Healthy Life Lessons

  Its Friday and sorta a long weekend.  Canada Day is actually next Tuesday but lots of people are taking Monday off, and even today off to make it a long weekend.  So I am going to take a little break from blogging until next Wednesday, to give myself a little extra time to get some other stuff done.  I am thrilled to have tomorrow off...I work most Saturdays, but I do have clients to see on Monday. Today is the girls' last day of school and Little A, who hates school for some reason which she can't explain and which shocks her teachers who say she is so happy and doing so well there in every way, couldn't be more thrilled. The girls will continue to attend daycare all summer, which transitions into summer camp mode, except for the second week in July when they are going to Pedalheads camp again.  They adore that camp!! This weekend we are taking the kids to the Pride family events tomorrow, hopefully on bike, and then having dinner with fri...

  Admittedly, when I was asked if I could review this book, I rolled my eyes.  Don't get me wrong, food allergies are a serious issue...even in my family!  My mom and brother are allergic to shellfish and Adam is allergic to marlin fish.  But it seems to me, these days people blame absolutely everything on 'food intolerances', which are not even widely recognized as a real phenomenon.  Again, don't get me wrong, some intolerances are very real, like lactose intolerance, or gluten-intolerance if you are a celiac, but I find that pretty much every naturopath or other alternative health practitioner will tell you to eliminate dairy, wheat and gluten from your diet no matter what.  Even though there is absolutely no evidence to support these substances are linked to your symptoms. But there are definitely circumstances when one may want to experiment with an elimination diet if you are feeling unwell and there is reason to believe it is due to what y...

I have great news! We have been running support groups at Lifequest for patients and they are now open to anyone, even non-Lifequest patients.  So if you live in the GTA and are either: 1. A woman without children who has had 2+ miscarriages, or 2. Are embarking on the journey to become a sole parent, ...than you are welcome to join us! Here are the details: $20/session, non-refundable. Payment is due by credit card when they sign up. Individuals must sign up by calling 416.506.0804 ext. 0 or by emailing  reception@lifequestivf.com .

Being a parent is hard work.  Can you even imagine how hard it would be if you were undergoing cancer treatment while looking after young children? My friend is right in the thick of her treatment for ovarian cancer.  She's just completed several rounds of chemo and is starting radiation this week.  As you can probably guess, she's wiped out.  Super tired, and anticipating some pretty awful side effects that may leave her out of commission from looking after the kids.  Her wife is already overwhelmed by having to pick up the slack.  And having any time to themselves?  Forget about it. So when an acquaintance mentioned to me a charity called the Nanny Angel Network last week, I knew I had to find out more.  This organization provides free childcare for any family that has a mom undergoing cancer treatment.  Need I say more? I immediately called them up and requested a nanny on their behalf.  My call was returned within a day...

Hello and happy Monday...said no one ever.  I actually don't mind Mondays since I love my job, but back in the day of working dreaded corporate jobs I did find them pretty miserable.  If that is the case for you...find a job you enjoy! This weekend was lovely.  We attended the girls' school Spring Fling Friday night and it was a late night for them.  They were wiped when we got home, but boy did they have a great time. Saturday morning I saw clients and then, because our scheduled playdate bombed, we decided to take the girls to the Junction Summer Solstice Festival.  The exciting part, is we were able to bicycle there as a family.  The girls are doing great with their cycling.  Once we arrived, we were hot and thirsty, so we went to the Indie Ale House , where I tried a beer I absolutely loved, called the Barnyard.  I gotta go back and get some take out to drink at home!! Then the girls begged us to let them go on the ferris wheel, so...

Good day!  Today is not only Friday, and absolutely gorgeous weather here in Toronto, it is also the beginning or World Pride 2014 , and our fair city is hosting it this year! There are all sorts of fun and exciting events and activities, so if you live in the area, or have the opportunity to come, be sure to get in on the action. I am very proud of Canada for being a leader in human rights for the LGBTQ community...that being said, we can still do better even here.  But I was very distressed to read an article in this week's Grid Magazine , about the horrendous conditions for LGBTQ folks in other parts of the world. It is shocking and appalling how much hatred still exists.  I really hope one day we can end it.  It sickens me.  But this week it is all about hope, love, tolerance and understanding, and I hope the world can build on this and be a better place for our children.  Everyone should feel free to be themselves and to love whomever they w...

I know I bitch about breakfast cereal a lot, but I do think it is a very poor food choice.  High in carbs and sugar, and generally low in protein, even with milk, it doesn't sustain you for long.  Sugar high.  Sugar crash.  Extreme hunger for the rest of the day.  Overeat.  Wake up.  Repeat. At least this is the story for many North Americans.  Unfortunately, the stuff is like crack.  I think Adam would divorce me rather than have to give up cereal.  But he knows its not a great choice, so he limits himself to eating it only on Sundays as his weekly treat.  The girls love cereal too, however, (especially Big A, who has a serious sweet tooth), and they would be happy to eat it anytime.  Of course, none of them go for whole grain, organic unsweetened cereals.  We certainly don't buy Fruit Loops or that kind of crap, but even their favorite cereal, Special K Protein, is nothing to write home about nutritionally.  ...

Please forgive this rant, but I gotta get it out. Maybe its because I'm older, maybe its because I am the mother of two girls, but more and more, I feel like the feminist movement has been backsliding lately.  Don't get me wrong, there have been many positive changes, particularly in terms of opportunities for women (Ontario just elected our first female, gay premier after all!), but there is really still a long way to go. In particular, violence against women and misogyny are still rampant, and compared to men, we are still seen as objects for others to admire.  And frankly, I think we women tolerate all this far too much. I want to mention one thing that really irks me...maybe its not such a big deal, but its a pet peeve of mine: I hate being called a lady! How do you address your male friends?   As gentlemen?   Guys? Dudes?   And how about your female friends? As ladies? Folks? Women? Personally, when addressing people informally, regardless...

By now pretty much everyone in the developed world has heard about our obesity epidemic.  Ask 100 people about the cause and you'll get 100 different answers.  The truth is, its a very complex issue and the 'cause' is the confluence of many, many factors.  In addition, on an individual level, the reason who someone is overweight varies from one person to the next.  For many people in North America, there are emotional issues underlying their weight problem.  People often use food as an avoidant coping strategy, the way others use shopping, drinking or doing drugs.  Others use being overweight as a way to prevent intimacy due to insecurity, trauma or fear. When I do weight-loss counselling, it is amazing how many emotional or psychological issues will emerge that are contributing to their weight struggles. Because of this, I was eager to review the book by author, Joyce Lillis, Stop the Torment , which purports to help people "Conquer" their relat...

Hello, and happy Monday to you.  Its going to be wet and steamy here this week, the weather I hate the most.  Fab.  Frizzy hair for me.  Luckily, it was just perfect this weekend and we had a great time.  How about you? So, on to the scheduled programming for the day. Who doesn't like a bar? Not a 'pour me a drink' bar, a snack bar, silly! They usually satisfy your sweet tooth and are portable and non-perishable.  There are literally 100s on the market, and the reality is, most are junk.  Many are filled with sugar, refined grains, weird chemicals, and/or low quality sources of protein. Recently, we were sent some of Clif's new Mojo Trail Mix Bars to try.  I let Adam be the tester, since he is really the only one in the family that regularly eats trail mix bars of various types. Here's a little bit about Clif's latest product line: Mojo bars are: - Gluten-free - 70% organic - A source of fibre The 40g bars are between 180 and...

Hip hip hurray it's Friday!  Friday the 13th as a matter of fact!! Today I have to do one of those push-myself-beyond-my-comfort-zone thingies...I am attending a professional conference ( Rise: The Better Living Expo ) where I don't really know anyone.  Gulp!  I hate schmoozing, networking, etc.  I am much more comfortable in one-on-one situations or small groups (guess that's why I'm a counsellor!). If I can get past my anxiety though, it should be interesting.  It's basically how to get ahead in the wellness field.  I've been working on some business ideas with my marketing guru/consultant...who also organized the event, and she suggested (strongly) that I attend. There is also a whole market and expo open to the public, which sounds awesome.  We are all going as a family on Saturday.  It's at the wonderful Evergreen Brick Works here in Toronto.  If you live in the GTA, you might want to check it out! Adam and I are also ha...

If it seems like health information is constantly changing and contradicting itself, than you are not alone.  Lots of North Americans are confused about what do eat or not eat, how much to exercise, and whether to take supplements, if any.  For one, the information we have is always changing, but the following issues also make it very difficult to understand the facts: 1.  A lot of the research in the field of health and nutrition is poorly designed and/or simply by its nature very unreliable (i.e. getting people to self-report what they ate). 2. Researchers often draw faulty conclusions from their research. 3. The media sensationalizes research findings and/or the researchers' faulty conclusions, or misinterprets the findings themselves. I am often frustrated and astonished by the completely inaccurate information reported by the media or even by supposed health 'experts' like Dr. Oz or Dr. Joey Shulman. So I was absolutely thrilled that the Nutrition...

  Everyone in our home loves Greek yogurt.  But we don't buy it often.  Why?  Because its freakin' expensive, for one, and two, unless you buy the plain varieties, most are loaded with sugar, artificial sweeteners or goodness knows what other junk.  But here's the good news: it is ridiculously easy to make at home yourself!  Better yet, you can flavour it any way you like using healthy ingredients.  This version is sweetened with vanilla stevia and pure maple extract 'cause the kids don't go for plain yogurt, but really, you just need to use your imagination to come up with yummy ways to flavour it.  Or, just enjoy plain with some fresh berries...which, by the way, are now in season! Maple Vanilla Greek Yogurt 750ml plain, gelatin-free yogurt (fat-free works just fine!) 2 droppers full of vanilla stevia liquid, or to taste 1/4 tsp pure maple extract Take a wide bowl and spread cheesecloth over top, securing all sides to the bowl (I us...

This is one of those recipes that makes me feel pretty smug.  Yep.  It makes me laugh at all those silly folks who think food has to be unhealthy to be incredibly delicious.  Suckers!  These impossibly fudgy, chocolately, rich brownies, also happen to be full of only good stuff.  Even my picky daughters were fooled...although they do know that if mommy is letting them eat brownies on a Tuesday for no reason, then they are likely healthy.  But even that knowledge couldn't stop them from swooning over these babies.  They are honestly the only brownies I have ever felt did not even need icing.  Oh, and they come together in minutes because you just throw all the ingredients into the food processor! Oh, and did I mention they are grain-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free and vegan?????  Honestly, I think these put even the triple chocolate chunk cake to shame!  I'm going to be making these again really soon. Black Hole Brownies ...

Good morning!  It is a beautiful, sunny Monday, but according to the weather report, its going to go up to 26 Celsius by this afternoon, which is too hot for me.  Yeah, I know, complain, complain... How was your weekend?  Ours was lovely.  We've hit a new milestone in this house: we can all go for a family bike ride together!  Little A is finally good enough on a two wheeler that riding together is feasible.  This definitely makes life easier and more fun!! I have always been an avid bike rider.  I don't call myself a 'cyclist' because I use it for transportation, not for fitness or recreation...except for teaching spinning classes.  I am telling you, there has never been a better time to ride in this city.  Due to declines in funding, our public transportation system (The TTC) is overcrowded and unreliable.  Its become an annoying pain-in-the-ass to use.  And due to increased traffic and record breaking constructio...

Given that I work in the field of mental health, and infertility, I am confronted by the issue of stigma all the time.  There is stigma attached to infertility, there is stigma attached to mental illness, heck there is stigma attached to simply going to see a counsellor like myself! One of my goals is go try and erase the stigma, eliminate the fallacy that one is weak or damaged if facing one of these struggles, or needs to reach out for help.  No matter how it may 'seem', nobody's life is perfect.  Not even the richest, most beautiful, successful people in the world are perfect or have perfect lives. On this note, I ask you to please read my latest article on infertility for the Huffington Post . Also, please check out this excellent piece on parenting with cancer by writer Aviva Rubin . So go and have a great weekend and enjoy the messiness and imperfection of life!

I have been doing my Jillian Michaels' 6 Week 6 Pack workout once a week since last September and I really have noticed a change in my core strength and physique.  At the very least, I think my abs are the flattest they've been since I popped out 2 kids.  Never mind that I still have a small hernia giving me a really funny looking outie belly button... I love this workout but I have been craving change so when I found Michaels' Killer Abs DVD for $10 on Amazon, I couldn't resist. You can check out a snipit of it here on Youtube: Its definitely a good value as you get 3 different 30 minute workouts, compared to the 2 half hour workouts on the other DVD.  Each one is a different level, so its good if you are starting from a more novice degree of fitness and want to gradually progress to more advanced training. What I like the most about this DVD, to be honest, is she loses the trash talk she has going in 6 Week 6 Pack.  In that video she jokes about wan...

My family was delighted to discover I had made a chocolate layer cake on Sunday.  That don't happen too often around here!  Of course, its a healthier one than most.  Lots of chocolate, but no sugar crashes thanks, and no white flour or butter! This was my first time using powdered erythritol to make chocolate frosting and I think it turned out great.  Honestly, what could be better than sweet, creamy, chocolately frosting that is sugar-free, low in fat and calories??? Sadly by Monday evening the entire cake was totally gone.  Yep, I'm not kidding.  And yes, I may have contributed to its swift disappearance.  Guess I'll just have to make it again! Triple Chocolate Chunk Cake Chocolate Covered Katie's mayonnaise cupcake recipe quadrupled 2 cups chocolate chips or chunks (I used sugar-free) Icing 2 cups powdered erythritol 2 tbls coconut oil, softened 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 cup non-dairy milk ...

If there is one thing I hate, its wasted food.  Some estimates suggest that North Americans throw away 1/3 of the food we purchase.  That's appalling!  With me though, its almost an obsessive thing.  It makes me crazy to see food go to waste.  That's tough when you have kids because they are the worst about wasting.  My kids ask for food, then change their minds a second later, even if said food gets put in the fridge for another time, let me reassure you, the next time they are in a mood to eat it, it has long ago gone green and fuzzy. It makes me totally nuts. Of course, produce is usually the first thing to spoil, particularly if it has already been washed and cut.  But how many times have you used half a lemon or lime, then wrapped the rest in plastic wrap, only to come back a few days later and find its already slimy? Food Huggers are a great solution if you are looking for something to help you cut down on the waste.  They are reusable...

Why hello!  How was your weekend?  Ours was stellar thanks.  Big A had her performances on Sunday and she had a blast.  I don't know if I would say the same for Adam and I and my in-laws.  Don't get me wrong, the kids were all great, but Big A was the first act and then we had to sit through 2 more hours of performances from other people's kids.  And the theatre was stuffy. But I am really proud of her.  I am in awe of her confidence and I hope and prey she is able to maintain it always. Okay, now for a recipe.  I made this for lunch last week and it was delicious.  But what I'm really proud of, is that I knocked the socks off of someone I work with at the fertility clinic who is from India.  He came in while I was eating and he absolutely could not believe I'd made it myself because it was so authentic.  Ha, see I've always said I was Indian in another life!  I purposely made this very thick and rich to serve with ...