Woodstock ON

Exciting News!

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I am sure most of you have been wondering why I have been so quiet lately. I apologize for not posting a blog more regularly, but I do have some exciting news to end this drought.

The News!!

As of March/April 2018 I will be extending my practice to include the Plattsville Ontario area! The extension in my practice will involve the grand opening of my clinic, Plattsville Natural Health Clinic. The plans for this new clinic have been ongoing since July 2017, and will finally be a reality. As some of you know, I lived in Plattsville when I was quite young, and so, it holds a special place in my heart. An opportunity came up for me to start a clinic in the community, and I took it! How awesome would it be to provide naturopathic care to a rural area! It is my hope that I will be able to extend my reach and help more and more people by making this addition to my practice! We are not yet booking patients, but we are fast approaching an opening date! I am so thankful for everyone who has helped make this possible. This clinic would not have been possible without the love and support of my parents, sister, husband, friends and family. Thank you to everyone who has offered a kind word or a helping hand.

Coming Soon plattsvilee

What does this mean for my practice in Woodstock?

Nothing will change with my practice at Meyers Chiropractic and Health Specialists, and you can expect to see me there the same number of hours/days that I have been, but I will be using the “days off” to focus my attention to this new clinic that we are starting! With the support of the Meyers team, I am happy to be able to provide the same care I do at Woodstock to the Plattsville and surrounding area (Ayr, Drumbo, Tavistock, New Dundee, etc.).

Thoughts?

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me personally. Otherwise, please keep up-to-date on this new and exciting adventure (I have posted some snap shots of what the transformation process and journey has involved) by going to Plattsville Natural Health Clinic on facebook.

Dairy Alternatives for going Dairy-Free

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One of the most challenging foods to give up for various health reasons is dairy. It is delicious and there is really nothing that can compare to a good piece of cheese or glass of milk. However, as I mentioned, for various health reasons, throwing away the cheese may be more beneficial than some realize. For those who have to endure a diet without dairy, I have provided a list of items that may provide comparable substitutes. This chart is not comprehensive, but it does provide some good insight into options available to explore and try, based on my current knowledge of the industry.

Item to Give Up/ Avoid Substitution
Cow’s Milk Most of these options are fortified with at least calcium, and may prove to be just as tasty:

·         Almond Milk

·         Cashew Milk

·         Coconut Milk

·         Soy Milk

·         Rice Milk

·         Hemp Milk
Butter/Margarine The below options are ideal in different situations:

·         Olive Oil – when making a substitution in baked goods or other recipes

·         Avocado – when trying to “butter” a piece of bread or
Cow’s Milk Yogurt Some alternative dairy product companies such as “Silk” have options available that are dairy-free and taste similar to Greek yogurt:

·         Coconut Yogurt

·         Almond Yogurt

In addition, many different online recipes exist for making your own yogurt with items such as almonds!
Cow’s Milk Cheese Cheese is very difficult to replace and substitute for. Unfortunately I have not found a substitute that is as tasty or comparable. Some alternative dairy product companies have options available that are dairy – free that may be worth considering:

·         Cashew Cheese

·         Daiya Cheese
Creamer There are some brands of creamer available that are dairy – free that may work for those who are looking for a comparable addition to their coffee. I often tell patients to try to go for coconut milk as it tends to be thicker than other alternative milks.

·         Silk Brand coffee whitener

·         Coconut milk

·         Almond milk

·         Other alternative milks

Another option is to make a bullet proof coffee by blending coffee with coconut oil – this not only whitens the coffee, but also provides a smooth and creamy taste. For a great recipe, see one of my past blogs: https://www.plattsvilledoctor.ca/bullet-proof-coffee-the-dairy-free-recipe/

 
Sauces For making soups, pasta sauces, etc., I will use canned coconut milk, and add in extra garlic or onions to increase the flavour. Canned coconut milk can be used as it, or can have the separated liquid removed from the top to make the sauce thicker. Try it out, you may be surprised as to how good it tastes!
Salad Dressing For substitutes to some milk – based salad dressings, you can choose to make your own home-made versions with the canned coconut milk. Another option is to go with an oil – based salad dressing that is void of dairy. If you are buying a salad dressing from the store, I would caution you to read all of the labels. You may be surprised at how many salad dressings actually contain milk.

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 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

 

Acupuncture Clinic – March 1, 2017

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acupunctureOn March 1, 2017, I am inviting any patients of mine who are interested in receiving acupuncture for a reduced rate to join me at the clinic for a “Acupuncture Clinic”! The only change is that the acupuncture will be in a group setting. You will not have any body part exposed that you do not feel comfortable with, but we do ask that you wear comfortable clothes that allow access to the shoulders and knees (in the event that the needles are put in these spots).

The acupuncture points that will be chosen for you will be based on either your previous treatment plan, or your Traditional Asian Medicine (TAM) diagnosis (based n the tongue and pulse).

If you have not had acupuncture before, are a patient of mine, and are wanting to try acupuncture, this a great opportunity to try it for a reduced price.  The price for the session is $25 (compared to $45), and allows the opportunity to make your health benefits for naturopathic or acupuncture coverage go a bit further this year.

When and Where:

March 1, 2017 from 5pm-7pm

Meyers Chiropractic and Health Specialists

338 Dundas St Suite 101

Woodstock ON

N4S 1B4

How to Prepare: 

Call 519-537-7058 to book your spot

Wear comfortable clothes that allow access to the shoulders and knees

Bring your headphones and music

Please note that this is on a first -come first -serve basis and is only open to patient’s of Dr. Elisha Cook ND. If you are not already a patient of Dr. Elisha Cook ND and would like to take part in this event, there is still time to become a patient. Book your initial appointment before March 1, 2017! For more information please call the clinic at 519-537-7058 or contact me personally.

We reserve the right to deny acupuncture treatment in the event that Dr. Cook determines that based on your medical history, that this treatment is not appropriate for you.

Health Benefits of Chamomile

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chamomileChamomile (Matricaria recutita) is a very commonly consumed herb in today’s society, typically in tea form. What many people do not realize is this tea can be consumed for more than just socialization aspects, but also for its medicinal effects.

Medicinal Effects:

  • Anti-oxidant
  • Anti-microbial
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-diarrheal
  • Anti-carcinogen
  • Hepatoprotective
  • Anti-diabetic
  • Anxiolytic
  • Anti-spasmodic
  • Anti-emetic
  • Sedative
  • Carminative

Conditions Aided by this Tea

  • Anxiety
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Depression
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Dyspepsia
  • Indigestion
  • Insomnia

Research

Much research has been done in the area of chamomile for mental health. In particular, chamomile has been shown to be effective for generalized anxiety disorder – in particular when it is in mild or moderate states. In research, not only has chamomile tea been shown to aid with anxiety but also with anxiety combined with depression! Depression scores were rated far lower when individuals took chamomile when compared to placebo.

In addition to the research into its effects on mental health, much research has been sought into for the effects of chamomile on digestion. Chamomile has been shown to improve the duration of diarrhea (i.e. less time having diarrhea by 5 hours!), and was shown to improve colic. The anti-inflammatory nature of chamomile has also been shown to be beneficial in ulcers of the digestive tract and inflammation in the gut overall.

Finally, much research extends into chamomile being used topically (as a lotion, essential oil, or balm) for such conditions as osteoarthritis, mucositis induced by chemotherapy, and ulcers. It has been shown to be useful in decreasing inflammation in the area and improving wound healing.

Conclusions

Overall, one can argue that chamomile is more than just another tea, but rather has some potent health effects. I would encourage you to consult your health care provider to verify if regular chamomile consumption is right for you.

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 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3600408/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5074766/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3600416/

http://longwoodherbal.org/chamomile/chamomile.pdf