Did you know that onions can be used to cleanse airways and reduce congestion? Try a poultice of roasted onion to the chest every few hours. They can also be drunk as a warm broth. Cabbage also works well, as it has an extraordinary ability to draw out toxin. Crush the leaves with a rolling pin until the juice starts to appear. Place 3 or 4 leaves over the chest and cover with gauze. You can also drink the juice of a cabbage sweetened with a little bit of honey. Adapted from the book “The New Guide to Remedies” by Paragon Staff
Community News
6 Ways to Alkalize Your Body
Did you know that your immunity is based on how alkaline your diet is? Having an overly acidic diet eventually leads to a weakened state, and our bodies become susceptible to disease. Here are six ways to alkalize – and healthify – your body! 1. Drink plenty of water. Drink half your body weight in ounces every day to keep your body systems regulated. For an extra boost in alkalinity – add lemon! 2. Trade coffee for tea. Green tea is highly alkaline. Try jasmine, Sencha or Matcha. 3. Kick that sugar habit. Use stevia, coconut sugar or small amounts of honey in place of sugar. 4. Eat more greens. Vegetables are highly alkaline and oxygen rich. Consume fresh green vegetables often as possible. 5. Move. Exercise to create more oxygen and qi flow in the body and to avoid stagnation. 6. Reduce stress. Meditate as often as possible, practice deep breathing, do yoga, and get plenty of sleep
Treating Bell’s Palsy
Bell’s palsy is a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of your face. Damage to the facial nerve that controls muscles on one side of the face causes that side of your face to droop. The nerve damage may also affect your sense of taste and how you make tears and saliva. A special treatment protocol using micro-current was created specifically to treat Bell’s palsy and reverse its effects. The protocol involves a regular series of treatments that deliver a very low electrical current to the affected parts of the face. By recharging the electrical components of the cells, the face has the power to “lift” again, and paralyzed facial expressions “release” and regain a normal appearance. Because of the success of this protocol, it is also used a non-surgical facelift treatment. Unlike other electrical stimulating devices, the micro-current instrument delivers a healing current which is barely perceptible, and deeply relaxing. Many people fall asleep during the treatment.
Cheryl Fedeluk, CurrentExpressions.ca
Be Stress-Free with Reflexology
Stress is definitely something that we all deal with. Chronic stress affects us in so many ways and influences our healing on an emotional and physical level. For most of us, stress is caused by work situations, home situation, parenting, lack of money, car problems, loss of a loved one, or other possibilities like health issues or post-traumatic stress. Our sympathetic nervous system provides the fight-or-flight response to stress. Sympathetic nerve stimulation increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. The gastro-intestinal tract is affected, blood sugar can have fluctuations, and the adrenal glands become weakened and eventually exhausted. When you have a reflexology session, the parasympathetic nervous system is improved, and the body is brought back to a normal, relaxed functioning. When our body is relaxed and rested, this is when the healing happens.
Rositha Jeanson, Balance and Harmony, www.rositha.ca
Set Yourself up to Succeed
Every year, masses of people—maybe even you—choose a list of resolutions for the New Year. Generally, these are habits they will try to do every day or habits they will try to avoid for as long as they can. Unfortunately, many of these resolutions are gone by the wayside or forgotten by February. A major reason for this is that it’s deceivingly difficult to develop or deny ingrained habits ‘cold turkey’. Set yourself up to succeed: Set small, attainable goals, and add more steps as you complete each one. Remember to reward yourself. This way, you gradually work your way toward the life you want and the necessary changes and experiencing much more ‘success’ along the way. Short, measurable goals and smart resolutions will reduce stress and anxiety in the New Year. This, in turn, will build self-esteem helping you to have the courage for those long-term goals.
Patty Parsons, www.parsonstherapy.com
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
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.
4 Things You Should NEVER Feed Your Dog
All pet owners are aware of the dangers of chocolate. But have you heard of these ones? Suprisingly, only 30% of dog owners know these facts! Keep your pup away from the following: 1. Onions – Plants of this family, including chives and garlic, are not suitable for dogs. Eating these could cause your animal to develop anemia, weakness, rapid breathing and reddish or brown urine. 2. Grapes or Raisins – This fruit can cause severe liver damage and kidney failure. It’s been proven that even a few grapes can potentially be fatal for your pet. 3. Xylotol – Is found in gum, baked goods, and anything else that is sugar substituted. It is extremely toxic to dogs, and it can cause seizures, liver failure and possibly even death. 4. Salt – Eating salt will cause excessive thirst and urination. If they managed to eat a lot, it could cause vomiting and diarrhea, hyperthermia, depression, tremors, seizures, and death.
Lisa Tustin, Professional Pet Sitter
Caregiver Pharmacy Support
It can be difficult to be a caregiver and manage multiple or complex medications for a loved one. It is important to ensure medications are taken appropriately to help maintain good health. A visiting pharmacist provides personal support with regular medication delivery and home consultations. The pharmacist reviews a client’s prescription drugs and over the counter medications to advise if there are any drug interactions and makes adjustments as necessary. This level of support can reduce emergency room visits and hospital stays and results in strong, trusting relationships between clients, caregivers, and pharmacists. The visiting pharmacist also provides seamless care for hospital discharge patients and works closely with other health professionals to deliver a high level of care to the client. Care is tailored to specific individual needs such as assisting with blood pressure readings, adding medications as needed to adherence packaging and making changes in an efficient manner.
Care at Home Pharmacy, careathomepharmacy.ca
Boost Your Mental Health This Winter
Winter months can be difficult for those experiencing a mental health challenge or illness, especially during and following the holiday season. There are, however, a myriad of evidence-based ways to boost your physical and mental well-being. One important tool is vitamin D. Research clearly shows the benefits of this powerful vitamin for improving body and thereby brain health. Our bodies synthesize this nutrient through exposure to the sun. However, during reduced daylight months we are unable to get what we need from our solar source. Because low levels of vitamin D are associated with depression, it may be beneficial to add vitamin D through your diet, light therapy, or a supplement. If taking a supplement, choose the “D3”version and consume with a fatty meal. Be sure to speak with your doctor before starting a nutritional supplement program. If low mood persists, contact your healthcare provider or local CMHA for additional information and resources.
Sean Miller, Canadian Mental Health Association, mbwpg.cmha.ca
