Community News
Clean Eating – Banana Lemon Pie

This is one of my favourite desserts. It’s also very quick (10 minutes!) and easy to prepare.

Quantity:

9” x 9” plate = 9 slices (3″ x 3″).

Ingredients:

3 cups pecans or walnuts (not soaked);
1 1/2 cups raisins;
zest from 1 lemon + 2 tablespoons lemon juice;
4 medium bananas;
poppy seeds, blueberries, raspberries, slices of colourful fruit, or sprigs of mint (optional).

Directions:

Process nuts in food processor until small bits. Add raisins to nuts in food processor and process until the mixture starts to clump together. Gently distribute mixture on a 9”x9” plate, then press firmly to form crust. Grate lemon zest on top of crust. Juice lemon into a bowl. Slice bananas 1/4″ – 1/2″ thick and put into lemon juice; stir gently to coat bananas with juice. Spread banana slices/lemon juice on crust. Optional: Decorate with poppy seeds, blueberries, raspberries, slices of colourful fruit, or sprigs of mint.

Uncooking with RawRose – rawrose.com. Your guide to Raw Foods, book available at Rawthentic Eatery.

Rethinking Boundaries

Getting along with others can be tough! We need other people in our lives, but we can sometimes feel judged, undermined, confused, bullied, interrupted, or otherwise bothered by them. It can be hard to be clear and stand up for what we want in a calm way. But giving up too much can eat at your peace of mind. This is boundary work – how to be clear about ourselves and what we can tolerate physically and emotionally in a way that still lets people in. We want to be understood by others – sometimes we first have to understand ourselves and why we feel the way we do. What are the expectations for how you behave? Where do those expectations come from? How else could you respond to your situation? Counselling provides a safe and non-judgemental place to consider how you can do your boundaries differently.

Pain in Your Neck?

Have you ever had head or neck trauma? Did you know that there is little separation between the two? The head is located on the top of the spine, and when you have head or neck trauma, you are actually affecting the entire central column of the body. Far too often, spinal issues are not addressed and tilts and twists in the body remain for long periods after injury, creating a daily tension issue that shows up in many different ways. One of the most common findings is chronic health issues that begin after an injury and have lingered, often for many years after the original event. There’s no better time than now to check to see exactly what your body’s position is and see if it could be in better balance.

 

Clean Eating – Turkey and Sweet Potato Curry

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp finely chopped ginger;
2 Tbsp finely chopped garlic;
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes;
2 Tbsp curry powder;
2 tsp garam masala;
1 cup plain greek yogurt;
1 lb cooked turkey breast, chopped;
1 Tbsp cooking oil;
1 yellow onion, chopped;
2 tomatoes, chopped;
1 lb sweet potatoes, chopped;
1 cup chickpeas;
1 Tbsp brown sugar.

Directions: Put ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, curry powder, garam masala and yogurt into medium bowl and stir to combine. Set aside. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Reduce heat; slowly add curry sauce being careful not to boil. Stir in turkey, tomato, sweet potato, chickpeas and sugar; cook until heated through. Serve with basmati rice or toasted pita bread. Delish!

Book Club – Always Hungry?

Conquer Cravings, Retrain Your Fat Cells, And Lose Weight Permanently by Dr. David Ludwig. Renowned endocrinologist, Dr. David Ludwig, explains why traditional diets don’t work and presents a new plan to help you lose weight without hunger. “Always Hungry?” turns dieting on its head with a three-phase program that ignores calories and targets fat cells directly. The recipes and meal plan include delicious high-fat foods (like nuts and nut butter, full-fat dairy, avocados, and dark chocolate), healthy proteins, and natural carbohydrates. The result? Fat cells release their excess calories, and you lose weight and inches without battling cravings and constant hunger. This is dieting without deprivation. This helpful book reveals a liberating new way to tame hunger and lose weight for good. Available at your local bookstore.

Exercise for Mental Health

After a long day of work, or chasing children, or just trying to fit life into your schedule, the last thing you might think about is being active. However, staying active is part of a healthy lifestyle, and it has the added benefit of helping us feel happy. When we are active, our brain releases a chemical called serotonin. This chemical helps us feel happier. Feeling down? Start with a low-intensity activity such as walking. Bring the dog or your family along to share the experience. Other great activities include biking, doing yard work, swimming, and throwing a ball around. Still having a hard time fitting in being active? Try to add a little bit of activity to your work routine, especially if you have an office job. Stand at your desk instead of sitting. Take time during the day to stretch. Remember, small changes over time can make a big difference!

Ginseng for Weight Loss

Ginseng does many things to help human health, but many people do not realize that ginseng is good for weight loss. It gives an energy boost and can help fight fatigue. Because of this, it allows for you to be more active. One of the big things that it does in the weight loss battle is by regulating blood sugar. It does this by reducing the amount of carbohydrate that is converted into fat. Also, it is important to point out that ginseng alone will not help lose weight if you engage in poor dietary choices. It is vital that a well-balanced diet is followed and that you are active. Otherwise, like the old English proverb says, “Don’t dig your grave with your own knife and fork.” One of the active ingredients in SlimROAST weight loss coffee from Valentus – The Healthiest Coffee on the Planet!

Do you Suffer Exhaustion & Fatigue?

Do you wake up dreading the day coming on with its responsibilities like an overwhelming wave? The Japanese Acupuncture medical system recognizes that feeling that way can be linked to two possible physiological patterns. One is an immune system weakness, and the other is a low functioning thyroid gland. In both cases, there are Japanese Acupuncture treatment protocols that are painless, effective and very relaxing! Why is it important to address the issue? The Japanese research shows that long term immune weakness leads to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and thyroid gland imbalance leads to adrenal fatigue. Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs such as Ginseng, Astragalus, and Cordyceps can improve the immune functions. For thyroid issues, we often recommend seaweeds such as Kelp. However, please see a Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner, who can tailor both the treatment and herbal combination to your unique health needs. (Ref: Kiiko Matsumoto, Strategies, Vol.1)

How to Teach Children about Financial Health

Are you ready to give your kids “the talk”? Many families struggle helping their children learn about money management and financial health. A parent is the primary source for a child’s financial education, but most are reluctant to give the “money talk” as they fear their own personal financial situations make them a poor role model. To open a discussion about finance, allow children to be responsible for saving and spending their own money. A small allowance and piggy bank provide opportunities to start learning about long-term financial stability. Together, you can learn how to save for a goal, balance income and expenses, budget purchases, and learn about the effects of interest. It is never too late for parents to set a positive example, and nurture positive financial techniques. Take the first step towards a healthier future for you and your family by seeking help from a debt specialist.

Dentures Jeopardizing Your Health?

Many people are not aware that by not making frequent visits to their Denturist Office (every 2-3 years), their overall oral health may be jeopardized making their denture wearing ability and comfort harder to achieve. Changes occur in both the bone structure and soft tissues of your mouth. Usually, a simple reline or rebase can refit the denture to the gums causing a more comfortable and tighter fit. However, between the 5-8 year mark, the actual denture teeth may be worn down enough to cause damage to your tempo mandibular joint from over closing. This over closing can also lead to cracking of the corners of the lips, aging of the face, or even headaches. Denturists are your denture specialists and are trained to spot these problems and correct them.