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Paleo banana blueberry muffins. #YUM!

Paleo Banana Blueberry Muffins

These yummy paleo banana blueberry muffins are a healthy morning treat for the whole family. They are grain-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free, with just the right amount of sweetness. Even the pickiest of eaters will be sure to enjoy them. Because they are made with almond flour, almond butter, and eggs they also have a good amount of protein. These muffins are a favorite in my house and I hope they will become a favorite in yours too! Makes 15-18 muffins Ingredients: 3 very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed2 eggs1/4...

How to find a safe, natural sunscreen for your child

Is sun exposure safe? While sunlight is wonderful for obtaining Vitamin D, which has many health benefits, the sun also has the potential to cause skin damage.  Right now the research is pretty clear that intermittent, intense sun exposure in childhood and adolescence is linked to melanoma.  Melanoma is the most dangerous of the 3 types of skin cancers.   Occupational or long-term (less intense) exposure to the sun does not appear to be linked to melanoma.  Interestingly, melanoma is less likely to develop on chronically sun-exposed areas like the face and hands, and usually appears on the back or legs. It’s important to prevent sunburns...

What you need to know about Lead Exposure in children. From Naturopathic Pediatrics.

What You Need to Know About Lead Exposure in Children

Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal that can be found in a variety of sources. Lead exposure is often associated with lead paint or high levels of lead found in drinking water in cities like Flint, Michigan. Both children and adults are exposed to lead, but children are particularly sensitive because their brains and nervous system are still developing. Lead sources beyond paint: Rates of lead poisoning in children have decreased as lead has been removed from paint and gasoline in the United States. However, lead can be found in the following sources: Pre-1978 homes (have you been remodeling?) Lead dust...

Healthy Snacking for Kids (Tips and Tricks from a Naturopathic Physician) #Naturopathic #Pediatrics

Healthy Snacking For Kids (Tips and Tricks from a Naturopathic Physician)

  Why is it that when I walk into a day care snack time, I see kids eating pretzels, goldfish, crackers, or other variety of simple carb loaded with salt and almost void of nutrition?  Why, when kids gain the ability to feed themselves, do we swap their pureed veggies, fruits, meat, and grains, for crunchy, salty, refined white flour products in a plastic bag? Sure, I know that it's easier.  But is it even a conscious choice anymore?  Or have we all been lulled into forgetting the wise old adage that we are what we eat? Feed to nourish, not to fill Please...

A #naturopathic approach to treating heartburn in #pregnancy

A Naturopathic Approach to Treating Heartburn in Pregnancy

Most pregnant women experience some degree of heartburn during their pregnancy, often towards the end when that sweet little baby is making its presence known!  For some, it's a mild inconvenience after a large meal, for others it's more bothersome making sleeping and eating an unpleasant chore. Why am I getting heartburn? Heartburn is extremely common in pregnancy.  Many - or most - women will get heartburn in the last trimester of pregnancy when the baby puts pressure on the stomach, which can cause the stomach contents to be pushed up the esophagus. But some women can get heartburn even early on in...

Dr. Teresa's Top 5 Kitchen Remedies for Kids! #Naturopathic

Dr. Teresa’s Top 5 Kitchen Remedies For Kids

I absolutely love it when my child has a need I can address by walking into my kitchen or back yard. It’s so easy, and makes me feel so empowered. And these remedies work - quickly I might add! Plantain For Stings No, I’m not talking about that starchy treat that fries up so nicely in Caribbean food, but rather the weed that infiltrates my grass so prolifically (Plantago lanceolata). Grab a leaf, chew it up a bit (this is technically referred to as a “spit poultice”) and throw it on the sting (after removing the stinger of course). This has been...

Did you know you can use a naturopathic physician for your child's pediatrician?

What to expect at your newborn’s well-visit with a naturopathic doctor

I love to see newborns in my practice and to be a part of this special time in a family’s life! As a naturopathic doctor, my newborn visits (and other well-child visits) are similar to any standard pediatrician, except my visits are typically longer. I spend a whole 45 minutes face-to-face with families, which allows me ample time to answer questions and concerns, as well as to review preventative care techniques for newborns or children. When should newborns go to the doctor? The timeline for well-visits depends on where the baby was born. If a baby was born in a local hospital,...

How To Raise an Intuitive Eater from the First Bite (from www.naturopathicpediatrics.com)

How to Raise an Intuitive Eater from The First Bite

  As parents, we often spend a lot of time thinking about our parenting decisions, especially when it comes to food choices.  As a parent, I know I’ve worried when one of my children hasn’t eaten enough, or only wants toast for days on end.  And, as much as I want to feed them healthy food, I also want to raise them to trust their cues and instincts so that they choose foods that are also pleasurable and satisfying. Why? Because learning to really trust their instincts when it comes to hunger, fullness and satiety is a key life skill that...

Prepping for successful breastfeeding. (From www.naturopathicpediatrics.com)

How To Feed a Newborn (Prepping for Successful Breastfeeding)

  Will breastfeeding come naturally? How do I learn how to breastfeed? Do I need to use formula? My mom and grandmother say it comes naturally and I don’t need to worry about it. But my friends have had trouble. Have I done what I need to do to be ready for breastfeeding? First of all, I can tell you from experience that breast-feeding does NOT (necessarily) come naturally. HOWEVER, I can also tell you from experience that a newborn left to his own devices will (almost certainly) find the breast and latch on. So the key is to educate and prepare yourself,...

What are man-boobs? Why is my teenager getting gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia (Man Boobs) in Teenage Boys

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “Um, why does my son have boobs?” Parents sometimes ask this question about their newborn babies. After floating around in mom’s estrogen-rich womb for nine months, it’s normal for newborn babies to have little breast buds. This is both normal and temporary, and resolves with time. What is gynecomastia? Gynecomastia - or "man boobs," as it's more commonly called - is also normal in teenage males. About half of all teenage boys experience gynecomastia at some point during puberty. As the testicles develop and produce more testosterone, a young man may notice more facial hair, increased muscle mass, a deeper...

A naturopathic approach to treating thrush in babies and moms!

A Naturopathic Approach to Treating Thrush in Infants and Breastfeeding mothers

Lisa* brought her 7 week old infant Annabelle* in to see me with concerns about a rash and a thick white coating on the infant’s tongue that wouldn’t go away.  Lisa had a normal, healthy vaginal birth with no complications but did mention that she took Antibiotic medication at 38 weeks of pregnancy.  The white coating on Annabelle’s tongue started when she was about 3 weeks old and hadn’t changed in any way since.    When asked about breastfeeding, Lisa responded that went well in the beginning but in the last week or so her nipples had become very sore and...

The 5 Best Natural Sleep Remedies for Kids

Does the idea of your child sleeping through the night feel like a frustrating daydream? Most parents struggle with bedtime at some point in their kid’s lives. Insomnia is unfortunately common in people of all ages and it effects about 20% (i.e. 1 in 5) of children ages 5 to 12.[i] Up to 50% of kids will experience sleep issues during childhood.[ii] How Much Sleep Do Kids Really Need? Both sleep quality and quantity are important, because this is the primary time when the body rests and restores. According to the National Sleep Foundation within a 24-hour period is infants should sleep...

A naturopathic approach to treating RSV bronchiolitis.

A naturopathic approach to treating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV bronchiolitis)

What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)? This mouthful of a name is the most common source of lower lung infections in young children. RSV has the potential to lead to bronchiolitis, which is inflammation of the smallest air passages of the lungs, the bronchioles. What are the symptoms of RSV bronchiolitis? RSV generally starts with mild cold-like symptoms (think congestion and mild cough), but in some children it can cause a more serious lung infection. Often children and babies with bronchiolitis will have a fever, moderate cough, lots of congestion, and wheezing. More severe signs and symptoms can include fast or troubled breathing, gasping...

PANDAS - When a tic isn't a nervous habit. Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections

When a Tic isn’t a Nervous Habit (PANDAS – Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections)

Kids sometimes pick up funny habits, such a clearing their throats, scrunching their noses, or using certain words or phrases frequently. Because bringing attention to nervous habits tends to make them worse, I typically advise parents to try and ignore whatever annoying little thing their kid is doing to see if it resolves on its own. Usually the child outgrows the habit, and that’s the end of that funny horking noise, annoying nose sniffling, or unusual head-jerking motion that originally had mom or dad so concerned. Sometimes, however, the habit doesn’t resolve, warranting further medical care. These children are often seen...

Gluten-free, dairy-free snack ideas. Naturopathic elimination diet ideas!

Gluten Free, Dairy Free Snack Ideas

From Cheerios to goldfish, it seems the default snack in America today is the refined carbohydrate. Refined carbs quickly turn into sugar in the body, making them a poor choice for satiating hunger, creating balanced energy, or delivering much nutritional value. Furthermore, most refined crackers and breads contain gluten, which is known to irritate the nervous system. In addition to gluten sensitivity, many children nowadays also have trouble with dairy products, which can crease inflammation in the body, excess congestion (like stuffy noses and ear infections), and constipation. And as we've likely all noticed, high-sugar snacks like gummy chews and juice boxes can...

Understanding Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities (IgG vs IgA vs IgE reactions)

Understanding Food Allergy and Food Sensitivity (IgA vs IgG vs IgE reactions)

With a surge in recent advertising of gluten and dairy free foods, so many people are now wondering about food allergies. They wonder if they have food allergies, and if they too should be avoiding certain foods to improve their health. This can be a confusing topic, and this article is designed to help you understand the difference between allergic food reaction and food sensitivity or intolerance and whether you might benefit from food sensitivity testing. To answer this question, it is helpful to understand a little about our IgA, IgE, and IgG immune responses. IgA, IgE and IgE refer to...

Natural approach to getting rid of plantar warts!

A Naturopathic Approach to Plantar Warts (Getting Rid of Foot Warts Naturally!)

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What is a wart, anyway? You’re tickling your child’s food and you notice a spot that is not like the others. It’s hard, grainy, a bit like a knot of skin and it might have some black or brownish speckles to it. Plantar’s warts are found exclusively on the feet and might cause pain while walking, especially when they are large in size.  Plantar warts are caused by a type of human papilloma virus (did you know there are more than 100 types of HPV?) that specifically targets the skin of the feet. You can get plantar warts from...

Reducing Death – One Means At a Time (Suicide Prevention for Teens)

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); An impressive and overwhelming website has just come to my attention.  I'd like to share it with you.  It's impressive because it contains so much information, which is what makes it overwhelming.  It's called Means Matter, and it's Harvard's attempt to reduce suicide.  I'm sure we would all love to reduce suicide, and the pain and suffering that precedes it.  But most of us would assume the way to do so would be to offer counseling in time of need, a shoulder for a friend to cry on, or perhaps a more broad based education and...

A Naturopathic Approach to Treating Asthma: Part II

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If you haven’t read “A Naturopathic Approach to Treating Asthma: Part I”, now is the time to do so! In “Part I”, I discuss the basics about asthma and why certain medications may be appropriate. There are a variety of supportive naturopathic treatments available including treating allergies naturally, reducing inflammation, and decreasing the severity of asthma with the foods your child eats. Creating an asthma-friendly home: Lots of children have allergies to pollen, dust, and pet dander, which can make asthma attacks more frequent or more severe. Here are some simple tips that I recommend when a child’s...

Thyroid health for moms-to-be, moms, and babies. (Including a list of thyroid symptoms!)

Thyroid Health for Moms-to-Be, Moms, and Babies

I’ve helped many women become pregnant after they’ve “failed” several rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF). It didn’t take any fancy equipment, painful procedures, or expensive medications. It just took looking at these women like they were more than ovaries and uteruses. Many of these women had undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Once we discovered and corrected for this, they were quickly able to become pregnant – and stay pregnant. Optimizing thyroid health is also important for minimizing the risk of miscarriage, ensuring good development of a baby’s brain, and helping mom survive the postpartum period. What’s the Thyroid? The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits...