Dr. Lindsey Hanson, ND
Marda Loop Naturopathic and Wellness Clinic T2T 2B1 Calgary, AB, Canada

I have definitely been working on a sourdough starter and can’t wait to bake my first loaf of bread!

Keep up the social distancing!!

Birthday Celebrations Over the years I have realized that birthdays really are about celebrating the way you want, and doing what matters to you. Today I spent time with my girls, relaxing in the brief sunshine, going for a kayak ride, rescuing a bumblebee from the lake, enjoying charcuterie and having the most divine cupcake creations from @toriscakery @ Calgary, Alberta

Happy Father Day! Wishing all the dad’s out there a truly awesome day to celebrate just how great you are. A special thanks to my dad, and to Jairo (Papi) for being great role models to our girls. @ Calgary, Alberta

Happy Earth Day! One thing I have been thankful for during the COVID-19 pandemic is the opportunity to reconnect with nature. During this time, I have been trying to get outside and appreciate this beautiful planet we live on and the wonder of life around us everyday. In my pre-pandemic life, I will admit that I lost that connection within the daily hustle and bustle of family, work, and life. My hope is to carry that connectedness to nature forward by celebrating earth day today and everyday.

If you have been looking for a dairy free alternative to ice cream, you NEED this cashew ice cream recipe.... it’s unreal! Check out @juliewalton.health for more great recipes!

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Easter Wishing everyone a safe and healthy Easter! We are celebrating at home this year with an egg hunt in the backyard! What are you doing to celebrate this year?

Happy Father’s day to all the amazing dad’s and dad’s to be!

Sourdough Crackers I am totally on the sourdough bandwagon and I am making my own sourdough starter. A part of the starter process involves discarding some of the starter as you feed it. It seems crazy to discard any of it, so I looked for fun recipes to use the starter. I found an awesome sourdough cracker recipe from @kingarthurflour. They turned out so well! I am hooked! Follow the link for the recipe ... https://www.kingarthurflour.com/r/sourdough-crackers-recipe See more

Happy Mother’s Day . . A day to celebrate all the moms out there... past, present and future. Thank-you for everything you do

Happy Easter!! Wishing everyone an wonderful easter weekend!

Happy International Women’s Day! A huge to all the amazing, inspiring women in my life. My life is all that much richer with the wit, intelligence, love, support and camaraderie of such wonderful women. A massive shout out to all women for doing the best you can and never giving up. ... You are enough. You do enough. You are amazing. Celebrate women today and every day!

ANXIETY In the last post we talked about doing things you find relaxing, like reading a book, having a bath, or going for a walk. This week I want to focus on calming practices like yoga and meditation that can help to modulate the stress response. These calming practices can act as self-soothing techniques when you are feeling anxious or depressed. In addition, daily practice of yoga, mediation, or breath work can help in the long term by toning the nervous system and allow...ing you to be more flexible in your response to stress. These practices can help a person to have more body awareness. This can help you recognize the tell tale symptoms of anxiety in the future, like increased heart rate, nervousness and even shortness of breath. When you recognize these symptoms you can start implementing all the Tips to Control Stress, like breathing exercises, and challenging self talk.

ANXIETY Take time everyday to do something that relaxes you. I curled up with a good book and read a few chapters tonight Reading always brings me out of my head, and away from my worries for a bit. I find when I have had some time to relax, I am in a better headspace later.... What do you do to relax?

ANXIETY I wanted to post this in celebration of family day. Talk to your family and friends about your anxiety. Let them know what your experience with anxiety is like and how they might be able to help you, or what you need from them. Consider talking to a health professional or contacting a help line when needed too. Support from family and friends can make all the difference to an anxious or depressed person. Reach out and help someone you love who is struggling with menta...l health. Mental illness, mood and anxiety disorders have been stigmatized for far to long.... let’s work on changing that!

ANXIETY Magnesium is a mineral that is readily used by the body... it’s involved in over 300 different reactions and bodily processes! Stress uses up a lot of magnesium and it can be helpful for people with anxiety. Magnesium can help relax muscles and the nervous system.... A great way to supplement magnesium is to make sure you are getting enough through your diet! Magnesium can be found in green leafy vegetables, fish, nuts and seeds, beans, avocados, whole grains and chocolate! The recommended daily dietary allowance of magnesium is between 320-410mg depending on you age and gender. Are you getting enough magnesium from your diet? @ Calgary, Alberta

ANXIETY Anxious thinking often involves focusing on negative or unwanted thoughts. This can prevent you from enjoying experiences, distract from what's important, drain your energy, and make you feel more anxious and even depressed. This thinking often falls into a couple of different categories, and it's important to recognize them.... Black and white thinking. Seeing everything as only one way or another, with no in between. Filtering. Focusing on the negative side of a situation only. Personalizing. Assuming you are to blame for anything and everything that goes wrong, including interactions with other people. Catastrophizing. Assuming the worst possible outcome in all situations. @anxiety_canada has a great webpage with a series of questions to challenge negative thinking or self talk. Here are a few examples, and check anxietycanada.com for a more complete list. Am I falling into a thinking trap, e.g. catastrophizing or overestimating danger Am I 100% sure that ___________will happen? If it did happen, what could I do to cope with or handle it? Is my judgment based on the way I feel instead of facts? Am I confusing possibility with certainty? It may be possible, but is it likely? What would I tell a friend if he/she had the same thought?

ANXIETY. . . . Let's talk about how caffeine can influence anxiety. Caffeine is a stimulant and its effects on the body can mimic those of anxiety because it activates the sympathetic nervous system or the fight/flight response. After consuming caffeine, you may notice an elevated heart rate and you might feel jittery or nervous. Caffeine can make anxiety worse or even prompt an anxiety attack. Everyone has a different degree of sensitivity to caffeine, so some may... get these effects after 1 caffeinated beverage or they may never experience them. I have an absolute maximum of 4 cups of coffee a day, otherwise I am a jittery mess, and I usually try to keep it to 1-2 cups per day for a more balanced energy boost. . If you are an anxious person, consider decreasing your caffeine consumption or cutting it out entirely for a couple of weeks to see if it is having an impact on your anxiety. Switch to decaf coffee, teas or herbal teas to cut down on some of the caffeine. Consider switching pop out for other beverages like carbonated water with lemon and strawberry , so you still get that sweet fizzy taste. Disclaimer: You all know I love a good cup of coffee and ironically I am in a coffee shop writing this post. I have discussed before that there are health benefits from coffee, but coffee, and more specifically caffeine, may not be right for everyone.

ANXIETY. . Many studies have shown that exercise can improve a persons self-esteem and sense of wellbeing. . Exercise can also modulate our reaction to stress, and can act as a distraction from stressors and anxious thoughts.... . Next time you are feeling anxious, try going for a walk or hitting the gym. For the ultimate benefit consider making exercise a part of your weekly routine, adding 30 minutes of exercise 3-5 days a week. See more

ANXIETY . Let's start this series off with my favorite anxiety management tool .... mindful breathing. . Often when we are anxious our breathing is rapid and shallow. Taking a few deep breaths can have a profoundly calming effect on the body. It taps into the rest and digest mode of our parasympathetic system.... . A simple breathing exercise you can try when you are feeling anxious is to slow down your breathing. Ideally you would find a comfy spot, sit with a relaxed posture and close your eyes... But life doesn't always allow for that, so wherever you are... just breathe. . Inhale through your nose for a count of four, and exhale through your mouth for a count of 6. On your inhale try to breath deep and low, allowing your abdomen to rise, and then fall as you exhale. Repeat this several times until you start to feel more relaxed. See more

With one in four Canadians being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, it is no doubt that anxiety has a significant impact on us ALL. . Anxiety disorders are characterized by overwhelming thoughts or feelings you just can't seem to push away, that keep you up at night, or a constant felling of nervousness, worry and fear that holds you back. It can be a CRIPPLING disorder that prevents people from living their best life. . How has anxiety negatively influence...d your life? Does anxiety interfere with your ability to live life to the fullest? There are many health professionals, including naturopathic doctors, who can help you assess your anxiety and develop a treatment plan to support your mental health. . Stay tuned for Tips to Control Anxiety, a series of posts with lifestyle tools that you can use to help manage your anxiety. See more

SELF-CARE . I spent the day at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa in Canmore partaking in some nature cure. I alternated between hot and cold pools, saunas and steam rooms, which help to stimulate circulation and lymphatic flow. I spent quality time with the ND team at @mardaloopwellness getting to know the doctors I admire and respect better, and building our community. I had a massage to work out knots and tight muscles... and a glass of wine to soothe the soul. .... Self care is important. . Make sure you take time for yourself, to rebuild, relex, and rejuvenate, so you have more energy to do what you love See more

A new app called MyHealth will allow Albertans to access some of their personal health records online. This is an exciting opportunity for patients to become more involved in their own health by having access to their lab work.

I was feeling inspired by Leanne Vogel’s chicken thigh tacos instagram post from last week. I made a low carb turkey bacon club. Thick sliced turkey breast, heated in a frying pan for the bottom. Avocado, tomato, green onion guacamole, with bacon and smoked Gouda cheese. Delish! @healthfulpursuit

Best 9 of 2018. . I’m so thankful for all that 2018 brought! A lot of challenges, a big move and definitely some wins.

Happy New Year Bring on 2019! This New Years I decided not to make any resolutions but instead have a simple motto to live by this year. I can and I will... I have several personal and professional goals I would like to achieve this year and I know there will be triumphs as well as challenges and struggles. I want to be able to have encouragement and strength to draw on when needed! Wishing you a joyful and prosperous 2019! @ Calgary, Alberta

Maddy and I spent a lovely morning checking out the new Calgary Central Library . It is such an awesome facility! They have created a beautiful space combining education, creativity and fun, that everyone can enjoy! I highly recommend checking it out if you haven’t already. @ Calgary Central Library

First Aid and CPR I spent the morning getting re-certified in CPR-HPC so I can be ready fir emergency situation. CPR and emergency readiness is important to me. An emergency can happen at any time, and often our first instinct is to freeze. Taking first aid and CPR certification and re-certification can help to override that fear and help save lives. Are you CPR certified?

Take a moment to remember the sacrifice from those in the past and those today that allow us our freedom.

Enjoying some Caribbean cuisine at Simply Irie! Feeling warm from the inside out

IV Vitamins . I just spent an awesome weekend in Atlanta learning advanced IV therapy. My brain is bursting with new information that I can’t wait to implement with my patients. . Have you ever wanted to know more about IV therapy and if it’s the right treatment for you? Book an appointment to find out more!

Way to go Dr. Giggles! It was definitely a terrifyingly fun adventure!

/ Acupuncture / . TBT to when I was first learning acupuncture and we practiced on fruit! . . Now I use acupuncture as an adjunct part of my practice to support fertility, work on aches and pains and promote relaxation.

http:// Pumpkin seeds // . Many people scoop out the seeds and throw them away when making Jack-o-lanterns Instead a great option is to roast the seeds in the over for a delicious treat! . Pumpkin seeds are:... High in zinc, which is great for boosting the immune system, supporting prostate health, and stress. Rich in manganese, phosphorus, iron, copper and magnesium. Contain Vitamin E which is again good for the immune system and great for skin. A source of protein. . Pumpkin seeds are one of my favourite treats. I like them roasted with salt, on my yogurt, and in my trail mix! . What is your favourite way to have pumpkin seeds? See more

Happy Halloween . Trick-or-treat! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! Fun, spirited and full of mischief. . What are you doing for Halloween?... . Check out my story to see what we get up to today! See more

Work smarter, not harder! . . I’m so excited for my new effic planner I have been feeling a little disorganized lately and that I’m not being as productive with my time as I could be. . I’m an ND and a mom, and like all of you with busy lives, time is really valuable! ... . I’m excited for a new tool to help me prioritize. I want to spend more time doing the things I really love, like helping my patients to achieve their health goals and spending quality time with my family. . Thank-you for the recommendation @drhennigar !!

Mushrooms TBT to when I went to the Fungus Amungus mushroom Festival in Whistler BC. Some mushrooms can have a culinary use and/or medicinal use, while other are just pretty to look at!

So excited to be at the Husky Wellness event educating their employees about naturopathic medicine, and making sure they know that it is covered by their benefits. Make sure you check your benefits to see if you have coverage!

I enjoyed a thought provoking evening with Richard Dawkins and Carolyn Porco. #naturopathicdoctor #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathic #naturopath #403 #calgary #yyc #drhanson #jacksinger #artscommons #pangburnphilosophy #atheist #atheism #humanist @pangburnohilosophy #richarddawkins #science

Legalization of Cannabis in Canada . Cannabis has been legalized for recreational use in Canada. The rules around cannabis are similar to those for alcohol. Make sure you know your province and city rules and regulations about access and consumption of Cannabis. . Medicinal cannabis still requires a prescription from a medical doctor or a nurse practitioner in Alberta. . There is a great video on the Alberta.ca website for the rules in Alberta and the City of Calgary website ...has some specific guidelines for use in our city. I’m including the links below. . Educate yourself and please use responsibly! . https://www.alberta.ca/cannabis-legalization.aspx . http://www.calgary.ca//Pages/Bylaws-by-topic/Cannabis.aspx See more

Happy Thanksgiving! Hoping everyone has a lovely long weekend! I’m feeling thankful for family, friends and a career I love I’m thankful the snow is melting and fall is returning to Calgary What are you thankful for?

Happy first day of fall! Hope you were able to get outside and enjoy the crisp air, changing colours, and crunching of leaves.

Chai I am in full-on fall mode it is my favourite season. Scarves, spice and everything nice! Time to bring out the chai. This spicy and fragrant tea comes from India and can combine a variety of spices with black tea. Common spices include cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, fennel, peppercorns, and cloves. ... There are also some cool health benefits to drinking chai tea, especially related to digestion. The ginger and fennel act as carminatives, soothing and aiding in digestion. Cinnamon, cloves and cardamom have antibacterial properties that help prevent digestive issues. Black pepper or peppercorns may help to increase digestive enzymes aiding in the breakdown of food. So brew up a cup and enjoy the taste, smell and health benefits! What is your favourite fall beverage?

I’m Trying to spout this little spider plant. I LOVE having plants in my office. They bring vibrancy, colour, life to my office space. Plants also help to recycle air, improving air quality. I’m not really known for my green thumb so I would love some tips from the gardeners out there!

KETOGENIC DIET . I attended an awesome talk on the ketogenic diet and its therapeutic uses by Dr. Robert Silverman yesterday. He asked us how we would put it into practice today to help our patients. . I am using this information to design a treatment plan for PCOS and anxiety which I’m really excited about.... . Book an appointment if you have any questions about the Ketogenic Diet and if it is right for you and your health goals

Headed off on a BC adventure this long weekend! Time for some self care and quality time with friends. What are your plans for the weekend?

IRON Iron is used by your red blood cells to help carry oxygen throughout your body, and for a number of other essential cell functions. Some people can be low in iron, a condition called anemia, which is more likely to affect women than men. Low levels of iron can present with symptoms of low energy, headache, dizziness, poor exercise tolerance, weakness and brittle nails. A few quick blood tests from your MD or ND can help determine if you are low or not. Iron is an ess...ential nutrient meaning we must get it from our diet. There are many iron rich foods like green leafy vegetables (like spinach ), nuts, seeds, meat, poultry, seafood and legumes. My favourite source or iron though? Dark chocolate! A helpful tip to increase iron absorption is to eat foods with Vitamin C at the same meal. Some examples of foods that contain vitamin C are: broccoli, citrus fruits, kiwi, and sweet peppers. If you are found to be low in iron your doctor may also recommend a supplement in addition to diet to help bring your iron levels back up. I have a history of anemia and with donating blood the other day, I have been advised to take an iron supplement, which is the liquid you see above. This will help replenish my iron stores, so I can continue to donate and help others!

A week ago I read a newspaper article that inspired me into action... Canada needs 22,000 people to donate blood by August 26. I have tried to donate blood over the years but I have never been eligible before. I went online and filled out the quick survey to know I now met the criteria. I had my appointment today, and it was such a great experience! It was quick, comfortable, and professional, with tasty treats at the end And I get that warm feeling knowing I did my par...t to help! Consider donating if you haven’t before or donate again if you can! #givelife Go online to www.blood.ca/Donate to take the eligibility quiz or book an appointment @ Canadian Blood Services

New business cards arrived! I'm accepting new patients to book in for an appointment by calling the clinic, or through my website drhanson.ca or the clinic website mardaloopwellness.com. I have a general family practice with a special interest in digestion, mood, mental health and hormones.

It's been a busy week and shows no signs of slowing down! So happy for my first @hellofreshca order! It takes some of the stress of out healthy eating while on the go!

My website is up and running! Check-it out and stay tuned for a new blog post coming soon! www.drhanson.ca

I'm so excited to announce I have joined the fantastic team of naturopathic doctors and integrative health professionals at Marda Loop Naturopathic and Wellness Clinic in Calgary!

Practice Relocation announcement! I am excited to announce that my family and I will be moving to Calgary in June. I look forward to joining the thriving naturopathic community in Calgary, and news of where I will be practicing will be coming soon. It was a challenging decision to relocate, and we will miss Vancouver greatly, but we look forward to a sunny future in Calgary! Thank-you to BINM for my superb naturopathic medical education, and to EnerChanges Health Clinic for nurturing my skills as an ND. I will continue to see patients throughout May, so please phone, email or book in if you have any questions.

I'm excited to announce I am bringing aesthetic medicine into my practice and am offering BOTOX injections using Xeomin. If you are interested in finding out about relaxing fine lines and wrinkles message me or book in for a consultation.

Thank-you Channel Punjabi for having me in to discuss some immune boosting tips to get through the cold and flu season! Check out the link if you want to know more! https://www.facebook.com/ChannelPunjabi.CA/videos/832746923563407/