Allergies vs Food Sensitivities: Are They the Same or Different?

Allergies vs Food Sensitivities: Are They the Same or Different?

I’m not sure why, but I have been seeing more clients in my practice who are suffering from multiple food sensitivities and allergies.

The other day, one of my clients asked, “What’s the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity?” As this seems to be a growing concern, if one client has this question, many others mustn’t know the difference either.

So this week, I delve into the truth behind food allergies vs. food sensitivities. I’ll also fill you in on the symptoms to look for if you think that you, like so many others, may suffer from food sensitivities.


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Summer Fresh Recipes

I've had lots of folks reach out to me on Instagram and Facebook after last week's blog post on BBQ chicken with veg. So I decided to post a couple more ideas to help you celebrate Canada Day and the Fourth of July.

No matter what side of the border you find yourself on, be sure to unwind with family, friends and some healthy BBQ!

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11 Natural Ways to Beat Depression

Have you been suffering from depression lately? You may feel like you're all alone, but an estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from this disorder.

Depression can make everything difficult - from the smallest everyday tasks to trying to make it through the workday. So, what can you do to pick yourself up and beat your depression?

Keep reading to discover 11 natural ways to beat depression.


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12 Ways to Make Eating Healthy Meals While Pregnant Easier

Maintaining proper nutrition throughout your pregnancy is incredibly important, so check out these 10 ways to make eating healthy meals while pregnant easier.

We all know we need to take care of our bodies with healthy nutrition, but it's particularly crucial when you're eating for two. Many of us can excuse subjecting ourselves to unhealthy food, but when it's a baby we're nourishing, the game is entirely different.

As motivated as you may be, eating healthy is still easier said than done. If you're struggling to find healthy meals while pregnant, these tips may help.


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How I Hacked my Autoimmune Disease

How I Hacked my Autoimmune Disease and How you can too!

This week’s blog post is special to me, as it relays my story.

I decided it was time to share my personal health journey with you. Read this week’s post to find out about my past health concerns, my diagnosis with a serious autoimmune disease, and what I chose to do about it. So sit back, grab a cup of tea, and enjoy my story!


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Celiac Disease is an Autoimmune Condition: What You Need to Know

May is Celiac disease awareness month.

Celiac disease, an extreme manifestation of gluten sensitivity, occurs when an allergic reaction to gluten causes small intestinal damage. It is the most severe reaction anyone can have to gluten, and is more prevalent than you may think, as most people who have this disease are never actually diagnosed.

For those of you who have been diagnosed with celiac disease, it’s likely that you already know what it is and how it impacts your life. For others, this is the opportunity to learn the truth about celiac disease, symptoms associated with it, and how it manifests itself.

In this week’s blog post, I’ll discuss how celiac disease, an autoimmune condition, may arise, common myths about the disease, and provide you a list of food/ingredients containing gluten that all celiacs must avoid.


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The Neurotoxicity of Pesticides

Pesticides, substances used to control unwanted pests, insects, and weeds, are one of the largest groups of toxic chemicals produced, stored, and used in the world. Not only are they designed to control pests through their various mechanisms of action, but they have also proven toxic to non-target organisms - namely humans and beloved pets.

Read this week’s blog to find out how and what you can do about it.


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How Clean is Your Food: 2018’s Dirty Dozen and Why I Choose Organic

How do you know which aisle to shop in the produce section of your local grocery store? How do you decide if paying a little extra for something labelled “organic” is actually worth it?

This week, I delve into the world of organic vs conventional food and let you know why organic wins out in my book.

Progressively more and more people are becoming aware of the connection between food and their personal health. Perhaps you’re like one of my many clients who has decided to take ownership of optimizing their health now.

Indeed, if my practice is any indication, becoming health conscious is no longer the exclusive domain of new or expecting mothers—nor is it the forté of those looking to overcome an ailment, disease or a condition like I was. Increasingly, individuals who are looking for a business edge or students looking to increase their cognitive performance are also realizing, like many athletes have, that what you chose to chomp on has a direct impact on your ability to perform—be it in the boardroom or the classroom.

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How to Brew your own Kombucha in 6 Easy Steps

In your efforts to become whole food optimized, I hope that you have discovered kombucha. The health of your gut and the balance of bacteria within your microbiome depends on both the probiotics and prebiotics that you feed it.

This includes delicious fermented foods that the healthy bacteria in your gut love. And what’s more delicious than kombucha? If you are not sure what exactly kombucha is or if you missed my interview with Taryn, a brewmaster from 05 Tea in Vancouver, BC, be sure to read on!

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How You Can Improve Your Digestion Naturally

How to Improve Digestion Naturally: Restoring your gut health can be as simple as incorporating the right foods into your diet. Keep reading to learn how to improve digestion naturally.

How often have you finished a meal and felt bloated, been gassy, had cramps or acid reflux, or felt just plain uncomfortable? It happens to everyone from time to time, and it can be a sign that your digestive system isn't working the way it should.

If it happens to you regularly, it may be time to make some lasting changes.

Your digestive system is a delicate balance of chemical reactions. Having one element thrown out of whack can wreak havoc on many aspects of your health, not to mention leaving you feeling very uncomfortable. But taking medicine for these problems all the time may not be right for you - or the approach you want to take.

If you're looking to improve digestion naturally, read on for several tips you may just want to try.

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Eat Healthier With the Kids Using These Family Meal Planning Tips

Trying to get your whole family to be healthy can seem like a difficult task, but if you follow the family meal planning tips offered in this week’s blog post, you can help everyone be healthy!

In spite of the fact that over 75% of us claim that we focus on healthy eating, most of us aren't actually getting the nutrition we need.

When you take a look at the added ingredients, excess sugar, and over-reliance on fast food, it's not hard to see why.

With roughly 36% of American adults and 18% of children classified as obese, the question becomes, what can we do about it?

What concrete steps can you take to protect your own health and the health of your family members?

It all starts with healthy meal planning.

Yes, exercise is important, but it's what you eat that really makes a difference.

How can you ensure that your portions, nutrients, and of course, the actual taste, of the meals you make for your family, is up to snuff?

Read on for family meal planning tips.

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Greek Lemon Chicken

Greek Lemon Chicken

Makes 2 Servings | 10 Min. Prep | 16 Min. Cooking

What are you waiting for?

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Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet for Brain Health: Continued

Last week, I introduced you to the ketogenic diet and how it can benefit brain health, especially after a traumatic brain injury.

The benefits offered by the ketogenic diet may have far-reaching effects. It can help a brain injury survivor with cognitive and motor impairments and the metabolic changes that occurred upon injury. It can also help improve cognitive performance and prevent age-related cognitive decline in anyone - from those who have a strong family history of Alzheimer’s who would like to prevent getting the disease to professionals wanting to improve performance to students looking to improve focus.

In a nutshell, the ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carb, moderate protein approach to eating that switches the body’s metabolism to using fat as a main source of fuel.

Discover some important considerations when implementing the ketogenic diet, what foods to eat on keto, and how to achieve a state of ketosis.

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Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet for Brain Health and TBI

Have you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury or perhaps you're experiencing signs of cognitive decline?

Do you wonder if a change in diet may help?

Let’s start at the beginning. When someone experiences a traumatic brain injury (TBI), various biological changes take place within the brain. Among them is increased free radical formation in the mitochondria - cell structures that generate energy. These free radicals damage cell membranes which lead to abnormal neuronal signalling.

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Concussion Protocol 10 Things to Do When You Have a Concussion

Suffering a concussion can be extremely debilitating. However, if you know what to do, the recovery should be much smoother. Read this concussion protocol to learn how. I want to talk to you about something very serious: concussion protocol.

Now, I know movies would have you think that head injuries are this gateway to a new life: something someone gets for a second chance at life.

However, if the current news circulating NFL and brain injuries has taught us anything, it is that head trauma is nothing to be entertained by. And this form of injury affects way more people than the protagonists in films and thirty-two football teams. In fact, nearly 3 million people a year in the US suffer from a TBI (traumatic brain injury).

This is a topic I hold very close to my heart, due to how much just one traumatic brain injury changed my life forever.

Keep reading to learn what to do when you or someone you love has suffered a concussion.

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