FEB 2014 VOL 1 ISSUE 1 Dr. Keila Roesner ND: The chocolate edition Welcome! I am so blessed to be able to serve my hometown of Stratford, Ontario. As a Naturopathic Doctor I work with people to help inspire meaningful change. Whether it is streamlining and simplifying or educating and mentoring, I take great joy in helping people to realize the best version of themselves. Since we've opened our doors in October 2013 at the Stratford Health & Wellness Centre, I have met so many wonderful, inspiring people. As a new business, there has been a lot of exciting new changes in the last few months. Our website www.KeilaRoesnerND.com is up and running. Take a change to checkout our regular blog posts to stay upto-date with the latest health topics, videos, recipes, events and my thoughts on the world around us. You can even book your appointments online! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Google + pages highlight articles that you'll love. Finally, I would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to you, my clients. You inspire me every day. February: the month of hearts and chocolate. In the midst of our winter hibernation, Valentine's Day remains a day to celebrate. Whether it is a night out with that special person, an evening in with friends or celebrating the person you love most (you!), or indulging in something deliciously chocolate-y, mindfully appreciating these things increases your enjoyment. Here are some of my suggestions: Savour each bite, especially if it is an indulgence! Only wear clothing that feels good on your skin, makes you look great and that you love Put away technological distractions and focus on your surroundings Slow down, take a deep breath and really notice the people around you Practice gratitude - find five things that you are grateful for each day and write them down. NEW at Stratford Health & Wellness Centre! As of November 2013, Dr. Keila is carrying a product inventory to better serve your needs. We currently carry products from NFH and Pascoe. Both of these lines are of the highest quality, third-party tested for purity and have an extensive background in research and patient applications. As before, our online dispensary at Health Wave allows you to order products specifically recommended for you and have them shipped right to your door. We are pleased to offer you both options, in addition to recommendations at local health food stores. If you require product refills in between your visits, please call the office at 519.271.8323 or send Dr. Keila a message through your private portal so that we can have them waiting for you! VOL 1 ISSUE 1 FEB 2014 Nutrient Highlight: Magnesium Do you have enough? Stressed out, heart pounding, trouble sleeping and a wicked chocolate craving? These are some common symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium plays an important role in tissue repair, cell signaling, regulating heart rate and metabolism. While it is available in whole grains, nuts, seeds, and green leafy vegetables, I most commonly see people seeking it in a rich chocolate treat. One square of dark chocolate contains about 24% of the daily value of magnesium. http://img43.myrecipes.timeinc.net/i/galleries/0 8/dark-chocolate-gallery-x.jpg “THE RECOMMENDED DAILY CONSUMPTION OF MAGNESIUM IS 400 MG.” Ever heard that you crave what your body needs? One way to asses nutrient deficiencies are to look at your symptoms and food cravings to correlate potential areas needing more support. Since magnesium can become depleted by illness, consuming processed foods especially soda pops, drinking soft water and certain medication (including oral contraceptives, antacids, corticosteroids amoung others) many people have increased need for magnesium. Magnesium has also been studied as a part of a therapeutic treatment plan for Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disease, ADHD, cirrhosis of the liver, bone health and thyroid conditions. Clinically, magnesium can also be helpful for headaches, anxiety, muscle aches, insomnia and constipation. To include magnesium in your diet, grab some raw almonds. At 105 mg of magnesium per 1/4 cup, almonds are one of the highest ranking foods, followed closely by sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and brazil nuts. Or, my personal favorite, a square or two of extra-dark chocolate like Green & Blacks or Giddy Yo-Yo. References: Magnesium oil absorbs transdermally - so rubbing a small amount over sore muscles can help decrease that ache. Try applying on feet to help get a good night's sleep. Avoid applying over broken skin - it will sting. http://www.vitamart.ca/images/W/Natural-CalmChloride-Liquid-Formerly-Called-Magnesium-Oil474ml-Unflavoured.jpg Blaszczyk U, Duda-Chodak A. Magnesium: its role in nutrition and carcinogenesis.2013; Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig.64(3):165-71. Dr. Keila Roesner ND Stratford Naturopath ardiovascular disease (including thrombosis, atherosclerosis, ishaemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension, arrhythmias and congestive heart failure in human), as well as diabetes mellitus, FEB 2014 VOL 1 ISSUE 1 Spotlight on Food Easy Paleo-friendly (and kidfriendly) Banana Bites Do you love chocolate like I do? Then you'll want to try these super simple little treats. They are easy to bring to a pot-luck, ridiculously kid friendly and last no more than five minutes in our house. 2 ripe bananas Almond butter (or cashew, sunbutter, etc.) 4-8 1 oz squares of unsweetened dark chocolate. Maple syrup or honey to taste, if desired “DON'T FORDET TO LICK THE SPOON WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING!” Slice the bananas in chunk about 0.5 cm thick. Spread a small amount (about 1/2 tsp or less) of nut butter on top of banana slice, and then top with another banana slice. Place all of your banana sandwiches on a wax-paper lined cookie sheet or container and freeze for an hour. Melt the chocolate squares in a double boiler, stirring occasionally. You may add maple syrup or honey if you desire slightly sweeter chocolate. Using a spoon, or toothpick inserted through the bananas, coat each banana piece in the chocolate and place back on sheet. Freeze for another 15 minutes. Watch out for brain freeze as your devour these little beauties! Dr. Keila Roesner ND Stratford Naturopath I borrowed this picture from: http://www.instructables.com/id/Chocolate-Peanut-ButterBanana-Bites/. Mine didn't last long enough to take a picture...also don't worry if they don't look this tidy, they taste so good it doesn't matter! Tune in next month to learn how to put a twinkle in your eye, have (fore)sight the and an gift of exciting new promotion! Love this? Share it! Spread the word.