Nourishing the Soul in Multnomah Village

Thank you for reading our new blog!  I am Dr. Christie Winkelman, co-owner with  my husband, Dr. Gil Winkelman, of Insights to Health. 

As the cloudy weather sets in, it’s important to remember that we’re entering a vital, health-giving part of the year here in the NW.  Our short days give us a valuable chance to recharge that the long, sun-filled days of summer lack.  Hopefully your Vitamin D stores are up from appropriate sun exposure over the summer (we can test that for you if you’re not sure).  Now is the time to settle in for more introspection, reading, cooking, crafts with the kids, and (yes!) sleeping.  We actually need more sleep to feel rested in the winter than in the summer, because our circadian and hormonal rhythms are different.  If you have them, put your children to bed earlier and get to bed yourself!  Gather those you love and enjoy around you.

For those whom the lack of light creates low moods, eating light-giving foods such as appropriate fish oils, soups of carrot or other brightly colored root vegetables, warming teas with cinnamon, and putting up decorative lights in your home can make a big difference.  If you want to experience a light-box, give the office a call and come in to try ours (usually best earlier in the morning).  We also have many other ways to help people who find their mood or energy suffers in the winter.

Focusing on the pleasures of the cold season can go a long way toward appreciating it.  Start a fire in your fireplace, put on your hat and scarf and take a walk, buy seasonal fruits and vegetables and find new warming recipes in which to use them. One of my favorite cold-weather cookbooks is Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.  Sally will tell you all about how to make chicken soup from scratch, cook yummy healthful beans, and she even has healthy recipes for children’s treats. 

We’ve designed our entire clinic--from the three other wonderful physicians we are fortunate to have with us to the wall colors-- to be nourishing to your body and soul.  We want each visit you have to be soothing and helpful to your entire being.  We are here to serve you and your family and friends and look forward to seeing you in the clinic soon!