Springtime immune boosters, Burnout, and Becoming a Healthier Woman

Topics Mentioned:

Introduction (00:00 – 05:42):Getting the Body Ready for Spring

Many people get sick as the seasons change because the change of season is a stress on our bodies – and we don’t think about it that way. Yet in the Chinese Medicine tradition, people would make a ‘change of season soup’ to help them adjust. Help your lowered immune system keep strong and fight the many viruses by upping your defenses:

Rejuvenating teas like Clef des Champs Astragalus
St. Francis Deep Immune tonic
Living Alchemy Probiotics
Natural Factors Vitamin C and D supplements

First Segment: Trending Topics

Topic (5:42 – 23:48):The Five Main Times Women Might ExperienceAdrenal Fatigue… and WHY!

Adrenals manage your stress, but if you put your body through a lot, they can put out a constant stream of adrenaline and prolong the stress response, causing fatigue. When the adrenals get tired, you’ll encounter a cascading of symptoms and health issues that harm your productivity and energy. Here are times in a woman’s life when adrenal fatigue is most likely to become apparent:

Heading off to post-secondary schooling
During her first pregnancy
The years leading up to menopause (perimenopause)
If they go through a traumatic experience
The menopause years

Janet and Emily explain how these situations create or reveal adrenal fatigue, and offer solutions to any woman in these situations!

Maximize magnesium – it’s a must nutrient when you’re going through adrenal fatigue, and the most common mineral deficiency. One good supplement is CanPrev.
Protein – our adrenals are going to be more sensitive to blood sugar imbalances; proteinin the morning balances the blood sugar and nourishes the adrenal glands
Purposeful relaxation throughout the day! Tactics like deep breathing can make a world of difference.
Four herbs for calming the nervous system: Rhodiola Rhoziva, Ashwaganda in the form of St. Francis tinctures, Clef des Champs Oatstraw, and New Roots D-Stress Lavender. They can produce fantastic results when someone is feeling exhausted or burnt out.
Prioritize sleep. It’s the only way your adrenals will really rejuvenate!

Audience Questions

Second Segment: Audience Questions

Question (24:46 – 31:46):“I’m a middle-aged woman who’s a bit new to healthy living and eating. What is the most important thing I can do to protect my health?”

It’s not surprising that Emily and Janet have a lot to recommend, but here are four quick tips for anyone beginning their health journey, regardless of age!

Oil Change!: Replace Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) like vegetable oils, canola oils, and grapeseed oils with healthy, whole fats like grassfed butter, ghee, and avocado oil.
Eat your colours: The more colour you buy on grocery day, the better! Dark purple, shades of green, light red, orange, yellow – getting all the colours of the rainbow in a salad will bring a wide variety of phytonutrients and antioxidants. Expand your palate and try some new things!
Include a detox food into your diet: A recent article detailed five great detox foods – flax seeds, cruciferous veggies (cauliflower, kale), bitter greens (dandelion greens), broccoli sprouts, and sea vegetables. Pick one and start including it regularly in your diet.
Love your food!: Create a new relationship with your food and see it as your helper, healer, and friend.

Recipe (31:46 – 35:36): Creamy Cauliflower and Zucchini Soup

I made a big pot of this soup the other day, and I am glad I did. Some family dropped by, some grandkids stayed over, and then one of my daughters called to say the whole family was sick – could I bring over some food? This soup hit the spot in each instance!

Because you are going to puree the soup, you can cut the vegetables in large pieces and leave the garlic whole, saving time.

2 onions
2 heads cauliflower
4 medium zucchini
6 cloves garlic
4 cups chicken bone broth (or water)
Water as needed (start with 2 cups, and add more as needed)
¼ cup chicken bone broth powder
¼ cup grass-fed butter, or more to taste
1 Tbsp coarse unrefined salt (more or less to taste, depending on the saltiness of your stock)
Dash of cayenne

Place the onions, cauliflower, broth and water into a large soup pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 7-8 minutes. Add the zucchini and garlic, and simmer till tender. Add the bone broth powder, butter, salt and cayenne, and puree till smooth. Add more water gradually until your desired consistency is reached. Now intensify the flavour to your liking by adding additional salt, butter, and a bit of cayenne – you don’t want it to be spicy, but the cayenne adds body and brightness.

Serve topped with fresh minced herbs such as green onions or parsley.