies using a medium gingerbread man cookie
   cutter.
7. Decorate with nuts and dried fruit --we used pieces of lemon rind for the mouth.
8. Transfer with a spatula to a parchment lined baking sheet.
9. Cook at 350° for 15 minutes. Cool and serve!

The contents of this Newsletter is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.