Dr. O, Naturopathic Physician

Over the weekend I made Italian #polenta cakes - corn meal pan-fried with shredded #delicious Parmigiano-Reggiano (real parmesan cheese!!) They were so very delicious. Little did I know that after a few hours of finishing the little bit of parmigiano-reggiano, I started itching. I was experiencing a food sensitivity, rather than a food allergy. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?... In an allergy, our body responds immediately - like in a peanut allergy. Your body detects something foreign that it perceives as dangerous and mounts an immune response to deal with it, creating IgE antibodies. In a food sensitivity, our body responds a little bit more slowly, where symptoms can take hours to several days to occur. Symptoms in this case aren't always as obvious and could include feeling tired, #weightgain, #headaches, #itchiness, #bloating and skin issues like #eczema. But with symptoms taking up to several days to occur, it can be difficult to know EXACTLY what caused your symptoms! Everything you ate for in the last several days could be the culprit and for many people it can be a food that is eaten regularly. THIS IS WHERE FOOD SENSITIVITY TESTING COMES IN. Food sensitivity testing measures your body's immune response to a food. It's an easy blood-based skin prick test that can quickly determine what foods you're sensitive to. Have questions? Let me know below! #naturopathicdoctor #healthyeating #diet #foodie

Excited to send off my 23andme Health and Ancestry test! Test results take 2-4 weeks to get back and will inform me about a number of genetic variants that may predispose me to different health conditions, and methylation issues which can weaken our ability to detox among other things! Excited to share my results!

We all need a place to escape to. Grateful for this beautiful room at work. Four minutes of #meditation. Time to #escape, #relax, and #recharge. Need to bring my A game to every appointment with every patient. Post a picture of your #zenspace at work in the comments below.

Yesterday I posted about vitamin D levels being distributed for free to the elderly and vulnerable in the UK. Today's post is about why this is such a big deal! As we enter colder months in Canada and have less sun exposure, more and more of us will experience a dip in vitamin D levels and develop vitamin D deficiency. Even if you're taking a vitamin D supplement regularly, you still might not be supplementing enough. Getting your vitamin D levels tested will show just ...how deficient you are and HOW MUCH supplementation is needed to boost your levels to not just normal levels but OPTIMAL levels. Not only does vitamin D levels contribute to the development of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but vitamin D is actually a HORMONE that plays a role in just about every system in your body - from your cardiovascular, bone, hormonal health and digestive health. While I encourage everyone to get their vitamin D levels tested, if you suffer from - psoriasis or eczema frequent colds and flus digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, irregular bowel movements mood changes (especially in the fall and winter) TESTING may just be the KEY to the improvement of your health! Want more information? Throwback to this article I wrote about vitamin D. Questions? Post them below and I'll make sure to answer that. #vitamindawareness #naturopathicmedicine #nutrition

Great to see some prevention in how the world is dealing with our pandemic. More information about vitamin D to come tomorrow! Stay informed about why vitamin D is important for your health.

Photo by Clara Tong, http://claratong.com/

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF: From a very young age, my health always kept me from doing things. I tried to play sports but I'd always sprain my ankle. I could never run fast enough, far enough, kick the ball hard enough. I was never the athletic one in school, I never stood out in gym class, I was never part of a sports team.... As an adult, I've had two knee surgeries and been in two car accidents. We're not always who we want to be or living the life that we want to be, but through little steps we can get there. Since #covid19, I started - doing #gentleyoga with my family 3-4x - I've rehabbed my knees to be able to standup paddleboard once a week - and #intermittentfasting for 16 hours a day - AND yesterday I hiked the 22km #elfinlaketrail and #survivedit. Going to need some time to recover BUT I did it! All of this has been a process but it's proof that with just a few little changes, you can start living the lifestyle that you want. What's something that you're not sure if you can do? How would you feel if you did it? I #challenge you to set it as a goal and to do it.

Its going to be a #hotday tomorrow! Im going to be enjoying it by #hiking #elfinlakes, a 22km hike! Making these #delicious #chocolate #energyballs #supercharged with #healthyfats from almonds and dates (rich in #protein, #vitamins, #iron). Click on the link below for the recipe! A truly #yummy #treat! #naturopathiclife #healthybutdelicious #deathbychocolate LINK: www.olisamak.com/blogs/double-chocolate-mint-energy-balls

Everyday is different, and some days are better than others, but no matter how challenging the day, I get up and live it. ~Muhammad Ali. Like everyone out there, some days are more challenging than others but no matter how difficult I strive to find peace at the end of my day, to reflect and to find beauty in my day. Whether thats from having learnt something new, improved upon something or having made a connection with someone. Tomorrow is a new day and another opportunity to face new challenges and to become a new, improved, me. Dont compare yourself with others but strive to be the best version of yourself, everyday. #dailyremindersforme #findpeacewithinyourself #beyourbestself #naturopathicjourney #beautifulvancouver #naturopathicdoctor #natural

Being a Naturopath can be a struggle sometimes, but when I can help someone feel better, it's all worth it. It means the world to me when I see people doing the things they love again, being able to do things they've always wanted to do but couldn't, being able to live their #PERFECTLIFE. Today, I received beautiful flowers from a wonderful patient. Amazing to see patients getting better and better. Grateful to be a part of their healing journey.... #naturopathicmedicine #naturecures #vancouver #healthandwellness #fullfillment

Its rainy so Im doing some cleaning! Im checking my personal health items for ingredients that might be harmful to my health. How? Im going to www.ewg.org and checking ingredients that I dont recognize. Are they harmful chemicals?... I find most products have the same chemicals so once youve searched it once you know whether its safe or its best to avoid it! #cleaning #rainvancouver #cleanbodyproducts #ewgskindeep #ewgverified @ Vancouver, British Columbia

Happy Canada Day to Everyone! It may be a Canada Day slightly different from what we're used to but don't forget to celebrate each other, the diversity we have amongst us, the beautiful outdoors that we're blessed with and what we stand for as Canadians. Happy 153 years old Canada!... #canadaday #thegreatnorth

DIGITAL DETOX update! Day 2 - 1 hr and 38 min and yesterday 58 minutes! Focus is still great and Im getting more done! Less procrastination. Thinking I might stick to this even after the week is over! You should join me! #walkthetalk #digitaldetoxchallenge #focus #clearthemind

IMPROVE YOUR FOCUS! Like many of you, I too, am trying to improve my focus, be less distracted and to just get more done. But how? I found this inspiring talk by Canada's own Chris Bailey on "How to Get Your Brain to Focus". He uses his phone for only 30 minutes and records amazing benefits, increasing creativity and focus.... https://youtu.be/Hu4Yvq-g7_Y This INSPIRED me to try something similar. Could I limit myself to just 2 HOURS a day of phone time? What benefits would I feel? Would I feel anything after the first day? (check out my before and after screenshots of my screentime stat!) I'm on my second day and so the day isn't over but take a look at my screen time for day 1! 1 hour and 37 minutes. What might you feel? More FOCUS, MORE PRODUCTIVE. I feel much MORE in CONTROL of my life and not constantly at the mercy of my screens. What did I do with the extra time I got from being less distracted? I went for a walk with my family where I was 100% present, I read 20 pages of my book. I caught up on my work. I CHALLENGE YOU TO TRY THE SAME THING. Put 100% of your focus on one task rather than 25% of your focus on 4 different things. Find a time limit that works for you. Check your screen time statistics now and decrease from there. CHALLENGE a friend to do it with you! DAY 2'S RESULTS TOMORROW! #digitaldetox #focus #productivity #beyourbest #naturopathicmedicine #happymind

EXCITED to finally share with you the video link to a talk I did with Choices Markets a few weeks ago. In this talk learn about how suboptimal thyroid health is keeping you from feeling your best. This talk is a must whether youre currently on thyroid medication but still not feeling your best or currently having difficulty losing weight, always tired, or experiencing weight loss.... #thyroidhealth #weightgain #naturopathicmedicine #naturalmedicine #lowenergy #alwaystired #dontwanttodoanything #feelyourbest

Thank you so much to Choices Market hosting my talk last night! We had a great turn out with lots of engagement with questions! Another talk is already in the works! NEXT UP: SLEEP! Remember: It's still #NatMedWeek and British Columbia Naturopathic Association (BCNA) is still giving away prices!

Happening tonight!! Excited to be talking about your MIGHTY thyroid gland! Your thyroid affects every cell in your body #amazing #powerful #simplywow. @bcnaturopathic #naturopathicmedicine #naturecure #weightlosstips #lowenergy #selfcare

EXCITED to speak about thyroid health tomorrow. Thanks to Choices Market for hosting my talk. Registration is full right now (wow!) but you can always sign up on the waitlist. It's Naturopathic Medicine Week. Myself, and many other Naturopathic Doctors will be putting on seminars and talks online. the British Columbia Naturopathic Association (BCNA) is also giving away a prize everyday!

Naturopathic Medicine Week starts today! Prizes everyday! Now's the time to improve your health.

Protocols are now in place to ensure your safety whenever you come into the clinic! I will be returning to see patients on Saturdays only and continuing to see patients via telemedicine on Monday and Wednesday. Want to book in? ... - EMAIL US at [email protected] - CALL US at 604-559-8816 - BOOK ONLINE at inspirit.janepp.com See more

COVID-19 HAS AFFECTED ALL OF US. As parts of our economy reopen, CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF - are you feeling excited? nervous and anxious? feeling a sense of unease? Whether you're an introvert who's been relishing staying at home or an extrovert tortured by the inability to see friends, we've all gone through quite the rollercoaster of shifts and changes. We've had to mentally, emotional and physically adjust to a new way of living. ... I ENCOURAGE YOU TO: 1) SIT with your emotions: Just like a wave, our emotions can shift, at one moment calm and serene and in another, frustration or hopeless. Sit with these emotions, feel the ups and downs of what you're feeling. Where are you feeling it? What are you feeling? Frustrated? Hopeful? Shaky? And what does it mean? 2) REFLECT upon how your life has changed. As things change again and we try to recalibrate ourselves, reflect upon routines or habits that you've been able to implement during self-isolation. How can you continue to implement these things while re-establishing a new normal? How can you combine habits of the past and present to create a better sense of work-life-balance? 3) Show yourself COMPASSION, regardless of how you're feeling. Don't compare yourself and where you're at with anyone else. This is where you are, and that's completely fine.

How is your post-Covid routine different from your routine before? For me, I don't get to go exercise as much - I'm not longer walking to work, I can't go to my yoga classes, my cardio workouts at the gym, my hikes. But slowly, one thing at a time, I'm re-establishing a routine. I'm making taking care of my body and mind a priority. Tonight, I did a wonderful yoga class with my mom. A short, easy breath based, 25 minute yoga class by Yoga With Adriene. It was a chance f...or me to slow down and connect with someone I love. There's a lot of resources out there for ways to stay active while at home and I'm excited to share them with you. Let's find ways to get through this together! #yoga #vancouvernaturopath #selfcare #mentalhealth #breathing #mentalhealth #strongertogether #MyPandemicSurvivalPlan

Happy Earth today! We really should really be taking care of our planet everyday but I hope that today's a chance to reflect on whether or not we're doing enough. And we're far from doing enough. It saddens me that because of everything Covid-19, we're forgetting about all the Planet Health initiatives, like using fewer bags, single-use plastics, disposable containers, etc. ... Take this moment to reminisce about all your special moments with nature - out in the sun, playing on a grass field, hiking, skiing etc. #earthday #vancouver #naturopath #notoplaces #bethechange

Many of us are working from home and our mornings are just a little less hectic without that morning commute. This means that it's a great time to implement some positive changes in our morning routine. I love the 10 healthy morning habits in this video. Remember you don't need to do all of them and YES! It does take weeks to implement a new habit so start slow, be consistent with one thing and then add one. Not sure if you're taking the right supplements? I'm here to hel...p with that. I'm still here for telemedicine (video or phone) consults to help you improve your health, although not in person. Leave me your comments! #naturopathicdoctor #healthyliving #routine #nowsthetime #healthyeating #exercise #vancouver

IMPORTANT: Currently the CERB subsidy program does not support anyone with an income during this economic downturn. Clinics have closed and Naturopaths are only able to provide limited services via telemedicine. This is forcing Naturopaths to make a very difficult decision. Do we choose between providing continuous patient care OR cancelling all telemedicine consults to become eligible for government subsidy. ... Help us get the word out by sharing this post with your allied health colleagues and policy makers so we can make a change! #covid19 #canada #alliedhealth #justinpjtrudeau #canada Liberal.ca

UPDATE: I hope everyone is doing well. It's a difficult time for all of us. Take it day by day, take care of your mental health, try to implement a new routine. Take this time to refuel yourself by resting, spending time with your kids and family at home, doing the things you love but haven't done for a long time, or connecting with people you haven't spoken to in awhile. ... Covid-19 tends to affect those with underlying health concerns. Don't forget to take care of yourself during this time. In today's daily update by Dr. Bonnie Henry, she reinforced the importance of eating well and supporting your immune system. To help everyone stay health at this difficult time, I am still conducting telemedicine (video) consults. To book in, email me at [email protected] or [email protected]. We are also arranging for supplement refills to ensure continued care.

Excited to put this awesome book to good use! All my favourite herbs summarized in one place. I use herbs on a daily basis to treat #sibo #eczema #insomnia and so much more! Thanks for the share @nikitavizniak

Excited to announce Im now on Google Maps! Coming for an appointment? Get directions! Happy with your progress? Leave me a review! Want to make an appointment? Give me a call! #vancouver #naturopathicdoctor #healthboost #googlemaps

Looking this easy recipe! Simple, delicious, nutritious... 1. Preheat oven to 375F (191C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.... 2. Wipe the mushrooms with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt and snap the stems off. Set mushroom caps aside. 3. To the bowl of a food processor add the mushroom stems, goat cheese, oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. 4. Squeeze any excess moisture from the thawed spinach and add it to the food processor. Blend again until combined. 5. Spoon about one tablespoon of the filling into each mushroom cap and arrange on prepared baking sheet. 6. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes or until mushrooms are very tender. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh ground pepper on top. Enjoy! See more

Its a beautiful day and another opportunity to practice non-judgement. How many times a day do we judge ourselves? I could have done that better? Im bad at this. I dont have what it takes. For me drawing distracts me from all these judgements and is an opportunity to see things for what they are - to be in the moment. Dont dwell on the past, worry about the future.

DOCTORS REMINDER: Take a moment to sit down and slowdown to observe the world, the world outside and the world inside ourselves. Whats going on? Is your heart beating fast? Feeling heavy from the weight of the world? Is your breathe shallow? Are you feeling overwhelmed? Sad? Dont forget to take that moment to check-in with yourself - doing whatever it is that you enjoy doing. For me, that occasional cup of coffee to slow down and savour. Have a wonderful day everyo...ne! Its Family Day long weekend and I wish all of you a wonderful long weekend. If you know someone going through a tough time, I invite you to share this post. We all need that person to remind us to slow down and take care of ourselves. #tgif #naturopathicmedicine #breathe

BREAKING NEWS! "two kinds of bugs, namely Faecalibacterium and Coprococcus, were both more common in people who claimed to enjoy a high mental quality of life. Meanwhile, those with depression had lower than average levels of Coprococcus and Dialister."

New paediatric guidelines recommend giving high allergenic foods like peanuts and eggs at six months. Allergies develop through the skin and not the gut.

loving our new food guide! Drink more water, more fruits and vegetables and protein!

Happy New Year to everyone! Its been awhile but for good reason! I've been hard at work reading all my brand new books! Excited to help you to improve your #energy, #guthealth, #mentalhealth or #brainhealth! #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #lifelonglearner

After a long day at work I always look forward to coming home to my wonderful diffuser! Not only can I add a bit of #lavender #essentialoils for relaxation but a bit of #peppermint to clear my mind and to awaken the senses a bit! If Im #congested and recovering from a #cold then some antimicrobial like #thyme is great! #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #medicinalherbs #restandrecharge

Intermittent fasting is not a diet but all about WHEN you eat and HEALTHY EATING habits.

Five years after my ACL reconstruction surgery my knee buckled again. Grateful for wonderful colleagues injecting me with lymphdiaral for swelling! #recovery #inspirithealthgroup #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Our Christmas decorations are up! It also means were counting down the days until your health insurance resets. Dont miss out and spoil yourself! Book yourself in for a #revitalizing injection, #facial or #naturopathic consultation today! #healthyhappyyou #vancouver #selfcare #spoilyourself #inspirithealthgroup

TODAY'S POST IS A LONGER POST - but bare with me! IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOPIC! This week, I had a patient who I'd recommended take magnesium. I asked her where she bought her magnesium. I decided to just check their website to make sure it was at least the form of magnesium that I wanted. I checked and was shocked that their website didn't even indicate the type of magnesium in the supplement had! ... Different forms of magnesium are used for different things, just like most other nutrients. Magnesium citrate is used as a laxative by drawing water into the bowels whereas magnesium bisglycinate is great for stress, by relaxing muscles, the mind and blood vessels. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT'S IN YOUR SUPPLEMENT. This is not the first time I've had a patient tell me that they'd started having looser stools for an unknown reason, only for me to find out that it's because they're on the wrong form of magnesium! Supplements can be extremely powerful and beneficial for the body. Make sure that you buy supplements from a reputable company that ensures quality rather than just an inexpensive supplement. Buying a more expensive supplement means providing your body with nutrients that your body can actually absorb and benefit from. Have questions about your supplements? Book in for a consultation today. #supplements #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #stress #relaxation #highbloodpressure

Excited!! Its a brand new shipment of @stfrancisherbfarm herbs!! We are officially prepped for everything from #heartburn, #coldsandflus, #stress, and #chronic coughs!! Book in today to find out how #medicinalherbs can help you. Only one of my #favoritethings! #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #powerofnature