Community News
Expect the Unexpected

Sometimes in our lives we are sent things that we don’t see coming and don’t feel fully prepared for. We have little choice but to deal with what has shown up on our door step. Be it an illness, a break up, a loss, a death or an ending. At the time when it’s happening it shakes up our world and can even turn it upside down. The coping tools that we have no longer work or at best are ineffective. This is your “Awakening” and the opportunity to begin to uncover the gift that is being brought to you underneath the rubble that can bring new opportunities, learning and new ways of being loved and supported in your life.

D’Arcy Bruning-Haid, www.souls-journey.com

Budget Your Medication 

With Pharmacare deductibles once again beginning in April, we know that the cost of prescriptions is often difficult to manage for patients. Everyone should have access to good care and safe medication use. There are customized budget plans that are available. This allows you to remain on your medications and manage the expense throughout the year. Along with the budget, visiting pharmacists will visit you or your loved ones in the comfort of your own home on a regular basis. They will help you manage multiple or complex medications and collaborate with other members of your health care team to ensure your health needs are met. This gives you and your family peace of mind with the knowledge that this aspect of your life is taken care of and contributes to a positive quality of life. Better Health and Wellness can be achieved through medication management.

Care At Home Pharmacy, www.careathomepharmacy.ca

Fall Prevention for the Elderly

We have all fallen. Once, twice, or maybe even several times. But if you’re 65 years or older, falling can be detrimental. One out of every five falls will cause a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. An older person who falls and hits their head should see their doctor A.S.A.P., as head injuries may be life-threatening. Did you know that falling once doubles your chance of falling again? Exercise to improve your balance and strengthen your muscles helps to prevent falls. Not wearing bifocal or multifocal glasses when you walk, especially on stairs, will make you less likely to fall. You can also make your home safer by removing loose rugs, adding handrails to stairs and hallways, and making sure you have adequate lighting in dark areas. Falls are not an inevitable part of life, even as a person gets older. You can take action to prevent falls.

Life Assure, www.lifeassure.com

What About Yoga?

Has someone suggested that you try yoga and you wonder what it’s all about? If you ask 20 different people what “yoga” is, you may get 20 different answers. This is because there are many different types of yoga and each may have a different emphasis. Are you looking for fitness, flexibility, stress release, or pain relief? Yoga can help with all of those things. It is sometimes physical and vigorous and at other times slow and gentle. Whatever type of class you choose, the key elements will be a focus on the breath and an awareness of what you are feeling in your body. Flexibility is not required, but an open mind and a willingness to listen to your body is! Yoga is a wonderful opportunity to connect with yourself and, if you can breathe, you can do yoga!

Susan Turner, www.yogaconnections.ca

9 Steps for Sinus Acupressure

In the midst of sinus season, you can help calm/drain angry sinus cavities by doing some simple sinus acupressure massage:

1. Using your thumb or index fingers, find the most sensitive area  and repeat this massage multiple times daily with medium pressure so you get that “good hurt” feeling.

2. At the base of the skull – find the tightest spot and press for 20 seconds, rocking your head chin down, chin up 3-4 inches while pressing against your thumbs or other fingertips.

3. At the side of the nostrils – press and make small circles 10 times.

4. At the sides of the nose – press and make small circles 10 times.

5. At the medial eyebrows – press and make small circles 10 times.

6. Above the middle of the eyebrows – press and make small circles 10 times.

8. At the temples – press and make small circles 10 times.

9. At the maxillary sinus which is below the eyes – press and make small circles 10 times.

Gloria Laing, www.gloriasreflexology.ca

L-Carnitine & Chromium

L-Carnitine with Chromium is a blend of two nutrients that play important roles in the metabolism of fat. L-Carnitine is required for the breakdown of fats into energy, while chromium supports healthy glucose metabolism. Its main function is to help insulin carry sugar into muscle cells where it is stored as energy. A lack of chromium could cause fluctuating blood-sugar levels which trigger sugar cravings. As a carbohydrate dependent society, increasing the amount of L-Carnitine & Chromium in our diet in our formula’s proportions will assist the body’s ability to manage its carbohydrate cravings and, in turn, assist with a successful weight management protocol.

Brett & Andrea Griffin, www.myvalentus.com/Manitoba

8 Ways to Radiant Skin

1) From the holistic perspective, feeding yourself quality ingredients is the way to look and feel your best.

2) Talk nice to yourself. You are already a beautiful creature! When you know this from the heart, it shows on your skin. That kind of confidence cannot be bought.

3) Get to know yourself spiritually, you are part of limitless potential and you can do whatever your heart desires.

4) Believe in who you are.

5) Feed yourself with good books, music and loved ones.

6) Go into nature and take deep breaths. Sit and breathe, walk your dog and breath, ski and breath, do something to calm the mind and get oxygen into the body.

7) Take time for you.

8) Eat healthy, get exercise, and do not over do anything.

Lori Cohen, Optima Organics, www.immortellerevolution.ca

Clean Eating: Quinoa “Breaded” Chicken Strips 

Ingredients: (Use organic products)

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
⅔ cup flour
1 tsp sea salt + ¼ tsp pepper
3 eggs + 2 Tbsp water
2 cups cooked quinoa

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and grease a baking sheet with Coconut Oil or Butter. In a small bowl whisk flour, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl whisk eggs and water. Place quinoa in a third bowl. Dredge chicken in flour mixture, then eggs, and lastly in the quinoa being sure to coat well.  Bake for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked. Serve with your favorite healthy dipping sauces!

“Light” Through Your Hands

I once read that humans were the only species who could pass “light” through their hands. Reiki is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen life force flows through us. If one’s life force energy is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress and, if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that courses through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, mind and spirit, creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace. Reiki is a simple, safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that anyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with medicine to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

C.T., www.prairiewellnessretreat.com

Cardioflex Q10

A supportive nutritional supplement for doctor recommended diet and exercise plans that is designed for cardiovascular health. Cardioflex Q1O is a unique blend of vitamins and amino proteins taken daily as supportive natural therapy to enrich cardiovascular health, establish cholesterol balance, and reduce CRP (C-reactive protein). Strengthen the cardiovascular system. Dissolve atherosclerotic plaque. Relieve the pain of angina pectoris (chest pain). Reduce the likelihood of blood clotting, heart attack or stroke. Increase heart and other muscle strength and stamina. Reduce blood and tissue lipids (fats) and cholesterol. Reduce C-reactive protein (CRP indicates artery inflammation) as well as homocysteine levels. Increase antioxidant intake and activity to slow aging. Help natural immunity against viral, fungal, and bacterial diseases, including antibiotic-resistant strains. Reduce hypertension and improve overall circulation. Manitoba Made, Innotech Nutrition product.

Nutrition Plus, www.nutritionplus.com

Chocolate Hemp Snackers 

Need a quick pick-me-up that’s loaded with protein, fibre, and is a little bit sweet?  Try a Chocolate Hemp Snacker.  Hemp Snackers are the innovative crunchy macaroon-like energy bar listing organic hemp seed as the #1 ingredient.  Full of protein, fibre, Omega 3’s and 6’s, inulin, antioxidants, and magnesium, they’re a snack you can feel good about eating.  Because they’re dehydrated at low temperatures rather than baked, they’re crunchy and easy for your body to digest. We chose organic Canadian maple sugar to sweeten them with, both for the unique flavour as well as the nutritional benefits. Only 150 Calories per one bar.

Natalie Dueck, www.rawnata.com