The Red Deer Primary Care Network (RDPCN) challenges you to join the January 5 to February 15, 2019 trek – it’s a fun way to increase your physical activity and community spirit. The six-week trek follows the path of the 2019 Winter Games torch relay. Step up and be part of the Games! Join this free virtual trek as a group or an individual. Enter your steps or activities to watch your progress along the torch relay route. Make the commitment to be active and enjoy the winter months ahead. Go to RedDeerPcn.com to register today.

Treat is a positive action that encourages savouring and enjoying, but cheat encourages negative emotions and behaviours, such as binge eating. Don’t deprive yourself of your favourite foods or you will never be able to stick to your diet plans. The key to weight loss is moderation, not deprivation. There’s a difference between discipline and a straitjacket. Struggling to stay on track? Ask yourself why you want to lose weight in the first place. Write those reasons down in a location where you’ll see them daily to help keep you accountable.

Studies suggest that children with autism spectrum disorder have impaired detoxification. Dr. Sonia McGowin, DC, shares, “As both a mother of a child with food allergies and learning disabilities, as well as a doctor specializing in children with autism, I find the IonCleanse® by AMD to be an invaluable part of the services I offer. The differences I see in my child and in my patients are astounding.” Adding a detoxifying footbath into your child’s health regimen can help with their overall wellbeing. The gentle, non-invasive treatment pulls a variety of toxins out of your child’s body through their feet.

Kundalini yoga is a form that blends several styles into one and emphasizes nerve strength over flexibility. Nerve strength means having the energy to meet the demands of the day and to be graceful in life’s challenging moments. A Kundalini yoga class incorporates spinal work, breath techniques, sound and rhythm. Students describe the effects as being both energizing and relaxing.With all of the different styles of yoga available there is a style suitable for every personality, fitness level and health condition. In the new year, consider trying various yoga styles to determine what might be the best fit for you.

Jan. 19. 10 am – 5 pm. The Healthy Living Expo showcases exhibitors and demonstrators that promote all aspects of wellness, sustainability, innovation and a healthy lifestyle. Join us at the Harvest Centre at Westerner Park.

Want to know a great way to help with portion control and make yourself eat more slowly? Try cutting your food into smaller pieces! You’ll feel like you’re actually eating more food and it will slow you down as you eat. Any time I go out for sushi, I ask the chef to cut it into smaller pieces than they normally do. Give this a try at home or at restaurants and you’ll see a noticeable difference. In addition, put your fork down between bites. This little habit improves digestion and nutrient absorption, meaning fewer cravings later!

As we head full speed into winter, now is the time to work on a keystone habit, SLEEP. How many times have you nodded off in a meeting, felt sluggish while driving, or “hit the wall” in the afternoon? This is largely due to ignoring our body’s calls to rest. The best time frame for your body to rest is between 10 pm-6 am. Trouble falling asleep? Try a journal or notepad by your bed, remove all screens from your room, have a digestion-friendly light supper at 6 pm, and a breathing meditation to ease into slumber.

Did you know that falls are the most common cause of injury in Canada? According to a recent Canadian study, exercise can cut your chance of falling in half. If you are unsteady on your feet due to age or other health challenges, the Red Deer Primary Care Network’s Strong & Steady four-week program can help you. Learn exercises in a group setting to increase your strength, flexibility, and balance. Call 403-343-9100 to register. You can also ask your family doctor or PCN health care professional for a referral.

Modern living has many of us sitting for several hours a day, often staring down at a screen leading to sore necks and backs. Slumping prevents us from taking nice, deep breaths into the lungs, which scientists believe affects our heart health. In yoga classes, students are asked to have an “open–hearted” posture with the spine in its neutral, natural position, and the shoulders rolled down and back. Try a posture realignment right now – inhale and roll the shoulders forward and up towards the ears, then exhale and roll them down the back. Repeat 3 times and see how you feel!

How can you tell whether a retirement living community fosters a sense of belonging? The feeling a welcoming and inclusive environment creates sounds like this:
● Millie shares, “I am grateful for my home at the Hamlets; I feel valued and cared for.”
● Jeanette reveals, “I love our Knit Wit Club; volunteers Bonnie and Shirley are wonderful. I love all the outings on our bus and the smiling staff.”
● Dell declares, “I love how the staff are so friendly. I also love the full kitchens in the suites; the dishwasher and full-size fridge are a huge bonus! Really feels like home here.”

Mortar & Pesto is now an official Advanced Orthomolecular Research (AOR) Pro Dispensary. AOR’s line of products has a large volume of research supporting the health safety and effectiveness of each formulation. Well-researched and evidence-based therapies, these products offer some of the most effective natural options available in Canada. AOR offers a unique approach to personalized nutrition. Available through prescription only, Mortar & Pesto Natural Pharmacy will assess which AOR Pro line formulation will best suit your individual needs. Everyone’s biology is different, and it is so important to find out what your body needs to thrive.