Community News
Multiple Supplement Curse

Do you struggle to swallow your supplement pills? Is keeping track of when to take them and in what combination a real chore? It can be so confusing, time consuming, frustrating AND expensive!! An All-in-One concentrated powder is your solution; just add water and drink. You can supply your body with good nutrition without the trauma of gagging down all those pills. Be sure to look for an ALL-in-One formula that has all the Vitamins, Minerals, Essential Fatty Acids, Trace Minerals, and Anti-Oxidants that you need to help your body do what it was meant to do … be healthy.

Complex Health Issues need Complex Care

Complex Care that provides medically complex and specialized services is much needed in the community. This type of care is essential for individuals suffering from many chronic health issues and functional limitations. If you or your loved one is physically dependant with medical needs that require professional nursing care, it is time to look for a planned program that will retain or improve functional ability. When choosing complex care for a loved one, it is important to maintain their quality of life. Look for one with comfortable living space and an individual care plan with 24 hour support in place.

Volunteering is Good for Your Health

“You get as much out of it as you put into it”. That is how one SOS volunteer recently described her volunteer experience, adding that she looked forward to her volunteer shift every week. She’s not alone. Research has consistently found mental and physical health benefits are associated with volunteering. Volunteer Canada reports some findings on its website. One study states that volunteering lowers rates of stress, anxiety and depression. Another says it keeps your brain sharp, active and healthy, and yet another suggests that volunteering is one of the most empowering activities, as it focuses on the strengths of the individual.

Back to work/school?

Has your body rebelled by giving you a headache? Is your daily routine causing you a big pain in the neck? A simple frontal headache may be the result of overindulgence in food. Occipital headaches (back of the head) are frequently the result of upper back or neck tension. Do you react to stress by unconsciously tensing your muscles thus causing a headache? Acupuncture has the solution. The treatment protocol varies according to the presumed cause and duration of the headache. You may also find that gentle stretching as practiced by simple Hatha Yoga or Tai Chi and a liberal dose of fresh air will aid your health in general.

Drink up!

Many times, feeling unwell can be attributed to dehydration. It is like forgetting to put oil in your engine. You know what happens to a car if it does not have oil in it! To help your body to assimilate a Bowen treatment, both before and after, we encourage drinking water. Individuals who drink a lot of water will generally have more energy, be less likely to get sick, have better digestion, fewer aches and pains, nice skin and be in a better mood! Who doesn’t want this … and the best part of all? WATER IS FREE! Drink up friends!

Are you Gambling Literate?

Being Gambling Literate goes beyond setting an entertainment budget to play games of chance such as lotteries, bingo, slots, cards or online poker. Gambling literacy, in the big picture, includes the ability to see its impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and societies. On a personal level, gambling literacy invites us to develop personal and social skills to manage our behaviour and choices related to gambling. Gambling literacy involves more than winning or losing on a game of chance: It speaks to our complex relationships with money, skill and chance. Gambling is not a problem; it is our relationship to it that might be.

Burn Fat Not Muscle: The Ketonic Diet

The body has three sources of energy from which it draws to meet its metabolic needs: carbohydrates, muscle and fat. Chronologically the body will first draw on its carbohydrate reserve before turning to muscle and fat. On a ketogenic diet, your entire body switches its fuel supply to run almost entirely on fat. Insulin levels become low and fat burning increases. This is great for weight loss. The fastest way into Ketosis is by fasting but it is not possible to fast forever. A low-carb, or “keto” diet, can be eaten indefinitely as you are accessing your stored fat for fuel. Ketosis has the benefits of fasting – including weight loss – without having to starve yourself!

Community Profile: Cowichan Valley Lifeline

The Comox Valley Lifeline Society, a non-profit organization, has been providing an easy-to-use personal emergency response system to the Cowichan Valley since 1988. The Society was established because the membership believed that people deserved the dignity to live on their own and have access to immediate help in an emergency situation. If you experience a fall or other emergency in your home, every second counts. Delays can jeopardize your recovery and your independence. Lifeline quickly connects you to a trained Response Associate, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at the push of a button. You are never alone and help is always there when you need it.

Air is Best When It’s Truly Free

We all have odors we could do without but masking pet odors with fake scents is not how nature intended us to breathe. Household air is already being inundated with unhealthy chemicals off-gassing from glues and building materials in your home. Fortunately there are healthier alternatives to freshen air. The use of naturally derived charcoals is one solution that will absorb pre-existing chemicals and eliminate odors to leave your space scent-free. The most absorbent charcoals come from sustainable bamboo or coconut shells. After use, they can be mixed into your garden soil to benefit your plant life. Charcoal is the natural choice to free your air of odors.

Meet Your Practitioner – Ahmed Omar, R.D.

Ahmed is one of a few denturist in the central Vancouver Island region who brings a full denture service to the comfort of his clients’ homes. Ahmed studied Oral and Dental Medicine at George Brown College and after graduating in 2013, he opened his clinic on Legion street in Chemainus. Tooth loss can cause a host of physical and emotional issues. If you are suffering with missing teeth, Ahmed will take the time to evaluate your condition and recommend the ideal solution for you. Whether you need partial dentures or full dentures, Ahmed Omar will present you with options and help you make the best decision for your mouth.

What is Holistic Nutrition?

Holistic Nutrition is an integrated look at health that incorporates the whole person – body, mind and spirit. It explores how diet, supplements, lifestyle choices, the health of our minds and spirituality all contribute to, or prevent, many diseases and poor health conditions. Holistic nutrition strives to find a balance amongst them, using evidence-based science and taking into consideration the health of the individual, society and the health of the planet. Natural nutrients have properties that are best described by these words: “live, natural, good quality”. These simple words can serve as a guide to everyone wishing to improve their health.