Emily Marie LeBlanc, BSc, Doctorate Student

01/07/2022

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month ♀️

Cervical cancer is a highly preventable cancer that occurs in the cervix (the passageway from the uterus to the va**na). Only 100 years ago, cervical cancer was the # 1 cause of cancer death among women - but we've come a long way! Thanks to the development of the Pap test, deaths from cervical cancer dropped by 70%. 🙌

Years after developing the Pap test, the detection of HPV (Human Papillomavirus) in cervical cancer was noted. This led to the development of the HPV vaccine which can prevent cervical cancer from occurring. 💉

Some fast facts on HPV/Cervical cancer:
🌿 Risk factors for cervical cancer include HPV infection, smoking, and an immunocompromised state.
🌿 One of the main red flags for cervical cancer is bleeding after in*******se (which can also present with va**nal pain and pain during sexual in*******se). Always mention this to your doctor.
🌿 HPV can usually be cleared by the body. However, in some women it can progress to cervical cancer. A healthy immune system is key. Strains of HPV that are higher-risk include HPV 16, 18, 31, and 33.
🌿 Current guidelines are that if you've ever been sexually active, you should have regular Pap tests by age 21 and repeated every 3 years. This is the best way to detect dysplasia (characteristic changes in infected cervical cells) that can progress to cervical cancer.

If you have a cervix, this is your cue to book a Pap test if you are due for one!🤗

12/21/2021

Ever wondered why baby shouldn't have honey if they are under 1 years old?🍯👶

It's all due to a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum!🦠 C. botulinum produces toxins that can cause infant botulism (symptoms include muscle weakness, constipation, difficulty breathing). Spores of C. botulinum can be found as a contaminant in honey and, since babies have immature digestive systems, they can have trouble clearing the spores.

It is recommended to:
🍼Not give honey to any infant below the age of one
🍼Not give any processed foods made with honey (graham crackers, honey cheerios, etc) to babies less than one
🍼Do not dip baby's soother in honey

Both pasteurized and unpasteurized honey is to be avoided, as pasteurization does not kill C. botulinum🍯

Share this info with a mama or papa in your life!🤱👨‍🍼

04/22/2021

Happy Earth Day!🌍🌿🌸

Can't wait to be done exams so I can explore more of this beautiful province 💕

03/27/2021

Did you know that as a licensed ND, I am a primary care practitioner who is trained to diagnose, prevent, and treat acute and chronic illness as well as prescribe medication in B.C. Many years are put into interdisciplinary education to become a naturopathic doctor, with Canadian naturopathic students completing more than 4100 hours of instruction, of which at least 1200 hours consist of supervised, hands-on clinical training. Practitioners that sound like but are NOT licensed as a naturopathic doctor are not regulated, which means, you as the patient, are not protected and you can’t have confidence that adequate training has been taken to keep you safe.

If you’re ready to see a naturopathic doctor, I want you to see the real deal, so how can you figure out if you’re seeing a licensed ND?

-Search the public register to see if the practitioner you’re considering is licensed and in good standing with the profession’s regulatory board: https://cnpbc.bc.ca/public/public-register/
-Contact the office where the practitioner works and ask them for the license number. If they don’t have a license number, they are not registered or regulated.
-There are a few protected titles that can be used by licensed naturopathic doctors including naturopathic physician and naturopath. A natural doctor or holistic doctor is NOT a licensed or regulated professional.

Fun fact: BC was the first province in Canada to regulate naturopaths, which happened in 1923. It was also the first province to provide prescriptive authority to NDs, which happened in 2009.

03/27/2021

I hate being a Negative Nancy about this stuff - but if you know anything about the pathophysiology of heart disease, diabetes, etc then you will know how disastrous this can be.

Sure, it might be a smart business move for Krispy Kreme. But for the individuals getting free doughnuts? ⬆️ inflammatory cytokine production, ⬆️ nasty foam cells contributing to atherosclerosis, ⬆️ obesity linked to worsened virus outcomes as well as increased morbidity from many causes.

Let's not pretend a vaccine can save us from everything.

*I am thrilled that a vaccine is finally here. But our healthcare system is failing - we are currently facing an Obesity Pandemic that is a huge public health concern.

03/21/2021

The ABC’s of Minimalism

Love this💕

Zero regrets!

03/20/2021

Some great tips!😴

Struggling to get a good night's sleep?
In honor of , we're sharing a few tips to help you catch those much needed 💤's.

Did you know that we have Sleep Essentials on our app? From meditations to soundscapes, our Sleep Essentials help quiet the mind, relax the body, and allow you to drift off into slumber. 😴

02/09/2021

Timeline photos

In a new Crohn's and Colitis Canada study, researchers have for the first time uncovered bacterial changes in the gut that precede the development of UC. These transformations are potential new markers for inflammation for which people at risk of colitis could be proactively monitored – and treated with precision drugs: bit.ly/3oNryIk.

12/23/2020

Countdown to Christmas: 2 days🥰🎄🎁

Woke up early to catch the sunrise and these views made it SO worth it!🌄

Hope you are all enjoying your holidays! I know this year will not be the same for many. Kyle and I are feasting with all the good food over the next few days (locally-farmed steaks from ,fresh veggies, peanut butter pie, homemade nachos, , etc etc! We are going to watch Christmas movies, play board games, cook together lots, and FaceTime our families❤ making the most of it. Xo

11/16/2020

A little over 2 weeks ago we moved into our new home in Vancouver, BC!🏡❤

I am so grateful to wake up next to Kyle and my furbabies every single day. No more flights back and forth. No more goodbyes. No more missed birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays spent alone. No more "FaceTime Fiancee" as Kyle liked to call me😂. My heart aches for anyone who is in a long-distance relationship and knows the struggle, or even those who are apart from family due to this virus.

This move has been the hardest we've done so far, and Kyle and I are no strangers to moving - we have moved a combined total of 5 times in the past 2.5 years. Moving provinces during a pandemic, with 2 cats, in the middle of 2nd year of naturopathic medicine (the hardest year) has been challenging to say the least.

We are finally getting settled into our new home and it feels so good to be together, especially as COVID restrictions get tighter and tighter. I can't wait to enjoy this sunrise every morning for the next few years, until our next move... to home sweet home Nova Scotia⚓🌊 💕 .

11/10/2020

Amazing!

To read the article swipe up in my story or go to: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/msi-begins-covering-breast-reduction-surgery-non-binary-1.5796325
————————

In a physician's bulletin on Nov. 4, MSI said the Department of Health and Wellness "has added the diagnosis of Persistent and Well Documented Gender Dysphoria to the list of criteria for MSI coverage for a breast reduction." The change is effective as of Nov. 2.
According to a news release from the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service, the change followed a complaint to the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission from Sebastian Gaskarth, who is non-binary.
"The new coverage directly acknowledges that gender does not exist as a binary," Gaskarth said in the release.

09/20/2020

Second year of Nat Med is officially in full swing!💉🩺☺🌿

I am thrilled to be entering my second year, where we will be learning about how to become a DOCTOR👩‍⚕️ First year was all about teaching us the basic sciences (lots of biochemistry, microbiology, anatomy, etc), but now we will be shifting our focus on patient care with courses such as Clinical Diagnosis and Physical Medicine. We will learn how to conduct a patient history, generate a DDx, and all about different orthopedic conditions and tests we can perform.

Along with my new courses, I will also be furthering my education in acupuncture, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, and more!🌿🍓 We are also continuing our studies in physiology, pathology, and pharmacology💊 . Naturopathic medicine is an intense program, but it helps when you love what you do & are so passionate about it!😊🩺

09/18/2020

❤

A couple of days ago, a close friend of mine and one of the most genuine, kindest souls I know, lost her life to depression.

My stomach dropped when I read the news. I had fallen out of touch recently, and allowed the daily minutiae of life to take over my days instead of connecting with people that mean a lot to me. It has been very difficult sitting with this.

When I think of our friendship, I know that she cared deeply for her friends and so many people in her community. She exemplified living a genuine, truthful, and authentic life full of integrity, thoughtfulness, and kindness. She always followed her heart wherever it took her, instead of following societal expectations. She was always there for her friends when they needed her, often dropping what she had been doing to help. She was open minded to different ways of being, different cultures, and different practices. She cared deeply for the people around her, her patients, community, and the Earth.

I've been reflecting on the times we spent together, and the thoughts I can share with the world. Here are a few things I've learned from having had the privilege of knowing her:

• Never judge a book by it's cover. You have no idea what others are going through.

• Have the courage to be truly humble, and always demonstrate humility.

• Follow your heart and follow your dreams. Life is too short to not.

• When your gut tells you something, listen. Intuition is often right.

• Respect and value the earth and everything it provides.

• Keep the important things in life at the forefront. Family, friendships, community, love, kindness, humility, nature, experiences, and serving and helping the people around you.

We are hurting as a community at the loss of such a talented, beautiful person and ND. Her gifts will not be forgotten, her courage will live on. We will carry her presence and strength in our hearts.

My message for you today is this:

Before you start scrolling again, please contact your friends, family, long lost cousins, and anyone you can think of at this time. You are not too busy. Call or message them now. Don't wait.

09/15/2020

😂

Haha, agreed!!😂

Via Business Chicks

09/09/2020

👌💕

Always. Be. Kind. 🖤

09/08/2020

Baked 's banana bread - one of my absolute favorites that is gluten-free!🍌🍞

Some of the swaps I made:
❤ Added 2 tbsp sweetener (her recipe doesn't call for any added sugars/sweeteners and is naturally sweetened with bananas, but I like it a bit sweeter (plus lakanto is sugar-free! It has monk fruit and erythritol)🌿
❤ Sprinkled unsweetened coconut flakes on the banana bread🥥
❤ Topped it off with some coconut yogurt by

Highly recommend checking out her recipes! They are soo good!🥰🤤

08/31/2020

USask respirologist offers tips for wearing masks, and why they work

USask respirologist offers tips for wearing masks, and why they work

Wearing a mask is now mandatory indoors for those on campus, and a University of Saskatchewan (USask) respiratory expert says there are plenty of good reasons why they help protect you and others around you.

08/26/2020

Fat should not be feared!🥥

Somewhere along the way we have been led to believe that fat is bad. This paved the way for low-fat diets and an increase in processed foods that are low calorie/low fat but not health-promoting, nonetheless.

We NEED adequate dietary fat in order to properly digest, absorb, and assimilate fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). We also require fats in our diet to absorb the antioxidant-rich phytochemicals such as carotenoids and lycopene, which are found in carrots, tomatoes, watermelon, and more.

The key is to focus on "good fats". These include avocados + avocado oil, olive oil, coconut yogurt, eggs, nuts and seeds (macadamia nuts are a rich source of monounsaturated fats, and walnuts contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids)🌿

: Drizzle your tomatoes with olive oil or eat some macadamia nuts with your watermelon for increased absorption of lycopene!🍅🍉

08/21/2020

Tastes as good as it looks!😍🍨

cake batter dairy-free ice cream topped with strawberry macadamia nut bars and fresh organic strawberries🍓💕

I love that this ice cream is colored with turmeric (an anti-inflammatory herb!) and is much lower in sugar than most other ice creams. It makes for a delicious healthier treat!🌿🍦

07/20/2020

Timeline photos

Not everyone is at the same risk of COVID-19. Our experts have provided guidance so people living with can find out what their level of risk is and what they should do: bit.ly/2ZDC7Ep 🔻.

07/18/2020

Sunscreen Chemicals Accumulate in Body at High Levels

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are great active ingredients in sunscreen and deemed safe by the FDA! ☀️

For the second time in less than a year, a study of common sunscreen ingredients has established that the chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream at concentrations far greater than the Food and Drug Administration’s safety threshold.

06/15/2020

Supplements Are Not All Created Equal – 3 Reasons Why Quality Over Quantity Matters with Supplements

New blog post up on my website! All about why quality over quantity matters when it comes to supplements🙌💊🌿

I usually recommend that people get their supplements from a Naturopathic Doctor or dietitian/nutritionist for various reasons. One of the main reasons is that these health professionals can give i…

06/03/2020

❤

06/02/2020

👊

From June 1-7, I will be taking a break from sharing my regular content and will be spreading awareness of the work that needs to be done to address the deep-rooted prejudice and racism present in our society. I hope that this inspires some of you to take action and put an end to the oppression. Together, we can make a difference❤ .

Thank you & .msrd for starting this movement to 📣 .
"Use your WHITE PRIVILEGE to END your WHITE PRIVILEGE. BLACK LIVES MATTER."🙌 .

06/01/2020

~ Taco Night 😍🌮 Tacos are my favorite, especially with grain free taco shells! They taste amazing when baked for a couple of minutes in the oven to make them nice and crispy👌 I also love the ingredients - cassava flour, pumpkin seed meal, avocado oil and more! No inflammatory vegetable oils🙌🌿 .

Let me know if you try these! I got them from ☺💗 .

05/09/2020

Timeline photos

When this crisis passes, we will be stronger.

Credit: Eco with Em

05/06/2020

Easy Greek Pasta Salad! (Gluten-Free)

New recipe over on the blog at www.emilymarieleblanc.com 🌿
This greek pasta salad is super easy to make, gluten-free, high in protein + fiber, and perfect for summertime!🙌🌸☀️

I have been making this meal on repeat lately, since it is SO easy to make and is perfect for warmer weather. It is also 100% plant-based, and I try my best to include some meatless meals for lunch…

04/22/2020

~ Empaths🌠 .
I first heard the terms "empath" and "highly sensitive person" through a naturopathic doctor 5 years ago. Finally, I had a word that described my personality perfectly .
Empaths are often told that they care too much. That they are too sensitive. That they cry over everything. That they need to "toughen up". That they need to "just get over it" .
Empaths are wired to care DEEPLY about everything, including other people's emotions. It might sound completely crazy to someone who is not an empath, but we literally FEEL deep down inside the pain of someone else. Sometimes, it is unbearable. We wish we could just get over it .
Today I cried for the victims and their families involved in the tragedy that happened in my home province of Nova Scotia. A full-on, uncontrollable ugly cry. And I couldn't stop. Thankfully, none of my family or friends were involved in the incident. But reading the news and watching videos of the victims families in tears talking about their unimaginable loss was heart-wrenching .
I'm sharing this because I know there are many of you out there who are also empaths. And I know you are hurting. There is so much bad happening in the world right now and it can be hard to see the good. But I promise there is still good in this world. And you don't need to "toughen up" or "get over it". Your emotions are valid and do not need an explanation . I am always here to talk💗 .
Photo from

04/21/2020

I wanted to give a HUGE shoutout to for supporting frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19!🙌💊❤ .
My fiance Kyle is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and he received his care kit yesterday☺. For those who don't know yet - CanPrev (an amazing Canadian nutraceutical company) is sending care kits to frontline healthcare workers across Canada for FREE!👏 .
Care kits include nutraceuticals to support overall health - such as probiotics, magnesium (SO many people are deficient in this super important mineral!), and vitamin D☀️ .
We can't get over how generous this company has been during these times. When this is all over, please remember the businesses who lent a helping hand and made a difference. CanPrev is a company that I use and love, and will highly recommend to my patients as a future Naturopathic Doc!👩‍⚕️🌿

04/14/2020

So cute! Love this idea.

04/13/2020

Timeline photos

Wear a cloth face covering to slow the spread of coronavirus. Growing evidence suggests the virus can spread:

• Before people show symptoms (pre-symptomatic) and
• From people who have the virus but never show symptoms (asymptomatic).

Cloth face coverings help prevent spread of COVID-19 in these situations. Learn more about these coverings and how you can make one: https://bit.ly/2Ravt42

04/06/2020

So many good ideas for kids!☺

03/31/2020

The April Fool's pregnancy announcements will happen. They are posted in good fun. But, we know it can still sting to read them. Share this image to educate your social circles and encourage your allies to share it, too!

Experienced a "just kidding!" announcement? Share your stories with us.

03/30/2020

Today I felt sad.

Sad for the first-time mom who won't be able to have her family around for her first birth.

Sad for the grandparents who won't get to enjoy those first few precious months with their new grandchild.

Sad for the elderly man with dementia who cries himself to sleep and doesn't understand why his wife can't come visit him in the hospital anymore.

Sad for the ones fighting for their life with COVID-19, alone in the hospital, because their loved ones are prohibited to visit unless for compassionate (end of life) means.

Sad for those said loved ones, waiting at home in the unknown; knowing they may not be by their side if they do pass away.

Weddings can be rescheduled. Trips can be planned again. I know it feels like the end of the world but these things can happen again.

There are people enduring an unimaginable amount of pain right now as COVID19 wreaks havoc on their lives.

Choose your words wisely. Be kind to everyone you cross paths with (6 feet away of course - lol). Smile and say thank you to grocery store clerks who are risking their lives for a low pay. Tell a healthcare worker how much you appreciate them.

This too shall pass🙏❤ .