The Detox Diva!!

Okay, so people don’t actually call me that. However, it is a name I wouldn’t mind inheriting one day, as I am a strong enthusiast of detoxing, also known as cleansing. I detox minimum twice a year, spring & fall, and have experienced first hand the benefits from doing this. However, there are many misconceptions when it comes to detoxing that I feel needs some clarification.

Detoxing does not mean you have to starve yourself for two weeks and wither away to nothing.  As I am sure this method will definitely help you shed a few pounds, that is not the purpose of a detox. Many people use a detox as a weight loss regime when it should be seen more as a method of ridding your body and tissues of excess toxins.  A detox gives your body that well deserved break it needs from all the toxins and chemicals it is exposed to everyday.  Our eating & lifestyle habits pay quite a toll on our body, especially our liver, even if are habits are quite healthy. Unless you are ONLY eating certified organic everything and pretty much living in a bubble, like it or not, you are being exposed to hundreds of toxins everyday! From the air we breathe, the water we drink, the place we work or the place we live, toxins surround us and unfortunately there’s not that much we can do to avoid them. So that’s why we need to protect ourselves from the damage they cause. And a detox is the perfect way to do this.

Think of a detox like an oil change for our car. After so many kilometers we have to change the oil. Why? To eliminate excess build up and assure proper function of our vehicle. That’s exactly why we need to detox. Our bodies come equipped with natural detoxification systems however the accumulation of toxins in our body interferes their proper function.  When we ‘clean our engine’ we liberate our body of excess build up of toxins so it can continue to function as it should.

When I talk to people about detoxing, I often hear “it’s not natural. People were not detoxing thousands of years ago.” And they are absolutely right, however a thousand years ago people were not consuming diets primarily made up of artificial and chemical ingredients or breathing air contaminated with exhaust fumes. We live in a completely different age, and if we are going to make it, we have to protect ourselves!

I started my fall detox today. It is a little later than usual (beginning of October is preferred), however I am fortunate the warm weather is still lingering.  I also had to be realistic. There was no way I was going to follow a strict regime like this over Thanksgiving and at my friends wedding. That is why when choosing the right time to detox, you too must make it as realistic as possible. This will be a real test on your will power so don’t make it any harder on yourself.

To properly detox, we must eliminate all toxins from our diet. This means no sugar, no processed foods (nothing that comes in a bag or a box), no caffeine, no alcohol and no animal products. During the detox we should be consuming mostly fresh vegetables, whole grains (only a few are recommended), lentils, fresh fruits, nuts  and seeds. A two to three week detox is best. While a few days or a week can still help, I really only begin to feel the benefits of a detox after a week.  I am not going to lie, it’s not easy. But compared to heart surgery or chemo treatments down the road, I have no problem doing without some cookies for a few weeks!

For further details or to purchase my full detox information and meal plan kit, please feel free to contact me.

** Please consult your physician if you suffer from any serious illnesses before started a detox. Detoxing is not recommended for anyone suffering from diabetes or pregnant.

Thank you my Healthy Hotties!

As I write this entry, my heart is so full of love I am afraid is may actually burst! That may be because this week my love goes out to not just 1 but 12 amazing women. Women, who just over 2 years ago were complete strangers to me but today, own a huge piece of my heart.

All coming from different walks of life, we found ourselves in the same little classroom 2 years ago. A love for nutrition and health brought us there. Some of us were going back to school again for the first time in 5, 10 or even 20 years and most of us not knowing much about our new found passion. Although nervous and overwhelmed, there was a calming energy throughout the room that softly sounded the message “don’t worry, together we will get through this”.

It has been a difficult journey to say the least. Arriving at class after working sometimes 8,9, 10 hour days. Getting home after 11 at night. And spending literally every free moment reading a textbook, researching the net, cramming for a test or writing an assignment.  There were many times where I felt as though I was sinking. But as our time in the classroom progressed, and bonds between us grew, my classmates made sure I would stay afloat. It was inspiration that kept me going. Knowing that these women were going to be in class, without fail, every Monday and Thursday evening no matter what else was going on in their lives, pushed me to do the same.  Their admirable strength and relentless perseverance made me reach deep down inside myself to find those same qualities.

Needless to say, I could not have walked this journey alone. And fortunately, I didn’t have to.  Here is a little blurb about the special people that I had the privilege of traveling this remarkable journey with.

Susan M – Although she looks half her age and has a body that all of us women aspire to, Susan took a real mother figure role, always looking after all of us and making sure every one was alright. Seeing her big warm smile every class as well as teaching me by example what a true Vata is, especially before Anatomy exams, was so greatly appreciated. As a cancer survivor herself who is now reliving the experience as she helps your husband fight his biggest battle - NATURALLY, has been a true inspiration to us all. The admirable strength and courage along with her dyer passion for nutrition will make any client of Susan’s truly blessed to have her as their practitioner, just as I was blessed to have her as a classmate, and now friend.

Susan B – Our spunky Newfie who is determined to prove that wine is not hazardous to our health! If you need help fighting that one girl, I’m with ya!! Susan’s down to earth personality and humor will shave years off the lives of all those seniors she is going to help. However, I do foresee only one problem with her future career working with the elderly: Susan will either make them laugh to death or all the old men are going to fall in love with her! Either way, they are going to be so lucky to have her as their Holistic Nutritionist.

Nathalie – I think it took about a year before I ever heard Nathalie speak. All I knew about her besides that fact that she was stunning, was that she loved Bon Jovi! She was the quiet one in class, maybe due to shyness, or maybe just because she couldn’t get a word in edge wise with us babblers. Either way it has been great to see her come out of her shell and get to know the wonderful, kind person that she is. 

Ilona – another quiet one, but when she speaks, has so much valuable information to share. Ilona completed this program without missing a class, no matter how hectic her day was. Never in the whole 2 years of sharing a classroom with her did I ever hear Ilona complain once. She is one of those people who seemed to breeze on through, without letting the stress of the classes get to her and never seemed to be frazzled no matter how much was piled on her plate. Ilona’s strength and determination was certainly inspirational when times got tough. Thank you for sharing this journey with me.  

  

MJ – Our feisty maritimer who has so much drive and determination it could knock down a bull. Not only did MJ finish this program without missing a class, she also became a cancer coach and all doing so while raising two young kids. MJ’s previous experience in the Holistic field as well as her ability to excel in everything she does has been a great asset to all of us. There is no doubt in my mind that ‘Live Wise’ & ‘FU Cancer’ will be soon to be well known names in the holistic world. And I pity anyone who tries to get in the way of her goals!

Yvette – My go to girl!! I think the only thing Yvette doesn’t know about is procrastination. Always on top of her game with organization skills that I, the scatter brain, am so envious of, Yvette is always one step ahead of the crowd. Yvette is a powerful, amazing woman who’s passion for nutrition is just seeping out of her pours.  As a successful business woman, amazing single mother and now sure-to-be successful Holistic Nutritionist,  Yvette has truly been an inspiration to be around. That is why I hope to continue to be around her for a long time to come.

Denise – Our Carribana queen who is always smiling and always willing to lend a helping hand. Denise is never afraid of trying something new and jumping in feet first just for the experience. Her diverse repertoire, endless patience and big heart will certainly guarantee Denise a successful future. From our time in class to our ttc rides after, Denise has been a pleasure to get to know and acquire as a friend.

Shyra – Our determined vegan even if she is Blood type O, has been a pleasure to get to know over these past 2 years. As a Reiki Practitioner, Computer Programmer, Public Speaker with a Native background, the knowledge Shyra has shared with us has been so greatly appreciated. And now that Shyra is an official Holistic Nutritionist I do believe she will bring a healthier, more balanced, less-pale face to veganism;)

Hayley – Hayley is that classmate that you totally envy because good grades just seem to come so naturally to her. Unlike myself who needs to read something like 10 times for it to sink in, Hayley seemed to get it 1^st time around. She’s also probably the only person I know who could throw together a wedding in less than four months while working full time and going to school. A definite over-achiever with a passion to make this planet a better place, Hayley has been such an asset to our group and someone I hope to see a lot more of in the future ahead.

Lisa B – Lisa joined our group after everyone else but it took no time at all for her to fit right in. Lisa was like that missing piece we didn’t know we were missing until she joined us. Lisa brings a wonderful down to earth approach to the classroom, asking all those question we were all too shy to ask, and digging until she understood it fully. Her personal achievements along with Lisa’s newly acquired love for nutrition has helped her blossom into the confident Holistic Nutritionist she is today. It was wonderful sharing this journey with you.

Kim C – Our class goof, not clown, because she doesn’t even try or even know for that matter, how absolutely hilarious she is!! Kim is the life of the classroom with a fun positive outlook on everything. She is a well balanced, highly driven woman with a great big heart who I am sure will make people laugh their way back to good health. It was an honor to take this journey with you. You have blossomed from my classmate to my friend and now to my forever RICK STAR!!

Maria – Our little Latin flare, Maria has been not only a ray of sunshine, but she has lit up our classroom like the big bright sun itself. No matter how difficult a time, every Tuesday & Thursday night I was greeted by her big radiant smile which instantly brightened my day. She had this effect on us all. Maria is so passionate and so sure about becoming a Holistic Nutritionist that she recently quit her secure stable job of 13 years to focus primarily on her practice. Maria: your great big heart and magnetic energy leaves no doubt in my mind about the success you & Rediscover Your Health will achieve in the very near future.

This weekend I graduated as class valedictorian with First Class Honors. These are accomplishments that came as a great surprise, and of course a GREAT honor. I feel so blessed that my efforts paid off and did not go unnoticed. However, I was not the only one to work hard, sacrifice and give it my all these past two years. I do not deserve this achievement any more than any of these wonderful, beautiful, inspirational women I had the honor of sharing a classroom with every Monday & Thursday nights for the past 2 years. It is because of them, their drive, determination and most of all their love that carried me to where I am today. Thank you my Healthy Hotties!

Kim's Butternut Squash Soup

Fall is a difficult time for me. Learning to accept the fact that summer, my favorite season is over and that winter is just around the corner, does not come easy. Yes, I may be from Montreal but I am a wuss when it comes to cold weather! And as beautiful as fall is with all the magnificent colors, really the fact is, this color change is just a slow transition to death. Soon the trees will be bare and grey.

To keep me from curling up in the fetal position and not leaving my house until May, I cook! Fall is probably the best season for food as farmers put on display like trophies, all their hard work of the season. As people slowly slip away from those chilly outdoor patios and move back inside around their dinner tables, fall cooking is perfect for gathering together in that cozy comfortable setting.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to share one of my favorite fall recipes. For those who need some last minute ideas for the family dinner or for those who just want to curl up with a movie this weekend, my butternut squash soup recipe will be the perfect companion.

Kim’s Butternut Squash Soup

1 medium butternut squash (approx. 2.5lbs)

1 medium onion, diced

1 Tbsp ginger, freshly grated

3 Tbsp unsalted butter or coconut oil

3 cups vegetable broth

1 can coconut milk

Dash of cinnamon

Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds (can save seeds and roast just like pumpkin seeds – yum!). Brush squash halves with some melted butter or coconut oil and arrange cut side up in a roasting pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until tender. Set aside and cool.

When squash is cool, scoop flesh from the skin and set aside. In a large cooking pot, cook onion in butter or coconut oil until tender. Add ginger and cook for a few more minutes. Add broth and simmer for 5 minutes. Add squash, cover and let simmer for 5 more minutes. Turn off heat and either transfer to food processor or using a hand blender, puree until smooth. Add coconut milk, stir and return to low heat. Add cinnamon, salt & pepper. Serve and enjoy!

Pass the Calcium, Not the Milk

Okay, so I have left you hanging long enough. So let’s talk about other, healthier ways to get your calcium.

There are many factors involved when looking at good sources of calcium. What may look impressive on a nutrient label may not always be what occurs in the body due to factors affecting absorption levels. Diet, gastrointestinal problems, stress, vitamin D deficiency and lack of exercise are just a few factors that decrease calcium absorption. Staying focused on diet; concentrated sugars, high fat foods, high protein foods, foods high in oxalic acid (i.e. beet greens, chard, spinach) and phytic acid foods (whole grains) as well as foods high phosphorus all decrease calcium absorption. This should explain why cow’s milk is not your best source of calcium. Not only is it high in fat, protein and phosphorus but it is also considered an acidifying food, which means it acidifies the blood. Acidic blood dissolves calcium from the bones. So not only is it poorly absorbed, calcium is also lost due to drinking milk. Coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits, salt and nightshade vegetables (peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant) all contribute to poor calcium absorption.

So what foods are considered good sources of calcium then? Here is a list of 5 of the highest and most absorbable non-dairy sources of calcium:

Sea Vegetables: Also known as sea weed, this super food contains up to 14 times the amount of calcium found in 1 glass of milk, especially hiziki, kelp and wakame. Sea weeds are low in fat, protein and phosphorus and high in magnesium which makes these magic weeds a highly absorbable source of calcium as well!! Along with calcium, sea weeds are packed full of vitamin A, folate and iodine which is essential for thyroid health. Some of you may have never tried sea vegetables before, nor ever had any desire to. However, they are easy to use and would be very beneficial to anyone who added this super food to their diet. Found at most health food stores and Asian markets, sea weeds could be added to your smoothie in the morning, sprinkled over any stir fry or added to the pot of any cooking grain or vegetable.

Sesame seeds: These little super seeds contain approximately 10 times more calcium than milk! Just 100 grams scores 1,160 calcium levels while 100 grams of milk is just 113. True, people often don’t eat 100 grams of sesame seeds but even if you just ate a third of this amount, you would still be getting more calcium than that inflammatory promoting glass of milk. And eating just 30 grams is so easy to do as sesame seeds can be added to any salad, stir-fry or used to jazz up some bland vegetables. Or eaten as hummus, which uses tahini: ground sesame seed butter. The only issue with sesame seeds is it too is high in fat, protein and phosphorus which make it not the most absorbable source. However, it does contain higher amounts of magnesium, which help calcium absorption. Unlike milk, these amazing seeds also contain good amounts of fiber, potassium and iron.

Almonds: Containing approximately 2 ½ times more the calcium than milk, almonds are great source of calcium. Although they too are high in fat, protein and phosphorus, almonds contain a substantial amount of magnesium, potassium, vitamin E and fiber. Also unlike milk, almonds contain healthy fats that are high in omega 6 and 9. Almonds are one of my favorite snacks and easy to add to any salad or stir fry. Also, almond milk is quite convenient for replacing that bad, hopefully now old, habit of a tall chilled glass of cows milk.

Parsley: This pretty herb contains not only double the amount of calcium as milk but is also a very absorbable form as it is low in fat, protein and phosphorus. Parsley, unfortunately mostly known for its lovely garnish abilities, is so much more as it packed full of nutrients. While being a good source of magnesium, potassium, folate and vitamin C, parsley contains copious amounts of vitamin A and K. Thrown into a smoothie, diced and added to any sauce or sprinkled over any thing really; it’s easy to get more of this amazing herb into your diet.

Kale: Just one more reason we should all be eating more of this super food, kale contains almost double the amount of calcium as milk. Another highly absorbable form due to its low fat, protein and phosphorus content, kale is jam packed full of nutrients as well. Kale is another great source of vitamin A and K as well as folate, potassium and vitamin C. Added to a smoothie or stir-fry or just steamed and sprinkled with olive oil and sesame seeds, there are plenty of ways to get this super food into your diet.

So now that you all know that there is life after cows milk, hopefully your transition to this healthier lifestyle will be a little easier. However, the main point to remember in all of this is that every nutrient; vitamin, mineral or macronutrient, depends not entirely on the source but more so on the ability of our digestive track. To assure optimal absorption of anything we ingest, our digestive systems must be functioning properly. Unfortunately statistics say otherwise for many of us.

Obtaining optimal digestive health: hmmm, I am sensing a new future preach:)

Sisterly Love

This week my love goes out to my little sister Samantha. At just 23 years old, Samantha has experienced far more darkness and has encountered more adversity than most people ever have to face their whole life. Sam has so much to be proud of and that is why my ‘love’ goes out to her this week. Because I don’t think I tell her enough.

Sam’s mom and my dad got together when I was 13, Sam was only 5. Sam’s mother had just gone through a difficult divorce with Sam’s father who was struggling with a cocaine addiction. Sam’s mother (the greatest step-mom ever!!) did everything she could to protect her and keep her from this unhealthy environment. However, Sam’s father had been a wrecking ball for her emotions for as long as she could remember. He came in and out of her life like a ping pong ball, heightening her hopes with promises about how he has changed only to leave her broken hearted with disappointment. Disappointment from the belief that he will never change.

That is why Sam felt so fortunate when Bobby (my dad) came into her life. Finally, a proper father figure who was sticking around. Bobby helped raise her and thought of her like a daughter of his own. 

Unfortunately for Samantha, stability and consistency in her life is about as present and reliable as her real father. Sam was only 15 when she lost Bobby. She was the one to call 911 and watched him take his last breath. An event extremely traumatic for anyone, never mind a 15 year old. It seemed as though her black cloud had returned.

The roads ahead for Sam, as dark and dreary as they were, were also somewhat predictable and almost expected. Sam turned to drinking and drugs. As many teenagers do at this age, for Sam this was beyond experimentation. The drugs got heavier and more frequent. With each high, Sam wished for a brighter, happier place than the one her sober self had to live in every day. I am not sure if it was the actual high or the familiar feeling of disappointment when the drugs wore off that Sam desired more. Either way, it was a heavy load and Sam was starting to sink.

With her mother’s unconditional love as well as the love and support from her grandparents, Sam slowly broke free from the drugs tight grasp. As she overcame one drug, she slowly learned to let go of another and another. Sam was soon drug free but alcohol remained a big part of her life. Maybe it was a series of events, or a sudden epiphany. It doesn’t matter really. What mattered is Sam finally stood back and took a look at her life and the road that lay ahead. There were two paths: one that carried on into darkness and one that lead to the sun. Sam made a choice.

Sam is now celebrating over one month sober. She has gone back to school studying to be an Esthetician. With admirable strength and optimism, Samantha has turned her life around completely. Sam has also gained a new father figure in her life. Her mother has met an amazing man who has become an intricate part of Sam’s life. And, surprisingly enough, Sam’s father has also turned his life around and is celebrating over 5 months sober. They have reunited and are working at mending their relationship. Through the love that surrounds her, Sam is letting go of the anger that she carried for so long. Everyday is a struggle but Sam is trying hard to see the beauty in this crazy world.

Sam & I visiting Dad

As Sam lives in Ottawa, 4 hours from me, our visits are few and far between. No matter the distance though, my awe and appreciation for this amazing girl is hopefully resonating across the miles. I hope Sam knows how proud I am of her and what an inspiration she has been. And if she doesn’t, I hope this helps.