This month I'm excited to share some of the feel-good routines of Dr. Rachel Schwartzman ND. She is an incredible Naturopathic Doctor with a wealth of knowledge. Rachel is mother of 3 kids and long standing St. Clair west community member. She is the co-owner of Dupont Naturopathic Family Centre at 789 Dupont Street with her bestie, the also ah-mazing, Mira Heitz. Rachel and Mira have a strong connection to our neighborhood, and spent a long time finding the right space for their wellness centre. It's gorgeous; if you haven't been, I highly recommend it.
I've been a patient of Rachel's for a year or so. She's helped me to optimize my nutrition, manage some hormonal complaints and I love, love, love visiting her for accupuncture. I always leave feeling so calm and glowy.
Tell us about your morning self-care routine, if you have one? I wish I did. I have visions of meditation, journaling and dim lights. But the reality is it's pretty crazy with 3 kids and getting them fed and out the door. I love my morning chai tea. I add a little honey and almond milk. It's my happy drink in a warm mug.
What is your favourite nourishing breakfast? I'm more of a brunch eater. My go tos; avocdao toast, a smoothie, or granola bowl with fruit. I sprinkle hemp hearts + ground flax seeds on everything.
What's your favourite feel-good read? I have read a lot of mind-body connection books. How our past effects our emotional state and overall health and longevity. Books like; When the Body Keeps Score and The Deepest Well. I am currently enjoying Gabor Mate's new book, The Myth of Normal.
What does your weekly movement routine look like? I spend a lot of my week sitting at my desk, and I definitely feel better, in my physical body but more importantly in my mind when I move. I play tennis about 4 to 5 times a week. I have a slight obsession with the sport. :-) My goal is also resistance training once a week, and yoga once a week.
Do you take any supplements that you swear by? Yes! So many. First off I will say please do not self prescribe. Work with someone who will help you feel your best. My health goals involve; managing hashimoto's (thyroid condition), supporting my adrenals (stress glands), mitochondrial support, iron, B12, vitamin D, gut health and sleep. I love probiotics, those gut loving bacteria are the key to good health. We should all take vitamin D daily (yes, even in the summer), so many of us are deficient on blood work. And we can all use a magnesium supplement before bed. Our cells and hormones, need magnesium to function, and it's not a mineral we store.
When it comes to mindset, are there any mantras that you live by? Move through your days gentle and kind. Everyone has a story, we likely know nothing about.
What is your number one indulgence? Only one? champagne, cookies and chocolate.
What is one feel-good self-care routine you could not live without? My skin care routine. I have been fortunate to be friend's with Sahar, the holistic esthetician at the clinic for so many years. She has helped me take such good care of my skin, I literally can't skip my morning or night rituals. Dewey skin is the best.
Name a service or regular appointment that you have that supports your overall well-being? Before owning the clinic, I was never one who got massages. I now go every few months, and it makes a huge difference to your body and mood.
Tell us about a feel-good product that you're obsessed with. We sell a rose hydrosol made locally by The Aromatherapist, and every time I mist myself, it makes me happy. The smell, and hydration of it, is simply beautiful. I often mist patients after acupuncture, and they often comment on it. I have my teenage daughter hooked on it to. Best part, it is chemical, additive and preservative free, so you can feel good using it.
What is the boring self-care that you're committed to? I talk about this with my patients all the time, castor oil belly rubs. I rub the oil over my abdomen a few times a week before bed. It supports detoxification, brings blood and circulation to our digestive system, and relaxes our nervous system. This is great for young kids as well.
