Community News
Micro-Breaks: Why do we Need Them?

Micro breaks are short breaks (typically 2 minutes) that allow your body to recover from the stress and strain of continuously sitting in a chair and looking at a computer screen. It is recommended to take a micro-break every 15-30 minutes that includes some form of movement: the human body is not made to sit still for 6-8 hours a day! They can range from going for a short walk, doing some stretches, or changing the repetitive demands of a task. For example, you could switch from responding to emails to walking to the fax machine. Micro-breaks may help to reduce stress, decrease the risk of repetitive strain injuries and physical discomfort, as well as increase blood flow, energy and productivity at work. Although taking micro-breaks appears to be a small change, making it part of your day can have large physical and emotional benefits.

Stacey Bulat, BKin-AT CAT(C) Certified Athletic Therapist, www.vitallifeclinic.ca

5 Tips to Reduce Anxiety

1. Meditate – Practicing just a few minutes a day helps reduce anxiety.
2. Breathe Deep – breathing by contracting the diaphragm, a horizontal muscle in the chest located just above the stomach, helps reduce your heart rate and induces relaxation.
3. Exercise – Long workouts or running a marathon are not necessary. Yoga or walking is all that is needed to ease anxiety and depression.  Stand up straight and tall.  Don’t forget to breathe.
4. Get More Sleep – Emotional upset, such as anger, stress and exhaustion, is commonly found in those who have lost even a few hours of sleep.
5. Reflexology – Taking time in a quiet environment with complete control of your surroundings and making eye contact with your practitioner can help bring the body back in balance. Reflexology sessions that include deep breathing practice are definitely a worthwhile investment.

Trenna Reid, RCRT, www.discoverreflexology.ca

The Magic Bean Sprout

Did you know that Mung Bean Sprouts contain EVERY vitamin known to man? These delicious home-grown sprouts are packed so full of nutrients that they can actually be considered natural supplements. Kids love watching them grow, and even more, they love the fresh garden taste. Mung beans produce an edible sprout that’s crisp and nutty tasting. These sprouts are substantial enough to stand-up to stir-frying, but they’re often used raw in salads and on sandwiches. Because of their high nutrient density, mung bean sprouts are useful in defending against several chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. While mung beans may be new to some people in Canada, they’ve been a part of traditional Ayurvedic diets in India for thousands of years. Mung beans are considered one of the most cherished foods in the ancient Indian practice. Don’t just take our word for it – try sprouting today!

Rick, www.scoopandsave.com

Behavioral Help for Your Dog 

Close your eyes and imagine this scenario. You call your dog to go for a walk. Your dog walks over to you and waits patiently for you to put their leash on. You exit the door and the dog happily walks behind you. You begin your walk. And as you round the corner of your house you see your neighbor. “Hi Mr. Rogers”. Your dog naturally wags their tail with their tongue out smiling at the neighbor. You continue on your walk. You get to a stoplight and your dog naturally sits while you check to make sure the coast is clear. “All Clear” and you begin your walk with your dog beside you. You get home after a lengthy walk and your dog sits and waits for you to take the leash off. Now open your eyes. Are you more relaxed? Here is a secret. This scenario is possible.

Shalin Hustad, www.grassrootscanine.com

Save Smarter – RRSP vs TFSA 

RRSPs (Registered Retirement Savings Plans) and TFSAs (Tax-Free Savings Accounts) have a lot in common. You can hold a variety of investments in either one, including savings accounts, GICs, mutual funds and stocks. Both avoid taxation of investment income in the year it’s earned and they both have limits on how much you’re allowed to save. When it comes to the RRSP, every dollar you save in a year earns you a tax deduction for the same amount. When the money comes out of an RRSP, barring any special government programs, you will include the amount withdrawn in your taxable income for the year. A TFSA works opposite to an RRSP in these regards. You don’t get an immediate tax deduction for saving inside a TFSA but you don’t have to pay any taxes when you withdraw the money. So which is better? It truly depends on you and your unique situation. This is where your investment advisor can help determine the best course of action to keep your tax bill as low as possible.

Thomas Johnson, www.cascadefinancialgroup.com

Natural Wholy Detox Tea

Are you feeling bloated, constipated or just run down? Did you know that there could be toxic matter stuck in your intestinal wall and colon causing numerous health conditions? Wholy tea can help regulate your bowel movements to keep the waste flowing and not accumulate in your digestive system. The human body is naturally able to expel unwanted material on its own, but due to our bodies being exposed to chemicals and toxins – we become unable to flush. Dr. Millers Holy Tea is an herbal beverage that helps remove these toxins and waste from your digestive tract, which, in turn, reduces bowel irritation, encourages weight-loss and boosts energy levels. The formula is a special blend holy thistle, persimmon leaves, blessed thistle, malva and marshmallow leaves. The tea may also help improve the clarity of your skin. You simply consume one cup in the morning, and one cup in the evening. Good-bye bloat!

World of Water, www.worldofwater.ca

Benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage and combined decongestive therapy are specialized massage treatments used to increase the flow of fluid through the body’s lymphatic system. Lymphedema is a congestion in the lymphatic system that can be caused by allergies, tinnitus, or sprains and strains. Manual lymphatic treatments help improve mobility, reduce pain due to swelling, promote lymph flow where circulation is compromised, aid in recovery of acute injuries by reducing swelling and inducing overall relaxation of the body by decreasing pain and discomfort. Treatments focus on the affected area using compression and gentle massage-like movements to increase fluid movement.  Assessment of your specific treatment needs will determine the duration and number of appointments that will be required to be bring you the relief you deserve.

Amanda Wallis, RMT, CDT, www.sundragonstudios.ca

5 Benefits of Reiki

1. Increased Relaxation. Reiki helps promote a deep sense of relaxation, calmness, & clarity.
2. Stress Reduction. Reiki helps release stress from the body, therefore allowing you to feel more energized and boosting your mood. Reiki has been shown to support the body when dealing with stress, moodiness, depression, & fatigue.
3. Hormonal Balance. Reiki may help reduce stress response mechanisms in the body and stress hormones (cortisone), therefore assisting the body in achieving a natural state of balance.
4. Better Sleep. Reiki may help increase the “happy hormone”, serotonin, therefore helping support immune system and brain function. Reiki may also provide the benefit of better sleep cycles and better quality sleep.
5. Accelerated Healing. Reiki supports the physical, mental, & emotional body. It has been shown to support physical healing related to nearly all known ailments, as well as supporting emotional clarity and spiritual growth.

Nichole Guthrie, Reiki Master, www.nicholeguthrie.com

Benefit Your Whole Body with Strength Training

Strength training builds strong muscles! Build your total body strength so everyday activities of living become easier, whether that’s climbing the stairs, carrying groceries, or playing sports. With regular strength training, you not only gain muscle; you lose fat! The beauty of resistance training is that it boosts fat burning when you’re not exercising by increasing your resting metabolism. Strong muscles help support your joints and can prevent arthritis as well as ease joint pain. Your bones might seem inanimate but they are constantly changing. Cells called osteoclasts gobble up old bone tissue, while other cells called osteoblasts lay down new bone. Resistance exercise stresses your bones, which stimulates osteoblasts to come in and provide reinforcement with new tissue. Research tells us that self-esteem soars among those who commit to regular resistance workouts. Regular resistance training improves your health, your weight, your mood, and it gives you more energy.

Reprinted with permission Curves International 2015.

Curves Southdale, www.curves.com

The Modern Wig 

The word “wig” carries a bad rap. Times are changing and we have more appropriate words to describe these hair pieces. The future of hair can be referred to as Fashion Hair, Faux-Hair, or Hair Extensions. Hair pieces today are not like those wigs 40 years ago – there are so many more colors and styles to choose from. The hair itself is more move-able and of finer-quality. They can be shaped into different styles and customized with styling products and tools. They’re cool, comfortable and undetectable. For human hair wigs, I recommend 100% remy hair, which is of the finest-quality. I am challenging every woman to own as least one wig, and in doing that, we won’t have to wait until we lose hair, for whatever reason, to own a wig. This might also be a gesture of support for all the women who have no choice in this matter. Hair Today – Hair Tomorrow – Hair Always. Evelyn Valcourt is a Hair Consultation Specialist for over 28 Years.

Evelyn Valcourt, www.evelynswigs.com

Clean Eating: Quinoa “Breaded” Chicken Strips 

Ingredients:

Use organic products.
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips,
⅔ cup flour,
1 tsp sea salt + ¼ tsp pepper,
3 eggs + 2 Tbsp water,
2 cups cooked quinoa.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and grease a baking sheet with Coconut Oil or Butter. In a small bowl whisk flour, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl whisk eggs and water. Place quinoa in a third bowl. Dredge chicken in flour mixture, then eggs, and lastly in the quinoa being sure to coat well.  Bake for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked. Serve with your favorite healthy dipping sauces!