Dr Dori Skye Engel, Naturopathic Doctor & Doula
789 Dupont St M6G 1Z5 Toronto, ON, Canada

On the blog today... @789dupontclinic Gone are the days when childhood was worry free. Kids today have to deal with so many stressful triggers. It’s important to honour the experience, learn to recognize how stress manifests itself in kids and arm them with the tools to deal with these challenging feelings. For parents and caregivers who deal with stress and anxiety themselves, this can be a wonderful opportunity to model coping mechanisms to support your child through th...e tough times. It can even become a great bonding opportunity. Responses to stress can look very different in kids. Some ways it may manifest in children: angry outbursts, mood swings + irritabilitydepression, anxiety, tummy aches, diarrhea, skin rashes, headaches, bedwetting, pain, sleep issues - trouble falling asleep, oversleeping, teeth grinding, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, lack of appetite, binging, unexplained nausea, racing heart These symptoms may have other root causes, but stress aggravates everything. Identifying the root cause of the tension is key, and to do that you must talk to your child about what is stressing them out. Sometimes it will be obvious - like living through a pandemic . Sometimes it's something you may not even realize, like feeling left out by a peer group or fear about their future. The only way to find out is to keep the lines of communication open and judgement free. So what can we do about it? Lots of ideas on the blog today - link in profile. Pictured above is my 6 year old’s fave... Mind-in-a-Jar. Mindfulness is great for improving emotional resilience & self regulation. Fun visual: Get a jar with a lid and fill with water. Add food colouring for fun. Explain that this is your mind during a quiet moment - clean and clear like the sky. Now take some sparkles or if you don’t have - sand or soil works too. Add it to the jar. Each tiny grain is a thought. Some are happy thoughts, some are sad, some are exciting wishes, some are dark & angry feelings. Put the lid on the jar and shake it up, so that everything swirls around fast. This is your mind in a jumble. Now let everything...

Newsletter drops today.... If you aren't on the mailing list and want to be - DM me Hang in there friends, it's going to be a long winter...

What is Prodromal Labour? Labour that starts & stops before fully active labour begins. Can last 24-72 hours. These contractions come & go without gaining intensity. They aren't ineffectual, they help to soften the cervix & prime the uterus to get your body ready for labour How do I know if it's prodromal?: If you can go about your business somewhat, without timing or giving your contractions your undivided attention - do it! Sleep, work, walk, bake a birthda...y cake, watch your favourite movie. When you can no longer talk through them, when they need your full attention to cope - you're likely out of the prodromal phase. Bonus - check in with your doula - she'll help you determine what's going on. Silver Linings: Long early prodromal labour tends to mean shorter, quicker active labour & more efficient pushing How to be proactive: 1. Hydrate! So important as mild dehydration can actually be one of the contributing factors in prodromal labour 2. Try out some great positioning techniques like the Miles Circuit or Spinning Babies Three Sisters. 3. Get some emotional support & have a good cry - it is beyond frustrating to have contractions for days on end with no baby - holding anywhere in your body is holding the baby in - let it all go - scream, cry, punch a pillow - let it out! What can your naturopathic doula do?: This weekend I had a patient with prodromal contractions for about 36 hours. She was tired & discouraged & had tried all the options I offered over the phone. I came over, we had a good talk & a good cry. Then I set her up in her room - did some labour prep acupuncture to strengthen the contractions. I administered an herbal tincture & gave her some tea & homeopathics. I instructed her to get into bed with her partner, get some skin to skin oxytocin promoting rest going. Within an hour of leaving I got a phone call that her contractions had picked up in intensity & she had lost her mucus plug. By that night, her babe was in arms. I still really miss being able to support you in hospital, until the one support person rule is amended, for now there is still plenty of doula support available

So many feelings about yesterday’s lockdown announcement in Toronto. We want you to know that your naturopathic doctors are still here for you, able to support you however you need, in person or virtually. Pace yourself friends, it’s going to be a long winter. Get some good strategies in place to cope and thrive. We’re here for you. ... Reach out if you have questions about how we can help. We got you. #hereforyou #wegotyou #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #useyourbenefits #acupuncture #mentalhealthsupport #naturalhealth #selfcareisvital #takecareofyourselves #herbalmedicine #lockdownsupport See more

It’s never been easier to use your benefits! Book a virtual consult, make yourself a cup of tea and log on. You don’t need to find parking, book childcare or even wear shoes. If your extended health care benefits roll over December 31st, now is the time. Take care of yourself! YOU DESERVE IT. #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #naturopathtoronto #massagetherapy #osteopathtoronto #healthykids #naturalsolutions #pcos #fertility #naturalpregnancy #naturopathicdoula #healthyfamiliestoronto #healthyfamilies

Your Immune System needs support! With cases in Ontario and around the world rising many people are reaching out wondering how to be proactive in their defense. Of course we should all follow Public Health guidelines to maintain physical distancing, wear a mask appropriately and continue to wash hands and sanitize profusely. However, this is not the only part of the puzzle! While Covid-19 is indeed a novel and nasty virus, the immune system is still what is needed to fight... it off. Strengthening your own immune system is an equally vital piece of the puzzle. How to protect yourself from nasty Colds and Flus and Viruses (oh my): Part 1. Decrease your likelihood of becoming infected: take precautions to reduce exposure - stop me if you've heard this one before: Mask. Distance. Wash. Isolate. Part 2: Keep your natural defense, your immune system, strong: Your immune system is what the human body needs to fight off any bugs that get through your part one defense - reducing exposure. So keep that Immune system strong, healthy and active. When you do that you are protected and you're being proactive, and bonus - you're feeling good which makes everything better, doesn't it? Soooo Dr Dori.... how do we do that? Nourish your body: Hydrate - if your mucus membranes are dry, viruses are more likely to take hold. The air is dry right now - inside and outside - drink water, bone broth, herbal tea, use a neti pot, run a humidifier, consume healthy fats, stay hydrated. Nourish - eat a rainbow of real, unprocessed food, make sure you are consuming protein and fiber every time you eat. Include fermented foods as well as nuts and seeds if there are no allergies. Sweets in moderation - keep in mind that 1 teaspoon of sugar suppresses your immune system for 1 hour. Do you have time for that? Continued on the blog... link in bio #immunesupport #immunesystem #immunebooster #immunehealth #VitaminD #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #torontonaturopath #healthykids #useyourbenefits

What in the world? Lions mane mushrooms Neuroprotective Immune boosting Anti inflammatory... Brain cell regenerating Anxiety reducing Bacterial growth inhibiting Anti oxidant Blood sugar reducing Delicious from @dufferingrovemarket So delicious sautéed with garlic alongside a veggie scramble and guacamole with pickled onions. #colourfulcottageeats #eatarainbow #glutenfree #paleobrunch #nutritiousanddelicious #lionsmanemushrooms #neuroprotective #foodismedicine #antiinflammatory #immuneboosting #anxiety #diabetes See more

Halloween doesn’t have to be that kind of scary. It’s all about the balance friends. Jack o lantern clementine Jack o lantern peppers Cheesy broomsticks ... Finger cookies and Eyeball Matzo ball soup #balance #healthyhalloween #happyhalloween #foodismylovelanguage #jackolantern #torontonaturopath #kidapproved #naturopathicdoctor #glutenfree #jerf #eatarainbow

Interesting info here, written by Alysa-Beth Engel with quotes from me ;)

Caffeine and Sleep If you don't have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or feeling well rested in the morning - great. Then this post is not for you. If you do struggle with any aspect of sleeping optimally - if you have been struck by the Global Sleep Disturbance that so many of us have, here's something to think about.... ... Note: This is not an anti-coffee post. I love coffee. I drink a cup most days. Yup, I'm a Naturopathic Doctor who drinks coffee. We're not that rare actually. Caffeine, when used wisely, by certain people, can be an excellent tool. However.... it is a stimulant. The most widely used stimulant in the world. Which is why it comes as quite a shock for people that it can have some potentially negative side effects such as anxiety, heart palpitations and - insomnia Caffeine affects people differently for a variety of reasons - genetics, weight, medication use, even altitude. The half life of caffeine in the bloodstream, meaning how long it takes for your body to rid itself of the effects, can range from 1 to 10 hours. That's a big range! That's why some people can literally fall asleep snoring with a cup of coffee in their hands (not recommended) and others have a cup at noon and won't be able to sleep all night long. So... If you are having any trouble at all falling asleep or staying asleep, try removing coffee, or not having any past 10am. That includes decaf coffee, black and green tea, energy drinks, yerba mate, colas, etc. For added relaxation try a soothing, relaxing tea in the evening to harness the power of the hot drink. My favourites are Chamomile, Passionflower, Valerian and Lavender. We’ve got some great combos at the clinic if you’re looking for a new hot evening drink - reach out Top 10 Sleep Hygiene Tips on the blog this week. Link in bio #insomniasucks #insomnia #covidinsomnia #covidanxiety #sleepdisorder #sleephygeine #sleephelp #sleeptips #sleep #anxiety #naturopathicdoctor #naturopath #naturopathtoronto #healthyfoundations #topten #coffee #caffeine #sleepandcoffee #hiddencaffeine #torontonaturopath See more

Sleep - The most common complaint heard in office AND on social media AND group chats over the last few months. It’s not just plain old garden variety Insomnia - it’s next level Covid Insomnia. Often as a result of ubiquitous Covid Anxiety. It may be lying in bed for hours unable to fall asleep or waking up in the wee hours, unable to get back to sleep. Is it compounded by Perimenopause? Is it exacerbated by Pregnancy? Is it a parenting teenagers thing? Either way the...re is a Global Pandemic Sleep Disturbance going on and I’m here to help you through it. For my Top 10 Healthy Sleep Tips check out the blog. https://www.familynaturopathy.ca//global-pandemic-sleep-di I will be sharing and expanding on these sleep tips all week. As always, for individual direction and support, please reach out #insomniasucks #insomnia #covidinsomnia #covidanxiety #sleepdisorder #sleephygeine #sleephelp #sleeptips #sleep #anxiety #naturopathicdoctor #naturopath #naturopathtoronto #healthyfoundations #topten

Damp & Cozy Sweater & Slippers weather calls for..... Doctor Dori’s Golden Latte This comfort in a cup is rich in anti inflammatory compounds and essential healthy fat. It’s a great way to start your day, or to drink as a pick me up alternative to coffee in the afternoon. It’s a yummy way to work on decreasing inflammation and improving digestion. It’s kind of magical and it’s definitely the silver lining to this weather. 1 tbsp turmeric: a favourite cooking herb. Anti-...inflammatory, immune-boosting, pain-relieving, circulation-increasing, amazing for arthritis, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, liver health, IBS A few shakes of: black pepper (this is a must with the turmeric it activates the anti-inflammatory compounds of the curcumin the active constituent in turmeric). 1 tsp Cinnamon blood sugar stabilizing 1 tsp ground Ginger energizing, nausea-relieving, stomach calming 1 tbsp coconut oil or cacao butter exceptional good fats, excellent for brain health. Adds the perfect creaminess. -1 tsp raw honey optionally yummm + anti-bacterial goodness I also added 1/2 tsp optional Matcha powder for a little lift and extra anti-oxidant power. Combines with the bright turmeric colour this gives it a yucky shade of brown - hence the opaque travel mug Blend together with half a mug of boiling water and half a mug of your milk of choice coconut, almond, hemp, oat, rice, whatever you have in the fridge. Drink and enjoy the hug in a cup #naturopathicmedicine #herbalmedicine #goldenmylk #goldenlatte #huginacup #herbalmagic #fallweather #torontonaturopath #matchalove #antioxidant #antiinflammatory #silverlinings

Sending this out to all who need to hear it today. Taking a weekend sleep in is not selfish. Having a bath after the kids go to sleep is not selfish. Not making time for yourself leads to nothing good. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for your kids. Do it for your partner. Do it for your colleagues. Do it for your students. Everyone needs attention, especially you. You cannot give from an empty bucket. If you need outside support, please reach out. You deserve compassion too. #selfcompassion #naturopathicdoctor #stopmamaguilt #sleepwins #gethelp #torontonaturopath #torontodoula #naturopathicdoula #youarethesoil #fillyourbucket