Community News
Adapting to change

As spring approaches early in Manitoba we can collectively breathe a sigh of relief from the burdensome snow banks and parka attire. However, the warmer sun and early arrival of geese may have your internal clock a little out of sync and thus sending you subtle pangs of fearfulness and uncertainty. One way I suggest to become more comfortable with change is to take some time to listen.

Allow yourself to integrate into your environment with a deeper understanding of what is going on by listening carefully. Listen to the subtle messages that the wind carries past you. Listen to the stories the geese are telling you as they journey north. Listen to the life coming up from under the earth beneath you. These sounds can speak to your heart and inspire you to follow a harmonious journey of fearless movement with purpose thus allowing you to accept some change as a part of your travels.

Pamela Vialoux,
Shabequay Healing
www.shabequay.ca

Just Breathe

One of the most under rated muscles is the diaphragm; it is a major muscle for breathing. But did you know that it is an important component for posture? Functionally, our posture and the way we breathe are interdependent. So any dysfunctions in breathing can affect posture and vice versa. Upper chest breathing is also associated with neck pain, headaches, and even shoulder pain through there over use of upper shoulder and neck muscles.

The diaphragm is also key in dynamic stability, working together with abdominal muscles, pelvic floor muscles, and back muscles. They provide a stable core for proper pain free movement, whether it is running, throwing etc. Using an improper breathing pattern can cause compensation in dynamic stability, which can lead to strain in the low back and hips. So is your breathing pattern giving you neck and low back pain?

South Sherbrook Therapy
www.southsherbrook.com

Brown Water?

Brown-colored water is a common complaint of householders. Elevated levels of manganese are the major cause of the significant increase in reports of brown water. Manganese levels have risen over the years in Shoal Lake, Winnipeg’s water source. Another common cause of brown-colored water is a rusty pipe. Pressure fluctuations inside a water pipe tend to loosen the rust that had been clinging to the inner walls.

Rusty water is a breeding ground for illness-causing bacteria. Also, a build-up of rust tends to corrode and crack pipes that in turn, exposes your water supply to contaminants in the air and also increases the chances of leaks in your home. Leaky pipes are one of the most common causes of mold and mildew infestation in homes. So, there you go; the rust in your brown-colored water actually has the potential to escalate into a major health hazard!

Blue Bison Water
www.bluebisonwater.com

Yogurt Health Benefits

Yogurt is one item you won’t have trouble locating in your local grocery store. Hit the dairy aisle and rows and rows of colourful cups of yogurt will catch your eye. It’s a top source of bone-building, osteoporosis-preventing calcium. Yogurt is also one of the best sources of probiotics, bacteria that help you maintain healthy digestion. In fact, researchers newly suspect that the probiotics in yogurt may help lower your risk of diabetes. Whether to help prevent osteoporosis, aid digestion, diabetes, or simply because you love it, there are a few delicious ways to make yogurt a part of your regular diet. Recipes such as yogurt parfaits, yogurt smoothies or even a yogurt dip are simple and easy to make and enjoy!

Curves Southdale
www.curves.com

Cultivating Mindfulness

Spring is in the air and now is the time to plant seeds and reap the benefits throughout the year. Mindfulness is a seed that you can plant and practice daily in your lives. Mindfulness is cultivating the seeds of awareness, paying attention, and noticing what nourishes or depletes us. Mindfulness also includes non-judgment and self-compassion and enjoying our precious life. Some seeds you can sow are choosing to experience greater calmness, responding vs. reacting to stressful situations, operating less on automatic pilot. Explore the mind-body connection and ask; what am I noticing in this moment and what am I feeling? Trust your inner wisdom as you make decisions and healthier choices. Gratitude and taking the time to be of service to others, listening, and a caring attitude are all seeds of growth. Allow yourself to shift some of your patterns, perspectives and sow more seeds of contentment.

Bernice Parent
La Vie Mindful
www.laviemindful.com

Cancer Hair Loss

When facing a life threatening illness like cancer, hair loss should seem like the least of someone’s worry. However, that is often not the case. For many patients it is one of the most frightening aspects of their cancer journey. The fact that their hair is quickly disappearing could trigger deeper emotions than simply the loss of their hair. It can cause cancer patients to feel exposed and vulnerable. Something that they are privately struggling with is now put on display for all others to see. When they stare at themselves in the mirror they may feel as though they are looking at a stranger. The important point to remember during this season of life is that there are many ways to regain control of their appearance. Help your loved ones seek out these options. Your emotional support for a cancer patient is always important.

www.citylooks.ca

Improve Spring Mobility

Raking and gardening season is almost upon us and to help get ready for all the extra physical activity why not try a massage? There are all kinds of benefits to receiving bodywork before returning to normal spring activities. Massage therapy offers many benefits in preparing us for our spring chores. A good massage will reduce muscle tension built up over the winter, increase circulation to help limber muscles up for raking, and improve joint mobility to help ease our ability to haul a wheelbarrow. It is so easy for us to get excited to spend time outside in the beautiful weather and start moving, but without the proper preparation, we leave ourselves vulnerable to muscle strain, pain and even injury.

Jeanine Piche
www.sundragonstudios.ca

Pet Health

Want to get fit while hanging out with your dog?

No longer do owners need to choose between going to the gym and spending time with their own dogs. These classes are the first of their kind to be offered in Winnipeg and are designed for humans and dogs of all fitness levels and all fitness goals. Our goal is to create an environment where each individual team can be nurtured and supported in getting fit and having fun together, all while building a beautiful connection with each other. These classes can be used for socializing puppies and adult dogs, connecting with your dog, creating family time, getting an overweight dog in shape, having fun while burning off the dogs’ energy and the list goes on and on!

Contact Grassroots Canine today to get started on a new leash on life!

Shalin Hustad
www.grassrootscanine.com

Book Club: The pH Miracle

Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health
by Robert O. Young, PhD, and Shelley Redford Young.

Never count calories, fat grams, or portion size again! Your body’s pH balance is the key to optimal health, weight, mental clarity, and overall vigor. Strike the right balance by nourishing your body with certain foods to create an alkaline environment, and say good-bye to low energy, poor digestion, extra pounds, aches and pains, and disease. This innovative program, proven effective over decades, works with your body’s chemistry to revitalize and maintain your health. Now completely revised, updated, and expanded, this classic guide includes the latest research and reveals the secrets of an alkaline-based diet (think plant-based, non-processed whole foods). Learn about how to remove toxins and balance your life with the incredible health benefits of this program.

Clean Eating: Spring Masala

Help balance your digestive system.

Ingredients:

1 tsp. cumin seeds
1 tsp. cardamom seeds
2 tbsp. coriander seeds
1 tsp. black peppercorns
1 tbsp. yellow mustard seeds.

Dry roast seeds together in a cast iron frying pan, until mustard seeds start to pop.
Grind all seeds and spices using hand grinder or mortar and pestle into a fine powder and store in an airtight glass jar.
Great on steamed vegetables, stir fry, soups, popcorn.

Kalee Mund
www.kaleemund.com

Made in Manitoba: Rawnata

Need a light, healthy snack to munch on during your coffee break?
Try Rawnata Hemp Snackers, available in chocolate, vanilla, and goji. Hemp Snackers are crunchy energy bars that supply protein, fibre, and Omega 3’s.

Need a healthy cracker that contains no flour?
Flax Crackers may be the solution! Pair them with cheese, gourmet jams, gourmet mustards, salsas, and hummus for a wonderful treat.

Rawnata is a modern twist on the Latin name “renate”, which means “reborn”. Rawnata is a Manitoba company that focuses on utilizing raw flax, hemp, and chia seeds. No flour, no additives, no preservatives and no empty calories. We use nothing but raw organic seeds, other nutrient-dense and purposeful vegan ingredients to renew and energize you. Ingredients are sourced locally, where and when possible.

www.rawanta.com