Diet Archives - Page 9 of 20 - Plattsville Natural Health Clinic

Guacamole Recipe – Elimination Diet Friendly

May 31, 2016 by elisha

This guacamole recipe is elimination diet friendly, and makes a great addition to other recipes to help increase flavour. It also makes a great dip for rice crackers and rice cakes. I adapted it from a recipe I found in “Paleo takes 5 or fewer” by Cindy Sexton.

Ingredients:

5 Ripe avocados
1-2 cloves of garlic
1 lime
2 cilantro sticks with leaves – fresh

Directions:

Empty avocado shell contents into a bowl, while discarding the pit.
Cut the lime into quarters and squeeze juice into bowl with avocados.
Mince clove (s) of garlic into the same bowl.
Combine ingredients well until mixture is smooth.
Cut cilantro into small pieces and add to mixture.
Mix well. Let sit in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!

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Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

Super Spices: Thyme

May 17, 2016 by elisha

Thyme, also known as Thymus vulgaris, is a spice that is commonly used for culinary purposes. Considered more of a “Mediterranean” herb, this spice can be beneficial for more than just your cooking purposes.

Uses:

When used in cooking, this herb can actually increase the “life expectancy” of your left overs because of its potent effect at fighting off bacteria. This herb is able to fight off infections through its ability to kill bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungus. For this reason, thyme can be beneficial for colds, coughs, bronchitis, and even bad breath. In addition, thyme can be quite beneficial for digestive health. This herb can increase the amount of acid in the stomach – which may aggravate some forms of GERD or acid reflux, but can also help with some forms of GERD or acid reflux. This can result in thyme’s benefit towards gas, bloating, colic, and IBS. Thyme should be used in moderation in pregnancy due to some sources suggesting that it can a “mild uterine stimulant”. However, in normal amounts found in foods, thyme consumption is considered relatively safe in pregnancy.

Actions:

From these many different potential uses for time, it may be obvious what the actions of this spice are, but it includes:

Expectorant – helps you to cough up phlegm. I like to remind patients that sometimes this herb makes things worse before it makes things better because it can trigger a cough

Anti – tussive – helps to alleviate coughing

Anti – spasmodic – helps to decrease muscle spasms

Anti – microbial – helps to fight off infections

Carminative – aids with digesting and breaking down food

Anti – inflammatory – fights off inflammation

Anti – oxidant – defends against oxidative damage

Why Dr. Elisha Cook ND might prescribe Thymus vulgaris as a tea

I tend to prescribe this herb to individuals who have a cough or are fighting a respiratory infection. As per usual, I do like to prescribe teas for their therapeutic value as a tea and their medicinal value. I do not recommend consuming thyme as a tea outside the structured guidance of a naturopathic doctor or health care provider. Please seek medical advice before consuming Thyme.

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Double – Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe – Elimination Diet Friendly

April 26, 2016 by elisha

This recipe is great for those trying to mix it up with the elimination diet, or those just wanting to try something different. This recipe was adapted from a recipe I found in the cook book “Paleo takes 5 or fewer” by Cindy Sexton, but modified to be elimination diet – friendly. Let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

6 Large Sweet Potatoes
½ Large Red Onion cut into small pieces
Approximately 100g of finely cut mushrooms (if your elimination diet is able to have this)
2-3 cloves of garlic
Olive oil
Sea salt to taste
Pepper to taste
3 green onions finely chopped
1 tbsp Parsley
1 tsp Basil
1 tsp Oregano

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375F.
Cut sweet potatoes in half length – wise and place face down on a baking sheet that is lined with aluminum foil.
Take some olive oil and lightly brush the flesh side of the potatoes. Sprinkle some sea salt on eat potato and puncture the flesh side of the potatoes in multiple places along the surface (i.e. stab the potato with a knife in multiple places – just a small depth).
Bake in oven for 35-45 minutes.
Add the red onion and mushrooms to a frying pan, starting it on low heat and gradually increasing to medium heat. Cook for approximately 10 minutes or until softened. Mince the garlic and add to the mixture, stirring for another 3-5 minutes, then remove from heat.
Once the potatoes are baked, gently scoop the insides of the potato and add it to a bowl with the red onion mixture. Combine the ingredients, and add the green onion, parsley, oregano, and basil. Mix well.
Add the final mixture to the sweet potatoes skins and place back on the baking sheet. Broil for 5 minutes on low. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

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Ways to Increase your Water Intake

April 19, 2016 by elisha

Water is vital for so many different processes in the body, which would makes sense seen as how we are made of mostly water. When not adequately hydrated, one can experience such “side effects” as muscle cramps, headaches, low blood pressure, dizziness, constipation, poor concentration, etc. On average, an individual should consume 2 liters per day of water. This can be challenging for those on the go or with busy schedules. There are many great apps available to help individuals keep motivated to increase water intake, but in addition to those apps, this blog might have some tips and tricks to help you increase your water intake.

Start every day with a large glass of water.

When you very first wake up, have a bottle/glass of water waiting for you. When you go to sleep, you make be depriving yourself of water for 6-8 hours per night. By hydrating yourself when you first get up, you can help your body to bounce back from this deficit and come closer to reaching your daily water intake goal.

Have a glass of water before each meal.

For certain individuals with particular medical conditions, this may not be the best idea. However, for some this can provide a great way to increase your water intake and to help you feel fuller and decrease your portions at meal – time.

Following having a coffee, alcoholic beverage, or caffeinated tea, have a glass of water.

All of these beverages can dehydrate the body, so by consuming water with them, it is hoped that this would balance out the dehydrating effects of them.

Carry a reusable water bottle with you – at work and play.

Making water more readily available can help to encourage adequate water intake, and make water more readily available.

Have a drink of water every time you have a break or get up from your desk.

Having water at these various occasions and making a habit of it can help you get closer to your goal and help you to regain your concentration for the next bout of work that you have in store for the day.

When in doubt, set a reminder on your phone.

For some, a lot of these tactics do not work, and so, setting an alarm on your phone, computer, etc. to remind you to drink water ever hour or so can be a helpful tool to achieve adequate water intake.

What if you do not like water?

Of course not everyone is a big fan of water and may require some time to get used to the taste of it. If that is the case, some of the options below may help ease the process of switching to water for some.

Try adding fruits/vegetables to your water

Some water bottles have infusion baskets making this very easy, but otherwise you can simply cut up wedges of fruits such as strawberries, lemons, limes, oranges, or melons and add them to your water. You can even try adding such vegetables and items as cucumbers and mint leaves.

Drink herbal teas

Herbal teas can contribute to water intake as long as they are caffeine free. Such teas that could help increase your water intake include peppermint, chamomile, lemon, Echinacea, etc.

Drink coconut water

Coconut water can provide some individuals with a taste that they can tolerate as well as increase water intake.

Dilute your drinks with water

When all else fails, gradually adding more water to your already made drinks can provide a way to adjust to the taste of water in a tolerable way.

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