Have you ever stepped out of the shower, grabbed a freshly cleaned towel only to be overwhelmed by a stale odor that just doesn’t smell fresh? That odor you’re smelling in your towels and washing machine? It’s mold. Fabrics can sour if you leave them wet in the washing machine. Add to that, a buildup of fabric softener can cause towels to be horribly smelly. Fabric softener doesn’t allow the fibers to rinse cleanly, and that detergent and softener build up. Your skin is exceptionally permeable; it quickly absorbs outside substances directly into the bloodstream. Additionally, any time you smell this moldy odor, you’re also breathing it in. Mold toxicity can lead to a host of health issues. Don’t ignore the signs of an unhealthy laundry routine. There is an easy way to treat washing machine and laundry mold so that it’s eliminated for good. Detergents and hot water will not treat the problem, but pureWash Pro does, every time you wash.

Kevin Shale, Low Environmental Impact Technologies, www.leit.ca

People generally have heard about floating by the terms “pods” or “tanks,” and start to feel claustrophobic. Float “Cabins” are different. Float Cabins come as large as four feet wide, eight feet long, and nearly seven feet high, and they are easily accessible easy to come out of with standard swing or sliding doors. Within each float cabin, 10 inches of water is infused with up with 1,000 pounds of dissolved Epsom salts, this makes the water extremely buoyant. With the option to remove light and sound, you experience the sensation of floating through space. Other options include the ability to play your own music and enjoy colour therapy as well. Floating regularly helps reduce physical and mental stresses on the body. The brain gives out alpha waves associated with meditation that allows the body to recover from stress and relax. Floatation therapy is a simple way to invest in your own health and happiness.

Fluid Float Studio, www.fluidfloat.com

Celebrating International Women’s Day by attending to your hot flashes may not be a bad idea! If you are experiencing hot flashes, night sweats or other disturbances in mood and sleep, you might like to know that Brainwave Optimization has been shown to be a safe and effective therapy to manage these symptoms. During the menopausal process, estrogen levels fluctuate and eventually fall enough to cause impaired temperature regulation, possibly associated with resetting in patterns of brain electrical activity. Hot flash severity scores, insomnia and depression have been shown to be significantly reduced after participants attended to that brain electrical activity with Brainwave Optimization. Imagine yourself at a “brain spa” where you sit in a chair listening to the acoustic feedback of your own brain activity translated into auditory tones. Not only do you relax; more importantly, your brain relaxes and rebalances its activity, reducing those disturbing menopausal symptoms.

Joanne Couture, RMFT, RSW, www.lalobatraumarelease.com

Begin your retirement living at Greenwood Meadows; a new life lease, 55 PLUS, not-for-profit, seniors housing complex designed to allow active, independent persons to ‘age-in-place’ with assistance while in community. The planned 74 suite, fivestory building in the heart of Steinbach, MB, will nurture a safe and secure environment that offers well-designed suites for persons of varying ability; including a ground level, interior heated parkade. The one & two bedroom suites range from 826 – 1415 square feet. Entrance fees start at $140,000 per suite with monthly rental fees dependent on suite size. First time tenants also have input to suite features and upgrades. Pre-lease booking of suites is now available. greenwoodmeadows.ca

Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar (glucose) levels are abnormally high because the body does not produce enough insulin. This condition can affect cholesterol levels, cause eye problems, kidney problems and nerve problems. Your feet must be taken care of as diabetes causes many changes. There can be neuropathy, which is damage to the nerves and affects sensation to the feet so that sometimes you cannot tell if the foot is injured. Some people carry their weight differently on their feet and calluses can form. Diabetes causes poor circulation which can contribute to damaged skin and can lead to ulcers and infections. Foot care is necessary with diabetes. Reflexology therapist will work on your endocrine system, circulatory system, immune/lymphatic system, urinary system, digestive system and musculoskeletal system. By working the feet, reflexology helps to balance the whole body and provides stress relief which also benefits your general health.

Rositha Jeanson, RCRT/Foot Reflexology Teacher, www.rositha.ca

Valentine’s Day.. a day for celebrating love (and chocolate). I often refer to mindful eating as a way of practicing self-care around food. Taking care of yourself by making conscious decisions that leave you feeling better after eating. Not worse. How do you show love for yourself around food? Write yourself a letter and count the ways you love thee or could love thee. “I eat sitting down. I pay attention to my first few bites. I chew thoroughly before my next bite. I eat anything without guilt. I ask myself if I’m hungry before I eat. I listen to my body to see how hungry I am before my first bite. When I eat too much, I just learn from it and move on. I eat for fuel, nourishment, and pleasure. Every day is a day for showing yourself love around food. Celebrate how you nourish your body and spirit.

Lisa Kehler, Off Your Plate Nutrition, www.offyourplatenutrition.ca

Self-Care is something that most of us forget about. We are so busy with work, family activities and all the demands of the day-to-day that we forget to take time for ourselves. We usually remember self-care only when we are already burnt out or sick, and then we have no choice but to take time out for ourselves. If we could only somehow incorporate some “me” time in our weekly activities. Pencil in an appointment with yourself even if it is only for a half hour. Sign up for an exercise class or meditation class once a week to help with stress. Maybe a painting class or dance or crafting class could help you unwind for a bit and change the scenery for you. And if it resonates with you, then make a point of going on a regular basis to relieve stress and to feel the therapeutic effects the therapy can do for you. You Deserve it!

Rositha Jeanson, RCRT/teacher, Balance and Harmony, www.rositha.ca