Community News
Running the Right Way

It happens too often: Runner begins training program, a twinge settles in. Runner stretches, takes painkillers, and keeps training. A few runs later, runner is on the couch, ice pack strapped on. Interchange knee pain, plantar fasciitis, ITB pain, etc. Now what to do about it? 3 simple changes can go a long way. 1 Buy proper footwear: checking length, width, toe box and arch support. Pavement vs. trail running should be considered. 2 A strong body is key to pain prevention. Strong muscles guard against impact, improve form and create a consistent running gait. Muscular balance ensures that one muscle group isn’t straining and working harder to make up for weak stabilizers. Talk to a professional for exercises tailored for runners. 3 Many beginners start out by doing too much, too fast, too soon. Joining a running class/club teaches proper scheduling, heart rate monitoring, hydration and nutrition. Happy Running and good luck Marathoners!

Stacey Bulat BKin-AT CAT(C) Certified Athletic Therapist, Vital Life
www.vitallifeclinic.com

What Matters Most

I get the privilege each day in my office as a therapist of listening and hearing many different people share what matters most to them. They share their joys, disappointments, hurts, resentments and longings. Yes, we all need to find ways of covering our rent/mortgage, pay our bills, cook dinners and do the laundry, but what’s most important to most people is how well they feel heard, listened to, understood, and appreciated each day of their lives. In the end, what really matters most is how loved one feels on a daily basis. Appreciating and celebrating our friends, our partners, our children, our co-workers, our employees/boss goes a long way. Try highlighting and acknowledging the good in each person that comes across your path and see what comes back to you throughout the day, the week and the responses you get!

D’Arcy Bruning-Haid
www.souls-journey.com

Hair Loss

Hair loss is a major concern for all, irrespective of the gender. Reasons for hair loss can range from the simple and temporary—a vitamin deficiency—to the more complex, like an underlying health condition. Unhealthy diet, stress, hormone imbalances, and chemicals may be some of the reasons. Hairstyles that consistently use rubber bands, rollers or barrettes, or pull hair into tight styles such as cornrows, can inflame and scar hair follicles. So can incorrectly-used chemical products such as dyes, bleaches, straighteners or permanent wave solutions. People can look for help with hair creams to regenerate hair growth. Make sure to look for naturally based, safe, pure ingredients that include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, beta-carotene, omega-6 fatty acids, nutrients and amino acids, suitable for all skin and hair types. Ingredients that have been proven to mimic the body’s own natural oils to reduce hair thinning, prevent oxidative stress, and add volume and shine.

Jenna Wilcox, MONAT Global
www.JennaWilcox.MyMonat.com

Medication Timing

It is important to understand clearly when to take medications and how to take them. Some prescriptions have to be taken on an empty stomach while others are taken with food – check with your pharmacist to ensure you know what that means (how long before or after a meal do I have to wait). This helps with the appropriate absorption of the medication. Some medications should not be taken with other drugs as this can lead to reduced effectiveness. Timing of medications is also important in terms of when to take them – morning vs nighttime – to alleviate side effects. As well, it is key to follow the instructions on the number of times per day to take the medication. When receiving a new prescription, ask your pharmacist to fully explain the medication so you have a clear understanding of it. A full medication review of all your prescription drugs and over the counter products can further help you see how they work together.

Care At Home Pharmacy
www.careathomepharmacy.ca

Go DEET-Free With Essential Oils

It’s no secret that Manitoba is a mosquito haven. Quite frankly, our mosquitos can rival some small birds! While a lot of you still use traditional (and toxic) bug repellents, many of us want to know our alternatives. Lemon eucalyptus oil could be a much safer and more natural weapon against these little monsters. So what’s so bad about DEET, you ask? DEET toxicity can be blamed for skin irritations, rashes, lethargy, headaches, tremors, involuntary movements, seizures and convulsions. When applied to the skin a certain percentage of DEET is absorbed into the bloodstream. And the toxicity of the chemical goes up when it’s combined with isopropyl alcohol or freon, both of which are common ingredients in commercial bug repellents. In fact, DEET products are required to carry several child safety warnings. Studies have confirmed that lemon eucalyptus oil can be as effective as DEET in repelling mosquitoes. Other essential oils that mosquitos loathe are: catnip oil, neem and citronella!

Protect Your Pet from Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is an endemic in Manitoba for people and pets alike. The disease is spread by black-legged ticks, or commonly called deer ticks. When a deer tick infects a dog, there are common symptoms to look out for. One is lameness due to inflammation of the joints. There may also be a lack of appetite, stiff gait, sensitivity to touch and difficulty breathing. More serious complications include damage to the kidneys and heart or nervous system. Avoid allowing your dog to roam in tick-infested environments where Lyme disease is common. These ticks are found in grassy, wooded areas of Southern Manitoba. Check your dog’s coat and skin daily and remove ticks by hand. Remember, deer ticks are TINY! They are often very hard to find. Pet stores and Veterinary clinics have tick-removing tools and knowledgeable staff to show you exactly how it’s done. Your veterinarian can also recommend a Lyme vaccination as well as a variety of products that repel and kill ticks.

Lisa Tustin, Professional Pet Services
www.facebook.com/propetservices1

How to Choose a Safe Sunscreen

Summer at last! Days get longer and temps get hotter! While we all love the sun, it’s time to be mindful of the damage it could do. When choosing a sunscreen, go for the “broad spectrum” protection. Sunscreens with this label protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against harmful rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. For example, a bottle labeled SPF 85 has no better protection than a bottle of SPF 50. Always be wary of dangerous ingredients in your sunscreen. These include parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, and sodium laurel sulphates. Retinyl palminate, a form of vitamin A, has been linked to skin tumours and lesions on sun-exposed skin. Also, use creams not sprays or powders, as creams offer more sun protection without the nanoparticles.

Clean Eating: Vanilla Chia Breakfast Pudding

Ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or raw honey
Seasonal fruit for topping, Almonds or other nuts for topping.

Directions:
Combine almond milk, chia seeds, vanilla and sweetener in a bowl. Mix well until combined and the mixture begins to thicken. Store covered in the refrigerator overnight or for at least an hour (the longer the better)! Stir well before serving and add a bit of water to the pudding if it becomes too thick. Top with fresh fruit and nuts of your choice. (Yields 2 servings)

Book Club: Aim True by Kathryn Budig

Love Your Body, Eat Without Fear, Nourish Your Spirit, Discover True Balance! Yogi and motivational speaker Kathryn Budig is known for her ability to encourage others to set their intentions and goals, no matter how lofty, and work toward them while staying true to themselves. Whether your goal is to love who you are right now, reshape the way you view food, develop a meditation practice, or discover new ways to embrace the great balancing act that is life, this holistic approach to yoga, diet, and mindfulness has something for you. Filled with vibrant photographs and whimsical illustrations, this guide is as beautiful as it is life-changing. Available at a book store near you!

www.kathrynbudig.com

Natural Product – Cardioflex Q10

A supportive nutritional supplement for doctor recommended diet and exercise plans that is designed for cardiovascular health. Cardioflex Q1O is a unique blend of vitamins and amino proteins taken daily as supportive natural therapy to enrich cardiovascular health, establish cholesterol balance, and reduce CRP (C-reactive protein). Strengthen the cardiovascular system. Dissolve atherosclerotic plaque. Relieve the pain of angina pectoris (chest pain). Reduce the likelihood of blood clotting, heart attack or stroke. Increase heart and other muscle strength and stamina. Reduce blood and tissue lipids (fats) and cholesterol. Reduce C-reactive protein (CRP indicates artery inflammation) as well as homocysteine levels. Increase antioxidant intake and activity to slow aging. Help natural immunity against viral, fungal, and bacterial diseases, including antibiotic-resistant strains. Reduce hypertension and improve overall circulation. Manitoba Made, Innotech Nutrition product.

A1 Nutrition

www.a1nutrition.net

Transforming Fear

Fear has a way of stopping us in our tracks and shutting us off from accessing our innate wisdom and ability to think outside the box into new ways of being. It can torment us at the best of sleep hours and paralyze us into frozenness if we let it! Fear is a deep seated feeling that lies within our bodies and needs to be breathed through our bodies so that all the feelings beneath it (deep sadness, grief, worry, hurt and loss) can be released. Fear needs to be lightened and transformed into something more fluid. When we hear the wisdom of our fears, we can feel our deepest vulnerabilities that allow us to know we are at the edge of our comfort zone poised between old life choices and new decisions to be birthed. With Spring we welcome a lightness of being!

D’Arcy Bruning Haid, Masters in Counselling Psychology

www.souls-journey.com