Elisha Cook

Stretches for the Office Worker/ Student

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For this week’s blog, I chatted with Katelyn Butler Birmingham about different stretches that one can do if they work at a desk all day. These stretches are great for those who are students, work on a computer a lot, or work at a desk for extended periods of time.

Have you benefitted 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, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC (416-498-9763), and let me help you achieve your health goals.

 

Book Review: The 5 Love Languages

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Love: At SunsetBefore my husband and I got married, we did pre-marriage counselling, upon which we were asked to read the book, “The 5 love languages” by Gary Chapman. Before this experience, I was sure that myself and my spouse had a solid relationship and that there were minimal areas that needed to be improved upon. After reading this book, not only did the dynamics of our relationship change, but how we understood one another and others. I now normally give this book as a gift to those getting married because of how impactful this book was in our relationship. You might be asking yourself, “Okay I get it, this is a great book, but what does this have to do with health? I thought you were training to be a Naturopathic Doctor not a Marriage counsellor?” The reason why I am including this in my blog is quite simple. What happens in our interpersonal lives, i.e. our relationships, has a profound effect on our health. If we are stressed because our marriages or relationships are falling apart, this can cause depression, anxiety, and even physical health diseases. Therefore, though it may not be obvious, our relationships can impact our health, and so, I invite you to read the review I have provided below regarding the book and what you can expect from reading it.

The premise of this book is that everyone has their own love language. This means that everyone shows love in specific ways, and knows that they are loved in others. If we do not speak each other’s languages, we can often leave the other person feeling unloved, or feel unloved ourselves. In order to keep each other feeling loved, you need to speak your partners love language. As foreshadowed by the title of the book, there are 5 love languages: Acts of Service, Quality time, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, and Gifts.

If we show love one way, and our partner receives it another way, this can often lead to conflict and mixed emotions. For example, let’s say Jim cuts the lawn for his partner Mary because his love language is Acts of Service. He feels as though he is showing Mary a sign of love because that is how he shows others that he loves them is through Acts of Service. However, what if Mary’s love language was words of affirmation? She would not necessarily see Jim cutting the grass as an act of love but maybe instead a duty. If we are unaware of how we each show love and receive love, it can sometimes cause unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings.

This book helps you to discover what language you speak, what love language you receive (how you know you are loved), and what love language your partner receives. This book also provides you with some ways that you can speak your partner’s love language if you do not know how to show affection in that particular way. In some editions, there is also a quiz at the back to help you to identify what love language you or your partner speak.

Please note I do not have any association with this author or with the publisher’s. This is merely a review of the book based on my opinion and experience. 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, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC today and let me help you achieve your health goals.

 

Metaphors from the Fishing World: Lessons on Life and Health from the River

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fishingAs some of you know, my husband and I are avid fishermen. We will often walk through rivers around the area we live or spend our holidays exploring new rivers, all in an attempt to catch “the big one” and just spend time in nature. Not only is the activity enjoyable and therapeutic, but being in nature helps to press the “reset” button for the following week. From the many adventures we have had, I have had time to reflect on life lessons that can be taught from the river.

It’s not the size of the fish, but the fight in the fish.

Many times when I have had a fish on, I would swear that the fish on the end of the line is much bigger than what it actually is, all because of the fight that it gives me. I think of this as encouragement. Your situation may be difficult. You might think you are weak or small, but you can fight. Keep on fighting when the odds are against you, because you never know when that fighting might help you get off of that hook!

Fake it ‘til you make it.

Recently, my husband taught me how to fly fish. It is challenging, but the rewards are worth it. There are many different tactics that you can do that you could not really do with your standard rod and reel. One of these tactics involves using flies. With your line, you are able to make you bait lightly land on the water and allow it to drift down river, giving the impression that your bait is a bug that fell into the water. These different tactics make me think of the phrase “Fake it ‘til you make it”, which makes me think back to many of the blogs I have written about emotions, depression and the control you do have over your circumstances. You do not have to let your circumstances control you. You can choose to be happy, and if you have to fake it for a while, well then so be it. Fake it until you make it.

Unforeseen Rocks

We do not walk in cloudy rivers too often, but when we do, it can be challenging if you do not know the river well. You may not know where the deep pockets are, or where the stones or rocks are placed. Sometimes you can trip, and if you do not correct for that stumble, you could fall in. How many times in your life have you not seen the rocks or deep pockets ahead, and completely fallen in? How did you respond? Did you give up and stay in the river, or did you get back up and keep walking? Or did you even walk the river in the first place because you couldn’t see where you were going? Did you not bother to take the risk?

The one that got away

You cannot have a blog about fishing without discussion of “the one that got away”. And so ensues one of my tales of the one that got away. My husband and I were fishing one of our favorite fishing places (sorry chaps a fisherman never tells), and I have a 2-3 pike my line that was giving me a good fight. Remarkably, he jumped out of the water (which looked amazing) and spit the hook. He got away. I had a choice (and so do you!). I could have called it quits, and packed it in for the day, or I could have kept fishing. Well, I kept fishing. My next cast happened to be what landed my biggest catch yet (the picture for this blog happens to be that fish). I landed a 20 inch small mouth bass (that is huge ladies and gentlemen)! If I would have gave up after the one that got away, I would have never caught my biggest “trophy”.

Sometimes the Best Catches are on Cloudy Days

Sometimes the greatest catches are caught on those cloudy days. I recall when I was younger and I would go Salmon fishing with my dad, that he always liked going on those cloudy days, and sure enough, we always did better on those days for some reason. Sometimes the lessons we learn and the biggest rewards can be gained in those “cloudy” moments in our lives, when things are not so good, and we are struggling. You will make it through, and you will be stronger for it.

Biting off more than you can chew

When my husband and I will go fishing for perch, we often have a problem with them swallowing the hook much farther down than we would like. This often causes aggravation for us, and, unfortunately, discomfort for the fish. Frankly, the fish bit off a bit more than he/she could chew, and has to deal with the consequences of those actions. Such is life.

Have you benefitted 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, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC (416-498-9763), and let me help you achieve your health goals.

Healthy Snack Ideas for Back-to-School

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Lunch box with sandwich,fruit and stationery on pink backgroundIt’s that time of year again! Preparing your child for another year of learning can be challenging with keeping with all of the different trends and requirements. On top of all of this, you need to find healthy snacks that your children will actually eat and that are nut free. Hopefully this will help you with your preparing for healthy snacks and lunches.

  • Fruits and Vegetables
  • Raisins or Craisins
  • Nuts and seeds (within what is allowed at the school)
  • Craisin Bars (or Pumpkin Craisin Bars) – look for the recipe in my blog
  • Mary’s organic crackers and hummus
  • Lara bars – even experimenting and making your own
  • Dried fruit – maybe making your own trail mixes with your child’s favourite dried fruits and seeds
  • Muffins – try to avoid making muffins that are high in sugar or sweets.
  • Kale or Beet Chips

The following tips might help you to be able to create a lunch that your child will eat even though it is healthy

  • Cut fruits and vegetables into fun shapes
  • Use bright coloured fruits and vegetables
  • Allow your child to help you make the lunch – more likely to eat it
  • Have fun with snacks – eg ants on a log
  • Mix it up – expose your child to a variety of different fruits and vegetables or snack in order to keep them from getting bored.

Have you benefitted 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, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC (416-498-9763), and let me help you achieve your health goals.