Thornhill Naturopathic Health Clinic
12 A Centre Street L4J 1E9 Markham, ON, Canada

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself - Rumi

Pears. Seen by some as a softer and less portable version of an apple, and others as the pinnacle of elegance when it comes to fruit flavours. A medium pear is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, vitamin K, copper, magnesium, and B vitamins. Both apples and pears are high in fibre, which is known to help keep blood sugar levels down. In fact, a 2017 study found that there was an 18% reduction in risk for type 2 diabetes among people who reported eating the most apples and ...pears. For every pear (or apple) consumed per week, the risk for diabetes was reduced by about 3%. The fibre in pears works just as well as apples when it comes to providing that satiated feeling and helping with weight loss. A 12-week study of women who added 3 apples or 3 pears to their daily diet found that they lost nearly two pounds in 12 weeks without making other diet changes. Pears come in many colours, and those with the most colorful red-hued skins provide phytonutrients which help keep inflammation low, and reduce cell damage that can lead to disease, by neutralizing free radicals. Pears’ soft texture makes them versatile in food prep too. Try a full-fat yoghurt, granola and pear parfait for breakfast, add thin slices of pear to a salad, or include a few pears in a sugar-free apple crumble to bring the flavour to a whole new level.

Every mistake you make is progress.

How often does your body detox? If you said a few times a year, think again! 365 days a year our bodies are quietly detoxing in the background, keeping our cells clean and warding off chronic disease. How does your body do it? And how can you provide your body with the tools and resources it needs to get the detox job done? Our latest article discusses key lifestyle and diet hacks that will have you detoxifying like a champ!

Bitter foods are sweet for your health. When we taste something bitter, it stimulates the body to produce juices and enzymes that give rise to a cascade of benefits throughout the digestive system. It speeds up digestion, reduces post-meal bloating, gas and heartburn. It also helps suppress the appetite to help you avoid that over-full feeling after a meal. This is why many cultures traditionally include bitter foods in meals, for example a traditional bitter aperitif before ...dinner such as Vermouth, or a salad with bitter greens such as arugula or radicchio. Bitter is not a flavour we value as much these days, but its health benefits are clear. If you feel your digestion could use a boost, try taking a ""digestive bitters"" supplement. A few drops of one of these pungent extracts before meals may provide that little extra oomph that makes the difference.

Is your brain too full? Try a brain dump! This simple, effective brain emptying practice is quick, free, and can be done anywhere. Here’s how! Keep it old school with pen and paper. Research shows it's the best way to get bothersome thoughts out of your brain. In a pinch, using your phone is of course better than nothing.... - Sit down in a comfy spot and take a few deep breaths to get centred. - Start writing everything that's on your mind, stream-of-consciousness style. - Muzzle your Inner Editor. Write whatever pops up bad grammar and all! - Write until you’ve released all of your to-do's, feelings, worries, and anxieties. How did that feel?

Garlic has been used to treat various ailments throughout history, having reportedly been a preferred remedy used by Hippocrates, the father of medicine. Nutritionally garlic does well, containing manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, Selenium, calcium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin B1. However this humble seasoning is also a powerful antioxidant with antimicrobial properties. Research has shown garlic to reduce the length of colds by up to 70%, reduce high blo...od pressure, lower ""bad"" LDL cholesterol, detoxify the body from lead, and may even help prevent dementia. Local, organic garlic is in season right now so don't forget to stock up for the winter!

Do you have inflammation? Are you swollen or puffy, with a red flushed face after eating certain foods, or do you have long term pain? Inflammation is one of the leading causes of disease, and we need to stay on top of it so it doesn’t become a larger problem down the road. Reduce inflammation, prevent disease, and start to feel like your "young" self again. ... If you need help, don't hesitate to call. We can recommend a strategy customized to your needs so you can stop wasting time and start getting results.

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

What two-letter word can help maintain boundaries and improve immune health? It just might become your fav. word this fall!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tips for bringing more positivity into your daily thoughts: - Surround yourself with positive reinforcement every day to influence your subconscious mind. - Make sure that the items that you see and touch most bring you feelings of you positivity and hopefulness. - Keep an inspirational post-it next to your bathroom mirror, on your computer, or anywhere you regularly look. ... - Unfollow people who don’t make you happy! Change your newsfeed to a place that helps you grow positively and makes you smile. - Don’t sweat the small stuff. In the grand scheme of life, petty things that tie up your thoughts, keep you thinking small and create resentment and unnecessary annoyance will only hold you back from attracting abundance and positivity into your life. See more

Dairy Free Pesto Ingredients 2 cups basil (fresh) 1/2 cup hemp hearts (or sunflower seeds)... 1/2 cup olive oil (organic) 3-4 tbsp lemon juice 3 cloves garlic 1/2-1 tsp pink rock or grey sea salt Instructions 1 - Put all ingredients in a food processor 2 - Blend, on high, until desired paste/dip/spread consistency is reached 3 - Store in air tight glass jar in fridge or freezer With thanks to Julie Daniluk from her book ""Meals That Heal Inflammation"" https://www.juliedaniluk.com/blog/dairy-free-pesto-recipe

This weeks Zoomer radio with Dr.Betty on Dealing With Intermittent Fasting.

Thank you for putting your health in my hands. I started my own health journey as a practitioner to change the lives of others. It hasn't been an easy path but it's one of fulfilment and service to my community. My goal is to help 1000 more people, like you, get well, prevent disease and help spread the word about the importance of awareness and lifestyle choices that matter. If you know anyone who would benefit from looking into their current status of health and making changes, please feel free to share my number. I cannot reach my goal to help others without amazing people like YOU!

Did you know that 80% of your immune system resides in your gut? An immune-friendly diet is one that starves out bad microbes, reduces mucus production and nourishes your good gut microbes. Eating an organic, gut friendly diet rich in nutrient-dense vegetables is a simple, powerful way to support your immune system this fall.

Now that the weather is turning cooler, we're spending less time outdoors, and the kids may be spending more time in school - how is your home's air quality? Here are 3 tips to reduce toxins at home so that you can breathe easier: 1. Stop using aerosol sprays and artificially scented air fresheners. Instead, try using a diffuser or natural pump sprays that rely on essential oils to freshen the air. You can even boil cinnamon sticks or vanilla pods on the stovetop. If unpleas...ant smells are still an issue, a HEPA filter is efficient at removing odors as well as helping to reduce airborne particulates that may cause allergies or irritation. 2. Choose cleaning products carefully. Be aware of greenwashing which is the practice of using clever wording to make products appear more eco-friendly than they actually are. In fact, you can skip store-bought products altogether in many cases; vinegar, baking soda, and plain hot water can be surprisingly effective cleaners. 3. Stop using plastics. All plastics leach harmful chemicals such as (but not exclusively) BPA. A stainless steel water bottle and glass or ceramic food containers last much longer without the potential side effects.

Monk Fruit, also called luo han guo in honor of the luóhàn monks in Thailand who originally cultivated it, is a small green melon that has been a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. While in TCM it has long been used to treat respiratory issues, Monk Fruit is sweeping the healthy treat world by storm recently because of its sweet taste. Most fruits get their sweetness from fructose and glucose, however Monk Fruit is 200 times sweeter than sugar and has no c...alories or carbohydrates - as a result it does not affect blood glucose levels at all. Even better, the sweet flavour of Monk Fruit comes from mogrocide, which is an antioxidant. When shopping for Monk Fruit sweetener, make sure to buy a brand that contains 100% monk fruit, as many are combined with additives like erythritol or even dextrose, which can cause their own side effects.