Community News
Meet the Practitioner – Tammy Phye

Tammy has been practicing massage therapy, holistic health and coaching for over 20 years. She entered this field after experiencing her own loss and burn-out. Tammy recognizes stress and life events can significantly affect health and well-being and that much can be done with a natural approach to restore health and harmony to life. She is passionate about her work and takes the time to help you evaluate what will best meet your needs and achieve your objectives. Her services include personalized programs, massage, therapeutic nutrition, meditation and various health programs to improve sleep, regain energy and more.

A Toy for Every Child at Christmas

Can you imagine being a parent dreading Christmas morning because there are no gifts under the tree for your child? Since 1982, The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive has been making sure that every child in Nanaimo has a new toy to unwrap on Christmas morning. It is the people, groups and businesses of Nanaimo, with the help of many volunteers, that make this happen. You can help by purchasing a toy or gift for a child aged newborn to 16 and dropping it off at one of the many drop off locations. Financial donations can be made through Canada Helps. You can make a child’s Christmas!

Have You Had Your Probiotic Today?

Probiotics play a key role in the body by improving gastrointestinal functions, enhancing immunity, regulating hormones, protecting us from food-borne illnesses, controlling overgrowth of bad bacteria, and assisting in vitamin production & nutrient absorption. Here’s what to look for in your probiotic:
1. High culture count – Culture count refers to the total amount of live bacterial cultures in a single serving i.e. 50 Billion cfu (colony forming units)
2. Number of strains – There are over a thousand strains of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Look for multiple strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
3. Make sure the capsule is designed to protect probiotics – Enteric coated capsules remain intact throughout the harsh stomach environment and begin dissolving in the intestine where the pH is more alkaline.
All of these factors can be found in the Ultimate Flora line of probiotics by Renew Life.
Aviva Natural Health Solutions, AvivaHealth.com

Meet Your Practitioner

Meet Michelle Oikonen from Lisa Reid Audiology. Michelle has been working in the hearing industry since 1995 and previously worked with Lisa Reid (Dr. Lisa Hirayama). Originally from Thunder Bay, Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba and then went on to Georgian College, where she graduated with Honours from the Communicative Disorders Assistant Program.
Her current area of special interest is advanced digital hearing instrument technology. Michelle looks forward to helping clients improve their quality of life through better hearing solutions, and Lisa Reid Audiology was thrilled to have her come aboard. LisaReid.ca

Ins and Outs of ‘Gua Sha’

Gua sha is an Asian beauty technique used to clear the complexion. When we’re stressed, our body moves blood away from the skin to support the heart. If skin isn’t being nourished by blood, it doesn’t matter how good our diet is, radiance will be diminished and aging accelerated. What sets gua sha apart as a beauty treatment is its unique ability to get under the skin and pull toxicity out. Rather than applying a cream to the surface of your skin, you are activating your own body to do the work from the inside! Cheryl Fedeluk, CurrentExpressions.ca

Are You Allergic to Gluten?

Gluten allergies have been increasing dramatically and gluten has been linked to illnesses such as celiac disease. Gluten is found in various grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye, and is difficult to avoid because it is in many foods. Bioresonance therapy can be used to test for celiac disease and can improve your immune system so the body can heal itself. This therapy involves sending healthy frequencies into your body to increase its energy and improve your health. Bioresonance therapy is completely painless and non-invasive.
Dennis Ludwig, Evergreen Holistic Health Centre, [email protected]

You Need an Autumn Massage if…

• You’ve been active this summer. Help your body recover before temperatures drop and joint pain increases.
• You’ve traveled long hours. Resulting in neck and back strain.
• Summer sandals have been your style staple. Without proper support, this can result in back pain.
• You’ve been gardening. Squatting and bending over can put stress on your body.
• You suffer from seasonal depression.
• You’ve been getting poor sleep.

Too often, we look at massage as a frivolous expense and ignore the powerful benefits it can have on our bodies and minds.
Fall is the perfect time to take care of yourself and to renew your energy. Julie Sagnes, RMT ParadiseBreeze.ca

Celebrate Medication Safety Week

Medication Safety Week (MSW) is Canada’s only national campaign to raise awareness of patient safety and related programs and initiatives. Thousands of healthcare professionals, patients, and their families will take part in events and activities related to medication safety in their organizations, facilities, and communities. MSW started in 2005 and is now an annual event to keep the issue of patient safety foremost in the minds of Canadians. Medication safety issues can impact health outcomes, length of stay in a healthcare facility, readmission rates, and overall costs to Canada’s healthcare system. Join us in celebrating Medication Safety Week, October 30 to November 8, 2017.
Care at Home Pharmacy, CareAtHomePharmacy.ca

Trust your Gut

Your immune system works hard to protect you from injury, illness, and disease. This process usually involves inflammation, a natural response to stress, tissue damage, and harmful stimuli like viruses, bacteria, and toxins. Inflammation functions similarly to an engine warning light, alerting you to the presence of a problem through symptoms such as heat, pain, redness, swelling, and/or loss of function. 85% of the immune system is located in our gut. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E and the mineral selenium provides your gut with the ingredients it needs to bolster immunity and achieve optimal mental and physical health. Sean Miller, CMHA, mbwpg.cmha.ca

Ingredient Spotlight: Collagen

Collagen is a prime structural protein located in mammal connective tissue and is essential for fully functional joints and muscles. A lack of collagen in your skin can lead to wrinkles and lacking collagen in muscles and cartilage can cause joint discomfort. Award-winning Liquid BioCell® Life puts that essential collagen back into the body, providing those suffering with fibromyalgia, arthritis or joint pain with relief. Liquid BioCell® Life combines the multi-patented power of Collagen/HA Matrix Technology™ with 10 phytonutrient-rich superfoods, which are infused into a unique liquid delivery system that provides fast absorption and results. And, it’s backed by a 100% money back guarantee! Modere, Valdine.ca

Never Stop Dating!

You found love and are expecting it to be until ‘til death do you part. It is so important to remember to always nurture your relationship and never take it for granted. Keep in mind the planning that went into dates before you were married. You always carefully chose what you were going to wear. You put great effort into arranging the date and presented as your best. This must be maintained to continue to fall in love with your partner each day. Far too often people become complacent and stop putting the effort into one another that they did when they were trying to capture their partner’s heart. Now that you have it, by all means cherish it! Lianne Tregobov, Camelot Introductions, CamelotIntroductions.com