Don’t get caught in a vicious circle of allergy flare-ups! Did you know that using the wrong cleaning products to minimize allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold can actually make your allergy symptoms worse? Here are the 10 most common toxic chemicals found in cleaning products that might be worsening your allergy symptoms: • Phthalates • Parabens • Lead • BPA/BPS • 14 Dioxane • SLS • PVC • Triclosan • Oxybenzone • Diazolidinyl or Imidazolidinyl Urea
Make sure you always read the labels of your cleaning products. With the right products, some elbow grease, and a regular cleaning regimen, you can find allergy relief in your home.
Community News
Soup up Your Gut
Our intestines are responsible for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from the food and liquids we consume. In order to accomplish this, the gut lining must be semi-permeable. Sometimes this lining is more porous than it should be – a condition called leaky gut – which allows undigested food to enter the bloodstream. This causes inflammation, a potential root cause of most illness and disease including mental illness. One effective way to repair the gut lining (and warm up on a cold winter day) is to drink mineral and nutrient rich bone broth made from organic beef, chicken, or fish bones.
Clean Eating Recipe: Hot Chocolate
Store bought hot chocolate “packets” contain massive amounts of sugar and even hydrogenated oils (an unexpected, undesirable ingredient). You can serve this with whipped cream made of organic heavy cream with a little bit of stevia.
1/3 c full fat coconut milk (unsweetened)
2/3 c boiling water
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
15 drops liquid stevia
(optional) 1-2 drops peppermint oil, whipped cream, or cocoa nibs
Boil water on the stove. Add in all remaining ingredients. Stir well. Let cool a little bit, serve and enjoy!
How Is Your Cardiovascular Health?
Did you know that you can have cardiovascular disease without experiencing any symptoms? Many people are not diagnosed until the condition worsens to the point where they have angina, stroke, or heart failure. That’s why it is important to start taking steps towards a healthy heart and arteries today. A good screening test for early signs of disease is Digital Pulsewave Analysis (DPA). This Health Canada approved, non-invasive method will show you how your cardiovascular system is working. This information can then be used to devise a specific program to improve your cardiovascular health before symptoms occur.
Natural Product Review: Cardioflex Q10
Cardioflex Q10 is a Manitoba-made nutritional supplement designed for cardiovascular health. With a unique blend of vitamins and amino proteins, Cardioflex Q10 is a supportive natural therapy that enriches cardiovascular health, establishes cholesterol balance and reduces CRP (C-reactive protein). With this product you can expect some amazing results: Strengthen your cardiovascular system, dissolve atherosclerotic plaque, lessen the pain of angina pectoris, reduce the likelihood of heart attack or stroke, increase heart and other muscle strength and stamina, lower blood and tissue lipids (fats), and increase antioxidant intake. Give yourself natural immunity against viral, fungal, and bacterial diseases, including antibiotic-resistant strains. Reduce hypertension and improve overall health!
Maintaining Bone Health
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by weakened bones with an increased risk of fracture. In Canada, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will suffer an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. Osteoporotic fragility fractures are more common than heart attacks, stroke, and breast cancer combined. Medication, nutrition/diet, and exercise are forms of treatment. Physiotherapy is focused on specific exercise, which includes resistance training, balance training, aerobic exercise, and spine sparing strategies. All of these exercises are geared towards preventing falls and fractures, and maintaining strong bone health. Contact a physiotherapist for more information and for a specific home exercise program tailored to your individual needs.
Community Event
Self-Love & Acceptance Group. Eight sessions (once/week), dates and times will be based on registrants’ interest and availability. Sparham Counselling 204-806-9777
Lavender for Your Home
Lavender is one of the most aromatic and highly versatile plants in the world. Known for its sweet-floral aroma and calming properties, lavender is a popular component used in many personal care products, aromatherapy, and even in the culinary world. The Black Sea climate zone of Bulgaria produces some of the world’s best lavender. How can you use pure tested grade Lavender in your home? Add a flavourful twist to marinades, baked goods and desserts, add a few drops to pillow, bedding or bottoms of your feet as part of your nightly routine.
Organic vs. Conventional Produce
Did you know that a healthy diet need not be comprised of organic food only? In fact, some organically grown and produced foods confer no greater health benefits than conventionally grown options. How do you decide? A general rule of thumb is to choose organic when it comes to soft or thin-skinned fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and meats. Good conventional choices consist of most thick-skinned foods, and exceptions like kiwi, onions, cauliflower, cabbage, and asparagus. In all cases, frozen and fresh contain comparable nutrient content. When buying organic, look for the “certified organic” seal to ensure authenticity. Sean Miller, CMHA MB and Winnipeg, MBWPG.CMHA.ca
Get More From New Year’s Resolutions
If you’re planning to adopt a healthier lifestyle this year, know that no matter what type of stress-handling techniques you use, how well you eat, or how much exercise and sleep you get, to achieve your goals and get the most out of your efforts, your body must be functioning optimally. You could be eating healthy and exercising, but if your thyroid, adrenals, or digestive system are not working efficiently, you are not going to burn calories or build muscle. Options like specialized nutritional testing, biofeedback, and digital pulsewave analysis can help you get the information you need. Centre for Alternative Healing, AltHealing.ca
Get a Better Sleep with Ganban-Yoku
For most people who are suffering from insomnia, the sympathetic nervous system is overly active when the body is trying to fall asleep at night – making it hard to fall asleep or resulting in poor sleep. Ganban-yoku (Japanese thermal therapy) can help improve quality of sleep by tuning the nervous system. The deep, gentle warmth during the session, uniquely keeps the body in the active state while relaxing the mind. This equally engages both sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system instead of one of the two overly being active for over one hour. Having the nervous system function at this sweet spot for a prolonged time helps to ease the symptoms of insomnia. Some users were able to achieve good quality sleep for up to five days post session. Mieko Morisawa, Pocca Poca Spa, PoccaPocaSpa.com
