When it comes to anxiety and depression, the biggest mistake we make is to view our body as being separate from our mind and emotions. Some of us will talk about these imbalances as a chemical issue. Or, if our personal experience or professional training is different, we may discuss it in the context of some kind of trauma. A drug or a ‘natural’ supplement might never heal an underlying emotional trauma whose repression has left you depressed. Years of counselling might not provide the nutrients needed to balance your adrenal function and the physiological aspects of anxiety. An integrated approach is usually imperative for long-term balance to be achieved.

The weather is getting warmer and our children are itching to get out and ride their bikes. Kids of Mud is the official youth cycling program of the Manitoba Cycling Association, focused on developing skills that will help young athletes excel in the sport. Certified coaches and volunteers will teach the young cyclers the basics of off-road cycling with an opportunity to challenge their skill and fitness in any of the MCA mountain bike races open to age category racers. Training with Kids of Mud includes safety, braking, gears, hills, racing (optional), riding over small and large obstacles, trail riding and trail etiquette, and more. Contact Country Cycle or visit kidsofmud.ca for more information and registration.

Believe it or not, summer is just around the corner, and those perfect days spent with family and friends are fast approaching. One may not think of Manitoba as a place of geological wonders, however, our own Pembina Valley can be a strikingly beautiful and adventurous place. Especially when those sights are experienced 200ft in the air, soaring across a 1,000ft zipline. Hywire Zipline Adventures features Manitoba’s highest and longest ziplines and is tucked away in a picturesque corner of the valley. The trails covering the property are a great way to get some exercise, and the views and adrenaline rush of the ziplines offer an incomparable sense of adventure.

When it comes the lifespan of your carpets, maintenance is key! It is recommended every 12 – 18 months to have your carpets cleaned. Some may think renting a machine from the local supermarket will do the same job but that’s just not true. Not every carpet is cut from the same cloth and not every spot requires the same treatment; some products may actually make a spot worse. Not to mention a professional system will kill bacteria and dust mites, keeping your home cleaner and healthier. You can go to a hardware store and buy nails and wood, but would you want to build your own house?

More and more evidence is showing that your gut health has an enormous effect on your brain, your body’s immune system, and hormonal secretion. Food sensitivities can cause ill effects beyond the physical symptoms of inflammation, allergies, and asthma. Anxiety, depression, irritability, and mood swings can also appear, because they create imbalances in key chemicals in the brain. Dietary changes that include probiotics, fermented foods, and natural fats help your microbiome and gut-brain signaling. Stress and cortisol equip you with energy to attend to tasks at hand; however, excess or chronic stress has a negative effect on brain chemistry, causing thyroid dysfunction and/or adrenal fatigue, which leads to compromised mental and physical health. Know that Brainwave Optimization brings relaxation to the master regulator of the nervous system – the brain – so it can help your gut. In a “both-and” world, it’s all connected.

The possibility of being diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension) can be an unnerving thought. However, lifestyle adjustments and proper treatment can often effectively improve symptoms or end symptoms altogether. A diagnosis often starts with a simple blood pressure test. Even for healthy adults its important to get their blood pressure checked at least once a year. Nearly half the people diagnosed with hypertension are unaware they have high blood pressure. Dietary changes, proper exercise, reducing stress, and certain medications are effective ways to battle HBP. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist for more information and don’t forget to check your blood pressure!

Originally a Presbyterian church, Bell Aura was built in 1898. Its solid structure has held many guests in its arms, both as a church and as a bed and breakfast. Its positive energy can be felt in every nook and cranny. It hosts many events, from small weddings and family reunions to yoga retreats and house concerts. Our dining room has celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, bridal showers, fashions shows, and murder mysteries. Bell Aura has housed musicians and authors, “tinkers, tailors, soldiers and spies”. (Well, maybe not spies.) It has even been home to a few rescued pets. And some people just come for a warm smile and a good night’s rest. The reviews are always the same: “Absolutely wonderful!”