Community News
A Season For Soothing Food

Some consider fall as the ideal season to clear mental and emotional clutter and grief, as it’s naturally a time of closure. It’s an ideal time to nurture our bodies. As it gets colder, warm soups and stews are soothing, as opposed to eating raw veggies and fruits. With the weather changing, the internal body needs the support of soothing foods. The season calls for more protein, as well as nutrient-dense spices such as ginger, garlic, turmeric, and cinnamon. These strengthen the digestive system, supporting immune and lung functions. Digestion benefits from optimal food choices and probiotic-rich foods or supplements. Some foods that are healthy for the season are almonds, walnuts, grapes, cabbage, and beans. Apricots, bananas, eggs, apples, and lemons are good for your body. Additional beneficial choices include: asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, fermented vegetables, and active culture yogurt. Fall is a great time to incorporate more healing and whole foods into your diet!

Tracy Morgan, www.vitallife.ca

Not a Numbers Person?

People come with many different talents and skills. It’s all based on what they’ve experienced in the past and what they enjoy. Are you a creative person? An excellent salesperson? A people person? Some of your most dreaded tasks might be sitting with a bunch of papers and adding up the numbers. That’s where we come in. We’re numbers people! With over 20 years of experience managing retail businesses and bookkeeping, we will take the time to tailor a bookkeeping system to your specific needs. Payroll, bank reconciliations, GST and PST preparations are our favorite things! If you are struggling keeping the finances of your small or medium sized business straight, we have solutions in that will suit you.

Ray-lo Bookkeeping www.raylobookkeeping.ca

Diabetic? Pre-Diabetic?

Type 2 diabetes is caused by consuming a diet that has resulted in your body developing metabolic syndrome and subsequently insulin resistance. Type 1 diabetes has been determined to be an inflammatory condition. Correct your diet and your body will heal to the extent that it can. It is typical for people to no longer require medications to ‘manage’ their T2 diabetic condition once they are permanently consuming a diet that respects the foods that their body is genetically designed to thrive on. T1 diabetics, once consuming a corrected diet, will allow inflammation to subside and your metabolism to function in an optimal fashion. Dependence on insulin will be greatly reduced, even possibly eliminated. Do you want to continue on the path of ‘managing’ diabetes and accept the inevitable heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, amputation or neuropathy? If not, enlist the help of a Primal Health Coach to start you on your healing path.

Tom White, www.enddiabetesmanitoba.ca, www.becomehealthy.ca

Who Pays When You Can’t Work?

1 in every 3 working Canadians will experience a disability that lasts longer than 90 days. Bills still need to be paid even if you can’t work. It’s important to know what you’re covered for and how much you will receive should a disability disrupt your life. Contributing to the Canada Pension Plan doesn’t mean you qualify for the CPP Disability Benefit. The disability must be considered “severe and prolonged.” A temporary condition may make it difficult for a successful claim. It’s possible a more substantial benefit of disability income could come from the Workers Compensation Board (WCB), but know that this benefit is only payable if your injury occurs at work, performing the duties of your job. The third source of income replacement is through a disability insurance policy. Read carefully, contracts have unique definitions for what qualifies as a disability. Don’t wait until an injury happens to ask “who pays me now?”

Thomas Johnson, cascadefinancialgroup.com

Re-Think Omega Fatty Acids!

Fat could be your biggest ally in health maintenance and cardiovascular disease prevention. But we need to think about the RIGHT fats. Omega fatty acids are crucial for helping to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides. They are essential to maintaining our nervous system and act as an anti-inflammatory to fight diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Some forms of omega-3 can also reduce fat while improving lean body mass. But which omega fatty acids do we REALLY need?   The ones most North Americans need is omega-3 from FISH OIL, as the typical Western diet does not give enough of it. When you are looking for an omega-3 product from the pharmacy, keep in mind a few tips: 1. Look for omega-3s from fish oil instead of krill oil. This is because krill oil contains very little omega-3. 2. Look for ingredients of EPA/DHA as opposed to alpha-linolenic acid as EPA/DHA is the form of omega-3 that the body can use most efficiently.

Teresa Giesbrecht, www.careathomepharmacy.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 ShetreatKlein, 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. www.dirtcure.com

Natural Product Review: pureWash® Pro

pureWash® Pro is a breakthrough in home laundry purification. As it turns out, your laundry has been keeping a dirty little secret, (It’s really not that clean at all!). Detergent may leave clothes smelling clean, but it does not eliminate the mold and bacteria that builds up from sports activities, pets, and everyday living. pureWash® Pro cleans clothes with the disinfecting power of oxygen, not detergent. This same technology is used in Hospitals and Hotels. It’s clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and mold, plus it’s both safe for the environment and for family members of all ages! If you have sensitive skin, you will not get skin irritations as you do from detergent. Detergent build-up promotes mold growth and does not kill bacteria. Independent, scientific studies have proven pureWash® Pro kills 99.9% of both with cold water. The power of naturally oxygenated water eliminates dirt, bacteria, and mold better than detergent!

Kevin Shale, Low Environmental Impact Technologies, Leit.ca

3 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Immune System

It’s officially cold and flu season. Here are five simple things you can do to improve your body’s natural immunity: 1. Drink a TON of Water: Ensuring you are hydrated is an important part of keeping your immune system strong. Try to drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water each day to keep your body in tiptop shape and ready to fight cold and flu bugs. 2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep: The body regenerates and repairs itself while you sleep. Getting a proper night’s rest – between six and eight hours – is important for keeping your body’s natural defenses at optimum efficiency. 3. Take a Hot/Cold Shower: The next time you take a shower try alternating hot and cold water. Research shows the body’s immune system is stimulated when it tries to warm itself up in between the extreme temperature changes. White blood cell production is increased and endorphins are released that help you relax and relieve pain.

Brett Scott, www.disabilitytaxcredit.webs.com

Fall back in love with food!

Most Canadians suffer from some sort of digestive complaint on a regular basis. These digestive issues include gas, bloating, indigestion, heartburn and tiredness after eating. These symptoms can all be related to other health issues however if they occur after eating, then chances are they are digestion related and enzymes can help! Renew Life offers 3 main digestive enzyme formulas for varying degrees of digestive distress. •          DigestMORE is the ideal choice for anyone looking for a daily digestive enzyme to manage occasional digestive issues. •   DigestMORE ULTRA is the ideal choice for anyone who has chronic digestive problems that may include gas, bloating, regurgitation, and tiredness after eating. • DigestMORE HCl is the ideal choice to help combat heartburn and acid reflux caused by low stomach acid. Taking digestive enzymes is one of the most effective ways to change the way your body responds to the foods you eat. Whether you take them every day or just when you need them, digestive enzymes should be part of your digestive care toolkit! Cory Calverley, Hedley’s Health Hut,  www.healthfirstnetwork.ca/hedleyshealthhut

 

Nature’s Defense: Using Essential Oils During Flu Season

Nature’s Defense: Using Essential Oils During Flu Season

As winter approaches we all gather indoors which makes it easier for germs to be spread from person to person. Rather than waiting until I have the flu or a cold and then treating the symptoms I prefer to support my body’s natural defences to reduce the chance of getting sick. In addition to staying hydrated, getting a good sleep, eating well and exercising, I also use some natural flu remedies such as essential oils to boost my immune system, and if I do get sick, to speed my recovery and decrease my symptoms. Modern medicine should not be discounted, but I like to integrate more natural remedies with modern medicine when I can.

It is a common misconception that antibiotics will cure all. Antibiotics don’t work against infections caused by viruses. Influenza or what we commonly call “the flu” is a virus and not bacterial so antibiotics won’t work to get rid of it. In my experience when I have gone to the clinic to get relief from my flu symptoms the doctor has sent me home saying I have influenza and there isn’t anything to do but get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.

So what are some ways we can support our health NATURALLY to help us through this flu season, or to relieve the symptoms if we get the flu?

There are many naturally occurring essential oils derived from plants such as Clove, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon Bark/leaf, Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint and Thyme that have the ability to fight unwanted germs.

There is a story about four thieves or grave robbers who lived in Europe around the 15th century when the bubonic plague was at its worst. They would rob the bodies of all their possessions, yet never contracted this deadly illness!

It was said that when they were finally caught the magistrate offered them a deal. If they shared their secret he would give them a reduced sentence. They took the deal and explained that through their knowledge of herbal medicine and essential oils they were able to create a powerful combination that was highly effective in preventing them from becoming ill. The herbs they were said to have used were: Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary.

I like to make my own immune support blend using the same oils to what the thieves used, Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary as well as Lemon and Oregano. Lemon is a great supporter of the immune system and Oregano has natural anti-viral properties, which is important when faced with viral infections like the flu.

Please note that some oils like clove and cinnamon are considered ‘hot’ oils. Using them without a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive, or almond oil may cause a slight burning sensation and rash. When using hot oils on the skin, always test a small area on your arm first. Be sure to dilute the essential oil with carrier oil. If you have no reaction within 30 minutes you can apply to other areas of the body.

So what to do if the dreaded ‘bug’ has already hit your house?

I recommend diffusing the oils mentioned above. You can diffuse a combination of oils or one at a time, just add a few drops of your favourite essential oil in an average size diffuser for a small room and up to 10 drops for a larger room.

I like to apply my essential oils immediately when I feel something coming on. It typically starts in my throat. So I rub the immune support blend around my neck (heavily diluted) before I go to bed and often I wake up feeling great with no more sore throat! I also like to supplement this by applying Oregano (diluted) to the soles of my feet, especially when I’m already sick. At night, just before bed, I rub the oil on the soles my feet and then put socks over top.

The key to success with oils is ‘early and often’. It takes very little time for oils to move through every cell in the body, so if you are determined to rid your body of a bug, apply oils topically several times per day until the illness passes.

To help tackle specific symptoms here are a few other ideas for some natural alternatives:

Feeling Hot?

For older children (10+) and adults, apply oils like Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint (diluted with a carrier oil) to back of the neck and feet every 10-20 minutes for a cooling sensation until you feel better.

* Be very careful that you do not get any Peppermint in your eyes. If you do get it in your eyes dilute it with a drop of carrier oil.

Vegetable oils will dilute essential oils if the essential oil causes discomfort or irritation.

Stuffy Nose?

For older children/adults

Essential Oils: 5 drops Lavender, 3 drops Lemon, 2 drops Peppermint, 2 drops Myrtle and 2 drops Pine. Add these to 2 Tablespoons or 30 ml of carrier oil and put into an empty roller-ball bottle to rub on outside of nostrils throughout the day. *Do not apply the oils close to your eyes.

Need a quick fix? Put 2-3 drops of your chosen oil in the palm of your hands, rub them together, cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply. You can easily repeat this throughout the day.

 

Coughing?

DIY Chest Rub

5 TB coconut oil

2 TB shea butter

1 1/2 TB beeswax pellets (or grated from a bar)

30 drops Eucalyptus. I like to use either Radiata or Globulus. NOTE: for children use Eucalyptus Radiata or Citriodora)

10 drops each of Lavender, Peppermint and Rosemary.

5   drops Tea Tree,

 

For older children and adults:

Mix coconut oil and shea butter and beeswax in double boiler or in a glass measuring cup placed in boiled water. Stir until melted. Remove from heat, let sit 3-5 min to cool slightly and then add the essential oils. Mix and pour into a small glass Mason jar with lid. Store in a cool dark place.This recipe will make one 4 oz. jar.

When needed, I apply the mix to the chest and back. Then place a hot, wet cloth over top with a dry towel over top that. Let it sit for 20 min. Do this twice per day, especially before bed, for respiratory support and to relieve a cough.

Don’t have a diffuser? You can easily make a small diffuser with a cup of boiling water and a couple of drops of essential oil!

Always follow the recommended amount on the bottle and always keep oils out of the reach of small children.

For more DIY essential oil recipes and information on using essential oils with children under 2 years go to my website: www.CanadianMoms.ca

Sylvia Provenski

204-720-5348

Young Living Member #1740823

Fall Is a Great Time to Retreat

Fall’s a season of relaxation and change, the leaves turn red and the rhythm of nature slows down. It’s a time of preparation for winter. As humans, the rhythm of our bodies coincides with the one of nature, following its grooves throughout the year. Like a bear in its den, we must prepare ourselves for upcoming changes. A proven way to emerge your body into its natural flow is nourishing it according to seasons. Applying techniques such as yoga and meditation eases the mind and soul during this transition. An easy way to begin this life giving process is to take part in a retreat hosted by your local holistic practitioner. The practitioner will teach you methods to nurture your mind, body, and soul so that you are attuned to and flowing alongside nature. Fall’s a sloped season of transition for all living beings. Allow your soul to be nourished at a retreat near you.

Celine Sartoris, www.shineyourlight.ca