You will need: 2 peeled and frozen bananas, 2 T almond or peanut butter, 2 T almond or coconut milk. Optional add ins: nuts, chocolate chips, fruit, coconut, cocoa powder. Directions: In a blender, mix the bananas and the milk substitute. You may need to cut the banana into chunks depending on how powerful your blender is. Once they are partly chopped up, add in the nut butter. Continue to blend until you get a soft serve consistency. Spoon ice cream into a bowl and stir in any additional ingredients you desire. That’s it! Enjoy this healthy ice cream alternative!
Community News
Book Club: Beyond the Label
Beyond the Label offers a unique perspective on mental health: it shares the author’s own recovery from four major mental health conditions: anxiety, depression (attempted suicide), bulimia, and bipolar disorder type 1. The book outlines a detailed, step-by-step plan for how others can achieve optimal mental health. A combination of practical clinical experience and years of lived experience, the book shares insight into how diet, exercise, and sleep can be optimized for improved mental wellbeing, as well as strategies for coping with negative thoughts and emotions, and building self-love and compassion, among other skills.
Quit Smoking with Laser Therapy
Is quitting smoking on your ‘Spring Clean List’? Have you tried just about everything, with little success? Laser Therapy is clinically proven to help to control cravings and withdrawal symptoms. In clinical studies, patients report a noticeable reduction in cravings, and have a higher chance of success in quitting. The benefits of quitting smoking with laser over other interventions include no medications with unpleasant side effects, no unhealthy nicotine in your system in the form of patches, and pleasant side effects of relaxation which are a result of the endorphins released in response to the laser.
Excited For The Next Chapter of Love
Being single is often very isolating. We live in a couples’ world. It is so important to have friends and a social circle, as well as taking up hobbies where you will meet new people. There are groups designed for singles’ outings, which are enjoyable, but what about love? Tiptoeing around online dating sites is often where people start, but is not recommended. An experienced matchmaker will have your best interest at heart and safely match you with the right person. It makes sense to trust your heart to an experienced professional who will present appropriate matches as they are available. This is the smart and safe way to date in 2018!
Catching Your Breath
Because breathing is an involuntary action, we rarely pay attention to the process. But did you know that how you breathe impacts your health? Deep nasal breathing can reduce stress, help you fall asleep faster, aid toxin removal, and lower blood pressure to a greater extent than mouth breathing can.
And did you know that your nasal passage serves as a biological air filter, humidifier, and air conditioner to cool the brain? So the next time you’re catching your breath, try deep breathing through your nose and note how much better you feel while going about your day.
Are You Having Fun?
As an older adult, you know that you need to stay active for optimal mental and physical health. But are you having FUN? Fun and joy are what make us feel truly alive, engaged, and connected to others. The world becomes more vibrant and inviting when we give ourselves permission to laugh and play. Every senior deserves to pursue enjoyable pastimes that make him or her lose track of time or feel like a goofy kid at heart. Plus, many of the best activities for senior citizens cost little or no money. Explore activities that spark the kid in you!
Vipassana Meditation
Research has shown that meditation can expand the brain, and help people avert stress and disease. One way to achieve this is through Vipassana meditation, a technique that emphasizes mindfulness, with the goal of seeing things as they “really are”. An ancient meditative technique from India, Vipassana was taken up by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) just over 2,500 years ago. Vipassana meditation is an honest and direct practice: the moment-to-moment investigation of the mind-body process through calm, open, and precise awareness. This experience fosters clarity and penetrating insight into the nature of who we are, as well as increased peace in our daily lives.
What Defines Addiction?
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of the brain. It is a condition in which a person engages in use of a substance or in a behaviour for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeatedly pursue the behaviour, despite detrimental consequences. There is scientific evidence that the addictive substances and behaviours share a key neurobiological feature—they intensely activate brain pathways of reward and reinforcement, many of which involve the neurotransmitter dopamine. Studies show that there are genetic factors, making some people more susceptible to addiction. Are you or someone you love suffering from addiction and looking for help?
Get Your Greens
Spring is just around the corner, and the timing is perfect to start adding more colours into your diet. Leafy green vegetables contain many important macro and micronutrients. In 1 cup of broccoli or kale, there is actually 3 grams of protein! Try adding vegetables such as spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage to your salad. These vegetables will not only add flavour and a richer colour to your meal, but also drastically increase the amount of vitamins A, C, and K, which help with immune function and vision, decrease cholesterol, and assist in synthesis of protein and the binding of calcium for bone health.
Community Profile: Core Mental Health
At Core Mental Health Support & Education, our focus is on anxiety and depression, as these are the most common mental health issues facing Canadians today. We provide one-on-one and group peer support, as well as education programs for individuals, families, and organizations. Our mission is to support, educate, and encourage Manitobans of all ages to optimize their mental health and well-being; positively impacting employment, education, and relationships in the home and community. We ensure that all individuals who are suffering from mental health concerns will receive timely and effective support in a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate environment.
Rethink Your Drink
Just because it isn’t soda doesn’t mean it’s not packed full of sugar! These drinks aren’t as healthy as they seem: 1. Fruit Juice – If you’re trying to cut your sugar intake, try adding pieces of fruit into your water for a subtle flavour instead of drinking fruit juice. 2. Energy Drinks – An 8-ounce serving can run you more than 25 grams of sugar. If you need a boost, stick to coffee with a natural sweetener. 3. Tonic Water – Twelve ounces of tonic water adds a whopping 32 grams of sugar to your glass (that’s eight teaspoons). Try soda water instead!
