Dr. Cook’s new book Stress Less and Weigh Less is now published and available to purchase!

We are so excited to announce that Dr. Elisha Cook ND’s new book Stress Less and Weigh Less has officially been published, and has already made it to the Best Seller list on Amazon in several categories! Dr. Cook has compiled much of her clinical experience and research into the writing of this book. It includes practical guidance and a wealth of knowledge on the impact of stress on the weight loss journey. In particular, the struggle that chronically stressed individuals can face when it comes to weight loss. 

In this book, you will learn

  • What stress is and determine if you are stressed
  • What weight loss approaches work based on research
  • What forms of exercise and dietary patterns help you lose weight when you are chronically stressed
  • Realistic coping techniques for stress
  • How to overcome common weight loss strategy pitfalls

To make sure we can get this book into as many hands as we can, reduced pricing will be in effect until June 26, 2023! It can be bought on amazon for $9.99 as the paperback and $0.99 as the kindle version until June 26, 2023. After this date the price will go up.

If you are interested in getting your hands on a paperback version or a kindle version of the book, see following link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C87VD1FD . We will have copies available at the clinic, and will make updates on social media when they are available.

In addition, if you subscribe to our blog, you will automatically be sent a PDF of the workbook to go with the book Stress Less and Weigh Less.

For a complete book description, please see below:

We live in a society of pressing deadlines, overwhelming schedules, and increasing demands. On top of keeping up with this lifestyle, we expect ourselves to have the body and physique of an athlete. It may be surprising for some, but chronically stressed individuals often have a very difficult time losing weight and keeping the weight off. There is a way to stress less and weigh less. You do not have to struggle to lose weight anymore.

In the book, we examine if you are truly stressed and what it actually looks like in all its facets. Once we know what stress really is, we can then begin to examine its impact on weight, and how it can contribute to weight gain. Dr. Elisha Cook ND discusses three key focus areas: exercise, diet, and stress management. With each section, we examine the strategies that increase stress and those that decrease stress on the body. When you manage your stress confidently and prioritize yourself, you can lose weight and keep it off.

In this book, you will learn:

  • What stress is and determine if you are stressed
  • What weight loss approaches work based on research
  • What forms of exercise and dietary patterns help you lose weight when you are chronically stressed
  • Realistic coping techniques for stress
  • How to overcome common weight loss strategy pitfalls

With the constant stress surrounding our daily lives, we need to be able to keep ourselves healthy and manage our stress. In this book, Dr. Elisha Cook ND hopes that she can help people identify sources of stress in their life, how it may be halting their weight loss journey, and how to overcome it. To find out more about her methods, grab this book today!

Want more information about our clinic or services?

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

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 trying any of our services, working with any of our amazing practitioners, or are simply wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic by calling 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today! 

Allergen-Free Banana Muffin and Bread Recipe

Finding recipes safe for those with food sensitivities or allergies can be quite tricky. Though bananas can be a trigger food for some individuals, this recipe takes an old favourite and makes it relatively tolerable for most individuals. This recipe is void of your traditional flours, eggs, and dairy! Try it for yourself and see how it measures up.

Banana Muffin Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of Brown Rice /Almond Flour
  • 1 cup Quinoa flour (gives a moist batter)
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 4 tsp. baking powder/tapioca starch
  • 1 tbsp. chia seeds ground
  • 3 tbsp. water
  • 2/3 cup Coconut Milk
  • 4-5 ripe bananas
  • 2 tbsp. Coconut oil melted
  • Optional: 1 cup of chocolate chips

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  • Blend and mix together flour, sugar, and baking powder/ tapioca starch.
  • In a separate bowl, take ground chia seeds and water and beat together until gel like consistency. Add in milk, mashed bananas, and melted coconut oil.
  • Combine together your “wet” and “dry” ingredients (i.e. your coconut oil mixture and flour mixture). Stir until well combined. If you want to add chocolate chips, add them at this point.
  • Line your muffin cups with muffin baking cups or grease your pan, and add approximately 1/4 cup of batter to each cup.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Yield: 12-16 muffins

Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of Brown Rice /Almond Flour
  • ¾ cup Quinoa flour (gives a moist batter)
  • 2 tsp. baking powder/tapioca starch
  • ¼ tsp. baking soda/tapioca starch
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp. chia seeds ground
  • 6 tbsp. water
  • 4-5 ripe bananas

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Blend and mix together flour, baking powder/ tapioca starch, and baking soda/ tapioca starch.
  • In a separate bowl, cream coconut oil and gradually beat in sugar.
  • In another bowl, take ground chia seeds and water and beat together until gel like consistency. Add this mixture to your coconut oil and sugar mix combining well.
  • Combine together your “wet” and “dry” ingredients (i.e. your coconut oil mixture and flour mixture).
  • Finally add in 4-5 ripe, well mashed bananas to mixture.
  • Pour your mixture into a 9” by 5” loaf ban that has been lined with parchment paper and let sit for 20 minutes.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes or until cooked through.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

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 trying any of our services, working with any of our amazing practitioners, or are simply wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic by calling 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today! 

A Healthy Thanksgiving and Halloween: Lessons from the Season

Written by Dr. Elisha Cook ND

I am sure I have some of my readers rolling their eyes as they read the title of this blog. “Oh great another blog about how we shouldn’t over eat, we shouldn’t eat sugar, Halloween is the devil, and we are all doomed to diabetes if we participate”. No, this is not one of those blog, so please do not hesitate to read on.

Thanksgiving and Halloween can be particularly fun times of year. Whether it is fun in regards to the costumes or the meals/treats, I like to reflect on some other important messages we can take from this season.

Moderation

I think no “healthy Halloween” blog would be complete without mentioning moderation, but this proves the same for thanksgiving. Moderation does not simply mean do not have too much of the bad stuff. It also means do not do too much of the good stuff. What do I mean by this: it is important to recognize that, as Hippocrates once said, “It is the dose that makes the poison”. For example, if you exercise too much this can be almost as bad as not exercising enough. So, with this season, allow some indulgence, but do not overindulgence. Restrict where you need to – for example, only allow your children to have 1 treat per day – but also allow there to be some treats overall. At the end of the day, it is okay to treat ourselves.

Be Inspired

A lot of children are told during this time of year, “you can be whatever you want for Halloween, what would you like to be”. Sometimes there are restrictions, but the point still stands that you can dress the part of what you want to be. It does not mean that you turn into that character, but you can see the pride that emits from these little super heroes and princesses as they go house to house showing their costumes. I would encourage you to take the same attitude with your health. You can choose health and to be inspired. It is important that when it comes to your health, be inspired to rise above your condition and overindulge in hope. Hope can be one of the most effective treatments and increase chances of survival from many medical conditions.

Gratitude

With Thanksgiving and Halloween being so close in date, we can adopt the spirit of gratitude for both of them. Gratitude can be a family discussion during this time of year for so many reasons. Halloween is a holiday where children can often feel like they have an overabundance of candies and that is very exciting. Using these times as a teaching moment can be so powerful. Gratitude in itself can have so many health benefits which can be seen in my previous blog: http://www.naturopathicdoctorwoodstock.ca/health-benefits-of-gratitude/

At the end of this all, it is my hope that you are inspired by Halloween to keep moderation in mind, be inspired, and remain thankful. I hope you all have a safe Halloween if you celebrate!

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

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 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today! 

Halloween and Health Eating

Halloween and Healthy Eating: How to Stick to a Diet/Healthy Eating By Dr. Elisha Cook ND

For anyone trying to lose a couple of pounds or keep healthy, Halloween can be a tricky holiday. You want to have treats available for the ghouls and goblins visiting, but do not want to be stuck with the left-over temptation. We recommend trying some of the below strategies to help you make it through this tricky holiday and keep in check with your health goals

  • Have treats available you do not care for

Buy only the treats that you can easily say no to or portion more easily. If you are a sugar fiend, but can easily avoid chocolate – stick with chocolate and chocolate bars you can easily avoid.

  • Consider non-edible treats

Consider offering stickers, pencils, or other surprises for your visitors. These treats will help you to avoid the temptation of sugary treats all together.

  • Offer healthy alternatives

Offering healthy alternatives for trick-or-treaters can help you to practice moderation and resist temptation. Some options might include Pur gum, coconut water, fruit packaged in water, or pre-packaged trail mix.

  • Balance your protein and carbs

Balancing your plate with proteins and carbs helps to keep hunger in check and keeps you from reaching for those high sugar items to keep the energy up.

  • Eat regularly

During this time, avoid fasting and stick to 3 meals per day to help keep hunger in check to avoid the temptation of a sweet treat.

  • Drink enough water

Drinking enough water can curb those cravings and keep hunger at bay, making it easier to resist temptation. When you are tempted to have a sweet treat, drink water first.

  • Forgive easily and get back on track

It is important to recognize that you are only human and it is okay to make mistakes. Do not let one missed opportunity to do “well” set the course for the rest of the day. If you slip up and over indulge, recognize your error, and get back on track. Set your mind to continue to make healthy choices and to get back on track quickly.

At the end of the day, it is important to recognize that everything should be taken in moderation. It is okay to have a treat, but not over-do it. From all of us at Plattsville Natural Health Clinic, we want to wish you a safe and Happy Halloween.  

For more information like this, or to book an appointment with Dr. Elisha Cook ND at Plattsville Natural Health Clinic, please contact us at:

Website: www.plattsvilledoctor.ca

Text or Call: 226-232-7665

Please note the information contained in this article is not meant to replace medical advice. Please contact your health care provider or Dr. Elisha Cook ND for more specific information about your situation.