More Info, More Confusion: The Truth About Google & ChatGPT Health Advice

A Conversation About Technology, Health Information & Human Connection

A few years ago, I wrote a post called “Is Google Your Doctor?” about the growing trend of turning to the internet for medical advice. I had many patients coming in with self-diagnosed conditions and wanted confirmation about what they had read. Or I had the patients that were terrified that there benign symptoms might be cancer. Fast forward to today, and the conversation has expanded. Now we have intelligent tools like ChatGPT, health tracking apps, symptom checkers, and AI-powered diagnostics — all designed to make information more accessible than ever before.

But while technology in healthcare has made remarkable strides, it’s important to pause and ask: is more information always better? And are these tools replacing something essential —

the human connection, strategy, and personalized care that true healing often requires?

Let’s explore this together.

1. How Technology Has Changed Medical and Patient Care

There’s no denying it — technology has transformed the way we manage our health.
Today, you can:

• Track your heart rate, sleep patterns, and blood sugar with wearable devices.

• Look up symptoms, treatment options, and natural remedies with a quick online search.

• Use AI tools like ChatGPT to explain lab results or suggest lifestyle changes.

Even conventional healthcare systems are integrating telemedicine, AI-based diagnostic tools, and virtual health coaches.

This increased accessibility empowers people to be active participants in their health, saving time, money, and reducing the intimidation that often comes with medical jargon or in-person consultations.

2. The Rise of Google, ChatGPT & AI for Health Advice

People are increasingly using Google and AI tools like ChatGPT to:

• Research symptoms and conditions before deciding whether to visit a doctor.

• Look up natural remedies, Ayurvedic herbs, and home treatment options.

• Create diet or exercise plans based on popular trends or AI recommendations.

• Find online communities for support and shared experiences.

And on the surface, this seems helpful. It’s fast, free, and convenient — giving people a sense of control over their well-being.

3. The Pitfalls: When Too Much (or Misguided) Information Can Be Harmful

But here’s the reality: technology can be a double-edged sword.

Information without context can lead to:

• Misdiagnosis: It’s easy to mistake a minor symptom for a serious illness — or overlook warning signs when self-diagnosing through a screen.

• Overwhelm: Endless scrolling through articles, forums, and AI suggestions can leave you more anxious and confused than when you started.

• Generic advice: AI tools, while intelligent, don’t know you. Your unique health history, lifestyle, emotional patterns, and (from an Ayurvedic perspective) your body type (dosha) matter immensely when determining what’s right for you.

• Mismatched remedies: For example, someone with a fiery Pitta constitution might read an AI-recommended diet high in spicy, stimulating foods — worsening their imbalance without realizing it.

While tools like ChatGPT can offer general education and even interesting insights, they lack the nuance to recognize how a recommendation might affect you personally.

4. So, Is ChatGPT Your Doctor? The Value of Human Guidance

In truth — technology can be a helpful ally when used wisely. It can:

✅ Provide general education.
✅ Help you ask better questions at your next appointment.
✅ Offer reminders about lifestyle habits and track progress.

But it’s not a replacement for human care.

In today’s world, what people truly need isn’t just more information — it’s a STRATEGY. A personalized, thoughtful plan that respects your whole being: mind, body, and spirit. And sometimes, most importantly, you need someone in your corner — to help interpret, filter, and prioritize what matters for you.

Why Work with a Naturopathic or Ayurvedic Doctor?

As a naturopathic and Ayurvedic practitioner, my role isn’t just to provide information — it’s to:

✨ Understand your unique constitution, health history, and current challenges.
✨ Craft a personalized strategy for your healing journey.
✨ Offer both conventional insight and time-tested natural approaches.
✨ Provide the human connection, accountability, and compassionate guidance that no app or AI can replace.

Because real healing happens through conversation, intuition, and relationship — not just algorithms.

Final Thoughts

Technology will continue to evolve, and it’s wonderful that tools like ChatGPT can empower people to learn about their health. But remember: more information isn’t always better. Wise, personalized guidance is what leads to true, sustainable wellness.

So go ahead — use the tools. But also find your trusted human guide, whether it’s a naturopathic doctor, Ayurvedic practitioner, or other holistic professional. Together, we can turn information into wisdom and action.

Curious to start (or re-start) your personalized health strategy?

Contact me — I’d be happy to walk that path with you.
🌸 Dr. Leena Sripada, ND |www.DoctorLeena.ca

Ayurveda & Ice Cream

Ayurveda & Ice Cream: Can You Have Your Scoop and Stay Balanced Too?

Ah, ice cream. That creamy, dreamy, melt-on-your-tongue summer treat we all adore. But if you’ve dabbled in Ayurveda, you’ve probably heard that cold, heavy, and overly sweet foods aren’t exactly celebrated in the traditional texts. So what’s an ice cream lover to do?

Good news: Ayurveda is a science of living in harmony with nature and yourself, not about rigid rules. The key lies in understanding how, when, and what kind of ice cream you indulge in to minimize digestive and doshic imbalances.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

🍨 Why Ice Cream Is Tricky in Ayurveda

From an Ayurvedic perspective, ice cream is:

• Cold → weakens agni (digestive fire), can slow digestion, and create ama (toxins).

• Heavy → hard to digest, especially when combined with other foods.

• Sweet → increases Kapha and of course, not good for glycemix index (blood sugar).

Dairy can be another sensitivity that adds to heaviness and congestion. However — Ayurveda isn’t anti-pleasure. The goal is mindful indulgence. You can enjoy ice cream as a summer treat if you honor your dosha type, choose wisely, and eat it with intention.

🍦 How to Enjoy Ice Cream — Ayurvedically

1. Choose the Right Time

• Best time: Midday into early afternoon (1–3 pm) when agni is naturally strongest. You want to wait at least an hour after lunch though so you don’t compromise digestion.

• Avoid late nights or directly after a heavy meal (prime ama-building moments).

2. Choose Flavours & Ingredients based on Dosha

Vata

Tends to have weak digestion, cold hands & feet, and sensitivity to cold foods.

Best Choices:

• Small amounts of warmer, spiced dairy-free options (almond or oat milk based)

• Flavours like vanilla, mango, or cardamom

• Add warming spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger

Avoid:

• Frozen, super-cold desserts straight from the freezer. Let it soften a little first.

Tip: Pair with a warm herbal tea afterwards (like ginger or cinnamon tea) to aid digestion. Keep portions small.

Pitta

Already hot by nature — they crave cooling things but need to avoid heavy, mucus-forming dairy and overly sugary treats which cause inflammation.

Best Choices:

• Coconut milk or almond milk ice creams

• Flavours like rose, mango, vanilla, saffron

• Sweeten with natural options like maple syrup or coconut sugar

Avoid:

• Overeating

• Excessive sugar

Tip: Add cooling herbs like cardamom, fennel, or mint.

Kapha

Prone to sluggish digestion, congestion, and weight gain. Already cold by nature.

Best Choices:

• Light, dairy-free options (almond or oat milk)

• Flavours like spiced chai, ginger-cardamom, or fruit-based sorbets

• Sweeten lightly with stevia or minimal coconut sugar

Avoid:

• Heavy dairy ice cream, especially at night

• Overly sweet, dense desserts

Tip: Enjoy ice cream after a brisk walk or some light exercise to stoke agni.

🍨 Ayurvedic-Inspired Ice Cream Ideas

Golden Milk Ice Cream

• Coconut milk base

• Turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper

• Sweetened with maple syrup

Mango-Rose Sorbet

• Fresh mango puree

• Rose water

• Coconut sugar

Spiced Chai Almond Ice Cream

• Almond milk base

• Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom

• Sweetened with dates

Final Thoughts

In Ayurveda, it’s not about deprivation — it’s about wisdom. Yes, ice cream may not be a textbook Ayurvedic food, but summer joys are meant to be savored, mindfully and moderately. By choosing appropriate flavours, eating at the right time, and honoring your unique constitution, you can enjoy your ice cream without freezing your agni or upsetting your doshas.

So go ahead — have your scoop in moderation and enjoy summer!

———————->

If you’d like to learn more about your Dosha Type, you can access your free dosha quiz here. For more detailed constitutional assessment, you can book a consulation with Dr. Leena Sripada here.

Let's Talk about Sweat

By Dr. Leena Sripada, ND, AAWC

In a passing conversation, I heard that some people are getting their sweat gland removed from their armpits. Why? So you can’t see their sweat. 

As health care practitioner, this was almost disturbing for me to hear…

Sweating is essential for detox, sweating is essential to regulate our body temperatures. If we suppress our sweat, it is bound to show up as toxins in other ways with repercussions. And as we enter the hot, summer, sweaty season, let’s talk about it!

When was the last time you broke a good sweat? Was it during a workout, a summer heatwave, or perhaps a nervous moment before a big presentation? However it happened, sweating is one of the most natural — and essential — processes our bodies perform. Yet, we often overlook its importance or even try to suppress it.

Let’s dive deeper into why sweating matters for your health, how it functions in both modern medicine and ancient healing traditions like Ayurveda, and how to support healthy sweating and hydration for optimal wellbeing.

Why Do We Sweat?

At its core, sweating is your body’s natural way of regulating temperature. When your internal body temperature rises, your brain signals the sweat glands to release fluid onto the surface of your skin. As this moisture evaporates, it cools your body down.

But sweat isn’t just about temperature control. It also plays a vital role in:

• Detoxification: Eliminating certain waste products and toxins.
  
  

• Immune support: Creating a less hospitable environment for harmful microbes
  
  

• Skin health: Helping to clear pores and improve skin tone and moisture.
  
  

• Emotional release: Reflecting our inner state during stress, anxiety, or excitement
  
  

Ayurveda’s View on Sweat

In Ayurvedic medicine, sweda (sweat) is considered one of the essential waste products (mala) of the body. Healthy sweating is seen as a natural expression of balanced pitta dosha — the energy associated with heat, transformation, and metabolism.

According to Ayurveda:

• Excessive sweating may indicate aggravated pitta or aggravated vata through anxiety.
  
  

• Minimal or absent sweating can suggest a sluggish metabolism, excess kapha, or blocked channels (srotas) or simply a cooler body type like vata.
  
  

• Foul-smelling sweat may be a sign of accumulated toxins (ama) in the system and should not be suppressed with antiperspirants but should be dealt with by balancing the whole system.
  
  

Balanced sweating maintains clear skin, supports digestive fire (agni), and helps maintain emotional equilibrium.

The Benefits of a Good Sweat

Beyond ancient wisdom and modern physiology, here’s what a good sweat session can offer:

• Boosts circulation
  
  

• Supports lymphatic drainage
  
  

• Improves mood by releasing endorphins
  
  

• Promotes skin detox and glow
  
  

• Strengthens immune defenses
  
  

• Reduces stress and tension
  
  

Is It Possible to Sweat Too Much — or Not Enough?

Yes. Both extremes can be signs of imbalance.

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) may stem from:

• High pitta constitution or imbalance
  
  

• Anxiety and stress
  
  

• Overstimulation from caffeine, alcohol, or spicy foods
  
  

• Certain medical conditions like hyperthyroidism
  
  

Insufficient sweating (anhidrosis or hypohidrosis) can be linked to:

• Excess kapha dosha
  
  

• Dehydration
  
  

• Blocked sweat glands
  
  

• Underactive thyroid
  
  

• Chronic fatigue or certain autoimmune conditions
  
  

Simple Ways to Encourage Healthy Sweating

If you tend to feel heavy, congested, or emotionally stagnant, you might benefit from therapies that promote gentle sweating:

• Sauna or steam baths (Ayurveda favors herbal steam therapy known as swedana often done after Ayurvedic oil massages to drive in the medicinal oils)
  
  

• Brisk walks or gentle exercise
  
  

• Dry brushing and abhyanga (warm oil massage) to open the channels
  
  

• Drinking hydrating fluids (like natural electrolyte drinks)
  
  

• Wearing natural, breathable fabrics like cotton, bamboo and silk to support natural perspiration
  
  

When to Pay Attention to Your Sweat

While sweating is normal and healthy, certain signs might warrant closer attention:

• A sudden increase or decrease in sweat without obvious cause
  
  

• Strong, unusual, or foul odors (indicating toxins like Candida)
  
  

• Night sweats without a known trigger
  
  

• Drenching sweats paired with fever, weight loss, or fatigue
  
  

In these cases, consult with your naturopathic doctor or Ayurvedic practitioner to identify underlying causes.

Final Thoughts

Sweating is far more than a messy side effect of summer heat or gym sessions — it’s a vital expression of your body’s intelligence and resilience. In both naturopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, we see it as a powerful tool for detoxification, emotional release, and maintaining energetic balance.

So, the next time you feel a little glisten on your brow, thank your body for doing its beautiful work.

Did you miss the Summer webinar with Ayurvedic tips to stay cool? Watch the replay —> here

Replenish & Recharge: Citrus-Mint Electrolyte Drink

Scrap the Gatorade full of artificial colour and sugar. Opt in for a naturally cooling, mineral-rich drink to replenish your body after sweating, promoting hydration, mineral balance, and digestive comfort - that is cheap and easy to make!

Ingredients

• Juice of 1 fresh lime (key limes are best)
  
  

• 1–2 tsp pure maple syrup (or raw honey)
  
  

• A pinch of natural rock salt or Himalayan pink salt
  
  

• 6–8 fresh mint leaves, lightly crushed
  
  

• 1½ cups (350 ml) fresh water
  
  

• Optional: ¼ tsp magnesium powder
  
  

Instructions

1. In a glass or jar, combine the lime juice, maple syrup, and salt. Stir until dissolved.
   
   

2. Add the crushed mint leaves.
   
   

3. Pour in the water and stir well.
   
   

4. Stir in magnesium powder if using.
   
   
   

Ayurvedic Variations: Balance Your Dosha

🌿 Vata Balancing

• Use warm water instead of cool
  
  

• Add a pinch of ground ginger for warmth and digestion.
  
  
  

🔥 Pitta Balancing

• Stick with slightly cool or room temperature water
  
  

• Add extra mint leaves or a few rose petals for enhanced cooling
  
  

• Use coconut water in place of filtered water for added natural electrolytes

🌱 Kapha Balancing

• Use warm water
  
  

• Add a pinch of black pepper or cayenne for metabolism support
  
  

• Replace maple syrup with raw honey (stir only after water cools slightly)
  
  

Doctor’s Tip: Sip this after your morning walk, post-workout, or any time you’ve worked up a healthy sweat to keep your body balanced and refreshed.

Why This Works

This simple drink replenishes vital minerals lost in sweat, soothes digestion, calms the nervous system, and keeps your doshas balanced after physical activity or heat exposure.

🌸 Crafted with care by Dr. Leena Sripada, ND |www.DoctorLeena.ca

Hormonal Health in Women: Ayurvedic Insights

Hormonal shifts are a natural part of every woman’s life, from menstruation to menopause. While these transitions can bring challenges—like PMS, mood swings, hot flashes, and sleep issues—Ayurveda offers powerful tools to restore balance gently and effectively. Understanding the root causes through an Ayurvedic lens can help women navigate hormonal changes with more ease and vitality. These are natural phases of life, when acknowledged, can be dealt with at ease.

The Ayurvedic View on Hormonal Imbalance

Ayurveda sees hormonal health as deeply connected to the balance of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha governs specific physiological and emotional functions:

• Vata (air + ether) regulates movement, nervous system activity, and elimination.
  
  

• Pitta (fire + water) governs metabolism, digestion, and transformation.
  
  

• Kapha (earth + water) supports structure, lubrication, and emotional stability.
  
  

Hormonal imbalances arise when these doshas go out of sync due to imbalanced diet, stress, lifestyle, environmental toxins, and disharmony between our body-mind-spirit.

PMS

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) often reflects a Vata-Pitta imbalance, especially in the nervous and reproductive systems. Symptoms like anxiety, irritability, bloating, cramps, and insomnia point to excess Vata (irregularity and dryness) and Pitta (inflammation and intensity). We must remember that in a healthy woman, PMS symptoms typically should go almost unnoticed - which is uncommon these days because most people are out of balance!

Ayurvedic Support:

• Diet: Favor warm, cooked, grounding foods like stews, kitchari, and root vegetables. Include lots of ginger to promote circulation and reduce inflammation. Avoid caffeine and refined sugar which increases inflammation and avoid cold/raw foods which dampens agni.
  
  

• Lifestyle: Balance activity with rest, gentle movement (like yoga or walking), and routine (dinacharya). Self-massage (abhyanga) with warm sesame oil calms Vata. Castor oil packs can reduce inflammation and strengthen digestion.
  
  

• Herbs: Many of the root adaptagens like Shatavari, Aswagandha, Licorice help soothe the nervous system, tone the reproductive system and manage anxiety and fatigue. When to take them, how much and when is all part of a customized Ayurvedic health plan as each herb has unique actions.
  
  

Perimenopause: A Vata Surge

In perimenopause (the transitional years before menopause), Vata becomes dominant, leading to irregular periods, mood instability, dryness, brain fog, and sleep disturbances. Stress, multitasking, and overexertion can aggravate these symptoms. There is no set age, but typically this starts 40+ but can even start earlier in some individuals.

Ayurvedic Support:

• Diet: Eat nourishing and grounding foods—think ghee, avocados, cooked grains, and spiced milk with nutmeg.
  
  

• Lifestyle: Stick to a calming daily routine. Prioritize sleep, warm baths, and restorative practices like yoga nidra or meditation.
  
  

• Herbs: Shatavari remains a foundational herb, supporting estrogen balance and vitality. Vitex plays a role with supporting progesterone while Brahmi soothes the mind and nervous system.

It is very crucial to implement rejuvenation treatments at this phase since if addressed early, it paves way for a smooth menopause. Many women however, don’t realize these hormonal changes are at the root of their symptoms and often don’t seek treatment until they feel they are losing control over their health.

Menopause: Fire Meets Air

As menstruation ends, women may experience hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, and thinning tissues. This is a combined Pitta-Vata imbalance—Pitta’s fire shows up in heat and frustration, while Vata contributes to dryness, instability and unexplained anxiety.

Ayurvedic Support:

• Diet: Emphasize cooling, hydrating, and grounding foods like cucumbers, leafy greens, dates and ghee. Spices such as saffron, coriander and fennel are also supportive. Mung beans are excellent for liver cleansing as well. Avoid alcohol, spicy food, and stimulants.
  
  

• Lifestyle: Embrace a slower rhythm. Practice self-care rituals that calm and cool—moon salutations, journaling, or cooling pranayama like Sheetali breath.
  
  

• Herbs: Shatavari, Licorice, Ashoka, Kumari and Amalaki are all excellent as customized based on your dosha type and health concerns. These herbs nourish and lubricate tissues while supporting hormone balance and liver detox.
  
  

Holistic Tips for All Hormonal Stages

Regardless of age or health status, these Ayurvedic tips support hormonal resilience:

1. Eat with the seasons and honor your digestion and dosha—don’t skip meals or eat late at night.
   
   

2. Sleep is sacred—aim for 7–8 hours of quality rest before 10 p.m.
   
   

3. Acknowledge stressful factors: unravel old patterns through daily breathwork, nature time, or creative expression.
   
   

4. Stay hydrated with warm herbal teas like CCF, lemon balm, ginger, or chamomile.
   
   

5. Track your cycle or symptoms with a journal to notice patterns and respond early.
   
   

Final Thoughts

Ayurveda reminds us that hormonal changes are not problems to fix, but natural shifts to honor. By listening to your body, staying in rhythm with nature, and nourishing yourself deeply, you can experience your hormonal journey not as a burden—but as a gateway to greater wisdom and balance. 

Dr. Leena Sripada, ND, AAWC is an experienced naturopathic doctor & Ayurvedic practitioner who blends the best of both healing systems. She integrates the abundance of health information into a relevant, practical approach for patients to promote deeper health transformation in individuals who are seeking positive challenge and change.

BOOK YOUR VISIT HERE: 

https://app.outsmartemr.com/online-booking/2959/DrLeena

Spring Tips for Vata, Pitta & Kapha

By Dr. Leena Athparia, ND

If you feel like this spring is different, you're not alone. With the past two months of being mostly indoors, many people are feeling mixed emotions of renewed hope along with uncertainty of the future. Spring is generally a time of letting go of the old, and making space for the new. If you have been caught up with the chaos of the world around, now is also a good time to bring the focus back to you and your health. You can use this time where nature supports the process of letting go and making space for new growth.

Spring symbolizes renewal and rebirth. Just look around you - pay attention to the green grass coming up, the tulips shoots and spring flowers coming out. This is a season of inviting light, laughter and play into our lives.

According to Ayurveda, spring is the season of Kapha, moving towards the summer heat of Pitta. The qualities of spring Kapha are moist, damp, heavy where the water element is dominant but as the daylight hours increase and the temperatures rise, the heat of Pitta starts to show up. In your body, when Kapha accumulated, this can show up as sluggish lymph, congestion, weight gain or puffiness and feelings of dullness and low mood.

Seasonal Food

Take a look at what may be in your farmer's market or starting to grow around you. Foods that are in season are generally what your body needs. In a colder climate, we may not have as much variety but spring greens (such as dandelion leaves) and sprouts are a perfect example of seasonal foods. You need less hearty, heavy food as in the winter, and you can focus more on light, fresh food.

Vata: 

Spring is generally a very balancing season for vata. This body type should focus on a vata pacifying diet but you can start incorporating small amounts of raw food or sprouts with a generous amount of healthy oils or dressing. Steamed greens are also great for this season. Avoid large amounts of raw or cold food. Favour spices such as ginger, black pepper and hingvastak.

Pitta:

Favour foods that are bitter and astringent such as leafy greens and vegetables. Dandelion leaves, arugula, endives, swiss chard, mung sprouts are all great options to include daily. As you progress towards summer, you can enjoy more raw food such as salads and sweet juicy fruits. You may have been able to enjoy sour or heating foods over the winter but now is the time to slowly reduce these foods such as citrus, tomatoes, hard cheese, sour cream and oily foods. This season, you can tolerate more spices than in the summer but be cautious not to overdo garlic, dried ginger and cayenne pepper. 

Kapha:

If you are dominant in Kapha, changing your diet accordingly is critical in this season to reset your body after winter. It's time to shift from hearty, heavy, winter food to a light, refreshing spring menu. Small amounts of sprouts or raw foods with digestive spices (trikatu, ginger, black pepper) and an abundance of dark, leafy greens will help your body detoxify this spring. Spices to favour are cinnamon, cayenne, turmeric and ginger. Avoid foods that are heavy and sweet such as excess cheese, yogourt, sweets, yeast or foods that are very moist and liquid. Favour lighter foods that are dry (like kale chips). Am Pachan Ayurvedic tea is a perfect tea to take this season to strengthen digestion.

Focus on Cleansing

Spring cleansing is more than just a fad. It is generally one of the best times of the year to detoxify and is often more successful than cleansing in the winter when your body wants to hold on to its reserves. When it comes to cleansing, you will get better results when you work with your ND on a customized plan according to your body type and health status.

Vata:

Cleansing for this body type can either be done in the spring or in the fall. Vata types often need strengthening and rejuvenating more than detoxing however, a gentle detox can be done with herbs to strengthen digestion, promote healthy elimination and Ayurvedic oil massage. A kitchari mono diet is also nourishing but detoxifying for vata types. Speak to your practitioner to see if this detox plan will suit you.

Pitta:

The best season for pitta cleansing is usually at the end of summer when the focus is clearing out the excess heat from the body. However, if this dosha is out of balance for you before the summer, spring is a good time to be proactive about your health. Bitter herbs such as neem or burdock are excellent for cleansing the blood and can be taken to treat or prevent skin issues that worsen in the summer. Spring is also a great time to focus on the liver, an organ often impacted by pitta imbalance.

Kapha:

This body time usually requires some kind of detox every spring. The accumulation of body fat and fluid over the winter should be cleansed on a regular basis to stay healthy. Cleansing herbs that are bitter and herbs to move lymph are a priority during this season along with dry skin brushing and dry herbal scrubs.

Get Outside & Move

Don't let fear keep you inside. As long as you maintain social distancing and follow public health guidelines, getting fresh air will do you more good than harm. While it may seem counterintuitive, if you are feeling lethargic and unmotivated, you probably need to exercise the most. Find a park or trail that you like. Schedule a time in the day such as morning or afternoon to get outside - rain or shine.

Vata: 

This body type doesn't need strenuous exercise but will benefit from movement. This could include spontaneous activities such as dancing or forest walks to connect with the earth element. Routine is crucial for vata types.

Pitta: 

This is a good time to increase your physical activity, but be cautious not to overheat as we move into the warmer heat of summer. Avoid intense exercise around the hottest time of the day (noon to early afternoon). Strike a healthy balance between challenge, routine, play and relaxation.

Kapha:

If you're still thinking about exercising, now is the time for action. This body type needs to move to break the lethargy of winter. Sign up for a class (online) or have a walking buddy. Morning is the best time for exercise for Kapha types.


Nature provides the template of health. If you pay attention to what is happening in the change of seasons, you can support and enhance your own healing. If you are unsure about which dosha applies to you - vata, pitta or kapha, speak to Dr. Leena Athparia, ND for a customized assessment. At this current time of uncertainty in the world, this is a crucial time for us learn and draw inspiration from the beautiful season of rebirth - spring!


Dr. Leena Sripada is a naturopathic doctor with a focus in chronic disease and health promotion with Ayurveda. She has a keen interest in Ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle. If you would like to work with her, you can book a complimentary meet n greet or appointment here. 

Connecting with Nature: Grow Herbs & Veggies

by Dr. Leena Athparia, ND, AAWC

Cultivation has been part of the human lifestyle for thousands of years and in the recent months, many people are turning towards their gardens to become more self-sustainable. Whether it's fear of food shortage, the hassle of picking up groceries with long line-ups, the disappointment from online orders with missing or wilted vegetables, or the concerns of grocery budgets, ma
ny individuals are seeing how their can take matters into their own hands. While the idea of providing all the groceries for your family is unrealistic in a cooler climate like Canada, there are still many ways of supplementing your diet with home-grown produce. I am not an expert gardener but in this blog I want to share that its possible for anyone to supplement their diet with fresh herbs & vegetables that they can grow even without a garden space or experience!

Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is not only a way to provide food for your family, but it has added benefits of fresh, local produce loaded with nutrients & vitality and a beautiful way to connect with nature. Here are just some of the benefits to help motivate you:

• Connection with nature. Earth element is one of the 5 foundations of this existence. Spending time with the earth has a grounding effect on your whole body & mind.

• Relaxation. Spending time with the soil has a meditative effect and encourages us to be in the present.

• Self-sustainability. There is something so rewarding about seeing your hard work bear fruit. It deepens our appreciation for what we eat when we are involved in the process.

Sprouting

If you don't have garden space or it's not warm enough outside, sprouting is a wonderful way to grow something nutritious and fresh at home without soil! Sprouting is very cheap and easy to do at home, turning grains, nuts, seeds and lentils into delicious sprouts that you can add to salads, sandwiches, soups or stirfries. They are packed with concentrated nutrients and full of prana  or life source. You can read more about the benefit of sprouting in this blog here.

Depending on the type of seed and size, soak the seeds for a few hours or overnight, then drain and place in a colander, glass jar with a net or a sprouter. It's best to purchase organic lentils, beans, seeds & nuts since they are more likely to sprout than conventional seeds that have reduced viability. You can buy sprouting seeds online or in health food stores: simply search for 'sprouting seeds'. Here's an example of a video which highlights 5 easy sprouting ideas with instructions.

Sprouting seeds or legumes you may already have in your kitchen:

• Lentils (French, green or brown lentils)

• Dry peas

• Mung beans

• Chickpeas

Additional ideas for nutritious seeds to buy and sprout if you like variety:

• Alfalfa seeds

• Broccoli

• Mustard

• Radish

• Sunflower seeds (with shells)

• Arugula and many more ideas

Don't forget, it is always important to wash sprouts frequently to prevent bacteria contamination or mould.

Growing Vegetables from Groceries

Did you know there are ways to regrow plants from vegetables you may already have at home? Instead of throwing out your lettuce stubs or onion tops, try saving them and planting them in water or soil in small containers at home. This can be an educational activity for kids at home and is fun way to see the veggies grow!

Top Vegetables & Herbs to Replant:

• Lettuce

• Celery 

• Green onions

• Garlic

• Potatoes

• Bok choi

• Herbs: basil, mint, sage, rosemary

Check out this video for some more inspiration and this video to help guide you. Most of these can be started indoors and transplanted outdoors in warmer weather. For the leafy greens, you can usually start harvesting a few leaves after 1-2 weeks!

Planting Seeds from Groceries

The trend for buying and planting seeds has shot up incredibly over the last few weeks with many Canadians turning towards growing their own food. Currently, many seed companies are backordered and unable to turn out seed orders quickly. If you are waiting to order seeds, there are several saplings you can grow in the meantime by harvesting the seeds from your veggies in the fridge. Such as:

• Tomatoes: simply slice the tomatoes or scoop out the seed pulp and place in pots under ~1cm of good quality soil or compost. Keep moist and in the sun and within 1-2 weeks, you will have tomato saplings! (see photo - these are sprouts from organic tomatoes at home after 2 weeks)

• Squashes (ie. butternut): instead of throwing the seeds away, scoop, wash and soak them overnight. Then place in a moist paper towel in a clear container in the sun. Keep moist and within a few days you will see sprouts. Once they are sprouting, you can plant indoors in the soil and transplant outdoors in warmer weather.

• Peppers & Chillies: wash the seeds and follow the same instructions as the squashes.

• Peas: if you have dry green or yellow whole peas, soak overnight and drain. You can keep in a clear container with moisture, in the sun until sprouts start to form and then plant in the soil.

Further Resources

If you feel you still need some guidance, reach out to friends or family who have experience in the garden. Everyone starts as a beginner and like anything, gardening skills get better with practice. Here are a few additional resources in the community that offer free classes, webinars, documentaries or even seeds to encourage people to start growing their own veggies:

• 20 Free & Inspiring Documentaries

• Backyard Groceries: a sustainable local business that offers set-up and hands-on guidance on growing your organic garden.

• Richter's Herbs: supplies seeds and saplings of many medicinal herbs and exotic plants such as Ashwagandha, Ayurvedic herbs, Curry leaf plants and other local plants.

• Food Up Front: offers free seeds while supplies last to encourage people in Toronto to grow vegetables in their yards or balconies and share with neighbours.

Your chances of sprouting are higher with organic veggies. While there are many other vegetables and herbs you can grow this season, the above ideas are simply suggestions to help get you started right away with what you have at home. If you have never done any gardening, now's the time to break your shell and give it a try! There may be trial and error, but in the end, you will have fresh, local, organic produce from your own home with the benefit of boosting mental health and connecting with the earth! Speak with your naturopathic doctor for customised suggestions on nutrition and veggies that are best suited for your body type or Ayurvedic dosha type this season!


Dr. Leena Athparia is a naturopathic doctor at Naturopathic Foundations with a focus in chronic disease and health promotion with Ayurveda. She has a keen interest in Ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle. If you would like to work with Dr. Athparia, please call the clinic at 905-940-2727 to book an appointment