Healthy Camp Foods

The snow is melting, the air is becoming warmer and the days are growing longer, without a doubt camping season is right around the corner. While it seems like hot dogs and hamburgers are the easiest option for weekends spent in the woods, there are tons of healthy, easy options to bring along camping! A lot of food options will vary on whether you can pack a cooler or not. If you are car camping and can pack a cooler then your options are almost endless. If you are backpacking, your options aren’t as extensive but not to worry we’ve got you covered!

For breakfast if using a cooler, I love scrambled eggs with peppers, mushrooms, onions and garlic. You can purchase an egg holder, to prevent eggs from breaking for under five dollars at your local grocery store. If you have a cooking grate and a skillet (or camp stove) you can cook just about anything you can cook at home while camping. Another car camping breakfast favorite is breakfast quinoa tacos. Add a whole wheat tortilla, salsa, eggs and quinoa (maybe left over from the night before) and a protein packed breakfast is waiting for you! If I am without a cooler oatmeal is my go to. Quaker sells organic oats already individualized. Just add boiled water and you are set. I like to add nut butter for protein. I often keep hemp seeds, chia seeds and goji berries in a zip lock to add to my morning oatmeal. Bringing a small spice rack along can really improve on the flavor- cinnamon for the oatmeal! If you have some extra time on your hands before your trip, the yummylife does a great DIY oatmeal.

Snacks are must when camping, Nuts and nut betters are a great way to pack the protein. When hiking I do not get very hungry, nuts are an easy way to get some quick fuel without a heavy meal. Other easy snacks to bring along whether it's camping, hiking or traveling are fresh fruit, chopped vegetables, hummus with celery and carrots as well as whole grain or nut crackers and healthy energy bars (look for low sugar and a short list of healthy ingredients).Wild albacore tuna in a pouch with crackers is a very easy, delicious and protein packed option to bring along camping.

For dinner, I love to do a good stew. Precook the rice or quinoa at home, bring it along in a zip lock bag and bring an assortment of vegetables. Adding everything to a pot with vegetable broth or water (water may be the easiest when backpacking, as you can just filter this from your water source instead of carrying it in), let simmer, and in just a short time a delicious stew is made. This is also when the spice rack comes in handy to season the stew. Another great option is freezing left overs at home, think rice and veggies, and letting them thaw while camping.

Article by Danielle Fernandez

Monsanto Has Been Banned in Many Countries

Why Not Here??

5 Easy Skin Protecting Tactics for Skiers & Snowboarders

Colorado is known for its high mountains, beautiful scenery, and great winter snow recreation. As high altitude equals thin air this also increases sun exposure resulting in Ultraviolet Ray (UV) levels being dangerously high. The importance of using sunscreen through all seasons is a must. Here are a few ways to decrease your exposure and additional research to back it up! 

1. Apply SPF 15+ sunscreen to exposed areas on the face about 30 minutes before going into the sun to allow sunscreen to absorb and become effective 

2. Re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours: this is the optimal recommendation to reduce exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight for the prevention of skin cancer

3. Wear a brim: wearing a helmet with a brim or a helmet with a hat underneath that has a brim is an easy way to protect your skin from sun exposure all day long- no need to re apply!

4. Carry lip balm with you that has an SPF 15+ , this will improve sun protection on lips and avoid them chapping too

5. Wear eye protection even on cloudy days: overcast may seem to be less sunny however sun exposure remains the same. Continue wearing goggles during sports and sunglasses in between activities to keep your eyes along with the delicate skin around your eyes free of the sun’s harmful rays

Studies suggest that the compliance of wearing sunscreen during winter sports is well under the recommended amount. In a study published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, aspects of compliance were examined. Among a cohort of 4,837 adult skiers, sunscreen advice was given and results were measured. Based on the aforementioned suggestions, a low compliance rate resulted. This suggests the general skiing public perceives there susceptibility to skin cancer as low- even when provided with skin protection advice and statistics on adverse outcomes of noncompliance.

Natural Sunscreen Vs Chemical

When shopping for sunscreens be wary of your options. Sunscreens can often times contain toxic additives that are harmful to the body. Always opt for a truly natural sunscreen that does not contain parabens or pthalates.

Skin Deep provides the public with a searchable database of cosmetic products along with safety information please visit:

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep

For more information about AAD's study please read:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3193866/

Naturopathic Physicians: Natural Medicine. Real Solutions.

THIS WEEK ( Oct 7th-13th, 2013 ) 

Check out our featured event on

American Association of Naturopathic Physician (AANP) 's page!

http://www.naturopathic.org//calendar_day.asp?event=888&date=10/7/2013

Colorado Governor Signs Bill Regulating Naturopathic Doctors!

Colorado Governor Signs Bill Regulating Naturopathic Doctors

Enactment Will Increase Access to Natural Medicine for Illness Prevention Denver, CO, June 5 - Governor John Hickenlooper today signed into law a measure to allow naturopathic doctors to register with the state to legally practice naturopathic medicine. Colorado becomes the 17th state to do so, along with the District of Columbia.   "I am proud that Colorado has taken the lead in ensuring that well trained naturopathic doctors, appropriately regulated, become a viable health care option for the citizens of our state," said Rep. Joann Ginal (D-Ft. Collins), the bill's lead sponsor. Sen. Linda Newell (D-Littleton), the bill's sponsor in the Senate, commented that "naturopathic doctors are going to be a key component in health care, saving the state millions of dollars through their focus on disease prevention and natural treatment, such as nutrition, lifestyle counseling and botanical medicine." Naturopathic doctors are trained to prevent and treat chronic conditions associated with lifestyle - such as hypertension, weight gain, obesity, and diabetes - as well as most other illnesses. The law will enable Coloradans to distinguish between naturopathic doctors and lay or traditional naturopaths, who lack extensive graduate-level clinical training. The law allows naturopathic doctors who have completed a 4-year post-graduate program at an accredited naturopathic medical school and have passed a national science and clinical board exam to register with the state. Currently, more than 150 naturopathic doctors practice in Colorado. As with other licensed medical professionals, a framework will now be provided for the safe and effective conduct of their profession, including: A registration program for qualified naturopathic doctors A multi-disciplinary advisory committee with oversight responsibility Requirements to maintain liability insurance and meet continuing professional competencies A requirement that naturopathic doctors communicate and collaborate, as appropriate, with other health care practitioners "This is a great day for naturopathic doctors and the citizens of Colorado," remarked Denise Clark, ND, president of the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CoAND). "Our members are dedicated to patient-centered, preventive care. Naturopathic doctors provide a safe, effective, and affordable alternative for patients seeking holistic health care." "An increasing base of scientific research is affirming that naturopathic medicine is useful in the treatment of numerous chronic illnesses," observed Jud Richland, MPH, Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). "A good example is the recent study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, documenting that naturopathic medicine may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among people at high risk. Naturopathic medicine, with its emphasis on self-responsibility and body's inherent self-healing capacity, is effective in many cases of preventable illness, which affect a vast and increasing number of Americans."

What is Health & Wellness in Vail Valley?

What is Health & Wellness for the Vail Valley?

I was in southern India for the month of April and was impressed in how this country is approaching health and wellness.  India offers three different hospital systems to patients’ allopathic hospitals, naturopathic hospitals and ayurvedic hospitals.  The government is supporting the naturopathic and ayurvedic hospitals because these therapies work well for difficult cases. At the naturopathic hospital the patient is treated using all organic vegetarian foods, daily yoga, over fifty different types of hydrotherapy treatments depending on their condition, acupuncture, massages with non-toxic oils and other types of condition specific therapies. At the ayurvedic hospitals the patient is treated using specific types of foods according to their dosha such as pitta, kapha or vata.  They are also doing yoga at least three times a week and ayurvedic massages which use non-toxic oils infused with medicinal herbs depending on the condition. Ayurvedic medicine also uses panchakarma therapy an internal cleansing treatment using sweating, enemas, sinus washes, dietary changes, and herbal treatments.

These hospitals are using organic foods and many of them are doing there own farming. As a naturopathic physician myself our food is the basis of most of the chronic disease today.  In the United States studies are showing that one in two people are obese this includes Colorado which was one of the healthiest states in the country.  Allopathic medicine does not treat obesity very well unless you want to have your stomach stabled.  Our diet and lifestyle is responsible for diabetes, high cholesterol, heart diseases, one third of all cancers and high blood pressure.  Many people that I see claim their high cholesterol is genetic because everyone in their family has high cholesterol.  It’s not genetic it is because everyone in their family eats the same way.  Eating healthy is not easy for a lot of people because of their fast pace life style.  The majority of the people that I see do not really know what a healthy diet is.  We have become a society of processed, genetically modified and pesticide laden foods.  In turn, we have one of the worse health care systems in the industrial world.  It was refreshing to see India not following our footsteps and offering choices in health care.

In the United States in the early 1900’s there were twenty three naturopathic hospitals in this country in which patients were treated using a healthy diet, exercise, massages, hydrotherapy treatments, botanical medicine and homeopathy.  Then the pharmaceutical companies took over and now we have drugs that have become the fourth leading cause of death in this country.  It is sad to see that we are not taking charge of our health.  Granted as individuals we do need to be responsible for our choices. 

I find it interesting that the Vail Valley wants to become a health and wellness center.  But I see nothing being done to move in this direction.  A visitor can come here to these beautiful mountains which can be healing in themselves, exercise and have a massage in which toxic oils are used. These visitors can do this in any state.  What makes our valley so special besides the scenery?  If we want to be a health and wellness center we have to offer health and wellness.  By definition health is the general condition of a person’s mind, body and spirit meaning to be free of illness, injury or pain.  Wellness can have many different definitions the Foundation of Wellness Professionals defines it as care without drugs that can not only eliminate health problems but prevent them.  Health and wellness is about treating the cause of any illness so that a person can obtain Optimal Health.  By treating the symptoms’ of a health problem that problem will never resolve and the person will never obtain optimal health.  Our health care system needs to completely change its direction if we truly want to offer health and wellness. 

Plateau Ginseng: The High Altitude Adaptogen

In ancient China and Tibet, the pharmacopaea of medicinal herbs contained many substances for treating various diseases and enhancing the quality of life.   Few, however, were as effective as the adaptogen Rhodiola sacra, also known by the Chinese name Hong Jing Tian or plateau ginseng.  “Sacra” in the Latin name indicates that this herb was and is sacred to the Tibetan people, and in modern times it is still extremely effective for treating multiple conditions.  In Chinese medicine, it is used to tonify the Qi, or vital energy, soothe asthmatic conditions, move the blood and smooth blood flow.  In Western medicine, this can translate to enhancing energy and restoring strength after illness or surgery, enhance the mental function, dissipate bruises and swelling, and help the body to utilize oxygen better.

The channel affinity for this herb are the Lung and Heart meridians, which reflects its use by athletes- it can dramatically improve athletic performance, especially at high altitude, by increasing the body’s ability to use oxygen, and enhancing blood flow.  The energy is mild, and the flavor is both sweet and bitter.  It is thought that because it thrives at extremely high altitudes above 10,000 feet, and requires cold temperatures to grow, the adaptogenic qualities are passed onto those who use the herb medicinally.

Other herbs that greatly enhance the effects of Rhodiola are Cordyceps sinensis, (Cordyceps Mushroom) and American Ginseng/Dang  Shen.  Formulas containing these herbs, such as “Mountain Qi/High Altitude Athlete”  (available only at the Riverwalk Pharmacy) are exceptional at increasing strength and stamina at high altitude, and improving overall health and vitality for those of us living high in the mountains.  This incredible ancient herb is still helping to keep us strong in the 21^st century.

Dustin Bergman, L.Ac