Locally: thoughts, tips and inspiration
by Dr. Alexis Blanks, Naturopathic Doctor
Summer is here, and with our local farms in the middle of producing this year’s crop, I think it’s a great time to be thinking about where our food comes from. As a society, we are learning more and more about the importance of eating locally grown foods. This is hugely important for our environment as it cuts down on the staggering impact of shipping food from far away. Another great benefit that I see is that it also gives us as a community an added connection to the land (our land) from which the food came and the amazing process in which living food comes from the soil. Earlier this summer, I kept looking at the HUGE radishes that I pulled out of my garden and felt amazed that a little seed could turn into such a large beautiful vegetable! And, if I feel this amazed by my radishes, just think of how exciting it must be for our children?! Teaching our children to eat the food that is produced where we live is not only a great opportunity to educate but also can be lots of fun and can lead to some great activities for those long summer months. So, with that said, here are some ideas for eating locally this summer:
- Attend local markets and buy from directly from our local farmers and food producers. For example: Moss Street Market – Every Saturday from 10am – 2pm at Sir James Douglas School, 401 Moss Street
- Get out to the farms and pick your own food (bring the kids if you have them – don’t forget a hat and sunscreen!). There are lots of farms in our area that allow you to pick your own, this usually also means saving some money too! For example: Mt. Newton Blueberries has organic U-pick blueberries (should start around July 15th) phone: 652-9035.
- Visit http://islandfarmfresh.com/ for information on where to get the food you are looking for. This website has a list of everything from fruit and veggies to chicken, honey, eggs and much more!
- Grow your own food! It doesn’t need to be big or fancy or that much work (but it could be if you wanted!). Even if you only have a small amount of space, you could plant some mixed lettuce or kale (so easy to grow!); this will make getting those important leafy greens that much easier!
- Rediscover your freezer! Last year I picked lots of berries and stored them in my freezer. Since learning of a farm that supplies local organic chicken I also have a supply of chicken that should last me for quite some time. For busy people it’s a great feeling to know that your freezer is stocked ahead of time with the ingredients you need for a quick healthy meal.
Dr. Alexis Blanks is always happy to welcome new patients to her practice. For a more personalized approach to your health and nutrition call 477-5433 to book an initial appointment.
Dr. Alexis Blanks, ND is now pleased to offer our patients female physical exams and smears.
Interested? Here’s what you need to know:
- To have your Pap done with Dr. Blanks you are not required to be a patient of hers but you will be required to fill out a small intake and consent form. A copy of your results will be sent to your regular primary care provider.
- The exam will include a breast exam, Pap smear and pelvic exam, Dr. Blanks will also allow for time to answer any general questions that you might have in regards to female health.
- If you would like to receive naturopathic treatment from Dr. Blanks, you will be required to have a full initial visit with her and fill out the appropriate forms.
- The fee for the exam will start at $30 (check with your extended health plan to see about your coverage for naturopathic medicine).
Skin Care
by Kristina Hewlett
At Cook St Village Laser, we believe that common skin conditions can be aggravated or caused by a large percentage of the skin care products available on the market. In many cases the skin care products sold to heal a skin condition are in fact full of the chemical ingredients that may be causing the condition in the first place.
CSV Laser is very happy to have found Keys, Chemical-Free Skin Therapy, one of the purest, safest lines on the market. There are also many other wonderful, natural skin care lines available on the market, you just need to understand the ingredients and read the label. To read more about the “Dirty Dozen” chemicals in everyday products, written by the Marin County Cancer Project click here.
Beautiful, healthy skin can be achieved with simple, pure ingredients that do not include potentially harmful, toxic chemicals. To find out more about the safety rating your skin care or sun care products. Visit www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
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