Welcome to this episode of The Tonic, terrestrially broadcast on February 21 and 22, 2026 on AM740 and FM 96.7 in Toronto. Topics covered on the show track the lifestyle articles and themes published in The Tonic Newsletter and on the Tonic Website. This week we’ll discuss the incidence of kidney disease in immigrants with nephrologist Dr. Tabo Sikaneta MD, how to grow and preserve food from your garden with authors Staci and Jeremy Hill, the health benefits of cold weather cardio with holistic nutritionist and trainer Suzan Galluzzo, and the thyroid cookbook with chef and author Ginny Mahar

We specifically discuss:

The Incidence of Kidney Disease in Immigrants

• What is chronic kidney disease?
• What are the causes of chronic kidney disease?
• Are there symptoms of kidney disease?
• Blood tests
• The microcosm of Scarborough
• The study
• Key findings
• Hot climates, proximity to water
• Why are these populations at risk?
• The diabetogenic North American diet
• Screen “at risk” groups sooner
• Determine why certain groups are at higher risk
• Determine if these patterns play out in other communities

How To Grow and Preserve Food From Your Garden

• The benefits of growing your own food
• What do you need to know to grow and preserve food?
• What space and how much time is required?
• The learning process
• The methods of preserving food
• Freeze drying
• Canning/mason jars
• The lost skill of preserving food
• Sourcing equipment

The Health Benefits of Cold Weather Cardio

• Why is cardio training important?
• What is cold weather cardio training?
• What does cardio training do for your heart?
• Cardio training for hormone health
• Cold weather cardio activities
• Dress appropriately
• Pre and post workout stretching
• Who should not be doing cold weather cardio?

 

The Thyroid Cookbook

• Why write a thyroid health cookbook?
• Anti-inflammatory eating
• Foods that trigger symptoms
• Gluten, dairy, nightshades etc.
• Elimination and reintroduction
• Reasonable expectations and benefits
• Ginny’s favourite recipe: Sausage, Beans and Greens Pasta

 

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To learn more about Dr. Tabo Sikaneta MD go here

To learn more about Jeremy and Staci Hill go here

To learn more about Suzan Galluzzo go here

To learn more about Ginny Mahar go here