Community News
Clean Eating: Cantaloupe & Cucumber Salad

Here’s a refreshing side salad for a change of pace. It’s delicious served with a spicy grilled chicken, tofu, or fish. Or serve this over a bed of leafy greens with extra dressing on the side. Gently fold together 1/2 small cantaloupe and 1 medium cucumber (cut into 1/2 inch chunks), 1/2 cup crumbled feta, and 6 big basil leaves (sliced thinly). Whisk and add to salad: 1 tbsp olive oil, 2-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar, and freshly ground salt and pepper to taste. Top with 2 tbsp sunflower seeds. (This is the perfect place to showcase your gourmet balsamic vinegars and good quality olive oil. Skip the salt and sprinkle with a little Fleur de Sel for some drama!)

Lisa Kehler, OffYourPlateNutrition.ca

Book Club: The Dirt Cure

Growing Healthy Kids with Food Straight from Soil. In the tradition of Michael Pollan, Mark Hyman, and Andrew Weil, pioneering integrative pediatric neurologist Maya Shetreat-Klein, MD, reveals the shocking contents of children’s food, how it’s seriously harming their bodies and brains, and what we can do about it.

Maya Shetreat-Klein, MD, Dirtcure.com

New Product Review

It’s time to say goodbye to allergens, pollen, dust, mold, pet hair – virtually all airborne pollutants, as the Blue Pure 211 WiFi enabled air purifier captures 99% of particles up to PM 2.5. With a single touch, turn the unit on/off, select fan speeds, and be alerted for filter changes. A digital display lets you see and control the air you breathe to make sure it’s virtually free of allergy or asthma triggers. Or download the Blueair Friend app and connect it for remote control using any smart device. The enhanced 360-degree air intake ensures no pollutant escapes the 540 sq. ft. Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). Using just 60 watts on the highest fan speed, the Blue Pure 211 is 60% more energy efficient than other air purifiers in its class. Your home will become a clean-air haven with the Blue Pure 211.

Aviva Natural Health Solutions
AvivaHealth.com

Black Seed Oil

Black seed (Nigella sativa) is the new preferred therapeutic oil prized for its immune-boosting and antibacterial benefits to reduce respiratory, viral, and digestive ailments. This oil has been used medicinally in Middle Eastern cultures for millennia. Anecdotally, it’s been said to “cure everything except for death!” And the research is starting to back that up. Studies show that this versatile oil can regulate the immune system, benefit blood sugar, and has anti-cancer activity (Butt et al, 2010). Even though it’s known for its medicinal power, it can be used in cooking and food preparation. Look for a cold-pressed black seed oil and for a synergistic blend, use oregano oil and black seed oil together. Look for a combination with vitamins A and D added to give your immune system the best tools to beat the bugs!

Cassie Irwin
Enerex.ca

Summer and Vitamin D

Summer weather has finally arrived, and many of us are enjoying the longer summer days, and spending more time outside. Did you know that even with the summer weather, you might not be getting adequate amounts of vitamin D? Sunscreen can block up to 90% of the vitamin D conversion on sun-exposed skin, and clothing will prevent adequate vitamin D production as well. Individuals with digestive problems and autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis often require higher levels of vitamin D than the average person does. Vitamin D plays an important role in bone and muscle health, healthy immune function, and good mental health. We live in a climate of extremes, and ensuring you have optimal levels of vitamin D throughout the year is an easy way to support good health. Arranging seasonal, periodic testing and evaluation by your naturopathic doctor will ensure your levels are optimal all year long!

Dr. Cory Storm, ND
TheNatureDoctors.ca

Foundation of Mental Health

Did you know that our ability to experience happiness and satisfaction in life is related directly to our self-esteem? We learn to love ourselves to the extent that we have been loved. How we love and accept ourselves affects our relationships and our ability to love others. Our beliefs and the extent to which we value ourselves is a product of our past experiences, and influences how we feel about ourselves today. Low self-esteem may contribute to depression, anxiety, and decreased productivity and social interaction. The good news is that you can learn to change your beliefs about yourself. As your self-esteem increases, so does your enthusiasm, creativity, energy, and happiness. Self-esteem is the foundation of mental health! Take that first step towards building a healthy foundation by attending a Self-Love & Acceptance Group.

Tracy Sparham, BSW, RSW
sheatreewellness.com

What are Cataracts?

Behind the iris is a lens, which helps your eye focus light. In the majority of the population, this lens is transparent. However, aging, certain diseases, trauma to the eye, medications, and environmental factors such as air pollution and UV light can cause this lens to discolour or develop opacities. These changes are called cataracts and they affect the ability of the eye to focus light, much like a fingerprint on glasses or dirt on a window. If the cataract matures, many people notice blurry vision that is not correctable with glasses. Other symptoms of cataracts are glare, halos, and changes to colour vision. Once the vision loss is affecting daily activities, cataract surgery may be considered.

Dr. Ashley Britton, Independent Optometrist
Linden Ridge Eye Care
LREyeCare.ca

Get More from Vacations

Do you find it takes you up to three days to get into “vacation mode”? Summertime is vacation time, and your time away is far too precious to spend it trying to “hurry up and relax”. Once you do wind down, do you often get sick? The go-go-go nature of our lives means that once your system has a chance to calm down, your immunity also goes down the tubes at the same time, leading to illness or exhaustion. Floating therapy before your vacation can help you get your mind and body back into balance so that you can actually be more present on your vacation. And isn’t that what vacations are really for?

Leah & Brad, FloatCalm.com

Meet an Intuitive Matchmaker

As a matchmaker with over 23 years of experience, I have facilitated thousands of matches that originated from a strong feeling. I am gifted with very keen intuition and have learned not to question it. Often, I meet a client and know exactly who their match is. I have told people by phone, prior to meeting them, that I suspect I know who their ideal match is. Sure enough, that hunch ends up being the start of a forever relationship. A year ago, a man walked into my office and I immediately knew who his match was. I contacted her and encouraged her to give him a call. She did, and it was one of the best choices she has made. I was just a guest at their wedding. Their connection is spectacular, their love is deep, and their respect for one another is tremendous.

Lianne Tregobov, Intuitive Matchmaker, CamelotIntroductions.com

Considering a Pet Sitter?

If you’re a pet owner who travels, arranging for care for your pets while you’re away can feel like an overwhelming decision. It’s important to look for caregivers who will not only provide for basic needs like food and water, but also companionship, reassurance, and playtime while you’re away. If you can find someone to come to your home, your pet gets to stay in his familiar surroundings, which is less stressful than taking him to a new location! When finding a pet sitter, it’s also important that you’re both on the same page about what’s expected and the fees involved for things like the number and length of visits per day, grooming and walking, accident cleanup, and taking the pet to a vet in case of emergency. You and your pet should feel comfortable about the care arrangements, so you (and your pet) can enjoy your vacation without worry!

Lisa Tustin, Professional Pet Services

Clean Eating: Grilled Corn and Avocado Succotash

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. vegetable oil
S&P
2 tbsp. lime juice
4 ears corn
½ pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 bell pepper
¼ inch diced
½ red onion, finely chopped
1 avocado, chopped into ½ inch cubes
¼ c. fresh basil leaves

Directions:

While steaks are cooking, shuck corn, toss in vegetable oil and let cook on other side of grill. Once you have nice grill marks on corn, take off and slice kernels off with sharp knife. Mix with rest of ingredients, and serve.

Prairie Box, PrairieBox.com