Gluten-free Pumpkin Cheesecake

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and if you're anything like me you've already planned your holiday menu, ordered your turkey, and getting super crafty with the place settings. Last year I made a wheat-free dinner, using spelt breadcrumbs from New Seasons for stuffing and a gluten-free pumpkin cheesecake that was the hit of the night. It's so good, well, even my friend who doesn't like pumpkin pie raved about the cheesecake. This recipe isn't my own original, I found it on allrecipes.com, just used Trader Joe's Gluten-free Ginger Snaps instead of regular. Easy peasy.

For those of you in the Portland area who are looking for a more traditional gluten-free pumpkin pie, go to New Cascadia Bakery on SE 6th and Market. Their pumpkin tart is absolutely delish, with a flaky I-can't-believe-it's-not-gluten-laden crust. Not sure if you can special order pies for Thanksgiving, but give them a call and ask. Don't forget to pick up some crusty bread for gf stuffing!

GF Pumpkin Marbled Cheesecake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F°

* 1 1/2 cups crushed gingersnap cookies - Trader Joe’s Gluten-free
* 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
* 1/3 cup butter, melted

* 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
* 3/4 cup white sugar, divided
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 eggs
* 1 cup canned pumpkin
* 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the crushed gingersnap cookies, pecans, and butter. Press into the bottom of a 9" springform pan, going up the sides about 1". Bake 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Set it aside to cool.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla just until smooth. Mix in eggs one at a time, blending well after each. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture. Blend 1/4 cup sugar, pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the remaining mixture.

3. Spread the pumpkin flavored batter into the crust, and drop the plain batter by spoonfuls onto the top. Swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.

4. Bake 55 minutes in the preheated oven, or until filling is set. Run a knife around the edge of the pan. Allow to cool before removing pan rim. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

Allrecipes.com/Recipe/Marbled-Pumpkin-Cheesecake/
New Cascadia Bakery

One more thing...

How can I forget to mention the Grand Opening of the new NCNM Clinic in southwest Portland, Oregon, the largest naturopathic clinic in the Portland area. It's also the teaching clinic where I have been completing my residency. I was at the ceremony this morning where speeches were made by Mayor Sam Adams and Senator Monnes Anderson as well as NCNM President David Schleich, board member Nancy Garbett, the woman who makes everything at the clinic run just right, Dr. Jill Stanard (seen at the podium in the picture above).

The main teaching clinic provides low cost health care, preventive naturopathic and integrative care. There are also satellite teaching clinics for even lower cost care for the members of various Portland communities.

For more information, check out the NCNM Clinics' website at www.ncnm.edu.

Naturopathic Doctors in the Press

My fellow NDs from the NCNM Class of 2007 are making news all across the country! First, Dr. Karen Peters in Albany, CA, discussed flu prevention, then last night I saw Dr. Jesse Buttler who practices in Milwaukee, OR, on KGW Channel 8 news talking about cleanses and fasts. Now it's Dr. Sean Heerey from New York City, talking about the role of alternative medicine in the current healthcare crisis.

And I can't possibly mention Sean without talking about his wife (and my friend) Christina Heerey. She runs the New York Dog Training School and has a great technique for training dogs and owners alike.

Can't wait to find more press on my classmates and friends!

East Bay Naturopathic Clinic
Northwest Natural medicine
Sean E. Heerey, N.D.

Featured Artist: Lisa Warninger Photography

As part of Rock 'n' Wellness*, I plan to feature a different artist, whether photographer, painter, musician, or actor, whose work and talent I admire.

This week's featured artist is photographer Lisa Warninger. Her exquisite eye lends itself perfectly to capturing the ethereal bliss of a bride and groom or the serene wonder of a newborn baby. She also is part of the collaborative team that makes up Urban Weeds, an online chronicle of Portland street style.

Lisa Warninger Photography
Urban Weeds: Street Style from Portland

*Rock ‘n’ Wellness is a project under development to raise money and awareness for artists and performers without access to health care. For more information, click here.

Holistica Open House

Wow. Last night's open house was a huge success! The gathering was a wonderful, eclectic mix of people, some friends, some family, some residents from the neighborhood, some strangers off the street. We even had a visit from Portland, Oregon's esteemed mayor, Sam Adams. I must admit I was positively star struck, and if you know me, that isn't typical. I've met my share of celebs and rock stars and some may consider me a bit jaded, but last night, I was positively gushing over our surprise guest.

Leah Sherman, ND and Anya Chang, ND LMT, and Portland Mayor Sam Adams at the Holistica Healthcare open house, May 1, 2009.

It was such a fun evening, Holistica Healthcare will definitely be participating in future First Friday events!

Have I mentioned that Anya Chang, ND, LMT, of True Health Medicine in Tualatin, will be seeing massage patients at the Holistica Healthcare Portland office?

Leah Sherman, ND and Anya Chang, ND LMT outside the Holistica Healthcare office, May 1, 2009.

So, what's a doctor do the day after her clinic's open house? Help out at the Rosa Parks Community Health Fair at the Mt Olivet Baptist Church in North Portland. The church's women's ministry helped organize the fair and students from the National College of Natural Medicine volunteered their time with hearing and vision tests for the kids and blood pressure screenings for the adults. There also was a bike helmet clinic courtesy of Legacy Emanuel, Northwest Medical Team provided services through their dental van, and Multnomah County conducted testing for lead poisoning.

Richard Barrett, ND supervises students conducting vision screening tests on children at the Rosa Parks Community Health Fair, May 2, 2009.

Clinic Update – First Friday Open House

These are the latest pictures of Holistica Healthcare. This Friday, May 1st, neighboring businesses are participating in the First Friday Central Eastside Arts District walk. I'm having an open house, so if you are in the neighborhood (Lower Burnside), drop on in and say "Hi!"

Holistica Healthcare Open House
Friday, May 1st
6-9 PM
811 East Burnside, Suite 124
(8th between Burnside and Couch, entrance at back of building)

Now seeing patients...

Tomorrow I start my first teaching clinic shift at the NCNM Natural Health Center. I will be supervising student clinicians as they see patients and guide them through diagnoses and treatment plans. This is a great opportunity to get affordable, integrative health care, while taking part in the education of fledgling physicians. Many patients have commented that they have never received so much attention while at a doctor's appointment than they have at NHC!

The shifts are General Medicine (acute and chronic care), incorporating my interests including preventive, performing arts, anti-aging, and integrative medicine. Treatments plans include modalities such as nutritional counseling and IVs, hydrotherapy, botanical medicine, homeopathy, flower essences, and conventional medicine. The wonderful part of naturopathic medicine is its focus on the whole person – instead of just treating a symptom, we look for and treat the cause. Naturopathic medicine offers many diverse options to approach the path to good health.

I love practicing naturopathic medicine because I can teach patients tools they can use to take charge of their own health. I first learned how beneficial this can be when I practiced reflexology. I would send clients off with 'homework' to do, showing them points on their feet they could work on to support the treatment that I gave them. The response was tremendous, and they noticed positive changes in their overall health more quickly.

In several weeks, I will be starting my own private clinic shift at NHC, so stay tuned for more information! Pretty much the same focus as my teaching shifts, my private shifts will also include reflexology as a treatment option.

For an appointment on a teaching shift, call 503-552-1551.
Wednesday 4-8pm
Thursday 4-8pm

Human Race

Yesterday I ran the Nike+Human Race 10k, the world's largest one day running event. Races were held in 25 cities across the globe. A portion of the proceeds went to one of three charities: the Lance Armstrong Foundation, ninemillion.org, and the World Wildlife Fund.

My training for this race included running short distances and Friday noticed a tightness on the lateral aspects of my leg, in my iliotibial band. Saturday morning I went by the Natural Health Center for kinesiotaping and some racing advice from Dr. Minarik. Kinesiotaping is a method of therapeutic taping used by physical therapists, chiropractors, and physicians to help support muscles in daily activity or in rehabilitation and to increase circulation of blood and lymph. After a brief consultation with a student clinician, Dr. Minarik taped my ITB and my shins, to ward off shin splints. After the initial application, my legs instantly felt lighter. It was as if the tape was lifting my legs, defying gravity itself. I did not get black or a fancy, bright colored tape as seen at the Olympics, but a more subtle beige. He then gave me advice on staying hydrated and what and when to eat the morning of the race.

A friend lent me a water bottle carrier that strapped around my waist which supplied me with electolyte-infused water during the run. I also carried some homeopathics and my cellphone, which I used to text friends when I reached the halfway point. Cheesy, yes, but I couldn't believe I had actually run that far, I had to share!

I completed the race in 1:13'57", a full half hour faster than I originally calculated. Running with others inspired me to keep going, and I picked out certain runners to keep up with and maintain my pace. I started slow, then after the first 2.5k only slowed down up the few inclines along the course. My iPod played a carefully chosen song selection to keep me motivated. I even placed Nada Surf songs every 12-15 minutes so I could keep track of my timing. The Brooklyn-based band played the post-race concert, and even though I had just run farther than I every had in my life (and faster, too), I danced throughout the hour-long show (that's me with the ponytail at the front of the stage, to the right).

I asked one woman at the start of the race what inspired her to participate and she told me she wanted to start getting in shape as well as be a part of something big. I admit it was pretty amazing being part of such a huge event, and I am now inspired to keep running to maintain my health, help reduce stress, and inspire others to do the same.

Photograph of concert: Official Nike Running Blog

Bike Commute Challenge 2008

It's back! Register now for the 2008 Bike Commute Challenge. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance, which promotes bicycling in Oregon and SW Washington, organizes this challenge and has extensive resources on their site for anyone interested in biking, whether you're a commuter or just a weekend rider.

The challenge begins September 1st, so organize your co-workers, form a team, and sign up today! Why should I join, you ask? Well, check out their benefits page and learn how biking to work is not only good for you, but good for your employer!

Commuter workshops are available for new riders, and they're free! Topics covered include (as listed on their site):
* Safe and legal riding
* What you need to know about lights and rain gear
* Carrying stuff - including clothes, groceries and kids
* What to do about your hair
* Route planning and maps

Don't live in the OR/SW WA area? Your workplace can still register and use the BCC website, but will not be included in the final rankings or in the awards at the end of the month.

And as a side note, my alma mater and current employer, The National College of Natural Medicine, has won the bike challenge for the past two years. Way to go, NCNM!

PHOTO CREDIT: bikeportland.org