Ever wonder what a doctor orders for himself? You’re about to find out!
Recently, we asked Dr. Graves about his preferences in everyday life. See what makes him tick, what he enjoys, and what he turns to when he needs healthcare himself in our following Q&A!
Dr. Graves, inquiring minds want to get to know you more…tell us, this or that?
Coffee or tea?
Both! I like coffee to help wake me up (about 1/2 cup) and turn to tea in the evenings to relax. Herbal blends and hibiscus teas are my favorites and I often use tea medicinally (for example, I always have Throat Coat® by Traditional Medicinals on hand).
Sweet or salty?
Salty! I’m not a sugar guy, which could be because of my Vata Ayurveda constitution. My go-to salty snacks are nuts, healthy nachos, spicy chips, and salsa.
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen?
I hardly ever take either, but when I do, I usually opt for ibuprofen because it can be easier on the system and better for inflammation.
Cooked vegetables or raw?
A lot depends on season, spring and summer I like raw vegetables as much as possible and fall and winter I go for cooked. Easting seasonally is a big focus of mine.
Breakfast or intermittent fasting?
Depends. I usually prefer intermittent fasting during work days when I fast in the morning and eat by noon. It works for me – I have plenty of energy and it also saves me a little time. On weekends, I like to slow down and cook breakfast with my kids.
Running or walking?
For me, that’s an easy one – walking. It calms my nervous system and lowers my cortisol more than running.
Soy or no soy?
Soy limited. I prefer it in pure or traditional ways such as with tempeh, tofu, and edamame which I rotate throughout my diet. I tend to stay away from soy milk, protein powder, and additives because I don’t tolerate them well.
Outside workout or gym workout?
Outside, period. I prefer mountain biking and hiking the most.
Be a student or a teacher?
Both! I find myself both a student and a teacher in everyday life and I like it that way.
Starve or eat when sick?
I usually fast for a day or so when I have a cold to give my body a rest, especially when a fever present. I like to go by how I feel and if I don’t feel like eating in the first 24-48 hours, I will take a break and then eat when I am recovering.
Go out or cook?
Cook. The majority of the time I feel I can make better food at home but if I’m tired, I’ll get takeout.
Call or text?
It can depend on who it is, but mostly call. I find texting isn’t always a great way to communicate because you miss the inflection (unless it’s simple things).
Dairy or non-dairy milk?
Non-dairy because I’m sensitive. I found out by eliminating dairy from my diet and then adding it back in. I felt much better without dairy and my allergies became far worse once I consumed it again.
While Dr. Graves’ preferences don’t necessarily have to be your own (we are all unique humans), sharing individually what we like and what we don’t, what works best for each of us and what doesn’t, and some of the why’s behind our choices can be helpful to understanding others and ourselves better!
Do you have health questions that could benefit from a naturopathic doctor’s perspective. If so, please call us at (303) 688-6698 or click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Graves.
The CNMA office provides naturopathic care, testing, massage, and holistic counseling to those in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Centennial, Parker, Larkspur, Monument, Colorado Springs, and the greater Denver metro area. For those outside of these areas, virtual appointments are available.
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