4. Cantharis 30 CH: This homeopathic remedy is great for burns of almost any type, including sunburns. You can use this in conjunction with Aloe gel or by itself. This would be a good choice if you’re concerned about your child trying to eat the aloe gel once applied. This remedy, like Aloe gel, also relieves pain and helps promote healing.

5. Apis 30 CH: This homeopathic remedy is excellent for bee stings in particular, but can be used to treat other stings and bug bites as well. Generally helps with reducing swelling, pain and heat. Especially helpful for swelling around the eyes when the eyes are becoming too swollen to open the lids. Caution: If someone in your family has an anaphylactic allergy and they require an epi-pen, do not carry Apis in place of the epi-pen.

.This is by no means all the various natural remedies you could use for these situations, nor is it all the possible situations you could potentially encounter this summer. However, this is a good place to start to cover a lot of the common issues that could occur. If you’re not familiar or comfortable with the use of any of these remedies, always check with your Naturopathic Doctor or other similarly educated health care practitioner before use.




Note: Talk to your Naturopathic Doctor today about getting assessed and treated if needed, and as always talk to your health care provider before beginning any new medication or supplement. This information is not meant to replace the advice/guidance of a medical professional, nor should it be acted upon by individuals unsupervised by the appropriate healthcare provider.

Craving something chocolate and sweet but still has a twist of healthy to it this holiday season?


Why not try out this Avocado Chocolate Pudding recipe. Great as a quick whip treat for yourself or double up the recipe to have enough for a party. Also works great with the kids with very picky taste buds.



Recipe for Avocado Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 Tbsp virgin coconut oil
2 avocados
1/4 cup agave syrup, maple syrup, or honey (or any combination thereof)
2 tsp vanilla extract

Feel free to play around with the recipe. For example, if you like a little extra spice then add a small amount of cayenne pepper.


Found a unique combination you really like? Leave your recipe alteration successes in the comments.

Now we all know how difficult it can be to keep our health goals during the holiday season. There are so many parties to attend or host, shopping to do, decorations to hang, the list seems endless. For many, the first thing to go is remembering to eat healthy and exercise. So here are a few suggestions to make health more a part of your holiday season.

1.    30 seconds of squats!
- That’s right, just 30 seconds of squats is enough to activate glucose receptors in your quad muscles, which can significantly impact your blood sugar levels in a positive way. Doing this before any meal, can really help improve how your body utilizes glucose. 

2.    Parking the car further away from the store
- I realize this is nothing new to most people, but if you feel strapped for time and you’re already not keeping with your usual exercise regime (or you have not established one yet) then building in that little extra distance can help keep you active during this busy season without setting aside a designated ½ hour or more on top of your to do list.

3.    Making creative healthy treats
-       The holidays are filled with all kinds of treats and goodies that are all too tempting to pass on all of them. So why not help yourself and your dinner guests by putting out some healthier options for treats. For example there are lots of great recipes for vegan and raw desserts that often use less sugar or no sugar and taste just as good as the sugar filled original. One of my favourite desserts is Avocado chocolate pudding.

Recipe for Avocado Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 Tbsp virgin coconut oil
2 avocados
1/4 cup agave syrup, maple syrup, or honey (or any combination thereof)
2 tsp vanilla extract

Feel free to play around with the recipe. For example, if you like a little extra spice then add a small amount of cayenne pepper.

4.    Being mindful when eating
- With so many parties and opportunities to eat and overeat during the holiday season it is no wonder most people gain a few extra pounds. Instead of pilling your plate really high and then talking distractedly to your friends and family, try taking a little less food and being a little more present and aware as you eat.  This can help reduce mindless consumption of calories, and thus reduce your concern about extra pounds gained in January when you return to the gym.

5.     Take a meditation break
-       The benefits are so numerous now for reducing stress and research is really showing the power of meditation to do just that. So if stress is threatening to overwhelm you try taking a 5-10 min meditation break, and if even that much time seems too daunting then just take 10 deep breaths. All this will help lower your blood pressure, induce calm, and improve immune function.


                          Lastly, just have a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.