Fall Wellness Workshops
COLD, FLU & YOU! Natural immune Boosting Class Nov 12th & Nov 17th
Take a natural approach this cold & flu season and uncover the mystery behind Onion Earmuffs and Cold Wet Socks. This class will provide you with helpful home remedies for warding off illness and stopping infections in their tracts. Dr. Emily will review nutritional, herbal and homeopathic therapies that can both prevent viral infections and hasten the healing process.
Two Class Options:
Thursday November 12th 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Tuesday November 17th 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Seeds Classroom (3600 Roland Ave Ste 3)
Cost: $35 (individual) / $50 (couples)
Pre-registration Required: Contact Dr. Emily at dremilytelfair@gmail.com or (443) 226-7665
HOMEOPATHY 101: Acute Prescribing for Beginners December 3rd
Ever wonder if there is more to homeopathy than Arnica? Dr. Emily will diffuse the myths and explore the mystery of this gentle and deep acting form of medicine during this 2-hour workshop that has been frequently requested for by patients. After reviewing the history and principles of homeopathy, you will learn how to safely use common homeopathic remedies as adjunctive care for acute conditions. Homeopathic home kits will be available for purchase as well.
Date: Thursday December 3rd 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Seeds Classroom (3600 Roland Ave Ste 3)
Cost: $50 (individual) / $75 (couples)
Pre-registration Required: Contact Dr. Emily at dremilytelfair@gmail.com or (443) 226-7665
Add comment October 29, 2009
Flu Shot or Not?
This is a very difficult decision weighing on the minds of many Americans right now as seasonal flu vaccines are readily available and the new H1N1 vaccine is close behind. The decision to receive the vaccine for yourself or for your child is a personal one that depends on numerous factors such as underlying health conditions, access to medical care, environmental exposures, and personal belief systems. It is important to remember that receiving the standard flu vaccine does not necessarily mean you will not get sick this fall or winter, and being mindful of natural immunity boosting practices may further prevent your risk of illness.
Thimerosal is a preservative containing mercury that is used to preserve the flu vaccines. The CDC reports that up to 50 million thimerosal-free vaccine doses will be available this season. When possible, try to request a preservative-free vaccine. If you are concerned about avoiding a reaction to the vaccine, contact Dr. Emily to discuss simple homeopathic remedies such as Arnica or Ledum that may help prevent adverse effects from the shot. Additional remedies may be helpful if symptoms occur after the vaccine.
If you choose not to receive the vaccine or would like to consider additional ways to bolster your immunity this winter, here are few wellness tips for cold/flu prevention:
- Keep up the Vitamin D: If you spend most of your time indoors at work or at school, then you are most likely Vitamin D deficient. Elevated blood levels of Vitamin D3 are correlated with increased immune protection as well as cancer prevention.
- Eat the Rainbow: Enjoy a diet rich in a variety of fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts & seeds, and wild fish. Reduce or eliminate refined carbs, sugar, alcohol, & caffeine which may weaken the immune response.
- Hydrate your body & your sinuses: Bump up your water intake this winter to help your body flush out any exposure to toxins & rinse your sinuses regularly with a Neti Pot to prevent infections from establishing residence in your upper respiratory tract.
- Exercise: Carve time to move your body with yoga, cardiovascular exercise or moderate walking. Regular exercise can enhance well-being and strengthen the immune system.
- Cold-Rinse Showers: End your showers with a cool rinse for 15-30 seconds – especially over your thyroid gland (base of the neck) which stimulates metabolism and your thymus gland (center of the chest) which stimulates T-cell production.
- REST: Prioritize 7-8 hours for sleep each night. Much of our healing occurs while sleeping. Listen to your body and at the first sign of illness or feeling “worn out,” take time to rest.
(These statements are not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is important to consult with a healthcare practitioner if you experience symptoms of the flu or other illness.)
Add comment October 13, 2009
A Cupcake A Day…
…May keep the doctor away… that is if you following a gluten-free diet and want a bit of indulgence without the digestive upset. Baltimore’s newest “food allergy-friendly” establishment Sweet Sin Bakery has opened in the Remington neighborhood (123 W. 27th Street at 27th & Howard) with a storefront full of delectable treats including cupcakes, breads, pies and cookies that are all gluten-free. Many of the items are dairy-free and soy-free along with several baked goods that are even egg free. Special requests for desserts made with agave nectar instead of sugar can be ordered ahead of time. For those who live with Celiac Disease, gluten-intolerance, or other food sensitivities, finding eateries that honor these dietary restrictions can be difficult. Thanks to pastry chef Renee D’Souza, Baltimorians have another reason to shop local and make healthier dessert choices. (Note that eating a cupcake-a-day is not medical advice & it is important to monitor sugar consumption for overall health.) Visit: www.glutenfreedesserts.com to learn more.
Add comment October 13, 2009
Now Offering: Prenatal Massage
Receiving bodywork during pregnancy can support expectant mothers in connecting more deeply with their babies in a safe and empowering environment. Dr. Emily is certified in prenatal massage therapy and offers women a wealth of knowledge and therapeutic tools as a bodyworker and naturopathic doctor that can reduce stress, relieve musculoskeletal tension, and improve circulation.
Contact Dr. Emily at (443) 226-7665 to discuss when it is best to introduce massage therapy in pregnancy. 60 & 90 minute sessions available.
Add comment September 22, 2009
Fall Pudding Recipe
With the change of season comes a change in our “seasonal menus.” Welcome the crisp days of autumn with this delicious fall pudding that highlights hearty winter squash, natural sweeteners, and warming aromatic spices. (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free) I just disovered this recipe in my new favorite cookbook listed below – wonderful for anyone who loves Whole Foods cooking!
Source: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook by Alissa Segersten and Tom Malterre
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup small pearl tapioca
1 cup raw cashews
2 cups water
1/2 cup maple syrup or agave nectar
2 cups baked sugar pumpkin or butternut squash
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
pinch ground cloves
1. Place 1 1/2 cups water and tapioca pearls in a 4-quart pot and let soak for 1 hour.
2. Place cashews, water & maple syrup in a blender. Blend for 1-2 minutes till creamy. Add squash, lemon juice, vanilla, sea salt & spices. Blend for another 1-2 minutes.
3. Add blended mixture to the pot of soaked tapioca and whisk together. Bring to a boil while stirring. Turn off heat to low and simmer. Stir frequently for approx 15 minutes or until tapioca pearls are translucent.
4. Pour into small serving bowls & chill in fridge. Enjoy!
Add comment September 22, 2009
Back to School Fall Detox Class
Why wait until New Year’s Day to recommit your focus and attention to your health and well being? Start off the new school year with a holistic approach to your chronic symptoms. This Fall I will once again be offering the three week detox program designed to Educate, Empower and Enlighten you about how to live & engage in this world full of toxins.
“I highly recommend this class. I found out I have more energy without caffeine than with it. I also had fewer headaches. It’s pretty amazing that you can make yourself feel better by changing what you eat.” – Spring Detox Class participant
Dates: Wednesdays Sept 16th, 23rd, 30th, & Oct 7th
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Seeds Classroom (3600 Roland Ave)
Cost: $250 (includes materials, cookbook, supplements)
Class limit: 10 participants
Register: Contact Dr. Emily at (443) 226-7665 or dremilytelfair@gmail.com
The class meets four times over the course of three weeks. Learn the backbones of naturopathic medicine : love your liver, trust your gut, reduce inflammation and quench free radicals. The detox process involves a progressive elimination diet which builds each week in removing potential food allergens and inflammatory triggers. The last class includes a celebratory potluck!
Add comment August 11, 2009
Arriving Home to Wellness
Home – a place to hang your hat or store your treasures. The concept of “home” is more real for some than for others. Some people move around the country so often that “home” become a dizzy blur between state lines and changes of address while others spend their entire lives within the same zip code. And despite being a transient or homebody, every person is subject to feeling lost and ”far from home,” especially when facing chronic illness.
This week in practice, I’ve been reminded through the experiences of my patients of how much healing can feel like coming home. “I feel like myself again,” is a phrase I often hear when the scales of mind, body and spirit tip back into balance and patients become empowered with the understanding of how they arrived to their own healing. The arrival home begins with the awareness of being lost in the first place. Only in knowing that we are disconnected from our “most well self” can we actually find our way back there once again. As a practitioner, I see my role as holding the flashlight and shedding some light on the path while patients navigate the sometimes uncomfortable yet transformative journey ahead. Whether you don a baseball cap or fedora, you’ll always have a place to hang your hat when you realize that “home” is you, and the treasures inside are immeasurable.
Add comment July 25, 2009
Garden Views: Feeding the Need
One of Baltimore City’s most bountiful urban gardens is now on display right in front of City Hall (Fayette & Holliday St.). This is not the typical ornamental garden of petunias and begonias that cover many city plots, rather the City of Baltimore has invested in a vegetable garden to feed the homeless with fresh in-season produce. Created by landscape designer Angela Treadwell-Palmer, this garden was also made possible by numerous donations of plants and volunteer support. To date, Angela calculates that 1,500 pounds of vegetables have already been harvested and donated to Our Daily Bread, a local soup kitchen that serves 700-800 meals per day. You may want to add this to your ”list of attractions” as you tour visitors around Baltimore this summer!
Do you have a garden story to share? Please send a photo and any comments about what inspires you to keep growing to dremilytelfair@gmail.com.
Add comment June 22, 2009
Share YOUR Story
If you have a healing story that you would like to share, please e-mail me your testimonial to dremilytelfair@gmail.com. You are welcome to remain anonymous. Remember that we all benefit from these exchanges of wellness that come through words, thoughts and intentions. Your story may inspire someone else to renew a sense of hope in the possibility of healing.
Add comment June 10, 2009
Reclaiming Wellness: Jim’s Story
When Jim first came to see me a year ago to redeem his gift certificate for a one hour massage, neither of us had any idea of the healing and transformation that we would witness together during the months to come. At that time, Jim’s doctor had recommended shoulder replacement surgery to ease the suffering of his chronic pain as a result of rheumatoid arthritis. As he describes, ”In May 2008, I was in crisis. The pain overpowered my barrage of analgesics. I could not sleep. I could not think. Every moment was unbearable….But pity the pain that meets Dr. Emily, for its time has come.”
Jim’s pain was so severe when he first arrived in my office that he could barely move his right arm twenty degrees from his side. After just several massage sessions, his range of motion drastically improved and now he can reach up to touch the ceiling in the shower! Not only has Jim incorporated almost weekly massage sessions as part of his wellness plan, he has also made adjustments in his diet and shifted to a more positive state of mind for viewing the world and the challenges it presents.
Jim wants his story to be shared so that others may benefit from his transformation.
“I am very grateful I found this source of wellness. Slowly, I am able to turn away from embracing my illness to embracing my Wellness. I have adjusted my budget to assure this is part of my life.”
Add comment June 8, 2009
