Desert Health News - November-December 2023

. As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, Live Well Clinic is proud to support the growth of the naturopathic profession by providing medical residencies. This year, we welcome our second active resident, Dr. Annissa Ceja, a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland, Oregon. We would like to share Dr. Ceja’suniquepath tonaturopathic medicine through her own story: As a recent graduate of naturopathic medicine and a new resident at Live Well Clinic, I feel fortunate to be able to embark on a journey that weaves together the threads of my own life experiences, a passion for healing and a commitment to naturopathic oncology. My voyage into natural medicine began with my encounter with cancer. As a 20-year-old nursing student, I received a diagnosis that abruptly illuminated my mortality and unveiled the intricate tapestry of holistic health. Growing up with the conventional medical system, it took enduring chemotherapy to truly appreciate the healing power of nature. This newfound appreciation was the most significant gift cancer provided me. Beyond the confines of conventional medicine, I discovered the significance of emotional, mental and spiritual facets of well-being in the healing process. A central aspect of my path to naturopathic medicine is my cultural connection to natural medicine. As a Spanish-speaking Mexican American (Chicana), I was fortunate to have a Mexican mother who carried the ancient practices of natural healing with her. Her unwavering belief in natural medicine made her my biggest advocate, even when the oncologist advised us otherwise. Her innate wisdom and my healthy skepticismand researchbecame anchors innavigating the complexities of cancer care. Amidst my pursuit of healing, I saw a disconnect: the array of therapies beyond the standard of care often remained out of reach for many, including myself. Even when I witnessed the benefits firsthand and found evidence supporting the use, my oncologist discouraged using natural therapies despite his limited awareness of their potential. With my then limited knowledge, I had to make difficult decisions about what would be effective and safe during my treatment. This revelation ignited a fire withinme—a desire to become a naturopathic physician and advocate for integrative oncology, making it more accessible and inclusive. Now, as a naturopathic doctor, I've chosen to specialize in naturopathic oncology—a realm where I can provide the support I yearned for during my cancer journey. My dedication to this path transcends the walls of the clinic. I aim to embody the principles of wellness in my life; with constant effort, I strive to eat nourishing food, engage in invigorating movement, and find serenity amidst life's storms by www.DesertHealthNews.com November/December 2023 Natural therapies spawning from her family's heritage inspired Dr. Ceja to pursue naturopathic medicine. Natural Options The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 13 Continued on page 18 www.livewellclinic.org 760.771.5970 78900 Av e. 47, Suite 102 • La Quinta info@livewellcl inic.org • www.livewellclinic. org Live Happy, Live Well @LiveWellClinicLaQuinta @LiveWellClinic Offering Telemedicine Naturopathic Primary Care ProLon FMD (Intermittent Fasting Diet) Photodynamic Therapy Sound Baths Last Wednesday of each month • $30/person Delaney Quick, ND Naturopathic Resident Annissa Ceja, ND Naturopathic Resident Sonja Fung, ND Naturopathic Doctor Medical Director www.kathleenokeefekanavos.com Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble Learn more at w.KathleenOKe feK navos.co m Larry Burk, MD of Duke University School of Medicine and Kathleen O’Keefe-Kanavos , dream expert and three-time breast cancer survivor whose dreams diagnosed her cancer, share their cutting-edge research on precognitive dreams, journaling, interpretation, survival and faith. Showcasing the important role of dreams and their power to detect and heal illness THAT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE DREAMS — 2023 Nautilus Award Winner — Also published in Italian and Chinese www.gatherlaquinta.com 760.219.7953 • 78010 Main Street, Suite 201 gatherlaquinta.com yoga • workshops • meditation sound baths • breathwork a yoga + wellness community Scan to view schedule Journey to Naturopathic Residency From cancer patient to naturopathic doctor By Sonja Fung, ND and Annissa Ceja, ND If our dreams are a microcosm of our waking world, is it any wonder we dream of living and deceased loved ones during the holidays? Dreams of people, parties and gatherings – whether soothing or stressful - can have many meanings and messages filled with hope and love. An email in my inbox read: Why am I having recurrent vivid dreams of my car filled with noisy deceased family members stalling on the way to a holiday party? I wake up in tears. This time of year, stress levels tend to go through the roof as we shop, cook, wrap, decorate and party-plan ourselves into a tizzy. Despite the fun holiday hyper-life, our nightly dreams often reenact daily stress. Here are six helpful tips for avoiding stress-inducing holiday dreams and nightmares: Travelsleeppatterns. Stressincreasesrapideyemovement(REM)sleep, theprecursor to dreams, which can lead to weird, vivid dreams. Time zones and environmental factors that accompany travel can further affect sleep and dreams. Meditate before sleep to reduce stress and re-center your being. The winter blues. Working before sun rise and leaving after dark can throw off our biological clock’s circadian rhythms – the body's responses to natural light. Therapeutic light boxes or dawn simulators mimic the sun’s gradual rise to keep winter biorhythms in sync. Shop ‘til you drop. When shopping stresses you out, take a break. Light a candle or create a therapeutic holiday aroma to evoke pleasant memories. I heat five drops of pine oil and two drops of cinnamon oil in four ounces of water for dreamy holiday cheer. Retail madness. Colors, lights, shiny objects and background music distract our shopping decisions and can further stimulate our stress hormones. Lift the fog of confusion with a shopping list or product printout with prices. Enjoy the madness without the stress. Loss in the family. Plan ahead. Create a list of things or people to help you cope with sadness during parties or dinners so you do not feel lost when a sensitive topic arises. Family feuds. Set boundaries. Gatherings become stressful when our hopes of pleasing everyone fail. Be honest about limitations such as not wanting to host all of the extended family. Another stress-reducer is to take a break. Step outside and take some deep breaths when dreamy gatherings become a nightmare. So, is it any wonder our seasonal lifestyle is reflected in dreams that can shift into confusing nightmares? When our dream car, filled with deceased and live family members on their way to a party, stalls, what is our dreaming-self telling us about our waking world? Look for the dream's play on words. The questions "Who is in your car?" and "What is in your party?" may be a duality or double entendre. In dreams, a car is our mobile body traveling through life. The dream message of a stalled car may be, "I'm bogged down with emotions." Use the list above to kick stress out of your car. And remember, we are never alone. During our darkest hour of the holiday season, we have a car full of love because, while people may pass, love never dies. Kathleen O'Keefe-Kanavos of Rancho Mirage is a survivor, author, dream expert, speaker and TV/radio host/producer and has been featured on Dr. Oz and The Doctors. Her new award-winning book Dreams That Can Save Your Life is available now. For more information, visit www.KathleenOkeefeKanavos.com . Holiday Dreams: Who's In Your Party? By Kathleen O'Keefe-Kanavos