Community News
Freedom at Any Age

These days the mobility market is full of possibilities. Rather than being confined to the inside of your home or relying on friends and family to take you out, consider the freedom of a mobility scooter. Battery powered scooters have come a long way and are now more affordable than ever. They provide the freedom to get around, they conserve physical energy which can keep you out and about longer, and they also provide you access to places you may not have previously been able to go. Along with the freedom, mobility scooters offer an element of safety. They provide stability and safety both indoors and outdoors reducing the risk of falls and injury. If you are considering a mobility scooter, do some research and access free consultations before making a purchase. There are several different models and various solutions to meet the needs of yourself or a loved one.

Re-New Mobility, ReNewMobility.ca

Running Tips for Spring

For many of us, spring and warmer weather mark the return of running outdoors. There are a few things to keep in mind when getting started. Start back slowly. Progress back into your mileage and training appropriately; doing too much too soon can increase your chance of injury. Check your shoes. Guidelines suggest replacing your running shoes every 500800 km. The foam cushioning of the shoe breaks down with time, not only mileage, so changing them yearly is a good idea. Address any injuries. Don’t start off your running season with an injury that might set you back mid-season. Good mobility of the thoracic spine and lower extremity, as well as hip and lower extremity strength, can be integral to injury prevention. Physiotherapists can help improve mobility through manual therapy and prescribe targeted exercises for mobility and lower extremity chain control. Let’s get you back on the road!

Sarah Bleichert, PrairieTrailPhysio.ca

Where Is Love?

You’ve decided enough is enough. You have plenty going for yourself and you want to share your life with someone special but where on earth are you going to find them? Times have changed. We live in an electronic world but computers don’t have hearts and you don’t know if the person behind the screen is authentic. You have asked your friends and coworkers if they know anyone right for you and you have been insulted by who they have suggested! A matchmaker specializes in finding love for people who are looking for one special partner. An effective matchmaker meets with all potential clients in person and determines who the right person is for them. A criminal record check should be conducted on each client. When choosing a match-maker it is important that you work with a service that has been in business for quite some time and has many success stories.

Lianne Tregobov, Camelot Introductions, camelotintroductions.com

Don’t Sweat the Setbacks

So your New Year’s Resolution was to adopt a healthier diet. Now that the first few months of 2017 have come and gone is your initial enthusiasm is starting to wane? We all have limited resources – time, energy and money and changing your lifestyle can challenge these resources and your resolve. To stay on track, focus on keeping it simple. Plan your meals for the week ahead, shop accordingly and do as much advanced prep work as possible. Keep a collection of recipes that are tasty, healthy, quick and cheap. Make double batches and freeze extras for quick meals. If everyone is hungry, serve a salad or green smoothie while cooking the rest of the meal. That way you can fill up on healthy stuff while the hot stuff is cooking. Focus on the positives and don’t sweat the setbacks. Have patience, you can do this!

Darlene Porter, KnowThyselfAsSoul.org

How Magnesium Oil Helped

“I have had rheumatoid arthritis for close to 40 years. I’ve started using the Magnesium Oil a month ago, by rubbing it in, twice a day — right away I noticed a difference. I’ve been not totally pain-free, but there has been a tremendous improvement. The magnesium oil provides me super pain management and works to improve the flexibility of my joints. I have found that my sleep has improved by several hours a night, I am experiencing more energy, and I ‘m able to function much better.” Carmen Kulik. 7 Benefits of using Magnesium Oil: 1. Important for heart health. 2. Helps increase energy by regulating energy levels. 3. Calm nerves by producing ‘happy hormones’ 4. Relieves Muscle Aches and Pains. 5. Health with digestion by relieving constipation. 6. Regulates levels of calcium and potassium. 7. Prevents migraine Headaches.

DnA Wellness, DnAWellness.ca

Water Yourself to Grow Your Health

When it comes to healthy beverages, water has no equal. This tasteless, odorless thirst quencher is essential to your every physiological process and makes up approximately 45-80% of our body mass. Because we lose water as we age, it becomes increasingly important to stay hydrated, a task accomplished by both drinking and eating. Two-thirds of our body’s water volume is found within our cells, making them like mini water balloons. When adequately filled, they are effective in alleviating headaches, improving memory, flushing out toxins, regulating body temperature, hydrating skin, lubricating joints, and – importantly – reducing inflammation which is believed to be the root of nearly all illness and disease including mental illness. If you are looking for an evidence-based and cost-effective way to improve your physical and mental health, look no further: water is truly a life source.

Canadian Mental Health Association, www.mbwpg.cmha.ca

Clean Eating: Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Soft, creamy, sweet and chocolatey – this plant-based, gluten and dairy-free pudding will surely satisfy.

All you need is:

1 and a half ripe Avocados, peeled and pitted

1/3 cup of 100% pure cacao powder

1/3 cup pure maple syrup or honey

1/4 cup coconut milk

2 tsp vanilla essence

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Serve immediately, and enjoy!

Amazing Yoga Benefits for Children

Just like adults, children live in a fast-paced world with many stressors and expectations. The practice of yoga helps to bring minds and bodies back into a place of harmony and balance. Children classes consist of more than just the physical yoga poses; they also incorporate yoga teachings and traditions in a safe and nurturing environment. Classes are taught in a non-competitive, playful, and vibrant way through games, storytelling, music, and guided visualization. Through yoga, children will physically develop skills such as flexibility, strength, body awareness, balance, and coordination. They will also grow mentally cultivating self-love and respect while learning self-calming and relaxation techniques through breath work, mindfulness, and meditation. All improving attention and behavioral regulation, enhancing self-confidence and social interaction. Through yoga, children become connected; mind and body strong.

Harmony Warrior Kids Yoga, www.harmonywarrior.com

Play to Heal

Are you worried about your child or youth’s current behavior or mood? Anxiety, defiance, grief and behavior at school are just a short list of common concerns that parents may have. As a parent, it is hard to see our children hurting, and we may not know where to turn or what to do. Play Therapy is a treatment for children, youth, and families that involve therapeutic elements similar to adult talk therapies with very playful elements such as puppets, dolls, art and sand that allow children and youth to express their inner most emotions. Through play therapy, children and youth can also learn social skills and skills to manage emotions and self-regulate.

Melissa Beer B.S.W., R.S.W, M.Ed (counselling), www.growingrootstherapy.ca

Natural Product Review

Genuine Health Greens+ Extra Energy. Do you often feel tired or in need of a healthy, all-natural energy boost? Here’s your healthiest solution: greens+ extra energy. With greens+ extra energy, you get all-natural energizing ingredients including taurine and naturally occurring caffeine from the kola nut, PLUS a full serving of nutrient-rich greens in every scoop! Just one scoop daily provides immediate and long-lasting energy, while feeding your body the healthiest, research-proven nutrients. Benefits of taking greens+ extra energy include: An immediate, long-lasting source of all-natural energy, increased vitality and mental clarity, no over-stimulation or energy “crash” side-effects. Greens+ Extra Energy provides a full serving of greens for essential phytonutrients, antioxidants and research-proven health benefits. No matter how hectic your day may be, enjoy greens+ extra energy every day for the healthiest source of long-lasting energy – naturally.

Matthew Calvez, www.nutritionplus.com

Do You Have a Bad Knee?

Knee Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of lower extremity disability. Osteoarthritis is defined as degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. Some risk factors that increase your risk of having osteoarthritis are age, history of trauma to a joint repetitive activity and obesity. People who suffer from osteoarthritis usually have muscles weakness, altered muscle function, increased joint stiffness and lower aerobic fitness. Research suggests that exercise and education on weight-loss are the first lines of treatment for osteoarthritis. The most beneficial forms of exercise include; flexibility training (stretching), strength training (squats) and cardiovascular training (bike/walking). Physiotherapists are equipped with skills to assess and treat people who suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee. Physiotherapy includes techniques to help the joint move better through massage and mobilizations as well as providing you with a specific exercise program that is tailored to your needs and to make it the most enjoyable for you.

Kristy Maksymyk, Prairie Trail Physiotherapy, www.prairietrailphysio.ca