My office will be closed from December 24th to January 4th. We will re-open on January 5th. Have a wonderful holiday and I look forward to seeing you in January!
Category: Uncategorized
New Staff and Holiday Hours
I am excited to announce two new receptionists who are assisting me in the office since my wonderful long-time office manager Kellie moved out of the area.
Lisa will be working on Mondays from 9am to 3pm and Stefanie will be working on Tuesdays from 1pm to 5pm and Thursdays from 9am to 5pm. These hours are the best times to call to schedule appointments and purchase supplements.
I have changed my schedule so that I am now seeing patientsMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week.
The office will be closed from November 25th to November 30th and will be back open on Monday December 1st.
We still have a small number of vials of Influenzinumhomeopathic flu prevention available!
Happy Holidays!
Stress Management
While stressful events can affect us at any time of the year, the holidays in particular can produce incredibly high cortisol levels! When we are exposed to elevated levels of stress hormones for prolonged periods of time the result is increased inflammation, weight gain, high blood sugar, decreased immune function and decreased ability to heal from injuries.
While it is nearly impossible to completely eliminate stress from our lives, we can modulate the effect on our system by following a few simple guidelines:
1. Balance: The greater the amount of stress, the greater the need for exercise. A combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise is very effective at lowering cortisol levels. If stress levels have recently doubled for you, then time spent exercising needs to double to compensate. If the amount of exercise needed seems outrageous, then likely something needs to change to reduce the stress load.
2. Sleep: When we are feeling stressed, often sleep quality and quantity suffer. In addition, insomnia increases levels of stress hormones, leading to all of the negative outcomes listed above. We actually need more sleep when we are under stress and less when stress levels are low. Set aside plenty of time to wind down at night to prepare for sleep. Keep phones, computers and televisions out of the bedroom. Use natural sleep aids if needed to ensure that you get enough rest.
3. Feeding the Soul: Running around trying to accomplish a long list of tasks can make you feel like an automaton. Bring richness back into your life with little changes like a short daily meditation, prayer or yoga session. Decorate your home seasonally with items that are both functional and beautiful. Schedule time to meet with a friend you don’t see often. Take time out in nature alone to fully appreciate its treasures. Re-visit your life’s priorities–are you living in alignment with them?
Women’s Health Specialist
For the last ten years, women have been the center of my practice. While I enjoy seeing men and children as well, women’s health has formed my primary specialty, as much as a general practitioner can declare a specialty! What I have discovered during those ten years is that women’s health is much more than gynecology. A woman’s hormonal balance informs everything else about her. This has impacts on all body systems including the immune system, the cardiovascular system, the musculoskeletal system and digestive system. A practitioner who is intimately aware of the delicate interplay of female hormones and their effect on the rest of the system can guide you to understand exactly what you are experiencing in your body and weave that knowledge into appropriate treatments which are tailored to your needs. Contact me for more information about women’s health and treatments that specifically benefit women!
Immune Support
I am formulating a new Acute Immune Support liquid herbal tincture just in time for the cold and flu season. It should be used at the first sign of illness, is safe for children and adults and has a pleasant taste. It is now available in 1oz., 2oz. and 4 oz. bottles.
Homeopathic Influenzinum, used for flu prevention, will be available at the end of October. Please call ahead to let us know how many vials you will need.
Homeopathic Influenzinum, used for flu prevention, will be available at the end of October. Please call ahead to let us know how many vials you will need.
Breast Cancer Update
An estimated 232,670 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and roughly 40,000 will die of the disease. What does recent research tell us about breast cancer prevention?
1. Weight Matters: Postmenopausal women who are overweight have a higher risk than those who are normal weight. Women who are overweight have higher circulating estrogen levels and higher insulin levels which stimulate tumor growth.
2. Alcohol Increases Risk: Alcohol is linked to both premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer, possibly due to alcohol’s ability to raise blood estrogen levels. Even modest intake boosts risk–there is a 17% increase in risk with only one drink every other day.
3. Move Your Body: Women who are the most physically active have a 10-25% lower risk than women who are the least physically active, likely because exercise lowers estrogen, insulin and inflammatory markers.
Acute Office Visits
Many acute medical conditions are effectively treated with natural therapies. These can include: headache, conjunctivitis, ear infection, allergies, sinus infection, throat pain, upper respiratory infections, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, urinary tract infection, abnormal menstrual bleeding, vaginal infections, skin rashes, vertigo and much more.
To better serve you, I will now be in the office most Mondays from 10am to 2pm doing administrative work in addition to my regular hours. This is a great time to call and check with me to see if I can help with an acute condition, either with a visit or phone consult. I will always make every effort to fit acute visits into my schedule.
Summer Office Schedule
I will be out of the office from July 25th to August 1st and from August 15th to August 25th. Please plan ahead if you are needing to refill dietary supplements or would like to get in for an appointment before the end of the summer!
Imaging Orders Now Available
I am now able to order imaging at any medical facility in Colorado. This includes x-rays, mammograms, ultrasounds, colonoscopies, CT scans, MRI, etc. Contact my office if you need a test ordered!
Update on Heart Disease
I recently had the privilege of attending a lecture featuring new information about heart disease prevention, detection and treatment from Dr. Bill Blanchette, MD a nationally known integrative cardiologist.
I learned that conventional risk factors for heart disease includinghigh cholesterol, High-Sensitivity CRP, body mass index and hip circumference are very poor predictors of increased risk. Women at high risk for heart disease are particulary difficult to identify ahead of time, as our current screening tools are completely ineffective.
Stress testing is also ineffective as it looks for obstruction and most heart attacks occur in vessels without enough obstruction to turn a stress test positive.
The most effective way to predict increased risk for heart attack and stroke appears to be Electron Beam Tomography calcium imaging, essentially looking for calcium build-up in the arteries. We are fortunate to have one of these machines in Boulder, CO
and I can now order the test for those who are interested. The radiation exposure during the test is equivalent to a mammogram and the cost is very reasonable. It is not yet covered by insurance or Medicare.
For women looking for testing closer to home, I recommend asking for a report of breast arterial calcification when you get your next mammogram. Surprisingly, this is also predictive of increased risk or heart attack and stroke.
Contact me for more information about testing and natural treatment recommendations from Dr. Blanchette!
Thai Tofu with Summer Squash, Red Bell Pepper and Lime
I am mad about Thai food—this is what I am making now using summer veggies!
From Everyday Thai Cooking: Quick and Easy Family Style Recipes by Katie Chin
2 Tbsp. coconut oil, divided
8 oz. firm tofu, drained, patted dry and cut into bite-sized cubes
1 garlic clove, minced
1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
1 tsp. thick red curry paste
4 yellow or green zucchini, diced (3 cups)
2 red bell peppers, diced (2 cups)
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp. fish sauce
1 tsp. brown sugar or honey
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1. Heat 1/2 of the oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu pieces and stir-fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
2. Heat the remaining oil in the wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Reduce heat to medium. Add the curry paste and stir-fry, stirring to break it up, about 1 minute. Add the zucchini and bell pepper and stir-fry for 3 minutes. Add the reserved tofu, coconut milk, chicken stock, lime juice, fish sauce, sugar and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce to medium-low and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Add basil leaves and cook for 30 seconds. Serve with jasmine rice.
Seasonal Allergies
Are you sniffling, sneezing, itching your eyes or seeing asthma flaring up? You may be suffering from seasonal allergies. There are many effective natural solutions for this problem, including doing a spring cleanse (see above) to decrease your intake of inflammatory and allergenic foods and improve your liver and intestine’s ability to normalize immune function. I also recommend increasing your intake of Vitamin C, a natural anti-histamine to a minimum of 1,000mg daily. I carry several combination products in my office designed to treat seasonal allergy symptoms, including a homeopathic specific to our region which has been very helpful for many of my patients.
Let me know if I can help you find the right treatment for you!
Colorado ND Licensure
As the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies is running a little behind schedule, I should be able to apply for a license in a few days and then will receive the actual license in 2-3 weeks. What this means is that I will be able to continue to practice as I have been with the addition of the ability to order lab tests and imaging such as x-rays, ultrasounds, mammograms, etc. at any medical facility in Colorado starting June 1st.
I will not be able to prescribe any pharmaceutical medications until another piece of legislation is passed to add medications to our formulary which may take another year or two.
I am still waiting to hear the decision of our advisory committee regarding vitamin injections and IVs so will update you when I know more.
I appreciate all of your support and patience as we make Naturopathic Doctors legal medical practitioners in Colorado!
To learn more or make a donation see www.coand.org.
Lemon Poppyseed Mini Muffins
Grain and dairy free, easy and delicious!
From elanaspantry.com, a great website for grain-free recipes
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
3 eggs
1/4 cup honey or agave nectar
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1 Tbsp. lemon zest
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1. Combine coconut flour, salt, baking soda in medium bowl
2. Blend eggs, honey, oil and lemon zest in large bowl
3. Blend dry ingredients into wet ingredients
4. Fold in poppy seeds
5. Spoon 1 Tbsp. into each greased mini muffin cup
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes
7. Cool and serve
It’s Time for A Spring Cleanse!
Would you like to reduce allergy symptoms, fit into your summer clothes, improve your energy and sleep? It could be time for a spring cleanse! I have put together a package which includes a 30 minute office visit, an anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar balancing and cleansing diet along with a custom-blended liver cleansing tea from Shining Mountain Herbs. In the visit I will review my diet, supplement and exercise recommendations for the two week cleanse, which will be modified to suit your needs.
Call my office if you have questions or to schedule an appointment to get started!