More and more research is released on the importance of gut health.  Our gut, the tube that is our digestive track, houses trillions of micro organisms that regulate our immune system, mental health, digestion and elimination.  The Gut is also called the second brain, although with 5 x more neurons than the "first" brain, its importance should not be undermined.
We are now paying more attention to the health of our digestive track, the importance of pro-biotics,  proper nutrition and the negative effects of genetically modified foods.
Most aliments, inflammation, allergies, anxiety, constipation, can be helped with an elimination diet, repopulating the gut with pro-biotics, healing the lining and detoxing.
It takes years of bad habits and accumulation of toxins to get us to the stage of inflammation. We should be willing to give ourselves few weeks to reverse the process because it is so worth it. 

When asked about allergies, most people will tell you they might have some seasonal allergies but the way allergies work is they start in the gut with food intolerance.  We eat too fast, we stress, pain medication, antibiotics. Those are all reasons why our digestion can become sluggish, our stomach acid is too weak and we do not have enough enzymes to actually break down the food we eat for processing in our body.  We ignore the signs of boating, headaches, sleepiness after a meal or gas.  And so with time, the stomach is overwhelmed with our poor digestion and this continues down our intestines affecting the whole body, which turn responds with inflammation and reacts to it.  We produce anti-histamines to counter the allergy response and we produce cortisol to combat the inflammation.  With time we react to not only foods but also pollen, grass, pet dander, dust mites and after that we react to chemicals.  And as we have more and more allergy reactions, our body produces more cortisol which then in turn contributes to weight gain and difficulty loosing it.  The good news is that with proper nutrition, supplementation and perhaps a bit of energy balancing, we can correct our digestion, heal and repair our gut and repopulate it with healthy bacteria. Our bodies are amazing organisms with self balancing and self healing properties. All we have to do is make the conscious decision to heal and support the process. 

For most people, holidays are a time of indulgence and over eating. Once January 1st rolls in, we set our resolutions, goals, plans for diet, detoxing and exercise.  If you live in the northern hemisphere, this is a cold and dark season.  We need to remember that detoxing takes a toll on the body and if not done properly, will overwhelm the kidneys, lymphatic system and most likely, will give you a healing crisis.
My suggestions are:
1.Clean up your diet.
Eliminate as much as you can but don't go extreme. If you consume a lot of something like sugar, caffeine, dairy then eliminating all of it will give you headaches, mood swings and fatigue. Instead, cut down gradually, substitute and use supplements to curb cravings. 
2. Eat better.
Eliminate processed and fast food.  Include vegetables, eat smaller portions and optimize digestion with slow chewing, enzymes and small amounts of liquid with meals.  Now is the time for warm soups, stews and spices. Cooling foods will make you feel cold and damp.
3. Know your limits when exercising.
If you are a couch potato, don't sign up for a gym membership and try all the classes or machines at once.  Exercise can be very stressful on the body causing inflammation, acidity and lowering immunity.  Moderation is key and do what makes you happy. If you are in pain and feel terrible after a workout, it means you have over done it.
4. Gentle detox.
Spring is the best time for detox.  During winter you can support your body with gentle teas, making sure you are regular and incorporating a bit of sweating through exercise, hot tub, sauna. Dry brushing before bathing is also beneficial as it moves the lymphatic system.
We tend to feel guilty after the holidays and often hit the ground running in January, burning out in few weeks. By starting off gently, we will become used to the routine and have a better chance of sticking with our lifestyle changes in the long run. 

We are 10 days from Christmas. And although some of you may celebrate other holidays or nothing at this time, one thing that big celebrations have in common is stress created by overwhelming sense of responsibilities. There is cooking, cleaning, shopping, planning, attending parties, etc, etc.
I find that making lists is a HUGE way to decrease the anxiety of this time.  I start my lists early on. Usually sitting in front of the TV, when my mind is relaxed.  Make a list of lists and the add to them. From presents to food, shopping and things to remember (like pay a bill). With all that is going on, we tend to forget the most common responsibilities.
I make a list of what day to cook or prepare a dish. Some can be frozen or prepared in advance, others need to be done just before serving.  If you need to prepare a turkey and like to soak it in brine 2 days before baking, you'll need to remember that.  Make a grocery list down to the last piece of parsley. I've had to send my husband to the store on Christmas Eve for butter and he was not happy.
Holidays can be magical. Just make sure to prepare, delegate and stay grounded. If you feel like things are getting out of hand , step back. Go somewhere, take a shower, have a cup of tea or call someone.  Becoming overwhelmed, tired, stressed out or sick will not make the holidays special but you might remember them for the wrong reasons.

 We are now at the end of November. Our days are short, weather is usually not that pleasant as we are just getting used to the cold.  Our bodies are looking for ways to warm up, stay bundled up and safe. This is the time when we get our decorations out. Twinkling lights, fluffy pillows and cozy blankets. We favour warm drinks, soups and stews. This is  how we prepare for winter. 
It is important that when we are eating healthy, we take into consideration the climate we are in. Salads and raw veggies are full of nutrients but they tend to make our bodies cold. Consider if the produce that has traveled thousands of kilometers will have more nutrition value then the local, winter produce available.  More produce is now offered from hot house growers so that is something that can be used. Frozen, picked and packed at its ripest is also a great option as well as sprouts and fresh herbs.  This is also the time when fermented foods are introduced into your daily food plan. They pack a punch with vitamin C and pro-biotics. 
I am a big fan of soup, almost all year round. You can store it in jars in the fridge and have a delicious, home made meal anytime.  Make them according to your taste but make sure they are full of flavour and nutrients.
See my recipe section for tips on how to make your soup delicious and nutritious.

It is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada and whether you choose to celebrate or how you do it, expressing gratitude can have a profound effect on your life.
Being thankful for what you have or experienced will make you appreciate your life, accomplishments and people. Your relationships will be more meaningful, experiences richer and over all life will seem more satisfying.
I choose to be thankful everyday as I recognize the gifts that have been offered to me. Our challenges make us strong and resilient but our gifts and blessings do as well.
Happy Thanksgiving.

 Shinrin-yoku (森林浴), which literally means forest bathing, originated in Japan in the early 1980s and may be regarded as a form of nature therapy.
This is one of my favorite things to do in the fall. The temperature is cooler so the bugs are not eating you alive, the ground smells of wet leaves, moss and mushrooms.  It is referred to as ECOHEALTH and has to do with the human interconnection with nature.
Spending time in nature has lots of benefits including lowering cortisol levels (stress hormone), breathing fresh air, quieting the mind and possibly experiencing EARTHING, the act of putting the body in direct contact with the earth, most often through feet.
I encourage you to bring a blanket and spend few minutes just lying down on the ground.  It's like recharging your body with the energy of earth.

We are now over a week into the fall season.  Some people dread this as they anticipate winter to follow. I LOOOVE fall.  The colors, the cooling of the temperatures, hardy foods and spicy teas.  I recently ready a book on Hygge. It is a word in Danish but also represents a feeling of comfort, wellness and content. In Canada the equivalent would be coziness. For me this means soft sweaters, warm soup, spicy tea, glow of candle light or fire place, stews and carrot cake, sitting under a blanket.
This is a perfect time to start getting into those recipes that include root vegetables, squashes, garlic, ginger and spices.  Get the slow cooker out. Put on a soup.  Challenge yourself with a new hobby.  This time is about slowing down, getting ready for winter.  So enjoy the Hygge and take care of yourself.
I will be posting some delicious recipes for the season.

 As kids have gone back to school, they will have a higher chance of coming in contact with viruses and bacteria that cause colds, flu and upset stomachs. Some of the support we can give them is nutritious foods, enough sleep as well as a multi vitamin, pro-biotics, Omega -3 and lots of hydration.
One of the biggest supports of their immune system that we can do is reducing their sugar intake.  Studies have shown that white sugar and fructose found in the high-fructose corn syrup affects the white cells which are responsible for our immune defense. About 75 grams of sugar will affect the white cells for about 5 hours. Which means that breakfast high in sugar will make your child vulnerable to catching something during their time at school. 
Look for breakfast ideas in my RECIPE tab.

Lavender or lavandula, has been used throughout history for all kinds of ailments. Its soothing scent is relaxing and calming.  It is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help digestive issues as well as relieve pain from headaches, sprains, toothache and sores. A published study showed that lavender could be effective in fighting anti-fungal resisting infections.
Also, wound healing, PMS, anxiety and insomnia. House hold uses include bug spray, laundry fragrance, adding to food and cleaning.  It is a great example of nature providing us with what we need.  That is how I see holistic nutrition.
And I like the smell of it. 
The spelling is a combination of lavender and lawenda.  Plus it was original enough to land a .com ;)