Kooks in the Kitchen

Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Ways to Move, Meditate and More while you're at home

March 17, 2020

Here is a list of resources on moving, mediating and breathing that I’ve complied from TV programs/websites I’ve used or programs/people I know. It’s not an exhaustive list by any means, but it’s a start.

Keeping ourselves moving daily in whatever ways we are able to is not only important physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Regular movement helps balance all our body systems and is important for our cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, digestive and immune systems especially.

Go for a walk, you're getting Vitamin D, fresh air and clearing your head. Move the lymph system, in which part of our immune system is located, is important because the lymph system does not have a pump like our blood has the heart to pump it and circulate throughout our bodies. This is why daily movement of any kind including gentle stretching is key to balanced health.

**Always check with your health care provider before beginning a NEW fitness/exercise program.

Find more lifestyle and nutrition information at: www.facebook.com/liveeatwrite/

Find recipes and more at: https://www.facebook.com/kitchenkooksedm

Free Activities (TV/YouTube Channels/Apps/Websites)

· Go for a walk

· Dance in your kitchen

TV:

• PBS – Essentrics and Sit and Be Fit – check local listings

• ONE TV – Healing Yoga; Padma Yoga; Pilates from the Inside Out – check your listings

Yoga:

• https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCytVtpRDpY8zREuA37DzTmw

Fitness/ general movement:

https://ymca360.org/

• Mind/Body for anxiety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vax1gt-T2kY

• Other offerings by Jane Clapp: https://www.janeclapp.com/

• Free apps on the App Store

• https://www.self.com/gallery/bodyweight-moves-get-in-shape

Qi Gong

• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwgKuV2d8haTw9pmtQ_MWaQ

• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo5XtIYVGLImR1pl7Fpf_pQ

Meditations:

https://medschool.ucsd.edu/som/fmph/research/mindfulness/programs/mindfulness-programs/MBSR-programs/Pages/audio.aspx

https://www.tarabrach.com/guided-meditations/

https://jackkornfield.com/meditations/

https://self-compassion.org/guided-self-compassion-meditations-mp3-2/

http://www.quietmindcafe.com/

https://theadultchair.com/meditations/

https://www.treehugger.com/health/50-hours-nature-sounds-increase-your-joy-and-awe.html

https://www.followyourchakra.com/

Subscription/paid programs:

www.heartandbonesyoga.com

https://hinafitness.com/

https://flowingzen.com/

All the best of health to you and your family,

~ Natasha, BSc, C.H.N.

Blogger at www.facebook.com/kitchenkooksedm and www.facebook.com/liveeatwrite/

Thursday, 31 October 2019

What, why, who, and...why again!?

Hello, my name is Natasha.

I describe myself as: an educator, poet, baker, artisan;

a lover of words, nature, books and compassion.

And a student of life always!

This past year I went back to school to study in an intense in-class program certifying as a holistic nutritional consultant. I graduated in September 2019.

What does a professional certified in holistic nutrition do?

I use clients’ food and lifestyle, along with their reported symptoms, to identity imbalances in their body systems, then develop a customized wellness plan for them. These plans include food/nutrition, lifestyle and supplement recommendations and are based on each client’s individual body biochemistry, while helping to support the client’s unique needs and goals.

Why choose a Certified Holistic Nutritional Professional?

Education: Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultants™ (C.H.N.C.) have over 250 classroom hours of direct instruction learning solely about nutrition and related topics. In addition, we enhance our education to keep up-to-date with the latest research through professional continuing education courses and workshops.

In addition to the 250+ hours, I have personally:

logged more than 50 practical hours in class learning about specific health topics and how to approach and assist clients with these health needs (i.e.: heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and many more)
done 25+ additional hands-on practical hours in workshops on topics like fermentation, cooking with a local plant-based chefs and restaurateurs, elixir crafting, foods for optimizing brain health and good mood foods
am currently enrolled in a program that teaches the basics of nutrition according to Chinese medicine principles, a system that has been used for over 2000 years

Evidence-based: certified nutritional consultants are evidence-based; meaning we learn principles that are rooted in the scientific process and have validity in scientific inquiry. As a university science graduate, learning nutrition through an evidence-based lens was very important for me.

CSNN graduates are multi-faceted, bringing knowledge and backgrounds from many different areas. All of my instructors hold advanced degrees as diverse as dietetics (RD program), chemistry, genetics, naturopathic doctors. My classmates/colleagues also come from many different fields: food science, rehab medicine, health coaches, personal trainers, entrepreneurs, food industry professionals, educators, sociologists, energy practitioners to name a few.

As certified holistic nutrition professionals, our main job is to educate the public about nutrition. After graduating from the University of Alberta with a science degree focusing on genetics and brain development, I worked as an educator for most of my career primarily in the non-profit educational sector:

with young children and their families coordinating and teaching preschool programs, facilitating parent-child literacy programs, and hands-on science units for elementary school children
coordinating and facilitating workshops and classes for adults and seniors with low literacy, in many areas including financial and health literacy
facilitated trainings and workshops for fellow literacy professionals

Collaborative: Certified holistic nutritional professionals believe in a collaborative approach to clients’ health needs. Along with food and supplement recommendations we provide our clients basic lifestyle suggestions and recommend referrals to and work alongside other practitioners like family doctors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, personal trainers, counsellors, etc., when a client would benefit from a collaborative team of professionals.

Scope: We adhere to strict codes of conduct in staying within our scope of practice as natural health practitioners. We do not claim to treat, heal, diagnose or prevent any conditions another reason why we believe in referring our clients to others in the health field.

We do not make bold claims about preventing anything – no one can make these guarantees in health – there are so many variables that determine health outcomes and everything is very individual. That’s one of the main things I’ve learned: that health and diet are unique to each person and there are as many ways to eat as there are people in the world. What works for one person may actually be detrimental for another.

“One man’s meat is another man’s poison." ~ Thomas Middleton.

This is the reason it’s so important to have a personalized plan that’s specific for your individual biochemistry, health history, lifestyle needs and goals. And is especially important if you've been diagnosed with any disease (cancer, diabetes, heart disease) or any other chronic condition - your health and food plan need to take who YOU are into account! This is also why Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches to health and food resonate with me: their principles are based on individual constitutions.

My Why:

When I burned out several years ago, I realized it was partly due to not fueling my body the way it needed nor finding time to nurture my creative spirit, along with underlying unresolved childhood trauma and grief. I found living holistically with attention to my mind, body and spirit, helped me feel better creatively and wholly. My degree in genetics and brain development cemented my love for learning about both the body and the brain and especially how they work together. I truly believe they are one and the same, and when we find what makes both flow, is when our health and creativity thrive. I fell in love with meditation as a way to centre myself and in 2017 I was certified to teach meditation and mindfulness. I've always taking an interest in health and the nutrition and the program from CSNN was a natural fit for me. When I’m not writing or tinkering in the kitchen, you’ll find me reading, in a yoga class, going for walks to inspire my poetry, volunteering, painting abstract masterpieces or taking photos of clouds and insects!

I’m excited to share with you what I’ve researched and learned over my career and the past several years in the topics of mindfulness, brain development, self-compassion, creative expression and of course nutrition, to help you live wholly with your mind, body and spirit. I have interests in the areas of Chinese medicine, mental health, art therapy, maternal/post-partum health and children’s health and I’m excited to see where my journey takes me.

P.S.: I’ve always been a bit shy about my overbite; when I was a teenager the orthodontist told us they’d have to surgically move my jaw forward in order for braces to work for me - so no braces! Over the years, many dentists have given me different versions of doom-and-gloom scenarios about my teeth and mouth. This past spring, I went to a new dentist and he was impressed with my teeth. He said he would have expected a lot more wear and tear based on my bone structure and said I was doing a great job of taking care of my teeth. He said no one can predict what may happen to my teeth over the next decades as I age, but said not to worry about it too much, as long as I can chew properly and I’m not in pain. At the end of the day don’t get hung up about how things look: health is all about how you feel and how you function.

Find me here:

http://kooksinthekitchen.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/kitchenkooksedm/

@natasha_writestuff

**Disclaimer: Please talk to your doctor before changing your diet and exercise routines or for questions about your medication. I am a holistic nutritional professional, not a physician – I cannot diagnose or treat any diseases or medical conditions.

In health and creativity,

Sunday, 28 July 2019

The Hallway Cafe: Education, Employment & Outreach

Good Morning on a soggy Edmonton Sunday, here's something that's sure to brighten your spirits:

Yesterday I went to a food photography class organized by #urbanyeg - a homegrown group of photography enthusiasts. Our workshop was facilitated by Jessica of #yeg.menu a food blogger/instagrammer. It was held at The Hallway Café, a local outreach/education/employment initiative with E4C and the City of Edmonton to help at-risk and homeless youth gain skills, learn and go to the school while having meaningful employment.

Take a peak through the Hallway.

From The Hallway Cafe's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thehallwaycafe/

"The physical restaurant space has been redesigned as a teaching kitchen space where the youth will work side by side with professionally trained chefs to attain hands on experience with the tools and techniques of the hospitality industry. The specific stations and modules are matched to traditional settings in a restaurant but will also focus on specific employment “soft” skills and skills that translate to everyday living.

From the social program we have expanded our ability to serve more youth within the employment skill development program as well as through our outreach services. These changes have helped us to develop an assessment phase for all youth to be sure that when they enter into the employment aspect of the program they have the right tools to succeed, and to help those work towards attaining these skills."

Outreach: why eat here?

This is the first time I've been to the Hallway Café and I fell in love with the whole concept. The ambience is beautiful as are the people that work there. The food is gorgeous, presented so lovingly, not to mention absolutely delicious! Have a look through some of my photos from the workshop - these are actual menu items - and please stop by The Hallway Café to lend your support and your taste buds to this wonderful community enterprise.

The Hallway Café is located in Edmonton City Hall and is open Monday-Friday 7AM - 3:30PM.

{July 2019: There is currently a lot of construction in the area, parking is best found south or north of city hall, east of Sir Winston Churchill Square or take the LRT.}