Community News
Pet Health: Dangers in The Garden

So many of us humans take solace in our beautiful gardens. Our mild coastal climate encourages some amazing flora! It’s not a surprise that our furry companions also enjoy spending time outdoors with us. Alas, Mother Nature has spiked some of our most adored flowers with poisons. While this line of defense protects the plant’s survival, it doesn’t bode well for the curious cat that chomps down on a chrysanthemum flower, or the dog that decides your basket of lily bulbs is today’s snack. The list of toxic plants isn’t limited to the outdoors; some common indoor tropical plants are also dangerous to pets. Familiarize yourself with the plants known to be toxic to your companion animals, avoid placing or planting them in harms way around your home and garden. If you suspect your pet has ingested or been exposed to a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Dr. Ken Seaman, Dr. of Veterinary Medicine. Puntledge Veterinarian Clinic

www.puntledgevet.ca

Hay Fever and Allergy Relief!

A.Vogel Natural Allergy Homeopathic Remedy is for the treatment of sneezing, itchy nose and burning eyes. It not only lowers the allergic reaction, but also relieves symptoms. Allergies were almost never heard of 50 years ago but they are now among the most frequent health problems. Respiratory allergies, hay fever, allergic asthma, food allergies and urticaria are only some of the names given to this disease, now of epidemic proportions in our society. Many therapists blame environmental pollution, others blame chemical and devitalized food, some blame antibiotics, and some blame vaccines. Be that as it may, the current medical answer to an allergy is not satisfactory, antihistaminic and other allergy drugs bring a temporary relief – but no treatment. The real question is, If it is possible to acquire an allergy, shouldn’t it be possible to get rid of it?

Jeanie Bruneau, Certified Professional Cancer Coach, Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner, Jeanie’s Vitamin Centre

4 Popular Types of Massage

All massages are a treat, but there are four common types of massage.

  1. Swedish/Relaxation- Is very gentle and soothing to the entire body. It has been found through clinical trials to improve white blood cell counts (improve immunity) and decrease the stress hormone cortisol.
  2. Hot Stone Massage – In addition to being deeply relaxing, hot stone massage increases blood flow to muscles helping to reduce muscle pain, tension and spasm.
  3. Trigger Point Massage – A trigger point is a tight painful spot in a muscle that can refer pain. This type of therapy can be uncomfortable but the results are worth it. Chronic and acute pain can be reduced or eliminated using this deep pressure.
  4. Pregnancy Massage – Helps to reduce anxiety and muscle tension. Will also increase blood and lymph circulation and swelling. Can help improve sleep and reduce stress.

 

Courtenay Massage Therapy
www.courtenaymassagetherapy.com

Ask Your Eye Doctor

Q: What’s the best way to keep contact lenses clean? A: If you’re feeling like your contact lenses are not clean, I assume you are wearing common disposable biweekly or monthly contact lenses. This necessitates cleaning and storing the contact lenses with a multipurpose solution or hydrogen peroxide system. These solutions work fairly well, but sometimes the lenses remain unclean. Worse yet, any solution may cause some irritation over time. The solutions don’t really make slightly worn-out contact lenses feel any better. The best way to keep contact lenses clean is to use a single-use lens or a daily disposable lens. The risk of infection, inflammation and irritation is much lower with this type of lens, and the convenience is an extra bonus.

Dr. Alex Kennedy, Mosaic Vision Car

www.mosaicvisioncare.com

Benefits of Chlorogenic Acid

Chlorogenic Acid is the main active ingredient in the Green Coffee Bean. It is a powerful thermogenic fat burner and has been found to aid in weight loss and help slow down the body’s absorption of fat from our regular food intake. It increases metabolism which also helps in the weight loss process. It holds promise in many aspects of health and cognition similar to bioflavonoids and shares some effects similar to caffeine, but less potent. Studies show that Chlorogenic Acid may also decrease the absorption of dietary carbohydrate, as well as provide anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This may have benefits for people who are at high risk of diabetes and heart disease. It also helps regulate the flow of bile from the liver thereby reducing liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. The Healthiest Coffee on the Planet!

Brett Griffin

www.weightlosscoffeehub.com

Technology’s Role in Wellness

Technology is developing at a mind-blowing pace, but we always have a choice on how we wish to engage with it. We can always “unplug” when we need to re-generate and get back in touch with our natural selves, or we can use technology to streamline our lives and focus on the important things in life like family and health. We can also engage technology to enhance our health and well-being. This pertains to such age-old “natural” technologies of meditation, yoga and mindfulness for example, as well as to emerging frequency-based technologies like neurofeedback. We are lucky to live in an age where we can choose how to target specific aspects of our physical and emotional health. Unplugging when we need to, and engaging in both time-honored and cutting-edge technology, can do wonders for our physical, mental, and spiritual health and happiness.

Dr. Chris Hammer, PhD.

www.valentusclinics.com

Homeopathic Treatment of Concussions

Were you dropped on the head as a baby? Maybe. And that may be why you are having trouble reading this. I have seen children with ADHD or dyslexia who suffered head injuries as infants and suddenly come out of the fog after treatment with homeopathy, only to become brilliant students after struggling for years. Dr. John Gray of Venus and Mars fame was cured with homeopathy in his fifties of life-long ADHD. He had fallen out of a tree as a child, suffering a concussion. Concussions can be a common cause of long-term health problems, including headaches, problems with focus and concentration, anxiety, depression, rage, sleeplessness, low energy and even digestive issues. Homeopathy offers about 50 remedies for consequences of concussion depending on the symptoms. The heavy lifter is Arnica, a great first remedy for concussions, but it is best to individualize treatment.

Dr. Anke Zimmermann BSc. ND. FCAH

www.drzimmerman.org

How Much Caffeine Does Matcha Have?

Matcha contains roughly 25mg of caffeine, which is approximately one-third the caffeine of a cup of brewed coffee. It is easily tolerated by many people for whom coffee makes them jittery and anxious! The caffeine in Matcha works in a synergistic manner with all the other great stuff it contains, including hefty quantities of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and amino acids. This special combination of ingredients produces an unusual effect: An uncanny ability to focus and be productive over an extended period of time. Because the caffeine molecules in Matcha bind to larger and more stable molecules, the caffeine is released over time, instead of all at once into the bloodstream. In contrast to coffee, this timed-release mechanism tends to inhibit any sudden insulin increases, so there is no ‘crash’ associated with quick drops in blood sugar that so many coffee drinkers feel an hour or so after drinking a cup.

Tiffanie & Kip Home, Just Match

www.justmatcha.com

Building Confidence & Self-esteem

We all have moments when we question ourselves. Sometimes that sense of uncertainty sticks around -and we don’t know why, but we feel bad about ourselves. We may blame ourselves for feeling inadequate and not knowing how to feel better. Where does this come from? Is it just us, or is it what’s happening to us? It can be both. For example, there’s no denying the reality of a bad job! Our core beliefs and expectations also play a part. these are deeply held ideas and feelings about ourselves and the world that colour our experience. Counselling can help you uncover these beliefs and find more helpful and supportive ways to be with yourself. Other skills supported in counselling include; positive self-talk and encouragement, forgiving yourself for not being perfect, handling difficult memories, changing your situation and asserting your needs empathically.

Mary Munro MA. MC. RCC.

www.marymunro.ca

Sunglasses – Are You Protected?

In today’s marketplace there’s no end to the types and styles of sunglasses available. When choosing sunglasses, you need to focus on the quality of the lens. Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes, and proper sun protection occurs when your lenses block a certain range of UV light. Polarized sunglasses are the best as they filter glare from reflective surfaces such as snow or water, making you much more comfortable. Proper sunglasses also help to prevent the development of cataracts and macular degeneration. There are many different qualities of sun lenses, either prescription or non-prescription. If you’d like to know if your sunglasses are blocking the appropriate UV rays and that you’re getting proper sun protection, come in and speak to one of our Opticians at any of our five locations in Victoria. We can verify your glasses for you.

Roxy Beswetherick, Student Optician, IRIS

www.iris.ca

Can’t Get Motivated?

Are you having trouble getting motivated to do an activity? Here are some tips you should consider:

1) Identify something you want to change. For example, start a walking routine.

2) Ask yourself (or discuss with someone) the questions, ‘what is my desired outcome?’ and, ‘what is so important about that?’ Walking, for example, could be for weight loss, fitness, to be in nature, or to see new sights. Let’s say you want to walk to be closer to nature. Ask yourself, ‘What’s so important about that?’ Keep asking that question until the answer is very basic. ‘I want to walk in nature. It is important because it calms me. Being calm is important because I can clear my thoughts. Clarity is important for me to be my authentic self in conversation.’ Discover what is important about that and continue asking that question until you are motivated to achieve your goal! Okay, now get going!

Juhree Zimmerman R.N., B.Sc.N., M.Ed., C.P.C.C., O.R.S.C.C. Master Certified Coach, Strategy for Synergy

www.strategyforsynergy.ca