Christine Sullivan Naturopath

Why does it seem so difficult to become pregnant these days? At least part of the reason is that male fertility has reduced by 50% over the last 50 years. Read how microplastics, insecticides and mRNA vaccines have been found to contribute.

Microplastics: The latest killer of male fertility? | Frontline News Pesticides, mRNA vaccines also found to damage male fertility

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!
To those who have been fathers for a while, for those brand new fathers, to expectant fathers and those yet to be fathers. You are all so special and important to us.

Yellow and orange vegetables and fruits are rich sources of both vitamins A and C, and particularly benefit skin health, which just so happens to be your body's largest organ, and the first line of defense against harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
Yellow and orange vegetables and fruits are rich sources of both vitamins A and C, and particularly benefit skin health, which just so happens to be your body's largest organ, and the first line of defense against harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
Yellow and orange vegetables and fruits are rich sources of both vitamins A and C, and particularly benefit skin health, which just so happens to be your body's largest organ, and the first line of defence against harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
They are also rich in amazing anti-bacterial, antioxidants & anti-inflammatories like carotenoids, glutathione and curcuminoids not to mention B group vitamins and minerals like manganese, zinc & iron.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, yellow and orange vegetables are considered helpful to digestion (Earth Element) and gut health. Modern knowledge backs this up as these are rich in fibre and considering 70-80% of our immune cells are in the gut, so digestion and gut health equal improved immune health.
For more on immune power foods click here https://bit.ly/2RvOAqr

Include herbs and spices as part of your 'eating the rainbow'.

When people focus on trying to 'eat the rainbow,' they usually think of fruits and vegetables. However, herbs and spices also belong in the rainbow. In fact, these plant forms are concentrated sources of phytonutrients which have many health benefits. The more variety we bring in, the greater the spectrum of phytonutrients to support our function. Best to purchase spices in glass jars (rather than plastic) and to keep away from heat, light, and oxygen (smaller bottles are better) for reducing degradation. Note that spices have expiration dates, too. Those that are ground up into powders will have a shorter window of freshness.

Time to Smile

Immune Power Food - Cruciferous Vegetables
Include plenty of these veggies -
🥦 kale,
🥦broccoli,
🥬broccolini
🥬cauliflower
🥦Brussels sprouts
🥗collard greens
🥗mustard greens
🥦cabbage
🥬bok choy
🥗 rocket
All help support your liver and immune function by boosting the liver’s ability to flush out toxins.
Find more on immune power foods here https://bit.ly/2RvOAqr

Use veggies in your baking.
Still struggling with places to add veggies?
Try them in a treat!
Who can go past a rich beetroot chocolate cake or an old favorite carrot cake?
Veggie crisps from carrot, sweet potato, beetroot, parsnips, zucchini – slice thinly, sprinkle with a little sea salt and herbs and bake in a slow oven.
Then there is
Zucchini slice
Beetroot chocolate brownies
Zucchini, carrot & honey muffins (try this recipehttps://www.taste.com.au/recipes/zucchini-carrot-cake)
Zucchini & carrot cake (https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/zucchini-carrot-cake)

Food for Thought

Immune Power Foods - Mushrooms.
Reishi, maitake, shiitake and oyster mushrooms in particular possess unique immune-boosting properties that make them a worthy addition to an immune boosting diet and are a classic component in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for immune stimulating properties.
Add them into stir fries, soups, salads or over casseroles and also delicious as a mix on toast for breakfast.
Click here for more on immune power foods https://bit.ly/2RvOAqr

Go exotic with veggie bakes
Greek Briam, traditional roasted veggies,
Moussaka – minced meat, eggplant and whatever other vegetable you like
Italian vegetable bake with Mediterranean flavors
Classic French ratatouille with layers of whatever vegetables are available, sprinkled with herbs and roasted in the oven.

Monday Thoughts

Immune Power Foods - Fermented Foods & Drinks
Fermented foods such as
👍 yoghurt,
👍 kefir,
👍 kombucha,
👍 kimchi ,
👍sauerkraut
👍fermented vegetables
👍miso
👍tempeh
👍natto
all aid digestion and promote a healthy gut flora.
Around 70 to 80% of your immune cells reside in your gut wall so including fermented foods in your diet will promote a healthy gut will mean a robust immune system.
For more on immune power foods click here https://bit.ly/2RvOAqr

Layer up a Lasagna
Another way to replace carbs with veggies – use layers of Mediterranean vegetables like slices of tomato, zucchini, eggplant, capsicum, mushrooms, spinach, (or any veg you like) as well as or instead (gluten free!) of the lasagna sheets.
Of course, you will have already laden the meat sauce with veggies as well.
Add a small side salad and you’ve absolutely nailed it!
Thanks to Laura London for this gluten free vegetable lasagna idea.

Is this you?
It is OK to take control of your own health, however,
not everything you read on "Dr Google" is trustworthy.
Health practitioners spend many years studying in order to support you and your health so only search on PubMed or on well-respected health practitioners' sites for your information - or ask your health practitioner! 😊

Immune Power Food - Garlic
This powerful member of the onion family has to top the lists of food and herbs that promote health and prevent disease.
Its high allicin content is largely responsible for its disease-fighting effects
✔️ it is antibacterial,
✔️ it is antiviral,
✔️ it is mucotrophic (thins and helps clear mucus),
✔️ it is a powerful antioxidant compound that neutralizes free radicals and quells disease-causing inflammation.
Garlic has been used for thousands of years to prevent and treat respiratory, bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections as well. Add it to everything you can think of. Click here for more on immune power foods https://bit.ly/2RvOAqr

Pesto – traditionally using basil but can use any type of greens or medley of different greens, along with extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts (or nuts of your choice) and Parmesan.
Load your Bolognese sauce with carrots, zucchini, celery, grated pumpkin or sweet potato as well as the tomato, onion and garlic and serve over broccolini, asparagus or green beans.
Pesto – traditionally using basil but can use any type of greens or medley of different greens, along with extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts (or nuts of your choice) and parmesan.
Creamy green sauce – blend soaked cashews, a little water, some lime juice, a pinch of salt, a couple of large handfuls green leaves and tender stems (coriander, spinach, parsley, kale). Use in tacos, over roasted potatoes, as a salad dressing.
Avocado mayo – to dream of
You can find a link to my tomato sauce recipe here - http://feedingpickykids.com/recipe-special-tomato-sauce/

I'm often asked "Where do I get my calcium if i don't have dairy?"
The fact is, there are many good sources of dietary calcium apart from dairy foods. Plant sources and fish are some of the best. Here are just a new examples.
Calcium content per 100grams -
Salmon & sardines (with bones): 433gms
Sesame seeds: 110 gm
Spinach: 245 gm
Collard greens: 141 gm
Parsley: 203 gm
Broccoli: 40 mg
Almonds: 233 gm
Sunflower seeds: 174 gm
Chinese cabbage: 106 gm
Cows milk: 119 gm
Cottage cheese: 60 gm
Generally these sources have more bio-available calcium than dairy products.
Please message me if you would like to know more or would like a more detailed 'handout' on non dairy sources of calcium.

Immune Power Food - Chicken Soup
– for immunity and for the soul.
Good old homemade chicken soup would have to be one of the most effective, and delicious, natural remedies for preventing and treating viral infections.
When made from whole, pasture-raised chickens it is loaded with disease-fighting nutrients such as cysteine, an amino acid released during the cooking of chicken.
Real chicken broth made from whole chickens, bones and all, also contains a host of beneficial fats, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that support vibrant immunity.
Add plenty of garlic and handfuls of colourful vegetables for even more antioxidant and immune boosting punch. See here for more on immune power foods https://bit.ly/2RvOAqr

Swap simple carbs for Veggies
Swap pasta for spiralized vegetables like zucchini, carrots or parsnips to make into ‘spaghetti’ or ‘noodles’.
Swap rice for cauliflower rice or use cauliflower as a pizza base.
Thanks for this image of a delicious meal of Carrot and Zucchini Noodles to Katerina at Diethood.

What do you know about iodine?
What are the best sources?
It is known that iodine deficiency is associated with fibrocystic breast changes and is vital for thyroid hormone synthesis as well as foetal brain development.
This study (https://bit.ly/3z84Vqp) suggests that dietary Iodine insufficiency could be a contributing factor in the development of breast cancer in younger women.
Do you know what your level is? Make sure you are tested and be supplemented appropriately if needed.

We are being warned that we have a bad flu season upon us. How to reduce your susceptibility and support your immune system during the flu season? Don't forget that the best pharmacy is in your kitchen. 🌶🥣🌱 To ward off colds and flu add garlic, ginger, turmeric and other kitchen herbs to the traditional lemon and honey hot drink.
Here is the recipe

Kitchen Pharmacy Kick A Germ Joy Juice - Christine Sullivan Kitchen Pharmacy: Kick A Germ Joy Juice Dorothy Hall was a renowned Australian Naturopath and Herbalist. I “devoured” her books on natural medicine, Iridology and Herbalism way back in the early eighties. She was very much of the Nature Cure School, using fresh foods and every day herbs as our m...

Think salad!
Add a small side salad to your meal or get into the habit of eating a big salad every day in summer.
An easy way to still eat your favorite foods, and still getting a nutrient hit from fresh raw vegetables.
Doesn’t have to be fancy, some different lettuce types, spinach, rocket and herbs (parsley, chives, coriander, basil, lemon thyme)
Sprinkle with a simple lemon (lime or orange) and extra virgin olive dressing. Add a hit of color with cherry tomatoes, yellow capsicum or even a few blueberries or strawberries.

MONDAY MOMENT
Be still and listen.

Why do you need plenty of veggies every day?
They provide you with the many vitamins and minerals for vital body functions and fibre to ensure a healthy digestive system & elimination. The more colorful and more diverse the greater the variety of nutrients.
Stir fries are one of the easiest ways to load your plate with lots of color and different types of veggies. For instance, try sugar snap peas, snow peas, broccoli, onion, shallots, red, yellow or green capsicum, mushrooms, baby spinach or Asian greens, garlic, ginger plus a protein.

MOMENT TO REFLECT

Look who arrived last week! Mum and dad say their 3.4kg little man is 'soooo cute!' and "We’re so in love."
Congratulations to this happy little family. I'm SO pleased to have been able to support you in making this dream come true.