Dr Tanya Lee, Naturopathic Doctor, Registered Medical Herbalist
Health Centre of Milton 420 Main St. E/ Herbs and Nutrition 572 Bloor St. W Suite 201 Toronto, ON, Canada

"Be Cautious, Not Fearful" This post written by one of my best friends and colleague outlines what a lot of us have been feeling these past 2 months. Its not meant to be controversial, but to allow people to see another logical, accurate and sound perspective of what has been happening in our society.

Thankful for the abundance of beauty nature has to offer

Found a patch of boletes. Unlike the delicious King bolete (CEP, poricini, Boletus edulis), these boletes (grey-violet and question) are not known to be as delicious, if not either extremely bitter (grey-violet bolete) or tasteless (question bolete). Either way, majority of boletes are not poisonous and are always fun to find and figure out. Question boletes can be experimented with culinarily - please do not try to eat mushrooms you find unless you have the means to properly identify them before consumption.

Circadian rhythm refers to the 24 hour light-dark cycles that act as a central conductor to virtually all of our important physiological processes. We have evolved within the context of the circadian cycle, building up our master clock, located in the hypothalamus, which is the central area that synchronize us to the light dark cycles, by detection of light through our eyes. Circadian patterns have evolved as a survival mechanism as a way to efficiently utiliz...e and conserve energy. 30-50% of genes express with rhythm. Almost every single cell works to a rhythm. Our core physiological processes act according to circadian rhythm. So it makes sense that we as organisms should maintain a consistent rhythm of patterns within our daily lives. Emerging research is showing that the desynchronization of our clocks by our external environment is a major contributor to chronic disease. For example, both shift work and sleep deprivation have been found to be stand alone risk factors for many conditions including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimers, mental health disorders and cancer. Learning how to keep our clocks within proper patterning may be the key to long term health. The most impactful circadian cues (called Zeitgerbers) that determine the health of your circadian rhythm pattern include: Exposure to light: strongest influencer! When and what type of light? Eating schedule: when and how often do you eat? Duration and intensity of physical activity - too much may not be a good thing The health of your microbiome - your gut microbiome has its own circadian rhythm! Sleep: are you getting between 7-9 hours/night? Stay tuned to learn how to manage your circadian patterns through optimizing these Zeitgerbers. See more

Japanese knotweed young shoots poking out from my garden, ready to be eaten. This plant is rich with antioxidants, specifically resveratrol. Resveratrol, most famously known as the beneficial component of red wine, has been found to improve cholesterol, lower blood pressure, kill cancer cells, reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugars and improve cognitive health! This is a highly invasive species that is difficult to battle so harvesting for food in the wi...ld wont threaten its existence. Harvest to eat when the tender young shoots are under 6. Larger shoots will be woody, and may need to be peeled before cooking. Has a flavour similar to rhubarb and can be used in recipes as a substitute. See more

A healthy microbiome (ie probiotics!) is one that is diverse in the types of good bacteria that colonizes the colon. What keeps the microbiome diverse is the diversity of the vegetables we eat. Polyphenols are antioxidant nutrients abundantly found in colourful plants (think reds, blues and purples). These compounds are utilized by the body to combat inflammation - the protective effects of polyphenols are dependent on proper colonic microbial flora. Poly...phenols are transformed by our microbiome in to smaller, more biologically active substances that can now be absorbed and better utilized by the body (and bacteria). So probiotics turn nutrients in to super-amazing nutrients! It has also been shown that polyphenols can actually change the ratio between specific bacteria, encouraging the growth of host-friendly bacteria, while down-regulating the growth of not-so-favourable bacteria. This means that its not just enough to eat a diet full of polyphenol-rich fruits and vegetables, you have to make sure your digestive health and microbiome is healthy and working efficiently in order to benefit from these foods. When we have a well-balanced microbiome, it keeps our bodies in balance through regulating our immune system, encouraging efficient energy production, improving digestive health and promoting healthy detoxification. This is a polyphenol-rich salad I made. The polyphenols come from the roasted red peppers, roasted heirloom tomatoes, purple cabbage, radishes and the organic balsamic vinegar dressing. The protein grass-fed flank steak and some goat cheese. For more information, check out my blog on my website Tanyaleend.com #naturopathicdoctor #naturopath #eattherainbow #microbiome #probiotics #prebiotics #polyphenols #health #eathealthy #vegetablerichdiet #functionalmedicine #immunehealth #digestivehealth See more

These raw chocolate nut butter cups are the product of experiencing sugar cravings during a cleanse that requires us to be refined sugar-free. While I dont often crave sugar, pulling out all forms of refined sugars (including breads) can still create withdrawal symptoms as the body adjusts to gathering energy from other sources. I made the chocolate portion from raw cacao powder, raw cacao butter, a touch of maple syrup, and sea salt. The filling was made from al...mond butter (you can use peanut butter as well), coconut flour and a touch of salt and coconut sugar. Cacao powder is the unprocessed/unheated version of what we know as chocolate (cocoa comes from roasted beans - which is what the majority of chocolate we are familiar with is made from) Raw cacao beans retain a number of health qualities that would otherwise be lost during the heating process that produces roasted cocoa beans. Raw cacao amazing for our cardiovascular health. The powder is rich in magnesium, and full of antioxidants (such as flavanols). Magnesium keeps blood pressure stable, and the antioxidants protect the heart and vessels from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is is a large contributor to the pathogenic process towards heart disease. The antioxidants and arginine content in cacao also improve our ability to make nitric oxide, which is important for keeping the blood vessels open to allow the free flowing of blood throughout the body. This is especially important for all the little vessels that supply the heart with blood. Raw cacao butter is the unprocessed, stable fat of the cacao bean, and is not heated to a temperature above 46C. Raw cacao butter is a stable, natural, plant-based form of saturated fats that is awesome for the skin (when taken both orally and topically), and also contains a high amount of antioxidants that we know are good for the heart and can battle the effects of aging. You can use it in place of dairy butter, and coconut oil. In my opinion, it tastes the best when used to make chocolate! See more

New article I wrote for clinicians (and interested patients) on how the disrupted patterns of the immune system in Autoimmune disease can be rebalanced by herbs.

Check out my colleagues great critical analysis of this study. Diets are individualized and have to be looked at within the context of the entire diet, not just on one individual food - which is actually pretty difficult to study in larger cohorts of a studied population. Whole, natural, healthy foods typically arent the culprit for worsening health - its when combined with foods that arent so healthy (think bacon, processed cheese, refined wheat and sugar) that the bad effects of that food may flourish. When coupled with foods that are healthy (whole grains, fruits and vegetables) that these food can really benefit the body. Also, moderation is key - if youre going through a carton of eggs/week to yourself, you might want to pull back.

Thanks for including me on the list! Im going to have to up my posting game now

New article published for the December 2018 issue of NDNR

Cashew-based vegan cheese/Alfredo sauce. Pretty tasty. Who knew? I made a gluten-free Mac and cheese for a get together and topped it with the last of our cherry tomatoes (roasted) and fresh thyme from the garden. I cheated a little and sprinkled real lactose-free Parmesan on top (for a dairy-sensitive group, not vegans). Recipe is adapted from @minimalistbaker 30 minute cashew Alfredo sauce.... Cashews offer an excellent selection of heart-friendly healthy fats (mainly monounsaturated fatty acids). They are rich with bone-building minerals such as copper, phosphorus, zinc, manganese and magnesium - magnesium also helps your body the absorb calcium you can obtain from other foods. Copper is essential for iron absorption and metabolism - did you know that one of the reasons for low iron can be low copper status? For these reasons, cashews can be an excellent addition to the diet of people who choose to avoid dairy or must avoid dairy for health purposes. Dairy reactions are not just limited to lactose intolerance. Dairy sensitivities can manifest as symptoms including congestion, itchy skin/scalp, acne, chronic digestive problems, lowered immunity, brain fog and weight gain. Dairy consumption can worsen conditions such as eczema, asthma, allergies, IBS and colitis. Plus cashew Alfredo sauce is seriously delicious. Will definitely be a staple recipe for me moving forward. #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #vegan #vegetarian #plantbased #garden #organicgarden #organicfood #herbalist #medicine #foodismedicine #nutrition #eatherainbow #urbangarden #glutenfree #lactosefree #dairyfree See more

Fungi are the largest living organisms on the planet. To quote some wise words from my friend @veganmeateater while we were in school, "Mushrooms are awesome because they literally turn shit into magic. This is absolutely true - fungi are intelligent and amazingly adaptive. Fungi are saphobes that use minimal resources to live, yet they give back so much. Fungi are essential for the life cycle. The root systems of fungi, the mycelium, feed on de...ad, organic matter by secreting enzymes that aid in decomposition. By doing so, they librate nutrients that would otherwise stay locked up within the rotting matter. These nutrients, particularly carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, are required for the recycling and survival of the ecosystem. Using this same method, mycelium are able to sequester and break down complex, toxic, organic chemicals into simpler, less harmful components, and can neutralize toxic bacteria from human waste that infiltrate our water sources and soil. They can also accumulate/mop up radioactive substances. This makes them a powerful and logical choice for their use in the war against anthropogenic damages to the environment. The mutualistic relationship between fungi and plants and animals is beautifully poetic. Did you know 90% of plants have fungal partners? Mycelium channels nutrients from the soil and provides them to the plant roots, while energy collected from the sun by the plants provides fungi energy for efficient metabolism. Animals (including humans) benefit from eating nutrient-dense plants, and also benefit from the consumption of certain fungi (mainly the fruiting body, known as mushrooms!). We benefit from mushrooms through their edibility (making delicious dishes) as well as their immense nutrient and medicinal value. Long story short - mushrooms are awesome, they turn shit in to magic. Checking out the flora and fungi at my parents new property in London, Ontario. This is a perfect time of year (and weekend) to see the variety of fungi growing in this hardwood forest. @ London, Ontario See more

Limiting your carbohydrate/sugar intake in the evenings can help you maintain healthy blood sugars, reducing your risk for type 2 (acquired) diabetes and metabolic imbalances later in life. This is because your body response to sugar (ie carbohydrates) is dependant on time of day. In human physiology, our glucose rhythms are such that we have the highest tolerance for carbohydrates in the morning, and lower tolerance at night. In fact, one could say that we are all... naturally mildly diabetic at in the evenings and night. Just like most systems in our bodies, our glucose and insulin rhythms are influenced by our circadian cycles (more famously the sleep-wake cycle) In depth research on circadian physiology shows that our bodys lowered carbohydrate tolerance at night leads to prolonged elevated blood glucose levels after an evening meal - higher and longer levels than if you ate that same meal at breakfast. This natural phenomenon indicates that we should not be eating high amounts of carbohydrates at night, In fact, the habit of over-spiking your sugars at night can lead to long term dysregulation of your glucose physiology leading to insulin resistance and potential for diabetes in the future. Reducing or even omitting carbs/grains at dinner should be considered. A healthy replace meant can be vegetable starches with a low glycemic index/load (think squash, carrots, beets, mushrooms etc), . Completely refraining from eating high sugar foods in the evenings (ie desserts) and refined starches is recommended. Not eating after 8pm and maintaining a 12 hour fast until your eat your breakfast in the morning is a great way to keep your blood sugars stable. This can also help maintain healthy body weight, better sleep patterns, improved digestion, stable appetite and better energy throughout the day. Of course, life is about balance so if you maintain these eating habits, 80-90% of the time, you can indulge once in a while without the guilt! The meal in this photos is a good example of a low sugar dinner. Chanterelle mushrooms, zucchini noodle salad and grass-fed steak - filling, and tasty! See more

This past weekend, we were lucky to be gifted 3 pounds of a 16-pound Chinook salmon wild-caught by our Airbnb hosts in Lake Huron. We tried our best to eat most of it while there, but still ended up with about 1 pound that needed care before going bad. There was a fire ban in effect so smoking it wasnt an option! In order to preserve the salmon without a freezer, I made gravalax (cured salmon) with the ingredients that we had on hand at the cabin - sea salt, lemo...n rind, fresh dill I brought from my garden, and vodka. I cured this for 4 days (in a chilled cooler while cabin-ing) and it turned out perfect. I cant believe how unbelievably easy it was to make it. I paired it with zucchini fritters made from our 100000 pounds of zucchini produced by our garden, as well as sprouts and nasturtium flowers, also picked from our urban garden. Wild-caught salmon is considered one of the most nutrient-dense foods. It is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids (one of the highest sources compared to other seafood), vitamin D, antioxidants, vitamins (B3 and B12) and minerals (selenium, phosphorus). What do all of these biochemicals have in common? They help reduce inflammation (great for heart disease prevention) and keeping the brain healthy, alert and strong. Considering most salmon we have access to is farmed and imported, we cant always be sure that the standards of their living conditions and feed are up to par. Though wild-caught is ideal for consumption, many fish are actually bred in hatcheries and then released in to the wild which may negate the health benefits of wild-caught fish. Therefore, the type of salmon needs to be considered when purchasing for consumption. Wild Alaskan Salmon, and other varieties such as Chinook, Coho or Sockeye salmon have been found to contain minimal toxins. Atlantic salmon, wild or farmed, is one of the most contaminated varieties of salmon and should be avoided or eaten sparingly. @ Toronto, Ontario See more

#published. This is what I was doing when I went MIA in March. #continuingeducation #circadianrhythm #circadianmisalignment #glucose #insulin #ndnr #naturopathicdoctor #research #physiology #diabetes #naturopath

Finding plentiful and huge Ganoderma tsugae (Hemlock varnish shelf) on a short camping trip this weekend. (Picture 2 - Abes sunglasses for size reference)! This is a very close relative or the famous Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushroom popularly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine - so close that it basically has the same medicinal profile and the name Reishi is often used interchangeably between the two types. The mushrooms are almost identical looking,... making it easy to confuse one for the other. The main differences are 1) Ganoderma lucidum grows on hardwood and are actually quite rare in Canada. The flesh is brown-ish. 2) Ganoderma tsugae grows softer woods such as hemlock and fir trees (though some do grow on hardwood) and has a whitish-flesh. Regardless of the differences, finding either or is a real visual treat! I typically use Reishi in practice for allergies, liver support and overall immune balancing (as for autoimmune conditions). Best taken as a decoction or in capsules, but make sure to always consult with a medical profession with training in medicinal herbs before trying this! #annexnaturopathic #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #TCM #traditionalchinesemedicine #spring #wellness #herbalist #botanicalmedicine #herbs #herbalmedicine #liver #immunehealth #forage #autoimmunedisease #detoxification #camping #getoutside #exploreontario #ontario @ Ontario See more

Dr. Alessio Fasano, M.Ds presentation outlines why and how dietary choices during the perinatal period and infancy is extremely important for the proper development of the immune system. Did you know your microbiome of a developing baby is first initiated during pregnancy (ie in the womb?) Your microbiome is basically established by the age of 3 (meaning that it looks like the adult microbiome at this age)... This means that between 0-2, years of age, the microbiome is changing and forming, and highly SUSCEPTIBLE to external environmental influences. Proper food introduction, and trying to avoid using substances that can negatively affect the delicate microbial balance and the development of the gastrointestinal tract (such as antibiotics, and advil) is KEY for the development of a healthy immune system Consultations with a naturopathic doctor who can guide you on what choices to make while youre trying to conceive, during pregnancy and during the first year of a babys life is a great way to ensure healthy growth and development. #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #wellness #preventative medicine #functionalmedicine, #AIC2018 #autoimmunedisease

My first herb walk was in High Park. This is when I first became aware of the edibility of the common weed, Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata, part of the Brassicaceae family). One of my mentors casually mentioned that its a great base for the Indian dish palak paneer. Its been almost 12 years and I havent tried this until now. Using a freshly #foraged bunch of garlic mustard, along with foraged #ramp greens, and frozen spinach, I made a Ontario greens ver...sion of this tasty dish. Leafy greens are some of the best foods for your body. Making a meal based around nutrient-rich vegetables is the best way to flood your body with essential vitamins and minerals. This meal was also rich in healthy good fats, using moderate amounts of ghee (clarified butter) and coconut milk. The protein content was covered by homemade #paneer made from #grassfed homogenzied 3.25% milk. I recommend eating at least 3 servings of Leafy Green vegetables daily (more if you can!). Eating seasonally is not only environmentally responsible, it produces the freshest, tastiest dishes. #brassica #vegetables #fibre #liversupport #sustainablefood #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #wellness #herbalist #botanicalmedicine #herbs #herbalmedicine #health #eattherainbow #foraging #foragingforfood #greens @ Dufferin Grove Park

Preserving spring. #ramppickles #sprucetippickles

Yay, its spring! Did you know that Traditional Chinese Medicine theory implies there are specific foods and flavours that are meant for us to consume based on the season? During spring, your diet should be the lightest of the year in order to align the body with the ascending, expansive, energy of spring. This is also the season of the Liver and Gallbladder primary organs of detoxification. These organs are meant to be activated and nurtured during the spring i...n order to cleanse the body of fats and heavy foods that we consume during the winter months. Its best to consume a diet rich in fresh young greens and sprouts ascending up from the ground, offered by the new growing season (think baby leaves such as baby spinach, baby kale, micro greens etc). These foods make sense to consume as they contain significant amounts of antioxidants, vitamins (K, A, C, Bs), minerals (Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn), fibre and many phytochemicals, all essential for efficient liver function. Flavours associated with spring include pungent (a funny word, it really means flavourful, aromatic - you know, herb-y). Pungent foods include herbs (basil, marjoram, rosemary etc.) and allium plants such as ramps, garlic, chives, and onions. Allium plants are starting to sprout now so the leaves are a great addition to any salad. This is a cold-noodle spring salad I made for lunch yesterday, containing many young greens (including dandelion greens picked from a newly sprouting forest) as well as ramp greens to add some pungent flavours. Sweet is another flavour of spring, which is represented in the buckwheat/sweet potato soba noodles and the honey-based dressing. Tamari-infused, non-GMO, sprouted tofu for a light, spring protein. For more information, check out my latest blog http://tanyaleend.com/best-foods-to-choose-for-transitioni/ #annexnaturopathic #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #TCM #traditionalchinesemedicine #spring #wellness #herbalist #botanicalmedicine #herbs #herbalmedicine #liver #woodelement #foragingforfood #forage #greens #detoxification #vegan #glutenfree #healthyfood #eattherainbow See more

A new study published by the Journal of the American Heart Association found that older women who ate higher amounts cruciferous vegetables in their daily diet had a lower risk of developing atherosclerosis (cardiovascular disease). These findings can likely be applied to men and younger women as well. I always love when a well-known journal publishes an article that outlines the benefits of recommendations Naturopathic Doctors have been suggesting for years. ... Brassica vegetables improves cardiovascular health by adding a significant source of bioactive nutrients (antioxidants, fibre) to optimize the bodys natural physiological processes, mainly through the liver. The antioxidant and fibre content of these vegetables act as blood thinners by removing excess inflammation and cholesterol from the blood. Glucosinolates unique to Brassica vegetables improve phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification by inducing gene expression of liver enzymes required for detoxification. This optimizes the removal of environmental toxins, the activation/deactivation and elimination of drugs and phytochemicals (from food and supplements), as well as the regulation hormone metabolism (such as estrogen). I recommend eating at least 3 servings of Cruciferous vegetables daily. For more information, you can read my latest blog post (link in bio). Brassica family vegetables include brussel sprouts (as pictured), kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, arugala, watercress, rutabaga, and many more dark, leafy green vegetables. #brassica #vegetables #cardiovascularhealth #fibre #liversupport #sustainablefood #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #wellness #herbalist #botanicalmedicine #herbs #herbalmedicine #health #eattherainbow #growyourowfood See more

One of the best ways to say healthy throughout the winter = BONE BROTH. Aside from a mild cold in October, I havent been sick all winter, despite being exposed to a plethora of ill people. I attribute this to stepping up my bone broth game - I put this in everything! Soups, sauces, the base for my grains (rice, quinoa, etc). It makes everything taste better (umami, savoury), and adds its many health benefits to your daily meals. ... Bone broth is extremely rich in minerals and amino acids - together, these contribute to a strong immune system. Bone broth also strengthens your joints, blood vessels, bones, hair, skin and improves digestive health by adding a healthy amount of collagen to your diet. Its also a great way to use every part of the vegetables and meat purchased. In prepartion, I save the skins and cuttings from vegetables that would be typically composted, and keep them in the freezer. I also save up organic, free-range bones/carcasses of beef, turkey or chicken from previous meals, and freeze them until theyre ready to use. This reduces waste, and saves money. I typically add #Astragalus root (pictured) to my broth for extra immune support - it doesnt change the flavour and is a potent immunomodulator. (Make sure to always consult with a medical professional before trying herbs.) I also add a touch of apple cider vinegar to pull out even more minerals from the bones and veggies. #immunehealth #soup #bonehealth #bonebroth #naturopathicmedicine #sustainableliving #sustainablefood #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #wellness #herbalist #botanicalmedicine #herbs #herbalmedicine #health #healthyfood #skinhealth #jointhealth #hairskinnails @ Dovercourt Park See more

Spending the day organizing our much loved tea wall! I love making custom teas for my patients. This is a custom tea I make to help soothe the urinary bladder. It contains herbs such as Juniper berries, Buchu leaf, Marshmallow Leaves, Nettle seed and Cornsilk. This combination will reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and give relief for patients who have inflammation in the bladder. It can also be used for an inflammed prostate. Teas are very rich in nutrients - they are great way to obtain extra vitamins and minerals, fend off infections, improve hydration, and to treat various health conditions. They are also amazing to maintain results achieved through stronger naturopathic and/or conventional therapies.

"We own our emotions, they dont own us." Watch Susan Davids TED Talk on how to control your emotions in a healthy way: http://t.ted.com/kZ3eEcm

The term green exercise means physical activity while simultaneously being exposed to nature. Both exercise and nature have been known to have positive impacts on mental health - so its only natural that the combination of these two can provide excellent benefits Evidence indicates that green exercise improves self-esteem and psychological benefits in both adults and children. Psychological benefits do not appear to differ between the type of outdoor environment..., just as long as one is outdoors. Reasons for this appear to stem from increased exposure to sunlight, greater distraction from daily stressors, and the fact the outdoors promote feelings of mindfulness and peace. Exercising outdoors also combats sedentary lifestyles that contribute to cardiovascular disease and obesity, conditions that are linked to increased risk for mental health disorders. If you want to know how to implement in this effective treatment for #mentalhealth in your lifestyle, seek out help from your trusted health professional. See more

This photo of a majestic Gingko tree was taken at architects Frank Lloyd Wrights home and studio in Oak Park, Chicago. This naturally caught my attention before the actual architecture (only initially ) Gingko biloba leaves have been traditionally used to strengthen memory and current research shows promising evidence that it improves cognition in those with dementia, as well as effectively treating a number of other vascular-related conditions. Ginkgo... leaves work in two ways: 1) Vasodilation and 2) Reducing blood viscosity. It improves micro-circulation and perfusion of blood to the brain. This mechanism makes the effects of Gingko most efficient when used over a long period of time in order to establish its effects in the body. This is why you those who use Gingko over a two week time to help study for an exam, or to stay up late working for a presentation, may find that it doesnt work Application of the herb in the right context is key. To read more about this majestic tree, read my latest Botanical of the Month article at http://tanyaleend.com/botanical-of-theee-gingko-biloba/ or follow the link in bio See more

Feeling down from the weather? The remedy - take advantage of the snow. Days like these are what make us so lucky to live in a place where we can experience the beauty of winter. Getting outdoors and being active makes winter so much more enjoyable. This is because the crisp fresh air, exercise and the sense of accomplishment will release endorphins, keeping us happy and motivated during these dreary months. During this time of year, its natural to want to curl u...p on the couch, avoid the cold and veg. There is a natural, adaptive mechanism in our bodies to want to hibernate so not to expend too much energy to allow us to keep warm. However, this isnt necessarily the best thing to do when we have the luxury to remain in heated buildings to keep us warm. Its common to have low mood and energy during the winter season (due to lack of activity and sun). Being sedentary will perpetuate this feeling, so if youre feeling low, take advantage of the sun and snow. Try activities that help you experience the beauty of the elements - snowshoeing, hiking, fat-bike trails, downhill snowboarding/skiing, or cross-country skiing. See more

Here is my recent article on our blog - home remedy on how to heal and soothe a sore throat.

Did you know the N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC: a modified version of the amino acid Cysteine) can help boost your immune system to prevent colds and flus? This does this by increasing your cells production of the potent antioxidant Glutathione, which is the bodys master antioxidant that is involved in the prevention of cellular damage caused by oxidation. NAC is so potent its actually used in hospitals to help treat liver inflammation/failure associated with acetaminophen (Tylen...ol) overdose. When you are sick, NAC can be used to break up stubborn mucus in the lungs to allow your body to naturally expectorate this build up that often keeps us sick and coughing for days to weeks. It also has been studied to help with fertility, and mental health conditions such as OCD. Its great for keeping your liver healthy and has a low side effect profile when taken orally. Today Im adding a dissolvable form of NAC to my water (900mg) because Im recovering from a mild cold and I have a hectic weekend coming up that will likely render my immune system weak. Hopefully it will keep me strong and on my toes. Dont take this unless you chat with your healthcare provider to ensure this is right for you. Cheers! See more

The persistence of summer in Toronto (plus spending the end of September in Southern California) had me forget that were actually in the change of seasons (believe it or not). It wasnt until the plethora viral infections coming through the office (and the recent tickle in my throat) that I realized I hadnt made my seasonal change of season soup to boost my immune system. I usually make this mid September so Im a bit late in the game. This "soup" is a traditional Chinese ...herbal decoction made from Astragalus root, Codonopsis, Wild Yam and Goji berries which help the immune system adapt to the fluctuating temperatures that can temporarily weaken the immune system. To learn more, check out my post about Change of Season Soup on my blog (link in comments). You can drink this decoction on its own, but I prefer making it in to a hearty soup with extra immune boosting ingredients that I can eat all week. This time I made beef soup, full of immune boosting ingredients such as beef bones leftover from our prime rib thanksgiving dinner (bone broth is an immune booster), a good amount of garlic, a couple of tablespoons of my moms 18 year old korean-style miso (prebiotics!) and a shitload of veggies (kale, bokchoy, carrots, onion, oyster mushrooms). Chunks of organic tofu for more protein. Hopefully this will help our systems fend off any unwanted immune system invaders. You can purchase these herbs at either one of my locations. See more

October harvest. Tomatoes anyone? Up for grabs. We cant keep up

St. Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a medicinal herb naturalized in Ontario. The fresh flowers contain glands that when crushed, will stain a dark vibrant red-purple colour, representing one of the key chemical ingredients of the plant, hypericin. Traditionally, St. Johns Wort has been used as a sedative to treat nervous anxiety, and also is used to treat neuralgic pain. Topically, its used as an anti-inflammatory to treat sunburns, promote wound healing, treat brui...ses, and viral skin eruptions (ie Shingles). What this herb is particularly famous for is the extensive research on its anti-depressant properties, with many clinical trails exhibiting the benefit of this herb in the treatment for mild to moderate depression. To learn more you can read my blog on St Johns Wort - follow link in bio. This photo was taken in Lake Superior Provincial Park in early August on Mijinemungshing lake. See more

Tasty foraged booty #chanterelle