In the midst of sinus season, you can help calm/drain angry sinus cavities by doing some simple sinus acupressure massage:

1. Using your thumb or index fingers, find the most sensitive area  and repeat this massage multiple times daily with medium pressure so you get that “good hurt” feeling.

2. At the base of the skull – find the tightest spot and press for 20 seconds, rocking your head chin down, chin up 3-4 inches while pressing against your thumbs or other fingertips.

3. At the side of the nostrils – press and make small circles 10 times.

4. At the sides of the nose – press and make small circles 10 times.

5. At the medial eyebrows – press and make small circles 10 times.

6. Above the middle of the eyebrows – press and make small circles 10 times.

8. At the temples – press and make small circles 10 times.

9. At the maxillary sinus which is below the eyes – press and make small circles 10 times.

Gloria Laing, www.gloriasreflexology.ca

L-Carnitine with Chromium is a blend of two nutrients that play important roles in the metabolism of fat. L-Carnitine is required for the breakdown of fats into energy, while chromium supports healthy glucose metabolism. Its main function is to help insulin carry sugar into muscle cells where it is stored as energy. A lack of chromium could cause fluctuating blood-sugar levels which trigger sugar cravings. As a carbohydrate dependent society, increasing the amount of L-Carnitine & Chromium in our diet in our formula’s proportions will assist the body’s ability to manage its carbohydrate cravings and, in turn, assist with a successful weight management protocol.

Brett & Andrea Griffin, www.myvalentus.com/Manitoba

1) From the holistic perspective, feeding yourself quality ingredients is the way to look and feel your best.

2) Talk nice to yourself. You are already a beautiful creature! When you know this from the heart, it shows on your skin. That kind of confidence cannot be bought.

3) Get to know yourself spiritually, you are part of limitless potential and you can do whatever your heart desires.

4) Believe in who you are.

5) Feed yourself with good books, music and loved ones.

6) Go into nature and take deep breaths. Sit and breathe, walk your dog and breath, ski and breath, do something to calm the mind and get oxygen into the body.

7) Take time for you.

8) Eat healthy, get exercise, and do not over do anything.

Lori Cohen, Optima Organics, www.immortellerevolution.ca

I once read that humans were the only species who could pass “light” through their hands. Reiki is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen life force flows through us. If one’s life force energy is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress and, if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that courses through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, mind and spirit, creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace. Reiki is a simple, safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that anyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with medicine to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

C.T., www.prairiewellnessretreat.com

A supportive nutritional supplement for doctor recommended diet and exercise plans that is designed for cardiovascular health. Cardioflex Q1O is a unique blend of vitamins and amino proteins taken daily as supportive natural therapy to enrich cardiovascular health, establish cholesterol balance, and reduce CRP (C-reactive protein). Strengthen the cardiovascular system. Dissolve atherosclerotic plaque. Relieve the pain of angina pectoris (chest pain). Reduce the likelihood of blood clotting, heart attack or stroke. Increase heart and other muscle strength and stamina. Reduce blood and tissue lipids (fats) and cholesterol. Reduce C-reactive protein (CRP indicates artery inflammation) as well as homocysteine levels. Increase antioxidant intake and activity to slow aging. Help natural immunity against viral, fungal, and bacterial diseases, including antibiotic-resistant strains. Reduce hypertension and improve overall circulation. Manitoba Made, Innotech Nutrition product.

Nutrition Plus, www.nutritionplus.com

Need a quick pick-me-up that’s loaded with protein, fibre, and is a little bit sweet?  Try a Chocolate Hemp Snacker.  Hemp Snackers are the innovative crunchy macaroon-like energy bar listing organic hemp seed as the #1 ingredient.  Full of protein, fibre, Omega 3’s and 6’s, inulin, antioxidants, and magnesium, they’re a snack you can feel good about eating.  Because they’re dehydrated at low temperatures rather than baked, they’re crunchy and easy for your body to digest. We chose organic Canadian maple sugar to sweeten them with, both for the unique flavour as well as the nutritional benefits. Only 150 Calories per one bar.

Natalie Dueck, www.rawnata.com

Today, heart disease and stroke take one life every 7 minutes and 90% of Canadians have at least one risk factor. Cardiovascular disease is caused by controllable and non-controllable risk factors. Controllable risk factors would include smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity. Non-controllable risk factors being age, gender and heredity. Signs and symptoms of a heart attack include squeezing chest pain, problems breathing, and pale or bluish skin. It is important to know that not everyone will experience chest pain during a heart attack. Women (and some men), people with diabetes and the elderly can experience what we call “soft signs” which can include mild, unfocused chest discomfort, tiredness, gastric discomfort and flu-like symptoms. It is strongly recommended to attend a First Aid, CPR and AED certification course to be able to properly identify and attend to emergency situations should they arise.

Yvonne Harder, www.eastmansafety.ca

1. Parabens: Widely used as low-cost synthetic preservatives. They have been linked to cancer, and having an estrogenic effect.

2. Phthalates: Very toxic ingredients that aid in skincare absorption. Classified as “probable human carcinogens” by the EPA.

3. Petrochemicals: Many household cleaning products are loaded with petrochemicals, and this is linked to the rise in cancer and other diseases.

4. Cosmetic Fragrance: Artificial fragrances are made from petroleum which can cause skin irritations.

5. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate: The second most concentrated ingredient in shampoos and soaps. Also used in car wash detergents. In sufficient amounts, SLS is capable of changing the information in your genetic makeup. Read your labels – the FDA requires that label ingredients are listed in the order of highest concentrations – meaning that the highest level of ingredients are listed first.