Ayurveda, an Eastern holistic healing system, advises having a daily routine is as essential to your body as a foundation is to a house, and your morning routine ABSOLUTELY sets the tone.
1. Set an intention. This keeps your actions purposeful and focused. 2. Drink warm lemon water. Toxins collect when we sleep; this helps eliminate them. 3. Move that body! This is the time your body is crying to be stretched and moved the most. Take five minutes to stretch your spine, chest, and legs. Now get out there and tackle the world like a boss!

Never underestimate the value of taking a deep breath, chewing each bite of food 20 times, going for a walk in nature, or getting 8 hours of good sleep. If you can be consistent 80% of the time with these simple little habits, then you can maintain your health. When “busyness,” skipping meals, or just wolfing the food down regularly occurs in your life, revisit these simple little habits, start anew and get back on track. Janet Casey, RN, Wellness Coach, Owner/Operator, Corner Mountain Inn & Wellness Centre, CornerMountainInn.ca

One of the best motivators for regular walking is to walk with others. Walking regularly has benefits, including healthy weight; chronic disease prevention; better strength, balance, and fitness; as well as better overall happiness. Walking in a group in your community allows you to familiarize yourself with community resources, make new friends, and build a safer community. Getting fresh air and enjoying nature are inspiring bonuses. Look for the numerous resources and supports that exist, such as the Red Deer Primary Care Network.

Interested in leading a walking group in your community or know of any current walking group accepting new members, perhaps organized through a workplace, physical community, or faith-based organization? Contact Jonah or Lynsey at 403-343-9100 or [email protected].

Chiropractic is a science that focuses on the relationship between structure and function. Chiropractors make small, focused adjustments to the joints of the spine and extremities to improve the function of these joints and influence the functioning of the nervous system, which controls just about every cell in your body. Chiropractors rely on the body’s natural ability to heal itself, and work to facilitate and improve this power by bettering the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Chiropractic care is used to treat a broad spectrum of conditions.

Just like a flu bug or cold, “emotional congestion” can drain your body of energy, kill creativity, and make you feel paralyzed. High-level emotional health allows you to make effective decisions, live with lower stress levels, and improve your relationships. Symptoms of emotional congestion can include anger, confusion, sadness, anxiety, frustration, and depression. Getting healthy and clear usually requires us to “let go” of our emotional baggage. Consider talking to a friend or professional to gain clarity without delay so you can get back to feeling like yourself again.

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 cloves garlic
8 ounces artichoke hearts
8 ounces cream cheese
5 ounces frozen chopped spinach
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Combine all of the ingredients, except ¼ cup parmesan, in a large bowl. Mix well to combine evenly.
3. Transfer the dip to a large baking dish and top with the remaining parmesan cheese. Bake until golden and bubbly (about 30 minutes).
4. Serve with pita or corn chips.

However you cut it, thinning or receding hair is a common problem for both men and women. Most people have approximately 150,000 hair follicles on their scalp, which go through growing, shedding, and resting cycles that change with age and might be affected by diet, illness, stress, or medications. Common non-surgical treatments include topical minoxidil, oral propecia, or application of the patient’s own platelet rich plasma (PRP) into the scalp. These treatments are often combined to get the maximum benefit. PRP, for instance, can improve hair growth by lengthening the growing phase and shortening the resting phase.

When the temperature drops, our Canadian winters can sometimes feel never-ending. While it’s tempting to hibernate with cozy blankets and books for weeks on end, Canadian winters shouldn’t deter you from regular outdoor activity. The key is to prepare, and know what to watch for to stay warm and safe. This is especially true for small children, as they get cold faster than adults do. Google terms like frost bite prevention, hypothermia, wind chill, and winter dressing for ideas on how to stay safe while playing outdoors.

If you have crooked or gapped teeth, you may be tempted to try DIY orthodontics using videos on YouTube or at-home kits that are advertised on TV. These options are said to save people money by avoiding appointments with dental professionals. The truth is, DIY orthodontics are unsafe and could end up costing you more money later on. Complications can arise from placing DIY or mail-order dental appliances over decayed teeth or infected gums. Only a professional can determine the presence of these problems and ensure they are fixed correctly. Options like Invisalign 5 offer people with mildly crooked or gapped teeth a way to straighten them with clear aligners instead of braces, in as little as six to eight weeks, at a cost comparable to those mail-order products. Bower Dental Centre, Invisalign5atCost.com

Studies show that there are numerous benefits for connecting children with nature at an early age. It supports creativity and problem solving; enhances cognitive abilities; improves academic performance; reduces Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) symptoms; increases physical activity; improves nutrition, eyesight, social relations, self-discipline and reduces stress. Kerry Wood Nature Centre, WaskasooPark.ca/nature-nursery