logo
Optimise your health - 2012
In This Issue
Women's Health Cambodia
Time to Detox?
Amaranth Tabouli recipe
Coconut - superfood
Join Our List

Join Our Mailing List
Women's Health Cambodia
My girls and I had a absolutely amazing time volunteering with Life Options in Cambodia. We taught English in rural village schools and assisted on village post-natal visits to check on the health of mummies and new babies. Without the service provided by Life Options, many of these women and their babies would not receive the medical care that they require.

The strong, resilient Cambodian women we met raise their children in difficult conditions which made us feel extremely blessed and fortunate - the village we stayed in did not even have running water or electricity and rats nibbled on our clothes while we slept one night (!!)

Living the simple village life made me realise not only how fortunate I am to live in Australia and be educated and healthy but also how crazy many of us are, juggling our lives and trying to be superwomen or men.
 Already, many patients I have seen this year seem to be sharing the sentiment that 2012 should be a year of slowing down, enjoying life and working hard to get the balance right.

 
 February 2012
Hello,

Welcome to 2012 and my 'new-look' newsletter and logo. After returning from my time in Cambodia and Thailand, I decided that it was time for a fresh image and I am feeling really inspired by the new colours. This look is being slowly incorporated into my business and will soon also be seen on my website so stay tuned!

During my amazing time in Cambodia, I saw the incredible benefits of visiting women in their homes post-birth. To support these women and others who find it difficult to get to the clinics, I have  now decided to offer home visits in the Eastern Suburbs and areas of the Inner West on Thursdays. Please contact me to discuss an appointment.

I have settled back into the fantastic Darling Street Health Centre in Balmain and also at the amazing Natural Wisdom clinic in Paddington and look forward to seeing you at one of these locations very soon to take charge of your health for 2012!

Warmly,
Belinda x
 
Time to Detox?
Women's health photo start the year on a high 
Well, it is that time of year again! Many of us have over-indulged, forgotten about exercise and generally found ourselves a little "off track". If this sounds like you, then a healthy detox program to kick-start 2012 may be just the thing you need!

Some symptoms of 'toxic overload' include:

* Poor digestion and bowel movements
* Bad breath & coated tongue
* Frequent headaches
* Depression, irritability & anxiety
* Weight gain
* Skin rashes, boils, pimples
* Frequent viral infections/lowered immunity
* General aches and pains
* Low energy levels
* Allergies

While many people view a detox program as a time for struggle and denial, it can actually be a truly pleasurable and enjoyable experience where you make time to prioritise your health and focus on your goals for 2012.

If you would like to begin the year on a natural high, make an appointment to begin a 3 week detox program which incorporates dietary and lifestyle changes with supportive herbs and nutrients - feel the difference!

 

Recipe - Delicious Lunch Salad
amaranth tabouli amaranth tabouli
Amaranth is an extremely tiny, yet extremely nutritious seed that cooks up like a grain (like quinoa). It is gluten-free and high in protein, calcium and magnesium. Parsley is a fantastic source of calcium and is also a great immune-boosting source of vitamin C. This recipe serves 4-6.

This recipe makes a great side salad to some roast chicken, beef or lamb. I like to combine it with roast meat and take it to the clinic for my lunch for the next few days. Yum!

Ingredients:

*1 cup amaranth
*1/2 cups water
*3-4 tomatoes, cored and chopped
*2 cups finely chopped parsley
*2 cups finely chopped fresh mint
*4 shallots, chopped
*1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
*5 tablespoons olive oil, plus more to taste
*good pinch of ground cinnamon, plus more to taste


Directions:

1. Heat amaranth in a pan over low heat, stirring constantly, until the grains start to pop and the amaranth is fragrant (1-2 minutes). Transfer to a small pot and add the water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until most, if not all, of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes, covered.

 

2. Cool the cooked amaranth, then combine with the rest of the ingredients. Stir well to combine, taste for seasonings, and serve.

 

Superfood - Coconut
coconut delicious and nutritious!

Many of you will know that coconuts are one of my favourite superfoods. Coconuts are classified as a "functional food," which means that they provide health benefits over and beyond the basic nutrients.

Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal.

 

At one time coconut oil received negative press because of its high level of saturated fat. However, modern research has shown that not all saturated fats are alike and that the fatty acids in coconut oil, the medium chain triglycerides, do not raise serum cholesterol or contribute to heart disease, but are in fact very healthy.  The anti-microbial lauric acid has been specifically identified as the key ingredient in coconut.

 

The coconut fatty acids have been shown to improve thyroid function, balance blood sugar levels and enhance healthy weight loss, which are vital factors for health, optimum fertility and a healthy pregnancy. Coconut oil also improves breast milk quality!   

 

The best coconuts are the young green coconuts which can be chopped open (watch a youtube demo for this!) and drunk through a straw and then scoop the flesh out and enjoy! Coconuts can be enjoyed and incorporated into your diet in many ways:

  • Use the fresh coconut water and flesh in smoothies 
  • Chop the flesh and use in salads, stir-fries and curries 
  • Use coconut oil in place of other oils for stir-fries and sauteeing
  • Use dessicated coconut and coconut oil in muffins and baked goods
  • Coconut bliss balls  

Belinda Kirkpatrick is a qualified Naturopath and mother of two, who specialises in fertility management and women's and children's health and is also experienced in all areas of general practice. She welcomes enquiries from all new patients.

  

Belinda provides caring, thorough and professional assessments and offers dietary, lifestyle and wellness advice. Treatment approaches may include herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, dietary and lifestyle changes.  


Darling Street Health Centre

1/449 Darling St

BALMAIN 2041

9555 8806

 

Natural Wisdom

220a Glenmore Rd

PADDINGTON 2021

0400 551 622