Victoria Autism Resource Fair, March 5th 10-4 at the Ambrosia Centre on Fisgard St.

Come join Dr Kellie and a variety of other providers for the Greater Victoria Autism Resource Fair.  This fair hopes to provide parents and professionals with an opportunity to learn about the wide variety of autism services and products available in the Greater Victoria area.

There will be several speakers presenting on many different topics including Art and Play therapies.  Dr Kellie will be doing a Brief Introduction to Biomedical Interventions with Dr Marianne Trevorrow, ND at 1:45.

There will be door prizes and some amazing silent auction items including gift certificates for restaurants, spas, clothing, hair salons and many items from local businesses and several exhibitor.

Admission is FREE and children are welcome!  In fact, there will be a small children's area where you can try out some therapy toys and a face painting station.

We hope to see you there and please stop by our table to say Hi!

~ Dr Kellie

How to Manage Special Diets on Holidays? Plan for treats!

Special Diets can be extremely helpful for a number of conditions and complaints.  Anything from acne to Autism Spectrum Disorders often benefit from Special Diets, which might limit food sensitivities or completely avoid specific foods like Gluten and Casein.  And there is nothing more exciting than having a parent or patient return to the office now that they've done planning and cooking and tell me they now know the foods they are avoiding really were a problem.  They really know that if those foods sneak in then the symptoms come back, their tummy feels gross or their child is doing their Tasmanian Devil imitation.  Then comes the big question..  "but Dr Kellie, I know we need to stick to this but its Valentine's Day and Grandma always has treats for the kids on Valentine's Day!".

So how do you manage a Special Diet on holidays?  Because there really is nothing worse and nothing that's going to make us hate our food challenges more than feeling left out or deprived.  The answer.. planning.  Yes, that's pretty much the answer for every question diet related and its especially true here.  Knowing that there is a treat-worthy holiday coming up and planning for a happier alternative is the best course. 

For Kids:
Parents may want to send out an emails out to other parents asking for a heads-up about birthday cupcakes so that a Special Diet friendly option can be send from home.  And sometimes giving the teacher a small supply of kid-friendly treats for the days when you may have had no warning.   For holidays when treats come in bulk (you know when there are bags and baskets involved) I suggest the Exchange Policy.   Kids love to trade in candy or chocolate for a much desired toy or game or even a special family outing.

For Us Adults:
Again, plan for holidays.  We'd love to think that our will-power has super-strength but in the face of treats everywhere its not hard to give in and then feel rotten for having done so.  Consider keeping the house and your desk drawer stocked with a few friendly treats.  Perhaps, do a little bargain with yourself.  "Self, I know that you love those creamy Easter eggs.  This year, let's make a deal to choose a better treat and reward myself with an indulgent pedicure." 

We all hate to feel like we can't have those lovely treats, especially when people around us are and when they are offering.  Having a plan and something to indulge yourself or your family with will make all the difference.

Happy Valentine's Day and please feel free to email if you have any questions you'd like to see answered in a future Post.
~~ Dr Kellie

Magnificent Meatloaf Makes Meals Easier

I think almost everyone would agree that good nutrition is the foundation for great health.  And let's be honest.. most of us could use a fine tuning when it comes to eating a healthy diet.   However, our lives are busy and there is only so much time and energy available in the day.  I like cooking, but I know that at the end of my day the last thing I want to do is to chop veggies and whip up an elaborate meal.  My solution is to pack (aka hide) as much nutritional punch into easy meals as possible, and if its ready by the time I get home.. even better!

I've adapted this recipe from one in a fantastic cookbook called "300 slow cooker favorites"  by Donna-Marie Pye and Robert Rose Inc publishing.  This is a great cookbook for those that are just starting off with the slow-cooker and one of my favorites.

Magnificent Meatloaf and more.
Serves 4-6 people.

Ingredients:
1 lb of extra lean ground beef or bison
1 lb of ground turkey
4 green onions (chopped)
1/2 package of fresh chopped spinach (approx 150g)
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro or basil
3/4 cups of rolled or Scottish oats (or fine dry breadcrumbs)
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp (depending on taste) Chili paste
2 eggs slightly beaten
2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

Extras:
For an extra fiber boost add 1/2-1 cup of canned pinto or black beans.
For extra vitamins any veggie can be finely chopped and added.  My favorite is 1/2 cup of finely chopped beets.
For those that like a sweet topping or dip try an organic tomato soup instead of ketchup.

Gently grease the bottom of the slow cooker with olive oil or cover in tin foil (with edges above the rim if you'd like to be able to remove the meatloaf).

In a large bowl, combine the meats and mix well.  In a seperate bowl, combine and mix the remaining ingriedients.  Add to the meat and mix again.  Press evenly into your slow cooker cookware and tuck tinfoil ends under the lid.

Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours or High for 4-6 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into the middle of the loaf reads 170F.  Serve sprinkled with more cheese, cilantro or tomato soup. 

This dish is tasty as is but is also perfect for hiding extra veggies and fiber.  Adding extra fennel, chili paste or Parmesan tailors the flavor to your family's preferences.  Pair it with baked sweet potato, or roast veggies and you have a great and easy meal.

Welcome to the blog

Well.. I've heard about Naturopathic Medicine but I have some questions?

Why see a Naturopathic Physician?  

Most often people choose to see a Naturopathic Physician because they want a little more control over their conditions.  Maybe just a chance to take the time to talk about everything that's going on.  Perhaps, they'd like a little more information about their lab testing or treatment options and how to take steps before they need conventional interventions.  Most patients want the opportunity to be looked at as a whole being and and to have the cause of their complaints identified and addressed rather than just having the symptoms addressed.

How are Naturopathic Doctors trained?

BC requires licensing of all Naturopathic Physicians, which requires that they complete a minimum of 3 years of pre-medical undergraduate training and a 4 year post-graduate training at an accredited naturopathic medical school. Training includes over 3000 classroom hours in basic and conventional clinical sciences as well as nutrition, counseling, and botanical medicine and roughly 2000 hours of Clinic experience in Physical Medicine, Counseling and General Medicine. ND’s also must complete standard North American exams in all the basic and clinical sciences as well as a practical skills exam.

 

I’ve heard all Naturopathic Physicians make you stop Dairy and Sugar!

Many people have sensitivities to dairy and sugar and would benefit from avoiding them – maybe most of us would, but a treatment plan has to be specific to you and your life and what will be effective for you. No plan will work if it’s too difficult to follow.  An appointment with a Naturopathic Physician will give you enough time to create a plan together, and one that will be appropriate manageable and effective.