Community News
The Balancing Act

Bowenwork is a very gentle, hands-on form of bodywork. It works holistically via the nervous system to balance, and align the body. Bowenwork uniquely initiates your body’s own innate healing mechanism, and can dramatically help people with their muscle, joint or nerve pain. People with frozen shoulder are amazed when they find their recurring headaches are also gone, and the pain they felt in their back, neck, and their carpal tunnel, have disappeared as well. Treating the body as a whole is imperative in being able to achieve long lasting results. In addition to physical pain relief, Bowenwork can effectively help with cognitive issues as well, such as stress, PTSD, depression, concussion or traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness, energy blockages, and many others. Talk to a Bowenwork practitioner to learn more about balancing your body, and starting your healing journey today.

Bernadette Kozak, WinnipegPainRelief.ca

Marijuana & Alzheimer Connection?

A recent study showed significantly lower levels of blood flow in the brain for marijuana users than nonusers. It was found that the right hippocampus was the most affected, damaging regions of the brain important for memory and learning. These are the same areas affected by Alzheimer’s. Often used for regulating relaxation and controlling excitability, marijuana is more than a “feel good” aid; it brings well documented beneficial calming effects to the whole system. All in good measure, however! When overused or abused, marijuana can lead to dependency and mess with your memory and emotions. There are other non-invasive strategies for those who seek that sweet spot. Brainwave Optimization helps the brain function better by relaxing its frequencies. Once the frequencies between the brain lobes are balanced and harmony is established so the back to front thought process flows, that inner potential in all of us has a chance to blossom.

Joanne Couture, RMFT, RSW, La Loba, www.lalobatraumarelease.com

4 Ways To Supercharge Your Immune System

Ugh, January. Some may feel that this month is the worst of all months. Stay healthy, and you may find that January is actually enjoyable! There are plenty of natural remedies to help you boost your immune system and stay healthy all winter long: 1. Focus on Vitamin D. Did you know that most people have low vitamin D levels? Even dangerously low, within a range that could severely limit your immune system. 2. Eat More Garlic. Garlic is one of the most potent of all superfoods that goes back thousands of years for treatment of illness. 3. Get Your Probiotics. 70% of your immune system lies in your gut flora and the health of the friendly organisms in there to protect you against pathogens and sickness. 4. Avoid ALL processed foods and sweetened soft drinks. This is no time to bombard your body with processed foods, fried foods, high-fructose corn syrup, refined sugars or chemical additives.

Felly Grieve, A1 Nutrition, www.a1nutritiongrant.com

History of New Year Resolutions

January gives us an opportunity to reflect on the previous year, and also plan for the year ahead. Many of us will make new year resolutions for specific goals or self-improvements. It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to start this tradition! They made promises to their gods that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. Later, the Romans would make promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. In the Medieval era, knights took the “peacock vow” to re- affirm their commitment to chivalry. We hope that improving your oral health will make your resolution list this year! Schedule your yearly check up and cleaning, commit to flossing, cut back on sugar, and kick your tobacco habits.

Dr. Sarah Keating Sangalang, Reflections Dental, www.reflectionsdentalhealth.ca

Physio Support for Breastfeeding

Physiotherapy can benefit many people for a variety of reasons, but did you know that it is also beneficial for breastfeeding mothers? If milk is not being removed effectively from the breast, it can cause a milk stasis which will result in a blocked milk duct. It will often cause a hard, tender lump that can include swelling. Risk factors for developing include improper baby positioning and latching, sore or damaged nipples, fatigue or stress, engorgement, compression from a tight garment, inadequate breast drainage, hurried or missed feeds and a pump with an ill-fitting breast shield. Physiotherapy treatment includes a combination of ultrasound, manual techniques, education, and heat. Mothers will be encouraged to bring their baby to the session and breastfeed immediately afterward. Treatment frequency is every day until symptoms resolve – usually 1-3 days.

Kristi Hunter MPT, BSc, Prairie Trail Physiotherapy, www.prairietrailphysio.ca

Goals Difficult to Achieve?

Many of us have goals we desire to achieve in health, relationships, and our career. What would you like to work on and improve in this new year? So often we struggle to actually accomplish our goals – we get part way and give up, or we have too many other things interfering with our efforts. In theory, desire + effort = achieving goals….. right? So why in reality is that so often very difficult to do? One very important thing I have learned is that any time we have a desire to achieve something but struggle to accomplish it, it means that we have hidden factors between our desires and accomplishing our goals. Many times these hidden factors are fear, doubt or beliefs based on past experiences. Success is so sweet and so much easier to achieve when you have cleared out these hidden factors that are making success difficult.

Shannon Russell, BodyMind Freedom Solutions, thedashmethod.com

What Is Your Mouth Telling You?

The state of your mouth can offer valuable insights into your dental, oral and overall health. Any bleeding when you brush your gums is a sign that you should see your dentist. Unhealthy gums can affect your overall health. Atherosclerosis, clogging of the arteries, has a strong link to gum disease. Pain on biting might mean a cracked tooth. Sugar sensitivity usually indicates a cavity. Tenderness to cold might just need a change of toothpaste. Tenderness to hot is likely to be more serious. The pulp of your tooth can become inflamed for many reasons. The only way to find out, for sure, what’s going on is to see your dentist. Bad breath can be caused by poor oral hygiene. A good electric toothbrush, flossing and scraping your tongue all help. Throat infections also cause bad breath. Don’t assume that problems will resolve by themselves. See a dentist at least once a year. Remember: “You don’t have to floss all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep!”

Dr. George Cadigan, Exclusively Dentures, www.exclusvielydentures.ca

Clean Eating: Gingerbread Coffee

2 Tbs Cinnamon, ground

1 Tbs Ginger, ground

1 Tbs Cloves, ground

1/2 Tbs Nutmeg, ground

1/8 tsp Salt

Instructions:

1. Add spices and salt to a jar and shake well.

2. Add about 1/2 teaspoon (or to taste) of the gingerbread mix to your regular or decaf coffee grounds before brewing.

This recipe is adapted from Kristine’s Kitchen. These spices are among the richest in wrinkle and disease-fighting antioxidants. Coffee cheers to that!

Lisa Kehler, www.offyourplatenutrition.ca

Dare NOT To Diet!

Make 2017 the year you jump off your plate and into your life! Dare not to diet. Make a radical shift from being “good” (dieting) to feeling good (living vibrantly)! It’s natural to want to have more energy and vitality! And want to move with ease and feel good in your body. But a diet won’t deliver. Not long term. Simple, enjoyable mindful eating, plus a shift from “have to be good” to “want to feel good,” CAN deliver a good thing! Here are a few shifts to consider for January 1: “I have to go on a diet, I feel gross” to “I have more energy and feel better in my body when I eat the foods I love with balance on my plate.” “I have to work out every day” to “I feel better, sleep better and move better when I’m active. I’m going to find an activity I enjoy.”

Lisa Kehler, www.offyourplatenutrition.ca

Book Club: Year of Yes!

How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person, by Shonda Rhimes. Shonda was an expert at declining invitations others would leap to accept. With 3 children at home and 3 hit shows on TV, it was easy to say that she was too busy. But in truth, she was also afraid. Shonda’s introvert life revolved around burying herself in work, snuggling her children, and comforting herself with food. Shonda’s sister muttered something that was both a wake-up and a call to arms: You never say yes to anything! The comment sat like a grenade until it detonated. Then Shonda knew she had to embrace the challenge: for one year, she would say YES to everything that scared her.

Clean Eating: Banana Quinoa Breakfast Bars

1 cup steel cut oats

1 cup quinoa

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon, a pinch of sea salt

3 large ripe bananas, mashed

2 tbsp ground flaxseed

3 tbsp natural nut butter

1 tbsp coconut oil

2 tbsp pure maple syrup

Optional: 1/4-1/2 cup add-ins like chocolate chips, coconut, chopped dried fruit.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray or grease a 9 x 9 baking dish with coconut oil. In a large bowl combine oats, quinoa, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add in bananas, flax, peanut butter, coconut oil and maple syrup. Stir until well-combined. Sprinkle with optional add-ins. Let batter sit for 10 mins to let flax absorb some liquid. Add batter to baking dish and spread out evenly. Bake for 25 mins or until edges are crisp and center is cooked through. Let sit for 20 mins before cutting into 9-12 squares and allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for longer.