Community News
Allergies & Your Pet

Spring is in the air! Along with all the lovely tree, grass and weed pollens! Allergies are incredibly common in our pets, especially here on the coast, and can be divided into four known categories; Contact, Flea, Food and Inhalant. When discussing inhalant allergies, we can’t forget mold or mildew, and of course our favourite tiny cosmopolitan pyroglyphid, the dust mite! Unfortunately, the clinical signs of all allergic reactions are commonly shared, and in cases tend to overlap, but each type can manifest its own unique characteristics. The most common type of allergy in our region, next to flea contact dermatitis, is the inhalant type, also called ‘atopy’. For reasons obvious to the seasonally suffering human, allergies are just as misery-inducing in our pets. Itchy, raw and irritated skin, watering eyes, nasal discharge, and congestion make up but a few symptoms that should inspire a visit to your veterinarian.

Happy Paws Pet Food, www.happypaws.ca

Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

Current and historical research point toward obesity as a major factor in a long list of diseases and painful conditions. Fortunately, the issue is now balanced by programs that have emerged, such as the Ideal Protein Protocol. This protocol is designed to provide major assistance to those wishing to lose weight and to increase the body’s ability to lose fat. It does so without causing the loss of muscle mass. The “secret” would seem to lie in the fact that the protocol provides each participant with tools and resources for weight loss, education, and maintenance that are easy to incorporate into their daily life. In addition to losing fat at a steady predictable pace, the protocol works to reduce food cravings, improve energy, and allow participants to naturally control their appetite. The Ideal Protein Protocol, which incorporates one-on-one weekly coaching, has been shown to result in improved blood sugar, reduced blood pressure, and lower cholesterol levels.

Alma, www.successweightloss.ca

Ask The Expert

Q: I lost my glasses when I was visiting Arizona this winter, and I got some new ones there. But I do not see as well as with my other glasses. What could be the problem? The prescription is the same.

A: Sorry to hear that! I wouldn’t be able to really solve your specific problem, but your newer lenses could be somehow misaligned or shaped differently than what you’re used to. Or, your new lenses might be made from a less-transparent material, or perhaps there is a problem with the lens coating. This is assuming that your eyes haven’t somehow become worse while you were travelling. All of these issues can be addressed at your next eye exam.

Dr. Alex Kennedy, www.mosaicvisioncare.com

The Art of Healing

Integrated patient-centered clinic is the way of the future. A patient-centered clinic is a way of thinking and doing things that see patients as an equals, collaborating in planning and developing treatment strategies and options. Active listening and respecting patient’s values, while carefully communicating gives patients hope. Being heard and listened to are essentials for patients to build their trust and belief in their healing. We are passionate and have worked hard at being knowledgeable about our medicine, techniques and methods that we offer. However, our patient may not share our enthusiasm. In reality, patients only want to know if we can help them confidently and effectively. Taking the time to listen to our patients, enables us to diagnosis and provide the services needed. With patientcentered care we ask what their expectations are; what are they expecting to get out of the consultation and treatments. The key is to listen closely for their answer.

Dr. Ross Ralph, Courtenay Healing Centre Inc. www.courtenayhealing.ca

Book Club: Big Magic Creative Living Beyond Fear!

Empowering author Elizabeth Gilbert asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.

Did You Know?

Blue corn has been popping up as an ingredient everywhere from tortilla chips to breakfast cereal. New research suggests that anthocyanins, the nutrients that give the corn its blue color, may help protect against metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer!

www.newhope.com

Clean Eating: Spaghetti Squash “Mac ‘n’ Cheese”

Ingredients:

1 large spaghetti squash

3 tbsp coconut oil

3 tbsp spelt flour

2 cups unsweetened almond milk

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp onion or garlic powder

pinch ground black pepper

1 cup (4 oz) any hard cheese, shredded.

Red pepper flakes, to taste. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Wash squash, cut in half lengthwise and remove seeds with a spoon. Place cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 40-50 minutes. Let cool and separate into strands with a fork. Preheat medium pot on low-medium heat and melt oil. Whisk in flour and milk until smooth. Add salt, onion powder and pepper; whisk and let simmer for about 4 minutes or until sauce has slightly thickened. Add cheese and whisk again until smooth. Add squash and mix gently with a spoon to combine. Cover and let squash warm through for about 5 minutes. Enjoy!

www.ifoodreal.com

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Also known as a weekly farm box program,  CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) are an excellent way for you to become better connected to a local farm. Your produce will never be fresher than when it’s harvested and directly received by you, with minimal transportation. This allows your food to maintain its high nutrient content. CSA’s help farmers to plan their seasons; to know how many people he/she will be growing for therefore help define crop production; and make important early investments in infrastructure and maintenance. When buying a share of a farm’s crop you can expect the varieties of produce to be seasonally oriented, the way people throughout history have always eaten. Becoming a member is easy and rewarding. Simply purchase a share from the farmer, and as the growing season begins come down to the farm or pick up location each week to receive your bountiful basket of fresh farm goods.

Brian Prince, Farmer
princeacrescsa.com

Acupuncture Has Withstood the Test of Time

The origins of acupuncture are lost in antiquity. It has survived at least 3000 years as a major healing technique now used in Modern Chinese Traditional Medicine and is respected as an effective alternative treatment modality by Western Medical authorities and Health Insurance Providers. Acupuncture is widely used to treat all types of pain, to prevent, diagnose and treat disease and to improve general health. For those averse to even the thought of needles, other techniques such as cold lasers or moxibustion may be employed. These are less invasive and do not puncture the skin. The goal of acupuncture is to promote and restore the balance of energy, which flows throughout the body. Hundreds of clinical studies on the benefits of acupuncture show that it successfully treats conditions ranging from musculoskeletal problems (back pain, neck pain frozen shoulder ) to nausea, migraine  headache,  anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, insomnia, and certain forms of infertility.

Elaine Murphy, Reg. Acupuncturist, MA, RAc

Benefits of Reconnective Healing®

Reconnective Healing® is a unique interaction between our body’s energy field and a spectrum of energy, light and information.  It provides access to create change and improves all aspects of a person’s life – health, career, relationships and abundance. People looking for a natural way to regain health are turning to Reconnective Healing® to relieve stress, depression, anxiety, sleep problems and all kinds of chronic pain and physical problems. There have been many scientific studies on Reconnective Healing® showing that it restructures damaged DNA, is twice as effective as physical therapy in restoring range of motion in frozen shoulder, and that it supports peak athletic performance! The many benefits include: more energy, better brain function, balanced emotions, improved memory and better sleep. Over the last ten years, thousands of people all over the world have discovered the amazing benefits of Reconnective Healing®.

Anna Christine Doehring, RHFP, RCP
Energy All Around Therapies

Energy-All-Around.com

Suffering with Muscle and Joint Pain?

Muscle and joint pain associated with sprains and strains can be very frustrating indeed, especially when striving to maintain an active lifestyle. Some essential oils from certain companies have been approved by Health Canada as Natural Health Products (NHP’s) for use to help with relief of pain associated with sprains, strains and rheumatoid arthritis. Oils such as lavender, marjoram, clove, black pepper, eucalyptus globulus or peppermint, and blends such as Deep Relief and Aromaease are great mixed with a carrier oil (such as coconut), and applied directly to the skin to help soothe muscle pain. Oils can also be added to a bath (mixed with Epsom salts or a carrier oil before adding to water). Having natural options for muscle and joint pain provides peace of mind, just be sure the essential oils you choose are not topped up with synthetic additives and preservatives.

Denise MacKinnon
Young Living Independent Distributor 2122587

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