Community News
Stop Toxic Skin Care Products

There is a lot of information regarding toxic ingredients in skin care and cosmetic lines that we purchase. At times, I feel like no matter what brand I purchase, I am taking a risk. There are key words that we are aware of; additives like parabens, sulfates, toluene, and formaldehyde are only a few of the chemicals that manufacturers use to create everyday items. What people do not realize is that these toxic chemicals are endocrine disruptors; they can mimic estrogen and possibly contribute to breast cancers. Causemetics has brought together eleven of Canada’s natural and non-toxic companies to produce a line that is safe and high quality. An automatic donation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund is made when you purchase Causemetics.

The Unexpected Gift
www.theunexpectedgift.ca

Hair Stress Solutions

Evelyn Valcout from Evelyn’s Wig Sales & Service has over 28 years of specialized consultations comforting women of all ages and backgrounds. Women who have been diagnosed with cancer, alopecia, lupus, and trichotillomania, all have had the experience of losing their hair. They have an extraordinary place offering a product that help women be more confident, look good, and still feel like the women they want to be. Women leave looking absolutely stunning with designer fashion hair and slip on headwear. The wigs are available in high tech synthetics or Remy human hair. They have hundreds to choose from with colours and styles so varied that your stylist would be impressed.  Styles are endless: Soft curls, ringlets, beach waves, pixies, straight styles, mid length, shoulder length and longer hair are available. You can also use your favourite styling products on these wigs! Perfect hair in minutes!

www.evelynswigs.com

Life’s Better With Balance

It’s not only the surfer who benefits from good balance. Whether you enjoy walking, badminton, or cycling, balance plays a key role in performance, injury-prevention, and the pleasure you get from your favorite activities. This mind-body skill is integral to all physical activity from the day-to-day activities to weekend sports and leisure activities, and it switches on as soon as you get up out of your chair. Good balance is a remarkable coordination of muscles, nerves, brain, and your senses. Every move you make sparks rapid-fire communication throughout your body aimed at coordinating nerve impulses and muscle contractions to produce even tiny adjustments that keep you upright whether you are standing, walking, or running. Curves Body Balance Class inserts balance exercises between the resistance training on the machines to challenge mind and body and the connection between the two: the essence of balance. Have your best summer ever by getting your body and mind in shape to perform at their peak.

Anita Wilson, Curves Southdale
www.curves.ca

Whitethunder Empowerment Circles

Empowerment Circles are designed to guide you along your path with confidence. You relearn your strength, learn to balance mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Learn how to become mindful and compassionate within and around you. Reconnect to who you are, to nature spirits and your true purpose in life. Using guided meditation, Munay Ki Rites, sage teachings, and understand how changes in the universe affects us. Munay-Ki Rites are nine great rites of initiation of the medicine way. The word munay means “I love you as you are”. Nine gates that heal us and transform our human energy field. Our Rite of Passage encompasses more than healing. A rite of passage is a ceremony and marks the transition from one phase of life to another.

Sharon Baldock, Whitethunder Empowerment Circles
www.sacredsourcemedicine.weebly.com

One Simple Change

Most of us strive to live a healthier lifestyle. Finding the right place to start is a challenge. Eating right, exercising regularly, and still making time for family, friends and our own needs can seem like overwhelming goals. Instead of attempting to conquer our health all at once, what if you started by setting more manageable goals? Making small changes today can lead to great health benefits down the road. #1 HEALTHY EATING: EAT MORE WHOLE FOODS. Don’t tackle a healthy diet all at once. Start by replacing empty calories with whole food options. Whole foods include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – foods that are as close to their natural form as possible. It won’t be long before you realize just how good “good food” feels. Before you know it, your cravings will change from greasy burgers and fries to healthful nutrition.

Sandy Lefley, Juice Plus
www.slefley.canada.juiceplus.com

The Home Advantage

Most of us enjoy the surroundings of our own home, and seniors are no exception. Moving into Assisted Living has its benefits, but can be an expensive and unwelcome change. There is help available, but many find that existing home care services are limited in their ability to assist. A ride to an appointment, help with groceries, and tackling yard work could result in 3 different people in & out of the home. It can be difficult to fill all these needs. Often, homeowners prefer full service from a familiar face. Staying at home can allow continued access to economic and social benefits within the community.

Done & Done Family Concierge Service
www.doneanddone.ca

Why All-Natural Bug Spray?

As the summer months are now upon us – so is bug season! Between the mosquitoes, flies, ants, and other biting insects this can hinder summer fun. Not only are insect bites itchy and unpleasant, but the insects that bite us may carry harmful viruses. Now, this may want to make you bathe in a chemical-based bug repellent, but that has negative drawbacks as well. Using an all-natural bug spray is a safe alternative. In order for a spray to be truly “All Natural”, it should be safe to inhale and consume! If you can do this with your all natural bug spray, you know it will be safe for young children, pets and the whole family! Enjoy your summer fun bug free, in the safest way possible!

CranioSacral Therapy (CST)

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle treatment approach that may help a variety of conditions including: chronic neck and back pain, migraines, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, digestive problems, insomnia, anxiety and depression. (CST) treatment involves touch, as light as the weight of a nickel, on areas of the head, neck, and base of the spine. The practitioner is able to “listen” to subtle rhythmic patterns in the soft tissues and fluids surrounding the central nervous system. By gently supporting and holding the techniques for many minutes, the therapist is able to facilitate the body’s own healing powers to release holding patterns and tension in the body. The client will often feel a sense of deep relaxation as the muscles and organs unwind and the bones of the head and spine subtly realign.

Sharon Dyck, Action Physiotherapy & Wellness Clinic
www.actionphysio.net

Planting Qualities?

What qualities are you planting in your garden this summer? What are your deepest desires and pleasures to create and make happen? How about more play, ease, connection, creativity and a lightness of being? Summertime creates a rich nurturing soil to plant and grow the parts of you that are ready to bloom. Getting clear on the qualities you want to plant, how often to water, feed and nurture

yourself creates the perfect environment that allows all of you to blossom. Before you get started…be mindful of your garden’s foundation; what needs tilling, weeding and replenishing, how much sunshine and shade is required to grow yourself. Be wise as to who to enlist that can support and encourage you to shine.

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

Companion Animal Reiki

Reiki is a hands-on healing system originating in 1800’s Japan. It is a gentle, non-invasive technique used to balance one’s body, mind and spirit. Some may not realize its benefits for animals. Animals are far more sensitive than we can imagine. As an Animal Reiki Master and Communicator of ten years, I can tell you that most animals feel that it is their duty to carry the stresses of their people. Reiki dispels bottled negative energies that if left untreated, often manifest into physical dis-eases. Reiki is highly beneficial for introducing shelter-adopted animals into new homes, or helping to introduce newly homed animals to current animal residents. Additional benefits of Animal Reiki include: a decrease in anxiety, obesity, lethargy, depression, an acceleration in healing time from wounds, and a strong sense of peace among a great many others.

Jill Saifer, Soulstice Spirit Healing
www.soulsticespirithealing.wordpress.com

Alternative Healing: Aromatherapy

We all know that quality counts, and we have all experienced having what seemed like a good deal at the outset, turn into not such a good deal. Quality and purity are especially important when it comes to products that we use aromatically, on our person, or as dietary supplements. Sadly, essential oil quality and purity are not as carefully regulated as we might hope or expect. According to some experts, the majority of essential oils on the retail market are adulterated in some fashion for quick profit. What qualifies an essential oil as being “pure therapeutic grade” is a recognized standard of independent third party testing that incorporates methods such as Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry. Pure essential oils from particular plant species, grown in the optimum conditions, and provided through ethical processes are well worth the price. As with all purchase decisions, it pays to get educated first!

Nelson Meggitt, www.optimumwellnessfactor.ca