The Halloween Fairy Returns

SHARE TIME: My eldest is 10 and since he was born (okay, whenever he started trick or treating) we began the ritual of the Halloween Fairy.  It goes like this:

Dressing up and trick or treating goes on as usual. We get home and peruse the treats allowing the kids to pick out a specific number of treats depending on their age.  For example, this year K is 10 so he can pick out 10 treats and he is free to do with them what he chooses.  Eat them all in one sitting or save them ... it's up to him. They can 'choose' (and they always do) to leave their treat bag out for the Halloween Fairy. She takes the candy and in exchange leaves a very small gift in the bag by the fireplace (it appears to me she spends somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 per child).

They LOVE it!  They get their treats (minus choices that involve hideous amounts of food dye) and we don't need to watch our kids eat disgusting wax chocolate for the next 30 days.  They get way more enjoyment out of the preparation, trick or treating itself, and small indulgence complete with a toy that lasts. 

Just a thought.  Let me know if you want me to send her to your house!  DR F

PS. The 'trick' of it, I've found, is to make sure the fairy doesn't consume all the treats after she's picked up the bag.  Oy

As Promised ... 6 Minute Chocolate Cake (GF/vegan) 2 Die 4

Full credit to Caroline Dupont and her incredible cookbook ENLIGHTENED EATING: Nourishment for Body and Soul.  Fabulous cookbook btw!  www.carolinedupont.com

So here goes ... my favorite chocolate cake ... and yes, it does take 6 minutes.  I've adapted this recipe to gluten free and you will see notation as such.

Preheat oven 375F

INGREDIENTS:
1.5 cups light spelt flour (I used all purpose gluten free flour with 1 heaping tsp xanthum gum)
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
0.5 tsp salt
1 cup sucanut (or sugar if you don't have sucanut)
1/2 cup good quality vegetable oil
1 cup cold water
1 TBs coffee substitute (I use splash cold coffee)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 TBs vinegar (apple cider vinegar is fine)

GLAZE
6 squares semi sweet chocolate (I use 2/3 package 60% cocoa choc chips)
2/3 cup hot water or soy milk or rice/almond milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Mix together flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and sucanut in an ungreased 8-inch square or 9-inch round baking pan.
2. In a 2 cup measuring cup, measure and mix the oil, water, coffee and vanilla.
3. Pour the liquid ingredients into the baking pan and mix batter with a fork or small whisk.
4. When the batter is smooth, add the vinegar and stir quickly.  There will be pale swirls in the batter where the soda and vinegar are reacting.  Stir just until the vinegar is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes.  Set aside to cool.
6. To make the glaze, reset the oven to 300F.  Melt the chocolate in a small ovenproof bowl in the oven for about 10 minutes.
7. Stir the hot liquid and the vanilla into the chocolate until smooth.
8. Spoon the glaze over the cooked cake and refridgerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Serves 8

Baked Chickpea Patties

As a vegetarian and someone who loves to cook, I'm constantly searching for new and healthy recipes to try at home. One recipe I recently found that I can't get enough of is for baked chickpea patties! It's kind of similar to falafels but definitely much healthier in my opinion-it's not fried and it's more like baked hummus with a kick!:)

The recipe is not only healthy, it's simple and delicious! You can also tweak the recipe depending on the ingredients you have on hand. Give yourself an extra boost of Omega-3's by adding a spoonful of flax seeds (completely optional).

Baked Chickpea Patties:

1 16oz can chickpeas/garbanzo beans rinsed and drained

1 small onion, diced

1 cup of diced vegetables (I like to use yellow peppers and celery but you can use any of your favorite vegetables)

2 1/2 tsp garlic, minced

2 tbsp cilantro or parsley, finely chopped

1 tsp olive oil

1 tsp coriander

1 1/2 tsp cumin

1 1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cayenne

Finely chopped walnuts

1 tbsp flour (I prefer to use spelt or brown rice flour)

1 tsp baking powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat your over to 375 degrees. Use a food processor to mash the chickpeas to your desired consistency. I prefer mine relatively smooth. Add all other ingredients to the chickpeas in a large bowl and stir until everything is combined evenly. Working with about 2 tbsp at a time, roll the mixture into a ball and then flatten slightly with your hands before placing it on an oiled baking sheet. Bake the patties for 15 minutes, flip them over and bake for an additional 15 minutes. If you like a bit of crunch, put your broiler on high and broil them for an extra 4 minutes on each side. Keep your eye on them though, all ovens are different and they can burn easily on broil.

Use them as an appetizer with a homemade sauce (ex. Greek yogurt, cayenne, cilantro, lemon juice, salt and pepper) or as a main dish with a side of brown rice pilaf or grilled vegetables:)

These patties are loaded with protein, fiber and minerals such as iron, zinc and manganese. Chickpeas can help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar levels.

They are perfectly delicious and best of all completely guilt free! Enjoy:)

B Vitamins

Do you suffer from...

Fatigue?

Low energy?

Irritability?

Nervousness?

Depression?

Insomnia?

Loss of appetite?

Digestive problems?

Constipation?

Skin Problems?

Acne?

Hair Loss?

Premenstrual symptoms?

Menopausal symptoms?

Allergies or asthma?

If you found yourself answering yes to two or more of the above symptoms then you are most likely deficient in B Vitamins. The symptoms listed above are only a few of the potential problems that can arise when your diet is lacking in these Vitamins.

B Vitamins are so easily depleted from the body. What factors are responsible for depleting our B's?: Stress, infections, diets, birth control pills, diets high in refined and processed foods, sugar, alcohol and caffeine.

What are B Vitamins?

They are comprised of the essential B Vitamins: Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid), Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) as well as the Vitamins Inositol, Choline and Biotin. The B Vitamins are water soluble which means any excess not needed by our bodies will be excreted through our urine. They are not stored particularly well in the body and for this reason we need them daily through diet and/or supplementation. Deficiencies with this vitamin happen quickly and very easily.

Why do you Need B Vitamins?

B Vitamins function as co enzymes and are catalysts (the spark) to many biochemical reactions in our body. They are important in many of our metabolic processes (breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and fats). They are crucial in the normal functioning of our nervous system and bring relaxation and energy to those who are stressed and fatigued. It's no wonder they are known as the "Anti-Stress" Vitamin. As if that's not enough reason to make sure you're getting enough, B Vitamins help keep our skin, hair and eyes remain healthy and glowing.

How can you get More from your Diet?

Eating a diet full of organic, whole foods is your best bet. Be sure to include the following which are good sources of the various B Vitamins mentioned above: Avocados, dates, grapefruits, mangoes, oranges, pineapples, watermelon, bananas, peaches, raspberries asparagus, artichoke, brussel sprouts, bok choy, broccoli, mushrooms, butternut squash, pumpkin, potatoes, corn, lima beans, parsnips, peas, spirulina, most nuts and seeds, millet, oats, flax seeds, rye, spelt, quinoa, wheat, tuna, salmon, herring, beef, chicken, turkey breasts, cheese, eggs, goat cheese, soybeans, soy milk and most legumes.

Most of us will need to supplement with a B-Complex Formula. Between our ritual morning coffee, on-going stress, not to mention that sweet tooth we all have every now and again, it's very necessary to ensure we're receiving enough of our B Vitamins that are depleted each day to maintain our health. It's absolutely crucial that you take your B's together in a B-Complex Formula (that's when they work their best). Most health food stores will carry it (you can find them in capsules and liquids). I prefer liquids, I feel that it's easier for our bodies to absorb the nutrients straight away. You will know that your body is absorbing the B Complex if your urine is bright yellow after taking it. Don't be alarmed, this is perfectly normal as your body will take only what it needs and excrete the rest.

B Vitamins are life's safe and natural tranquilizer, stress reliever and energizer (not to mention the other amazing health benefits!)

Old Habits Are Hard To Break

The following are excerpts from an article that really resonated with me regarding Chiropractic. I thought you might find it interesting as well.
I have attached a link to the complete article if you are interested in reading more.

Old Habits Are Hard To Break

If you have ever tried to break yourself of a bad habit, you know how hard it can be. You have to break it once then again and again and again. You have to do it many times at relatively close intervals. This helps your body to retrain itself to a new habit. Hopefully the new one is better than the old. We are creatures of habit. We find a pattern that we are comfortable with and follow it to a tee, often without conscious thought.
We merely revert to our programming, our pattern, our habit. Example: Have you ever driven somewhere and when you got there remembered very little, if any, of the trip? It really freaks you out. You think to yourself, was I paying attention? You were, but it's just that you've done it so many times before that it is part of your program. It is an action that can be done without conscious thought. If any of you play sports of any sort, you know that sometimes you just get in the "zone." It's the same thing but with this you get a feeling on oneness with the game, an intense focus that conscious thot has little and/or no bearing on. You react quickly, reflexively, instinctively, and innately to your motor program.

I'll give you one more analogy. A subluxation of the bones of your neck and back is like taking a tire on a car and making it square. Changing a car tire to a square most definitely changes the function of the tire but if you look at it a little deeper you come to realize that it affects the overall function of the entire "vehicle." Changing structure changes function, and it's as simple as that.

Kids bounce back quicker than adults, so get those kids checked for subluxation, before they have years of subluxation and finally a stupid backache brings them into the chiropractor. If you take them to the dentist before they have a cavity then take them to a chiropractor long before they get a "backache." The Chiropractor, unlike the dentist, is dealing with the most important system of adaptation in the body, maybe on the planet, the nervous system. Remember if we fail to adapt appropriately in an ever-changing world we die.

 Health is defined as: Optimal physical, mental, and social well being and NOT merely the absence of disease or infirmary.


http://www.planetc1.com/chiropractic-articles/old_habits_hard_to_break.html

Dr. Gentempo explains chiropractic on a major news station.

Connecting you ...

Below I have connected you to a short excerpt of holistic information that I believe is the cornerstone of natural healing. Knowing that your body & mind are capable of healing through 100% of all imbalances should empower you to search out the combination of life experiences that serve YOU well - in every aspect of well being.

Perhaps these concepts are familiar to you, perhaps not, but read through them and feel free to discuss this with us at your next chiropractic appointment. If you learn ONE thing that you can incorporate into your lifestyle it was well worth the time spent on this article. :-)

 CHIROPRACTIC, NEURO-EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS & YOUR HEALTH (Click on this link for the full article)

BIOCHEMISTRY:

• What we input in our bodies (i.e. proteins, fats, cho's, minerals, vitamins, probiotics, nucleotides, water and fiber), what our outputs are (i.e. feces, urine, lungs, mucous and skin), metabolic waste and lifestyle (i.e. chemicals, toxic metals, radiation, pathogens and allergens). If someone is getting sick all the time, he/she may have a messed up gut. So having good quality probiotics is a must.

• Number one reason why people come into Dr. Campbell's office is because people are dehydrated. If you're dehydrated, you're not polar to begin with. We are made up of about 80% water. Ideally if you're urinating 4 times a day, you're losing about 8 ounces each time. So 8 x 4 = 32. So you're losing about a quart of water there. And you figure with just the moisture that comes out from just breathing that would be another quart there. And if you do any type of exercise and are perspiring, there's about another 1/2 to another quart. So we are about 3 quarts down with water a day. As we get older, people start losing height on their vertebrae and we wonder why and it's because those disks are made up of about 70% water. As you're going along through your life and not intaking enough water, when you hit 50-60 years old, you have dehydrated disks, it's pretty tough to rehydrate them.

• The number 2 reason that people come in to his office is sugar. People are intaking too much processed sugar, even agave is now considered just like white sugar. ADD & ADHD - all these issues are controlled by diet. To neutralize people and kids that have been diagnosed with ADD & ADHD: take B-Complex, use good quality oils, keep them hydrated and change their diet. Soy oil and canola oil are bad for you and are inflammatory and toxic. If you're going to cook with oil, use coconut oil, peanut oil or grape seed oil - these 3 options can handle heat. Do NOT cook with olive oil. It doesn't do well with heat and becomes carcinogenic and causes more pollution and toxins within the body. If you cook with olive oil, it breaks down.

• Chemtrails - Dr. Campbell started noticing that alot of patients were starting to come into his office sick starting from November until the present. So he started doing research (along with my hubby, Dalmacio) and discovered that chemtrails could be the cause for so many people getting sicker these days more frequently. One of the chemicals that the chemtrails are spraying is aluminum. Their concept is that aluminum will bounce the UV back into space. But what ends up happening when the aluminum comes down to the earth is cars start kicking the stuff up which is intoxicating to the nervous system, clogs it up and backs it up. So if you do immunizations and have done 5 consecutive flu shots that is 5 years in a row which means your chances of Alzheimer's Disease goes up 70% percent by the time you hit old age. Not only does it have aluminum but also mercury and barium (which is a toxic metal that shuts down the immune system) and other chemicals in it. Bees are very sensitive to barium and their guts are pretty sterile. There has been an analysis recently and they are finding barium. Bees as we know pollenate all our flowers, plants and helps our food supply so you can imagine if they have barium in their system, what is being transferred into our food system?
• As a preventative, if you take Alpha Lipoic Acid (300mg) once or twice a day it will help to get rid of the heavy metals in your system. But you must also take cilantro to help as a gravitator to pull out the metals by urinating or defecating it out. You can either get fresh cilantro, capsules or tinctures ( the alcohol-base absorbs quicker). As a side note, you need to be very careful of the source of blue green algae you take because it can be infinitive for pulling stuff into the body (i.e. mercury) so that it can chelate through your IV or it will seep somewhere else. So going to back to the benefits of cilantro - it helps to get it out of your system.  

I encourage you to click on the link and read the article in its entirety.  We are connected beings - our thoughts, our emotions, our stressors, our physiology, our healing, our life experiences.  If you could take anything away from a conversation on healing I would want it to be that you feel empowered.  You are powerful.  Diagnosis' are chronic states of being ('stuck patterns', if you will), but not necessarily meaning a 'life state'.  Small steps toward healing takes the courage to move ahead and the desire to align yourself with others who can assist you. 

Just a thought, Dr. F

Organic Farmers Market

Toronto Waldorf School
Arts & Crafts Fair


Jewlery~Toys~Pottery~Clothing~Wood~Fibre and more


Saturday November 19th 2011
9am - 6 pm


Organic Farmers' Market
8:30 am - 1:30pm


9100 Bathurst St. Thornhill
2 km north of Hwy 7/407

905-881-1611



$3 admission
children under 12 free


This is an eco-friendly event: bring your shopping bags and reusable water bottle.

Ample free parking on site

Make it a great week!

Life gets busy. Whether you are a mom trying to balance work and family life, a student studying for exams while working and trying to manage somewhat of a social life, or a busy executive or business owner. We are all busy. And then, to add to that, we are often faced with circumstances that are beyond our control that either interrupt or complicate our already hectic lives.

Too often this pace culminates in illness represented by a myriad of symptoms including, but not limitted to, headaches, neck and lowback pain, asthma, indigestion, heart disease, cancer, chronic colds, hives, allergic reactions, infertility. . . the list goes on.

This week, I challenge you to take a moment or two for just you. Just stop and breath. Read a book, go to a yoga class, go for a walk, sleep in. Just do something that is simple and that you enjoy. It is an important investment because it is the stress associated with our lifestyles that is the true cause of any symptoms you may be experiencing. The body does not need much to feel good and stay healthy, but it absolutely needs no interference. Rather than be distracted by a symptom look to the cause.

Make is a great week!

Simple Smoothie Strategies To Keep Feeling Fabulous

In my opinion, the key to eating well is to keep it simple.  Stock your pantry and refridgerator with many of the ingredients required to create fast nutrient rich food options. I also believe that certain appliances just make the job that much quicker ... and thus much more likely you'll choose it.

Smoothies are my personal secret to success - especially for days when I'm working.  I'm able to make a smoothie in under 3 minutes and it's loaded with protein, carbs and healthy fats.  It satisfies me and levels out my blood sugar.  Ultimately it prevents me from reaching for processed granola &/or protein bars and less healthy options.

People always ask me for smoothie recipes.  Well, there are a million of them and the variations are endless, but ultimately my smoothie recipes almost always start with the following:

FOR SINGLE SERVING:
The base:
1 cup rice milk
1 TB flax oil
1 scoop whey protein (I use Genuine Health natural vanilla which is available at Nature's Emporium and Superstore, amongst other places).  You could also use rice protein, hemp protein, vegan protein - which I sometimes do, but the natural vanilla is reasonably priced, very pleasing to most people and good quality so if you've never used a protein powder this is a good starting point.  If you don't want to use protein powder I suggest greek yoghurt (1/2 cup).  It's thick, creamy and protein dense (that's what keeps your blood sugar level and satisfies you for longer).

Fruit to sweeten the smoothie:
Anything will work (frozen or fresh), but I almost always add a banana (it makes it frothy), but you could also use frozen berries (blueberries or mixed berries), pears, apples, peaches, pineapple, nectarines ... you get the point.  Whatever combination I use about 3/4 cup of frozen fruit or 2 pieces of fresh.  Some of my favorites smoothies include 1/2 a ruby red grapefruit and a pear.

Vegetables to keep the smoothie nutrient rich:
Try a handful of different green veggies: spinach is the most benign tasting. Kale is another great option but a little zippier in taste.  Collards/dandelion ... how crazy do you want to get?  Another option that I often use is a scoop of Nanogreens (a whole food organic green supplement powder available at our clinic).  It is fantastic and blends seamlessly into a fruit smoothie.

Other healthy add in options:
-maca powder
-flax or chia seeds (thickens it a bit so add a touch more liquid)
-coconut oil (a very healthy medium chain fatty acid that helps burn fat!)
-1/2 avocado (healthy fats)
-1-2 TB rolled oats
-Cinammon
-Dash maple syrup or one medjool date for sweetening
-4-6 almonds (raw/nonroasted)
-1 TB blackstrap molasses (mineral rich)
-1 tsp lecithin granules or brewer's yeast
-1/4 cup nut butter (almond, cashew, walnut)

If you aren't accustomed to making a smoothie keep it simple and leave out the options until you are confident in what tastes good to you.  The key to it is liquid, protein, healthy fat, fruit. Everything else is optional. 

THE APPLIANCE:  Yes, all of this can easily be made in a blender and transferred to a glass mason jar to bring to work!  The next option is a Magic Bullet.  This way you can use the serving cup to make it in and only need to screw on the travel lid.  Shaves off a least 1 minute and one less dish to wash.  The granddaddy of all is the Vita Mix blender.  This is an investment piece ... but it rocks.  This lovely blender allows me to add celery, kale and many other green veggies to my smoothie and liquifies it immediately.  Amazing!

Hockey: Staying in the game

Do you enjoy a good game of pick-up hockey or belong to a league? Do your children participate in youth hockey? Hockey is gaining popularity as a recreational sport for players of all ages and abilities, who enjoy the fitness and social benefits of a fast-paced team sport.

Although sticks, pucks, and skate blades can do damage, most hockey-related injuries occur due to collisions with other players and the boards. Fatigue and low energy of players due to poor endurance, insufficient rest, or too much ice time can also make them more likely to get hurt.

What are the Most Common Injuries?
Most hockey injuries involve the upper body, and can include fractures, sprains and strains of the collarbones, hands, arms, elbows, neck, and shoulders. Concussions are the most common type of head injury, followed by facial cuts, dental and eye injuries. Low back, groin, hip, knee, and ankle injuries also occur frequently.

Since hockey players are susceptible to such a wide range of injuries, you may be asking if there is anything you can do to minimize your risk of getting hurt? Yes! Some simple tips may be helpful in keeping you on the ice:

Training
A good training program should involve cardiovascular, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Cardiovascular training will increase endurance and decrease fatigue, which has been linked to injuries. Even the fittest players should take breaks often to rest, drink fluids, and stretch stiff muscles. A comprehensive stretching program for the back, arms, shoulders, thighs, and legs should be performed both before and after games to keep muscles limber and prevent stiffness and soreness.

Equipment
Although hockey equipment is expensive, properly fitting gear, including helmets, mouth guards, shoulder, and elbow pads, can make a world of difference when it comes to avoiding injury. Helmets have a life span of three to five years, depending on how often they are used [5]. When purchasing a helmet, make sure to choose one with a full face shield, since face shields have been proven to reduce the severity of concussions regardless of the wearer's experience level and position when compared to visors alone.

Ten Tips for Preventing Hockey-Related Injuries

1. Stretch both before and after the game.
2. Participate regularly in an exercise program to improve your strength and endurance.
3. Play year-round.
4. Obtain proper treatment for old injuries before returning to play.
5. Choose a helmet with full face shields.
6. Make sure all your equipment fits properly.
7. Replace worn out equipment.
8. Make sure your rink temperature and ice surface are well-maintained.
9. Play fair and support a zero tolerance rule for illegal checks and maneuvers.
10. Consult your chiropractor if you are injured or experience pain while playing.

Doctors of chiropractic are trained to diagnose and treat many sports-related injuries, and proper early treatment of an injury will help you get back on the ice sooner. Your chiropractor can also help you develop a sport-specific training and exercise program and give you tips and advice on how to stay in the game

Chiropractic Care Can Help With Attention Deficit Disorders

If you know of anyone who has been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD the link below is a great news story that might help when deciding on options. Prescription drugs have many side effects and can be dangerous. They are not the only option...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5nCwcfE_kI

Food for Thought!

As many of our practice members already know, I am the newest member of the FFC team:) But what you may not know about me is that I'm currently studying to become a Registered Holistic Nutritionist at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. What I look forward to most when I'm done school is being able to help educate and inspire others to be active participants in their own health and wellness.

One of the greatest benefits of working at Foster's and being a student of nutrition simultaneously is having access to invaluable health information around the clock and learning/challenging myself to constantly ask questions and be self informed.


Here's a list of some of the most thought provoking and literally life changing documentaries and books I've come across in my studies so far:

• Food Inc. (The reason I became a vegetarian!)


• Forks Over Knives


• Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer


• Eating Alive by Dr.John Matsen

Be warned, the documentaries are certainly not light hearted "rom-com's" or something you would want to consider watching on a romantic date night but they are 100% worth your time and investment.

More recommendations to come!

Reminded yet again how sport can be one of the greatest metaphors for life ...

Who knew such a young kid could be so inspiring!

Change Starts With a Single Step

Wishing you were more active?  Wondering whether YOU could ever do THAT?  Whatever 'that' is, chances are you are right.  If you believe you can, you most likely will.  Even if you aren't sure you can when you set your sights on something, the process will likely reveal the very fact that you are far more capable than you give yourself credit for.  Life has a way of unfolding in such a way that you attract an outcome that matches your most significant beliefs.  Best way I've learned to change that, especially when it comes to physical exercise, is to sign up.  Sign up for what?  For whatever! A race, a class, a gathering, a group ... whatever.  The very act of putting your money down and your name in bright ink has power.  Try it ...

... for example, at Newmarket's Second Annual TOM TAYLOR TRAIL TEN MILER & 5 KM.  It's a great event held on Sunday, October 30th.  It's local and it supports INN FROM THE COLD: York Region Emergency Shelter.  A fabulous combination. Plus, it's a reason to see if you can achieve what you've always wanted to try ... or you've tried but you'd like to do it just a wee bit faster!  Either/Or - it's all good!  Don't wait - this event sells out.

See you there, Dr F

Why I Love What I Do

Dear practice members,

As a chiropractor, I feel very privileged to be able to contribute in a meaningful way to your body's ability to express health. Why? Because healthy changes everything. Health has been defined in many ways by many different people and organizations, but I think all would agree that when you are healthy, you are adaptable. When you are adaptable, you are better able to manage any stress that comes your way and obtain the quality of life you were born to enjoy.

Chiropractic is based on the following fundamental truths:

1. The body is self-healing and self-regulating. We know this to be true because when you cut your finger, your body heals the wound (this of course would not occur if you were not alive).

2. The nervous system is the master control system of everything that happens in the body.

Knowing this, it is easily understood that changes in the tone and tension of the nervous system necessarily affects the body's ability to express health. This interference to nervous system function (or a subluxation) is what, as a chiropractor, I seek to detect and correct. The rest is accomplished by the innate intelligence that we are all born with. Trust this process. The body does not need much to express health, it just need no interference.

Please share this with others. It will make a difference.

Yours in health,

Dr. Danielle Warner

Nourishing Foods - Why I think food takes on the energy of it's preparer!

I'm a firm believer that food takes on the energy of whomever prepares & serves it. 

by DR. F 

When I mean 'prepare' I mean all the way back to where it starts, as a seed.  It matters where it comes from (that's a thought and a huge blog post on its own).  Once the ingredients come into contact with the preparer the food gathers the energy of the preparer.  You may have never had this thought, but have you ever had a meal that was prepared with effort, love and thoughtfulness?  I LOVE when I go to a friend's home for a dinner they've prepared for us - right down to the table setting and accompanying wine.  No matter what the food is it tastes delicious ... completely satisfying and nourishing.  On that level, have you ever eaten something with guilt and self loathing?  Perhaps you've eaten a decadent dessert in a rushed manner over the sink and immediately regretted it?  Hopefully not, but if so I believe that food will most definitely have a negative impact on YOU - the 'whole' of who you are.  It simply can't be just about protein/fat/carbs and calorie count.  I actually believe that when you savour and enjoy the essence of a dark rich chocolate cake - no guilt, no negativity, it nourishes you.  Whoah!!! I know, radical thought!  No, I'm not particularly recommending you fill your diet full of trans & saturated fats and processed food.  I'm suggesting that you choose your food and its preparation with mindfulness ... and eat with joy.  Chances are that if you do so you'll automatically choose the quantities and types of food that nourish and satiate you ... and as a result, lead to better health. 

Fall Season: Oh yes, love love love the kind of food that speaks to me in this brisk & breezy type of weather. Dal (or dahl) is one of them.  Try it.  Get as many of the ingredients fresh and locally grown.  Start the short preparation in the mid afternoon and cook it in your prettiest red cast iron/ceramic pot.  Let all the flavours blend together and serve it for your friends/family with a fabulous glass of red wine & tastiest accompaniments.  Let the nourishing nature of the food heal you. 

Red Lentil Dal

Ready-made curry blends work, but don't compare to a "real" curry. Follow Segersten's directions for sautéing whole mustard and cumin until they start to pop. Their flavor then is incomparable to already ground-and therefore denatured, less medicinal and less flavorful-spices. Next, add and sauté the onion following which you can now add and sauté the already ground spices. (This way, the ground spices meld with the cooked onion and will not scorch.) It's these small details that make a great curry.
Serves 6 to 8

2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons cumin seeds
1 ½ teaspoons black mustard seeds
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons ground cumin
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
3 medium red potatoes, cubed
2 ½ cups red lentils, rinsed and drained
1 can coconut milk
2 cups chopped tomatoes or one 14-ounch can diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons sea salt

In a large 8-quart pot heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the cumin seeds and black mustard. Sauté until they begin to pop. Quickly add onions and garlic and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
Add turmeric, ground cumin, cayenne, carrots, and potatoes, sauté a few minutes more.
Add red lentils, 6 cups water and chopped tomatoes. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then let simmer, covered, for about 45 minutes. Add coconut milk and salt to taste and simmer (do not boil) for another 5 minutes. Serve.
May you be well nourished,
Rebecca Wood