The rice tortillas make a crispy “cracker-like” crust. The crust can be used with any of your favourite pizza toppings. Great as a main, but cut into six pieces, it also makes a great appetizer.

Ingredients:

Food For Life Brown Rice Torillas

1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Onion Powder

1/2 medium white onion, chopped

140g Baby Spinach (I like to trim any ends)

15 or so Kalamata Olives, chopped

1/2 cup Feta Cheese

Ground Pepper

Parmesan Cheese

Pizza Sauce

Four-Cheese mix

*Note that the amounts for the ingredients are approximate. I do these all by eye. Recipe is for two 9″ pizzas.

Spinach Topping:

This can be prepped quite early as it keeps well.

Lightly saute the onions in a bit of olive oil so that they are translucent. Add the spinach and cooke slightly until the leaves just start to wilt. You want the leaves to have softened, but not have cooked. Add the olives, feta and pepper. Mix together and take off the heat.

Crust:

Preheat oven to 375F. Use a cookie sheet or baking sheet large enough for two tortillas. Prepare the sheet by covering with parchment paper. The parchment paper works very well to prevent the tortillas from sticking to the pan.

Thaw the tortillas, but keep them in the bag right up until you need them. They dry out very fast. They freeze well and do not suffer from the unused ones being repeatedly thawed and frozen, at least if used for pizza.

Once everything is prepared, put the tortilla on the sheet and start the process.

In a small bowl, mix the olive oil with the garlic and onion powder, it makes a runny paste. Brush the oil mixture evenly over the tortillas, right to the edges. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the top. It seems like a lot but the garlic, onion and cheese gives the crust a great flavour. Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the tortillas are lightly browned and crisp. Remove from oven.

Building the Pizza:

Spread an even coat of pizza sauce over the crusts. Be sure to go right to the top edge of the crust. Sprinkle some of the four-cheese mix over top. A little bit of cheese helps keep the toppings from sliding off.

Divide the spinach topping between the two crusts, sprinkle some of the four-cheese mix over the spinach and top with some parmesan.

Bake for 12 minutes at 375F. After the time is up, turn on the broiler and let the cheese brown up a bit.

Cut each into 6 pieces.

Each pizza averages approximately 400- 450 calories depending on toppings. Enjoy!

Hatha Yoga:

Hatha Yoga is a class that tends to challenge you physically- similar to a flow class- with standing postures, back bending, sometimes inversions and yet provides lots of space to learn how to correctly and safely do the postures. People often say that Hatha is the perfect balance between strength and relaxation. What is wonderful about Hatha Yoga is that it will always be different and each teacher will bring their own unique approach to it. In fact, all yoga styles are based out of Hatha Yoga. What differentiates other styles is that they take the Hatha Yoga postures and group them in a certain sequence or approach it in a specific manner, such as ‘Flow yoga’. Or for example, ‘hot yoga’ will take the hatha poses and do them in a hot room, usually in a specific sequence. So technically you are always doing Hatha Yoga when you do yoga asanas (postures) One could look at Hatha Yoga as the foundation style of an asana-based yoga practice.”I feel like I always get a full body workout yet feel so calm and relaxed afterwards!” – Susan

Yin Yoga:

Yin Yoga is a popular style of yoga that focuses on deep releasing of the connective tissues. The postures are held for several minutes at a time and help to facilitate deep openings in the body and mind. It is a slower-paced class that focuses on breathing and giving time for the body to open in a pose. If you are looking for a deep, relaxing stretch this is the class for you. It will help you to slow down and release tension and stress as well. Perfect for all levels.

Restore:

Our restore classes are similar to Yin in that we will hold postures for longer to receive maximum benefits. The difference is that in Restore we often use props to support the body as we deeply open tight muscles. Restore Yoga is focused on calming the nervous system and letting go of stress and tension. If you need to unwind, slow down and take some nourishing time for yourself, this will be what you are looking for! All Levels.

Anahata:

This is a gentle and kind yoga which uses simple movement, deep breathing, and meditative awareness as vehicles for stress reduction, injury prevention and lifestyle enhancement. It is a holistic model for wholehearted living based on the ancient teachings of the east but enlivened for direct application in our modern lifestyle. All fitness and experience levels welcome.

If you have any questions about any of our classes feel free to ask one of the teachers or email: studio@gaiaclinic.ca and we will be happy to answer any of your questions!

We also offer various pre-registered courses such as: Discover Yoga & Discover More Yoga, Mindful Yoga Foundations, Therapeutic Yoga, Discover Meditation & Discover More Meditation

The Amen Affiliated Education Centre is a comprehensive, coordinated program that focuses on the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of our patients.  As an AAEC member, we are fully accredited and trained on the Amen Clinics methods and practices at helping patients have better brains and lead better lives.  Dr. Daniel Amen and Amen Clinics are world leaders in neuropsychiatry.

As part of the AAEC, we are able to use the resources of Amen Clinics to educate, assess, and motivate our patients struggling with brain-based difficulties. In working together, with the Amen Clinics, we can help patients struggling with brain-based difficulties such as anxiety, depression, memory problems, learning struggles, weight issues addiction add and cravings. By partnering with the Amen Clinics we are able to provide top level care for our patients who want to enjoy optimal brain functioning.

Our AAEC affiliation also gives all our clients 15% off of Dr. Amen’s line of Brain Supplements (ask our receptionist for your discount code). Click the link below to view all of Dr. Amen’s products.

Naturopathic Medicine seeks to transcend the confines of having only one or a limited number of therapeutic approaches to deal with health problems. What is unresponsive to one treatment, or type of treatment, can often be remedied by a different medicine or combination of medicines. This is often overlooked in healthcare because practitioners are frequently familiar with only a limited number of therapeutic options.

I’m Dr. Rob Roth, Naturopathic Doctor and Medical Herbalist. I offer specific programs in pain management, injury rehabilitation, and sport performance optimization, while maintaining a family medicine practice. Comprehensive assessments alongside tailored medicine for both the individual and the condition helps my patients achieve optimal health.

Maybe this time you can’t walk it off. Come in and see what evidence based strategies coupled with novel approaches other practitioners aren’t using does for reducing your pain.

Injured? Looking to enhance your sport performance? Or looking for new outlooks and approaches to treating health conditions and improving your overall well-being? Book an appointment today to discover your health potential.

All initial visits are 50% off.

Regular price $160.00 now $80.00 until June 1, 2012.

Dr. Rob Roth, ND, MH, BSc

We’ve opened up our Clinic and are now accepting inquiries from Practitioners looking for office space on either a daily or monthly basis. Please contact us (403-675-4242) to inquire or book an appointment to view the available space.

We’re also pleased to announce that our Yoga Studio is now available for rent by the hour. Please click here for more details.

Brain Food: Increase your brain power

by Mehmet C. Oz, MD, and Michael F. Roizen, MD

So you want a brain that’s as razor-sharp as an Iron Chef’s favorite knife? Grab one (a knife, that is) and start chopping up some brain food. There’s been an avalanche of good news lately about between-the-ears health (including reports about an exciting Alzheimer’s disease drug), but nothing tops amazing new proof that the plate-to-brain connection can keep your brain cells young.

Two brand-new research studies drill down deep into food’s good — and bad — effects on your gray matter. Here’s the verdict:

Good food results in fewer “silent” brain problems. . Brain scans of 966 elderly New York City residents show that loading your plate with food from the Mediterranean diet (vegetables, fruit, fish, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, and a little wine) protects tiny blood vessels in the brain. People who ate this way had less blood vessel damage caused by silent strokes that fuzz up your ability to balance your checkbook, remember your neighbor’s name, or play a mean game of pinochle.

The right nutrients boost sharp thinking and keep your brain bigger, too! When nearly 100 elderly women and men had their blood tested for key vitamins and fats, then took a thinking-skills test (some had their brain size measured, too), an “eat healthy” pattern emerged among the people with the best test scores. Those with higher levels of DHA omega-3 fatty acids and of vitamins B, C, D, and E had the sharpest minds and largest total brain volume. Those with the highest levels of trans fats — the nasty fats found in processed foods — didn’t fare as well.

Meanwhile, we’re cheering for the promising Alzheimer’s drug, too. It’s the skin-cancer drug bexarotene, which in lab studies whisked away 75% of Alzheimer’s-related protein fragments (called beta amyloid) in rats’ brains in just 3 days. Since its safety (but not efficacy for this effect) is already known for humans, we think quick testing as an Alzheimer’s treatment will be a research priority! But don’t wait. Start eating brain boosters now! Other new research shows that 76% of brain health is in your hands (just 24% is genetic). Here’s how your brain hopes you’re eating:

Opt for healthy fats. Choosing monounsaturated “good” fats instead of “bad” saturated fats offers you the most protection against brain damage from silent strokes, so spread peanut butter (or the more sophisticated walnut, macadamia, almond, or cashew butter) instead of cream cheese on your whole-grain bagel; olive oil and vinegar instead of Ranch dressing; and a small handful (6 to 12 halves) of walnuts plus a crunchy apple instead of snacking on chips or ice cream.

Catch some omega-3s, even if you don’t love fish. Three 3-ounce servings a week of non-fried fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout, haddock, or sardines, can make your RealAge younger. Not into fin food? Take omega-3 capsules. We like the DHA form of omega-3s (and prefer algae-based supplements to fish oil) and recommend 600 to 900 milligrams a day.

Buy brain-boosting foods, especially produce and whole grains. Drive-through dining with a multivitamin chaser won’t cut it. Aim to eat a rainbow of brightly colored produce for vitamin C. Get vitamin B6 from baked potatoes, roasted skinless chicken breast, and chickpeas; vitamin B12 from seafood, yogurt, or nutritional yeast; and folate (yep, it’s in the B family) from spinach, lentils, papayas, and asparagus. Add almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach, or hazelnuts for your dose of mixed tocopherols (the active component of vitamin E). Top it off with a vitamin D supplement (1,000 IU of vitamin D before age 60; 1,200 after). On the bright side, spending 10 to 20 minutes a day in the sun can boost your body’s production of vitamin D by between 3,000 and 20,000 IU, depending on your skin type.

Go easy on (or eliminate) meats, sweets, and white carbs. Limiting these also helps protect your brain’s thinking ability. Choose fish, nuts, or beans instead of beef; fruit, veggies, or nonfat/no-sugar-added yogurt instead of sweets; and 100% whole grains in place of white bread, white rice, and white pasta.

Discover Meditation

Wednesdays: 7:30- 8:30pm. April 4- 25 & June 6- 27. $50.

Discover More Meditation

Tuesdays: 2:00- 3:30pm

April 10- May 15, $75. Pre-registered.

The purpose of this 6 week session is to still the mind while gently opening the body through guided breathwork, stretching and body awareness. By focusing on the mind/body connection, we will create space and healing. No prior experience necessary. Taught by Henri Ferguson.