Radio Naturopath Episode 180: Removing Obstacles to Cure, The Healing of the Knee, and MENOPAUSE: HOT FLASH REDUX

This week: we talk about Removing Obstacles to Cure! An important naturopathic principle. Why give you tummy tonics when what you really need to do is simply stop eating dairy? Removing those obstacles can be hard if they're very habitual, but well worth considering and of course, doing. We celebrate the Healing of the Knee, my right one, and how it happened. Ron thinks the most important element was Patience, that I didn't return to pushing too hard with exercise too soon. And all the other stuff, like acupuncture and chiropractic! And, for we menopausal women, a review of how to get less of those pesky hot flashes. Soy is OK! So is evening primrose oil and black cohosh.

Radio Naturopath Episode 179: Prevention in Health, Lichen Sclerosus, Healthy Produce

This week we talk about PREVENTION, the 6th basic principle of naturopathic medicine. You want to try to prevent an illness before it occurs! So you look at a person's medical history, family history, environment, resources. You also want to make sure that the person lives in an healthy environment, and that there are COMMUNITY and WORLD resources so that person can be outdoors, eat good food, exercise, and reduce their stress. Prevention is about the personal and also about the community!

I also talk about lichen sclerosus, an inflammatory skin condition that mostly happens to menopausal women. I've seen a rash (!!) of cases lately! There are some conventional and natural ways to treat it. 

Also a good reminder to eat that summer produce! 

Bicycle Talk Episode 109: Riding with Souplesse and Finesse and Getting Mad Skills; TCC Century; High Intensity Intervals for Performance, Health and Weight!

Ron is away so today I talked about bicycles! My Frant was about speed over finesse,. fast over souplesse! It's all about the beauty and grace of riding a bicycle. You can go fast with souplesse, but a lot of people don't. I encourage people to work on their skills and simply enjoy the pleasure of being on a bicycle!  I also shouted out to the Thread City Cyclers for putting on a great organized ride event this weekend!  And, I talked about bicycling and fitness. If you want to lose weight, have a buff body, and have energy, riding too many miles all the time is not the way to get there. However, cutting back on quantity for quality (there's that theme again) is the way to go! Doing short burst intervals, a couple of days of rest or easy rides, and one long ride of 40-60 miles/week will help to get you there.

Radio Naturopath Episode 178: Interview with Joe Serrenho and John Norton: Clean Living and Mental Health

Today I had two guests, Joe Serrenho and John Norton. They have their own podcast. Go Health Yourself, which in itself is a great name! They are two young men in their early 30's dealing with depression and mental illness, and they talk about how healthy living helps them to manage their depression. They are also both gearheads and interested in bicycling, motorbikes and active sports. John is a C5-6 quadriplegic! And he's amazingly fit nonetheless! He broke his spine falling out of a tree. So he talks about how he manages his health with his challenges. They were both very inspiring! And Ron is going to figure out a way to PUT JOHN ON A TANDEM!!! Woo-hoo! And Joe talked about the Elephant in the Room, which is that PEOPLE JUST DON'T CONNECT. He is hopeful that we can all learn to have more meaningful connections with ourselves, each other, and the world!

So, healthy living, eating well and exercise help with mental illness!

Radio Naturopath Episode 177: Treat the Whole Person, Treat the Whole Knee, Drink Some Green Tea

TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON, a very important concept in naturopathic medicine. I used atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmia to illustrate this principle. Everything in a person's life can affect his/her whole health, so knowing how someone is spending their time, how they work, play, exercise, what stressors are happening, what their environmental exposures are all play into any conditions about which they're concerned! Also, update on my knee: EXTREME athletic tape that's meant for sweating, swimming, showering, and other events involving water is ideal! It comes in black. Also, black. And if you'd like another option, it's BLACK. Speaking of black, that's one of the colors the plant CAMELLIA SINENSIS comes in. I am still surprised to find out that people don't know that white, green, black, and oolong tea are all the same plant! So I discussed their benefits. 

Bicycle Talk Episode 106: Riding Off the Front, Tour de France, Bike Casing Boot, Don Curtis: Ride 4 Life!

Ron is away being trained about Solar, so I guest hosted, and had a guest! First I talked about those folks that ride off the front, string out the ride and stress out the slower riders. Then, the Tour de France current standings and how Chris Froome was cleared of wrongdoing and is in the race! For maintenance, all about a Special Tire Casing Patch. Then, my awesome guest: Don Curtis, who is doing CT Ride 4 Our Lives to benefit #marchforourlives! He's riding from Mansfield to do the Hopkins Vineyard Triathlon at Lake Waramaug in New Preston, CT, an 80 mile ride the day before and 80 miles the day after, and his son is driving the support vehicle! People can donate in support at https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/ct-ride-for-our-lives?source=direct_link.  Great discussion about the ride and also the issues around gun control.

Radio Naturopath Episode 176: Doctor as Teacher. Macadamia Nuts, Gamma Linolenic Acid

I talked about the health benefits of macadamia nuts, and they are surprisingly healthy! Bioflavonoids, antioxidants, high levels of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, and they help with weight loss too! And they are, of course, VEGAN. And the oil is great for sauteeing! The Doctor as Teacher is a really important concept, educating patients about their health as well directing them as to what to do. And how that great essential fat, gamma linolenic acid, can help you! 

Radio Naturopath Episode 175: Walnuts, The Keto Diet, Knee Bursitis, and Kidney Stones

You OMEGA-3, you! You reduce inflammation and help people think more clearly! You're also found in WALNUTS, which look like little brains, and therefore are good brain food! Monounsaturated fats in general are great. We also wander over to look at how the popular Keto Diet works, with all that fat. I also have a little bursitis in my knee so you should know how to help that too. And how to treat and prevent KIDNEY STONES, ow! DRINK MORE WATER. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 174: Look For the Cause, Soaking Nuts, Protein Drinks for the Elderly, Are Beans Good For You?

Naturopathic principle #3: Look For the Cause! Treat the underlying reason for a condition, not just the condition. Why it's better to soak nuts! Also, BEANS: the pros and cons. Vegetarians rely on them for a protein source, and Paleo folks think they're just not that nutritious and have too many anti-nutrients. Who's right? Also, alternative ideas for those protein/vitamin drinks often given to the elderly!

Radio Naturopath Episode 173: First Do No Harm, Sacha Inchi Helps You Lose Weight, Everyday Supplements, Sprouting is Good For You

Today in the Basic Principles department, we talked about First Do No Harm, using the least harmful and invasive thing possible to help with healing. Then we moved on to the MYRIAD benefits of the Sacha Inchi seed, the Peruvian Peanut! Omega 3's, complete protein, lots of fiber, you can't beat it! Great for VEGANS! I also answered the perennial question, Should I take a supplement if I'm healthy? The answer, of course, is MAYBE. Plus, why it's good to sprout, or just to eat sprouted grains, nuts, beans and seeds!