Why Social Media Is Bad for Your Health (And What to Do About It)
For those of us who remember a time without social media, it is incredible to reflect on how much life has changed since it seemingly took over our culture. So much of our lives are spent online. It’s not just about sharing photos with your friends anymore. It’s where we get our news, our health and lifestyle advice, where we look to decide what products to buy, and even how we form our self image. Now I would argue that most of that isn’t for the best. In fact, I am here today to talk about why social media is bad for our health.
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Make the Most out of your Grill This Summer: Recipe Roundup
Dust off those tongs, Summer is HERE. The season of sunshine, barefoot mornings, and, let’s be honest, grilling everything. Whether you're hosting backyard BBQs, camping with friends, or just not in the mood to turn on your oven, your grill can be your best friend for quick, healthy, and ridiculously tasty meals. The best part? Grilling doesn't have to mean charred hot dogs and sugar filled sauces. With a few clean ingredients and creative twists, you can turn your BBQ into a wellness tool.
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Is Intermittent Fasting Right For Me?
Intermittent fasting (IF) has officially hit the mainstream. From podcasts to social media to that friend who swears by it, it’s clear that this eating pattern has people talking and often, not eating (at least for part of the day). But here’s the real question: is intermittent fasting right for you? Let’s dive into the pros and cons, and who could potentially benefit vs who should steer clear of this trend.
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Father’s Fertility Prep: For the Dads to be and the Dads who want to be
Why am I talking about conception preparation on Father’s Day? Well, when it comes to preparing for pregnancy, most of the spotlight tends to shine on the woman. Hormones, ovulation tracking, prenatal vitamins—her body takes center stage. But here’s the truth that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough: a man’s health plays a major role in fertility and the health of the future baby.
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World Ocean Day: Sustainably Sourced Seafood Culinary Inspirations
Our oceans are teeming with life, and much of that life sustains our lives here on the land either directly or indirectly.And yet, our oceans are suffering at the hands of many harmful industrial practices such as over fishing, dumping of contaminants, or destructive fishing practices.World Ocean Day falls annually on June 8th and aims to bring awareness to issues with our shared oceans.
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Recipe Roundup: Seasonal Weeknight Recipes for Van Isle in Spring
Spring on the Island means the markets are waking up again— and we are so lucky to get this earlier than many other parts of Canada. Hello leafy greens, radishes, herbs, and the first tender asparagus. Here's a mix of quick dinners using local, in-season ingredients that embrace the fresh energy of spring without keeping you in the kitchen all night long.
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A Day in the Life of Dr. Marita
Ever wonder what a typical day looks like for a Naturopathic Doctor who's just as passionate about pushing her body at the gym as she is about sipping herbal tea and taking a break? One of my patients requested this look behind the curtain so let’s take a peek behind the scenes of my daily rhythm where I can show you how I’m living in alignment with what I teach.
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For Busy Moms: Taking Care of Your Nervous System (Without Adding to Your To-Do List)
Happy Mothers day! Let’s be real— If you asked most mom’s what they want for mothers day, the answer would probably be a break! Being a mom is a full-time labour of love (with overtime, no breaks, and zero sick days). Between drop-offs, snack requests, work deadlines, and keeping everyone alive and mostly happy… your nervous system? Yeah, it’s probably running on fumes.
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Naturopathic Medicine Week: A Celebration of Healing, Growth, and the Future of Healthcare
Every May, we take a moment to celebrate Naturopathic Medicine Week—a time to honour a profession rooted in nature, guided by science, and driven by the belief that true health comes from within. As a naturopathic doctor (ND), this week always feels like a beautiful pause—a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and where we’re headed in this ever-evolving world of healthcare.
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Dr. Marita’s Top Supplement Recommendations
As your friendly neighbourhood Naturopathic Doctor, I firmly believe that food is our best medicine. However, in our modern age, even the healthiest diet can sometimes fall short in providing all the essential nutrients our bodies need. Supplements are like our trusty sidekicks that help fill in the gaps and optimize our health and help us get the best out of our time here on earth. Here are my top supplement recommendations, including some from my personal supplement shelf, for vibrant health, longevity, and resilience.
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Move Over Chocolate Bunnies: Why Your Brain Loves Eggs
While I hope you’re enjoying your chocolate Easter eggs, as your Naturopathic doctor friend, I would be remiss if I didn’t nudge you back to good nutrition with my blog post today. When seeking a nutrient-rich food to fuel our minds and bodies, we need not look any further than the wondrous egg. Eggs have gotten a bit of a bad rap in recent years due to their cholesterol content, but I consider them a valuable part of a healthy and balanced diet.
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The All Natural Mommy Makeover: 10 ‘Glow Up’ Foods for Beauty From the Inside Out
Instagram and TikTok filters have brought about the biggest rise in women turning to cosmetic surgeries, with mothers especially being targeted with the ‘mommy makeover’ packages. But what if I told you, the secret to the biggest glow up actually lies in how you nourish your body. Beauty truly does come from within, and the best secret to looking your best is to be at your healthiest. Let’s take a look at some beauty boosting foods.
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What is Histamine Intolerance and How to Manage It
Are you plagued by mysterious headaches, itchy skin, bloating, or even anxiety after eating certain foods? Histamine intolerance might be the culprit! While it's not a true allergy, it can certainly make life uncomfortable, and lead to chronic inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is linked to increased risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and even poor mental health, so this isn’t something to sleep on long term.The good news, with a little detective work, histamine intolerance can be relatively simple to manage. Let’s dive into what histamine intolerance is, why it happens, and how you can manage it naturally.
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Plant-Based Protein Power – High-protein Vegan Dishes for Energy and Satisfaction
Protein is not only an essential building block for our bodies, creating muscle, and helping us build new cells, but its also an important part of maintaining stable blood sugar, keeping energy levels stable, and keeping us feeling full and satisfied. Adequate protein can also be a challenge for those eating vegan and plant based diets! Which is why I’ve gathered up some high protein vegan dishes to help bridge the gap and make meal planning easier!
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Spring is Here! What Shifts to Make In Your Diet & Lifestyle to Welcome the Season
With blossoms blooming, and the days getting longer, you might feel the internal shift to cast off the heaviness of winter. Nature is waking up, and so should our routines! Transitioning into this season means aligning with its energy—fresh, vibrant, and full of renewal. Here are some ideas to embrace spring within.
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World Oral Health Day: Naturopathic Tips for Great Oral Hygiene
Every year on March 20th, we celebrate World Oral Health Day, as a reminder that our mouths are the gateway to overall wellness. Oral health is about more than just a bright white smile—it reflects and influences our entire body’s health, including your digestion, heart health, and more. In addition to the basics your dentist recommends, brushing twice a day, flossing, and your regular cleanings– what else can we do to maintain good oral health? You might be surprised that there’s a lot more that affects the health of your mouth than you think!
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12 Rituals to Replace Your Morning Coffee
For many of my patients who are looking to cut down on caffeine, what they actually have found is they like the ritual aspect of their morning cup a whole lot more than the actual caffeine rush. To be able to brew, sit and sip is a wonderful thing. If your morning coffee ritual feels more like a caffeine crutch than a joyful jolt, it might be time to shake things up. Whether you're cutting back on caffeine or just want to explore new ways to energize your day, these alternative morning rituals will help you rise and shine—no coffee required.
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Iron Deficiency: Natural Ways to Boost Your Iron Levels
Do you feel sluggish all the time? Like no matter how much sleep you get, you just cant seem to feel that spark of vitality like you once did? You might want to get your iron checked! Iron deficiency is a lot more common than you might think, especially among women. The good news is that most people can boost their iron levels naturally with dietary changes. Let’s take a look at some tips to boost your iron naturally.
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Health Inspirations to Take from European Culture
My travels in the last couple of years have taken me to Europe a few times now… I can’t seem to get enough! I find I always feel so good when I’m over there. Unlike many other vacations where I can easily come home feeling like I’m off track with my health foundations, I find the culture of many European cultures is incredibly supportive to good health! It’s no surprise when we look at health data, with lower rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even greater reported happiness than in North America.
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Self-Love Rituals: Practices for Emotional and Physical Well-Being
Single? Or just over all the Hallmark Hullabaloo? Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to just be about romantic dinners and grand gestures for someone else. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to shower yourself with love and care. Whether you’re flying solo or part of a couple, taking the time to focus on your emotional and physical well-being can leave you feeling refreshed, empowered, and deeply connected to yourself. After all, self-love is the foundation for every other kind of love.
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