Community News
Make Peace with Family

Families can be amazing – sometimes! They can be our strength, or they can leave us feeling crummy – undermined, discouraged, saddened, powerless, trapped, guilty, or abandoned. We don’t always get the fair treatment we want. Family members can be overbearing, or act like sneaks or victims. Sometimes, they criticize your choices, no matter what you do! How do you hold your ground without lashing out or checking out? How do you build the life you want? Counselling can be a safe and neutral place to discuss strategies to deal with family and reclaim your life. Mary Munro, MaryMunro.ca

Product Review: Avena Original’s Superfood

Hand-harvested and sun-dried, Avena’s Original’s Super Foods choose deliver outstanding nutrition. They combine dense greens and herbs with the nutrition your body needs to thrive. A scoop of Superfood contains 100% RAW living foods such as Cellulase Enzymes, Alpha-Amylase Enzymes, Beta Carotene, Pineapple Fruit, Celery Seed, Kelp, Beet Root, Broccoli Stem/Flower, Kale Leaf, Irish Moss, Artichoke, Echinacea Root, Siberian Ginseng, Horsetail, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf, Barley Grass, Catalase, Whole Mushroom, Acerola Cherry Fruit, Maltase, Alfalfa Herb Top, Dulse Whole Plant, Pea Protein, Protease Enzymes, Milk Thistle, Tomato Fruit, Spinach, Dandelion Root, Lipase, Wheat Grass, & Phytase Enzymes. Every serving is the equivalent of eating a fresh salad or green smoothie! AvenaOriginals.com

Blackheads – Causes and Treatments

Blackheads, also referred to as “open comedones”, are small spots on the skin that surface when oil and dead skin clog the pores.
You may be tempted to pick, pop, and poke to get rid of blackheads quickly. There are better ways, so resist the urge.
If you are prone to blackheads and pore congestion, opt for oil-free makeup, lotions, and sunscreen. Home peels and exfoliation products can remove blackheads using active ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
Regular monthly professional treatments will keep your skin clear and healthy. A good treatment provides exfoliation, as well as softening and drawing out the blackheads. Chris Laidlaw, DMK Skincare, DMKSkinCare.ca

Expressive Arts at Home

Formal expressive therapies should be facilitated by a professional, but that doesn’t mean your children can’t have fun with the expressive arts at home! Encourage them to explore their creative side with their siblings or friends. Let them paint; play with clay, playdough, or puppets; sing a song; or improvise with a tambourine, rattle, or drum. Incorporating the expressive arts into your child’s life can have such great benefits, particularly if mental or behavioural challenges are present. But they aren’t just for coping; they also have great effects on a child’s normal development. Sophie Von Herrmann, Expressive Arts Therapist, B.Ed., M.A., VictoriaExpressiveTherapies.ca

What is Biohacking?

These days, it seems like you can hack nearly anything to get the most bang for your buck. If only we could hack our own bodies, right? Welcome to the world of biohacking! Biohacking is the process of making changes to your lifestyle in order to “hack” your body’s biology and feel your best. Everything we put into our bodies affects how we behave. By biohacking yourself, you can transform your body to feel like the best possible version of yourself. Come meet the experts at the 27th Annual Victoria Health Show to learn about the latest trends, products, and services to help you live your best life ever! PV Events, PVEvents.ca

Beat Illness with Naturopathic Approaches

1. Hydrate. Water, water with lemon or frozen fruit, caffeine-free herbal teas, and soups.
2. Eat lots of fruits and veggies, healthy fats and adequate protein, fibre, and minimal simple sugars.
3. Get enough sleep so healing can occur.
4. Practice good hygiene through frequent hand washing, and for sinuses, use a Neti pot.
5. Get moderate to vigorous exercise 30-60 minutes a day.
6. Sweat. Go to a sauna or have a bath with Epsom salts.
7. Meditate. Use breathing exercises to relax the mind and decrease cortisol that contributes to the stress response.
8. Practice self-care to manage stress through dancing, yoga, or time spent with loved ones.
9. Use supplements to boost the immune system if your lifestyle isn’t as healthy as it should be. Dr. Ana Cvitko, ND, Healthy by Nature, DrAnaCvitkoND.com

What to Ask an HVAC Company

Before selecting an HVAC company to work in your home, there are a number of factors you need to take into consideration. Heating, cooling, and hot water systems are critical for your family’s well-being and should be given an appropriate amount of attention. Here are five questions you should ask before you hire someone.
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? How much experience do you have? Can you supply references? Do you offer warranties and guarantees? What do you charge?
4 Seasons Heating, Cooling & Electrical., ServiceMyHome.ca

Lose Weight & Still Enjoy Wine!

Research suggests people who follow a Mediterranean diet lose 52% more weight than the standard low-fat diet because it isn’t just a fad or limited list of foods. It’s a lifestyle based on a balanced approach to your meals, which focuses on produce, healthy fats, whole grains, legumes, fish, and even some red wine. Committing to losing weight for three months using the Mediterranean diet as a base, along with three booster products and three lifestyle changes, guarantees results. And there is no meal skipping! Look and feel great for all of your holiday parties and events!
Valdine – Modere, Valdine.ca