Detoxification

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Hands-on Food Coaching Program

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As you know good food is a passion of mine so I wanted to create a program that allows me to share that knowledge with you to optimize your health! Talking about food in my office isn't quite the same as talking about it while brewing up something delicious in the kitchen or seeing hands-on what foods are helpful for you. Whether you are trying to loose weight, suffering from chronic pain or depression this program can help you. 

All the details of my food coaching program are found under "Services" on my website but for your convenience I have added them below. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or if you feel like this is the right program for you! So let's have fun in the kitchen :)

In health & happiness, 

Dr. Karen

Food Coaching with Dr. Karen

In a food rut? Do you want to make a change but are not sure where to start? Are you struggling to lose weight and have tried too many diets? Are you suffering from anxiety, depression or chronic fatigue, where food could be the culprit?  I am here to help! 

Going through my own health concerns I have tried and tested many different "diets" and have come to the conclusion that not one diet fits all. We are all individuals, so food should have an individual approach. There is an abundant amount of information about food these days and a plethora of cookie cutter diets or cleanses. It can get confusing and overwhelming.

This is where I come in. I've created programs that cater to your individual food needs and are fully customizable. I can visit you in your kitchen or via Skype (so you can see mine!) and help break down those food barriers. Take a look at the packages below and we'll find one that fits you best to get you started. 

Package A - The Appetizer: 1 session - $170

  • Intake and nutrition session - to discuss chief concerns, food barriers, goals and personalized nutrition session.

Package B - The First Course: 2 sessions - $245

  • Intake and nutrition session - to discuss chief concerns, food barriers, goals and personalized nutrition session.
  • Nutrition package - including several helpful handouts on diet and nutrition for your specific goals.
  • Meal planning how-to and healthy recipes package.

* The first meeting will be done in office over 75 minutes. The second meeting can be done in office or via Skype over 30 minutes. 

Package C - The Full Meal Deal: Over 2 sessions - $330 (Most popular option)

  • Intake and nutrition session - to discuss chief concerns, food barriers, goals and personalized nutrition session. 
  • In home or Skype kitchen audit - A healthy diet starts with a healthy kitchen therefore having the right food and tools is important. 
  • Nutrition package - including several helpful handouts on diet and nutrition for your specific goals.
  • Meal planning how-to and healthy recipes package.
  • Simple cooking session to get you started.

*The first meeting and intake will be done in office over 75 minutes. The second meeting will be via Skype of home visit over 75-90 minutes. 

Package D - The Dessert: 1 session - $200

  • Short nutrition session - to discuss chief concerns, food barriers, goals and personalized nutrition session.
  • In home or Skype kitchen audit - A healthy diet starts with a healthy kitchen therefore having the right food and tools is important.
  • Meal planning how-to and healthy recipes package.
  • Simple cooking session to get you started.

*Only available for existing patients. Can be done in your kitchen or both (via Skype) over 75-90 minutes. 

Personalized approach: (Do one of these options resonate with you? Let me know and I will cater your sessions to suit you.)

  • HEALTHY LIVING- This is perfect for those who already have a grasp on a healthy diet but are looking to fine tune things or learn new tricks such as sprouting, using bone broth or the plethora of ways to use chia seeds or avocado. 
  • LIGHTENING THE SCALE - This is geared towards those that are trying to lose weight for overall health and need that personalized guide or a different approach. Includes such things as a discussion on cleansing, portion sizes and intermittent fasting.  
  • DOWN IN THE DUMPS - Did you know that gut health influences your mood? This approach is geared for those suffering from anxiety or depression. We discuss proper nutrition to improve gut health as well as lifestyle habits to help. 

*Direct billing can be applied for each package if applicable. 

*$20 travel fee for kitchen visits within the HRM. Outside HRM fee on an individual basis. 

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2016 Spring Cleanse with Dr. Karen

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Feeling sluggish lately? Don't have the energy you need? Is your digestion off? Have chronic pain? 

Join me from June 12th-June 25th for my Annual Spring Cleanse to help feel your best this spring!

We will be focusing on nourishing whole foods, while eliminating the more inflammatory foods for 2 weeks. Many recipes provided to make the weeks as easy as pie. :) 

All details below. Sign up now to reserve your spot. 

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Spring Allergies...nothing to SNEEZE about

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As I am sitting here in the sun (yeah for a beautiful warm day!), it is a lovely reminder that spring weather is on its way. The season bring many wonderful things - sun, warmth, fresh flowers - but for many it brings a plethora of negatives - sniffling, sneezing, itchy eyes, fatigue. Oh, the dreaded spring allergies. You may have suffered from these for many years and are reliant on over the counter antihistamines and nasal sprays, but within only a short time you could be free of these forever!

My story:

For many summers as a teen, I suffered from seasonal allergies, especially from fresh cut grass. As a camp counsellor one summer, I remember not being able to function in the morning until I took a Reactine, my nasal spray and eye drops. I literally did not feel like a person and was miserable until I did these steps. I continued to take Reactine daily for 3 whole years because otherwise I would break out in hives, with no known trigger. I would panic slightly if I forgot my anti-histamines while travelling because I knew I would be very itchy soon. Not fun! Flash forward a couple years, after seeing an ND myself, I was free of all medication and spring allergies haven't crossed my mind since (except when treating patients). All it took was simply tweaking my diet and taking a few supplements for a short period of time. 

So what can you do?

The root cause of seasonal allergies is typically an increase in inflammation and hyper-reactivity in the body. Meaning, our bodies are hyper-alert to anything that seems foreign to us and we mount an inflammatory response by releasing histamine. It is histamine that causes red, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, hives etc., released from mast cells. It is important to build our immune system and decrease inflammation to eliminate this reaction, and it all starts in the gut…surprise, surprise! 😃

Here are 5 things you can do to prevent spring allergies:

1. Adjusting your diet - Focus on nutrient rich colourful foods to support your digestive system and provide necessary nutrients. Eliminate gluten, dairy, and artificial sugars for at least 3-4 weeks (one month of your life isn't so bad), to drastically decrease inflammation in your body. If you need some guidance feel free to reach out. Here's a list of low-histamine foods that are great to add to your diet:

  • freshly cooked meat, poultry (frozen or fresh)
  • freshly caught fish
  • eggs
  • gluten-free grains: rice, quinoa
  • fresh fruits: mango, pear, watermelon, apple, kiwi, cantaloupe, grapes
  • fresh vegetables (except tomatoes, spinach, avocado, and eggplant)
  • dairy substitutes: coconut milk, rice milk, hemp milk, almond milk
  • cooking oils: olive oil, coconut oil
  • leafy herbs
  • herbal teas

2. Probiotics - This is an important step in healing the gut and boosting your immune system. With the abundance of antibiotics taken, it is likely that your gut flora is lacking the beneficial bacteria that are vital to our health. Adding a probiotic supplement with at least 11 billion units, eating 1-2 tbsp of coconut kefir, or adding fermented foods to your diet are all possible options. 

3. Nettles - This is one of my favourite herbs for spring allergies and liver detoxification.  It acts as a great natural anti-histamine. I add it to my allergy teas or give it in capsule form. If you are antsy for a quick fix this is a great start. 

4. Quercetin - Another good natural anti-histamine. Quercitin is found in foods such as apples and onions, however a higher dose is typically more effective for an alternative to OTC anti-histamines. This is one supplement I used to wean myself off of Reactine those years ago. 

5. Vitamin C - This helpful vitamin acts as a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. It is helpful to build your immune system as well. I typically start with 1000-2000mg of buffered vitamin C, and be weary of an increased dose in pregnancy and its potential to cause loose stools. 

Several of these suggestions can be mixed into one supplement and taken all together to minimize the miserable effects of spring allergies. This is generally what I do with my patients. In conclusion, by addressing your gut and immune health with a few tweaks, you can improve or forever eliminate spring allergies so there really IS nothing to sneeze about. 😃

If you have any questions or visit me for a free 15 minute consult. I'd be happy to help! 

 

In health & happiness,

Dr. Karen

 

(Photo credit: avivaromm.com, womensday.com)