By Leigh Siergiewicz Dietary supplements are very helpful when they are good quality, used correctly, and dosed appropriately. Unfortunately, this is often not the case, making them either a waste of money or potentially harmful. I always tell people not to buy supplements from third-party sellers on Amazon or other websites. I have personally had…
By Dr. Leigh Siergiewicz Shortly after I finished my naturopathic degree at Bastyr, I took a 45-hour course to become a certified lactation educator to round out the women-focused practice I planned on starting, as well as for my personal future plans to have children. Two years later, I had my first child and learned…
By Dr. Leigh Siergiewicz Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are considered a weed by many, but if you have them, rather than toss them in the compost when you pull them up, use them as free food! Take them from clean yards or woods; they may accumulate a lot of exhaust and roadside gunk if you take…
By Dr. Leigh Siergiewicz Hawthorn, or Crataegus spathulata, is a small-tree member of the rose family, native throughout the northern hemisphere. Hawthorn has smooth, gray bark, and most but not all varieties have sharp thorns on the stems. The flowers can be white or pink in springtime; they have berry-like “haws” that range from red to…
By Dr. Leigh Siergiewicz Equisetum, or horsetail, is the only remaining genus in the prehistoric plant family Equisetaceae. I certainly think it looks like it belonged with dinosaurs, with its crusty texture and poky, bottle brush appearance. It is extremely persistent, with very deep rhizomes that make it extremely difficult to eradicate. It does not…
At first glance, Oregon grape looks a lot like holly, until you see the bright yellow blooms currently scattered all over Vashon and along the coast from British Columbia to southern Oregon. Later in the season, the flowers will be replaced by edible blue berries. The stems and roots of Oregon grape are yellow under the…
After a few of my own adaptations, I’ve made healthy sugar-free banana bread every week for long periods. I often plan ahead to have extra bananas just for this. It’s so sweet, you’d think it’s loaded with sugar, but applesauce is the sweetener! I’ve made this bread with all kinds of flour, gluten-free, all-purpose works fine…