Renee Purdy
Yin vs Yang in Woman's Health

A major focus of my training in Naturopathic Medicine school was in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and one of the very well-known principles of TCM is the balance of Yin and Yang energies. When that balance is lost, health is lost. Today, my reflection is on how that translates in our lives, as women, in the society we live in and how this could contribute to some common health issues we run into.

Yin vs Yang in Woman's Health
Food, Addiction
Renee Purdy
Neurotransmitters and addictions

Addictions are very prevalent in our society, and some of those addictions severely punished, while others are totally socially acceptable or even praised. An addiction can be to a substance, thing, or activity. This could be a drug, alcohol, nicotine, shopping, gambling, sex, work, food, control, adrenaline, etc.

Neurotransmitters and addictions
Mindfulness, Food, Health
Renee Purdy
What to eat to have good brain health and ...

Brain health and mental health is directly related to our diet. I am a strong advocate for mental health through nutrition as I’ve read the research, seen it in patients and experienced it myself. This is true for general health through nutrition, actually. Food gives us the building blocks to produce our much needed neurotransmitters, keep inflammation low and support stable blood sugar, which are all needed for good brain function and mental health.

What to eat to have good brain health and mental health
Food, Cooking, Health
Renee Purdy
Gut Healing Smoothie

A healthy gut lays the foundation for a healthy mind and body. It’s been shown time after time that the digestive system can be a source of inflammation which is manifested anywhere in the body. Enjoy this gut healing smoothie to help decrease inflammation and heal your body.

Gut Healing Smoothie
Renee Purdy
You Are Not Alone: Finding Healing in Sharing ...

One of the most difficult things about sadness and chronic illness is the isolation they bring. I’ve felt it before. You feel like you bring everyone down when you talk about how you’re feeling and what you’re going through, but it’s too hard to just smile and pretend like everything is ok. Or maybe it’s the really obvious elephant in the room that no one dares to bring up. So it’s easier to just avoid interacting with others in order to avoid having to bring it up.

You Are Not Alone: Finding Healing in Sharing Your Story

Health

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Lessons from working in Nicaragua

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Lessons from working in Nicaragua

As a naturopathic doctor, I have the great privilege of hearing people’s stories. How they live, what they worry about, what challenges they’re facing, their fears, what they hope to achieve or how they want to feel. Over the past 5 years, I’ve heard a lot of stories, not only in Canada, but in Colombia and rural Nicaragua as well. In these five years, I’ve sat down with people from all kinds of backgrounds, from those who work in the corporate sector, to entrepreneurs, government workers, stay-at-home moms, students, subsistence farmers, and so many others. Although every single conversation I’ve had with people when working as a Naturopathic Doctor started with a health concern, there is common thread that links them all, and that is the desire to be heard, the desire to be truly heard without any judgment.

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A Love Affair With Coffee

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A Love Affair With Coffee

I love coffee. Many of us love coffee. It's part of a daily ritual of starting the day and the calm before the rush of the day. To be completely honest, I could drink coffee all day, 3 or 4 cups of it, easy. I've spent lots of time living in Colombia and I love how they drink coffee after lunch and take a break in the afternoon to sit down and drink coffee. Despite this deep love for the drink, I stop myself from drinking too much and I periodically take long breaks from coffee. Should you be doing this too?

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4 Ways to Add ‘Calm’ to Your Days

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4 Ways to Add ‘Calm’ to Your Days

Is ‘overwhelm’ a common feeling in your days? Do you feel like you hardly ever get any down time to recharge your battery? Do you feel like you're tired but wired all the time? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, firstly, you’re not alone, and secondly, you are most likely suffering the effects of chronic stress.