February 17, 2022

Alcohol & Sleep

Bulletin Health Topic - 112


Alcohol is a sedative that many people take to enable them to fall asleep quicker. The problem is it has a major impact on the quality of our sleep. Alcohol will make you lose consciousness quicker, but we shouldn’t confuse consciousness with sleep. Losing consciousness from alcohol is like being knocked out. You don't get the restorative nature of sleeping.


There are many physiological affects of consuming alcohol before sleep.

  • resting heart rate goes up
  • compressed heart rate variability
  • respiratory breathing rate increases
  • body temperature increases


For restorative sleep, we need our heart rate and body temperature to decrease.


Alcohol blocks our R.E.M sleep cycle, so you end up with a night of light sleep. This is due to a by-product made from an alcohol called aldehydes.


Aldehydes will block the brains ability to generate R.E.M sleep. We end up waking many times throughout the night, often so brief we don't remember.


Sleep is critical to the function of the brain's waste removal system (Glymphatic system), the deeper the sleep the better. 


It’s when we have disrupted sleep that beta analyoid plaque builds in the brain. This can lead to Alzheimers and premature aging.


A single drink 4- 5hrs before bedtime seems to have minimal effect.


It’s when we have 2-3 drinks close to bedtime things start to decline.

One Pan Bacon & Cod Skillet

August 7, 2025
 One Pan Bacon & Cod Skillet 2 servings | 25 minutes INGREDIENTS 4 slices Bacon (chopped) 1 Yellow Onion (medium, chopped) 1 Cod Fillet (chopped) 1 tbsp Avocado Oil 1 Sweet Potato (Japanese, large, peeled, diced) 1/4 cup Parsley (chopped) 2 tsps Apple Cider Vinegar (or to taste, optional) METHOD Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the bacon and the onions. Cook for three to four minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. Add the cod and sauté for two to three minutes, breaking it up as it cooks. Set aside. Remove the bacon grease from the pan and carefully wipe the pan out with a paper towel. Add the oil and sweet potato to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for about five to seven minutes or until browned and cooked through. Return the fish mixture to the pan. Stir in the parsley and cook for two more minutes, stirring, to heat through. Divide evenly between plates. Drizzle with apple cider vinegar (optional) and enjoy! NOTES Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Serving Size: One serving is approximately 1 1/2 cups. More Flavor: Add smoked paprika. Use salmon instead of cod. Fillet Size: One cod fillet is equal to 231 grams or eight ounces. Nutrition Facts ​ ​Amount per 2 servings​ 905 calories 39gs protein 126gs carb 28gs fat

Eggs & Tuna with Green Beans

July 23, 2025
Eggs & Tuna with Green Beans 2 servings | 25 minutes  INGREDIENTS 4 Egg 2 cups Green Beans (trimmed) 2 tbsps Mayonnaise 1 1/2 tsps Red Wine Vinegar 1 can Tuna (drained) 2 stalks Green Onion (chopped)  METHOD Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Cover and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and let it stand covered for 12 minutes. Drain and run cold water over the eggs until cool enough to handle and peel. Cut the eggs in half and set aside. Meanwhile, place the green beans in a steamer basket over boiling water and cover. Steam for three to five minutes. Run under cold water, drain, and set aside. Whisk together the mayonnaise and red wine vinegar. Divide the green beans, eggs, tuna, and green onions onto a plate. Add the dressing on top and enjoy! NOTES Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Serving Size: One serving is approximately two eggs, half a can of tuna, and one cup of green beans. More Flavor: Add salt and pepper, parsley, and tomatoes. Canned Tuna: One can of tuna is equal to 165 grams or 5.8 ounces, drained. Nutrition Facts ​ ​ Amount per serving ​ 309 calories 30gs protein 13gs carb 16gs fat

Ham & Cheese Stuffed Chicken

July 16, 2025
Ham & Cheese Stuffed Chicken 2 servings | 30 minutes INGREDIENTS 10 ozs Chicken Breast (boneless, skinless) Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste) 3 ozs Sliced Ham 2 ozs Mozzarella Cheese (shredded) 1/16 oz Avocado Oil Spray (divided) 2 cups Mixed Greens METHOD Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the chicken breasts in half, lengthwise to create a pocket in each chicken breast. Do not cut all the way through. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper. Layer the ham and cheese into the chicken breasts. Place the chicken onto the baking sheet and spray with avocado oil. Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken has cooked though. Serve with mixed greens and enjoy! NOTES Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Serving Size: One serving is one stuffed chicken breast and about one cup of mixed greens. More Flavor: Spread some pesto sauce into the chicken. Additional Toppings: Top with parsley and parmesan cheese. Avocado Oil Spray: One gram (or 1/16 oz) of avocado oil spray is equal to a one-second spray. Nutrition Facts ​ ​Amount per serving​ 315 calories 48gs protein 5gs carb 12gs fat