Boost your pre or post-workout by incorporating chlorophyll-rich greens with coconut MCT into your daily routine. Studies have shown when taken before exercising, coconut MCT may reduce lactic acid buildup and encourage the body to burn more fat instead of carbs for energy. This can be found in a greens powder formula at your health food store and added to smoothies or water. Taking it in the morning can also make you feel more energized throughout the day. Look for a greens product with coconut MCT and maca for sustained energy, plus shelf-stable probiotics included to lighten your supplement load!
Community News
Protecting Ears in Water
The prevention of water entering the ear canal, whether from swimming or showering, is an important consideration. Oto Hearing Products produces floatable swim molds, which can prevent infections or other problems before they start, such as hearing loss at a later stage. By sealing the entrance to the ear canal, waterproof earplugs keep water out of the sensitive region inside the ear canal. Swim molds are ideal for water sports, recreational swimming, daily showering, and individuals who suffer from chronic ear infections. They are manufactured from a soft, 100% floatable silicone, which is comfortable to wear and provides a tight seal to make sure no water enters the ear.
What’s Fueling Your Health?
Ayurveda, an ancient medicine system from India, uses the terms Agni and Ama to describe two concepts that relate to our ability to digest food. Agni refers to our digestive fire; our ability to eat food and receive its highest benefit in the form of nutrients that fuel our bodies. We suppress our digestive fire by forgetting to eat, eating on the run, overeating, and eating foods that are too heavy, dry, or difficult to digest. When our digestive fire is suppressed, it causes Ama, the accumulation of undigested materials. This creates stickiness, heaviness, and dullness in our bodies and minds, further preventing optimal digestion and leading to symptoms.
Elder Abuse is Real!
One of the most underreported crimes in Canada is elder abuse. As of 2016 over 700,000 reports of abuse were recorded. Some abuse is invisible like neglect, psychological abuse and abuse of finances. The people most vulnerable are those who live in social isolation or suffer serious health conditions. And when it comes to physical abuse, data from statistics Canada shows 60% of senior domestic violence victims are female. Warning signs for elder abuse include: Anxiety or fearfulness about someone the elderly individual should trust. Dehydration, poor nutrition, or poor hygiene. Speak to your loved ones about elder abuse and learn more about the resources available to help victims in your community.
Blue Light & Your Health
In today’s world, thanks to the high presence of screens in our lives, we are exposed to an increased level of blue light. Harmful blue light can affect your sleep, behavior and overall eye health. 1 in 4 Children spend 3 or more hours per day using digital devices and about 30% of adults spend more than 9 hours a day exposed to blue light. Protect yourself and your loved ones by: 1) Reducing your screen brightness and limit time spent with digital devices. 2) Following the 20/20 rule; Every 20 minutes look at something 20ft away for 20 seconds, and 3) Wear blue light filter lenses.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Waking up with numbness and tingling in your hands and fingers? You may have carpal tunnel syndrome – a condition that occurs when the median nerve is compressed or pinched as it travels through the carpal tunnel of the wrist. This is caused by swelling of the tendons running adjacent to the nerve, often caused by repetitive hand use. Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome may involve activity changes – particularly with the hands, nighttime splinting to reduce pressure off the nerve, or surgical intervention. Talk to your doctor or healthcare practitioner to see what’s right for you!
Words to Live By
“The mind is like a parachute – it works only when it is open.”
-Unknown
Clean Eating: Age-Defying Antioxidant Smoothie
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh strawberries and mango. 1 kiwi fruit. 1 handful baby spinach, lightly steamed.
1 cup of almond milk. 1/4 of an avocado. 1 Tbsp. almond butter. 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup. Add spinach, kiwi fruit, 1/2 cup of almond milk, 1/4 avocado, and 1 Tbsp. maple syrup to blender. Process and pour into a glass. Rinse blender and then add chopped strawberries & mango, 1/2 cup of almond milk, almond butter, and 1 Tbsp. maple syrup to blender. Process and pour into second half of glass to make a delicious bi-coloured smoothie. Enerex.ca
The Little Miracle Enzyme!
Proven to be a safe and effective natural alternative to NSAIDs (drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen), Serrapeptase breaks down long protein chains into amino acids that the body needs. It helps to reduce pain and swelling associated with osteoarthritis, joint pain, carpel tunnel syndrome, and post-operative swelling. It even thins out mucous which in turn eases chronic sinusitis. Serrapeptase should be a delayed release or enteric-coated capsule taken on an empty stomach. This allows the Serrapeptase to pass through the stomach to the small intestine, where the enzyme is then released.
Spring Into Love
Spring is a season of clichés — birds singing, bees buzzing and people falling madly in love. The love sickness can be blamed on one very real thing. Dopamine! Dopamine is a naturally occurring chemical your brain uses to make you want things. There are other systems involved in love, but when it comes to new love, dopamine is the main culprit. The newness of spring provides an ideal context for starting a new relationship. The changing weather and sunshine energize us — especially after hibernating all winter. We’ve survived winter and now it’s time to start your search for love with the help of an experienced matchmaker.
Take a Load Off
Maintaining workplace mental health is vitally important. Stats show that most people spend the majority of their waking hours at work. Using break times is one effective way to improve overall mental health and boost productivity! Oftentimes, busy schedules and looming deadlines prevent us from taking breaks when we need them most. A short time away, doing something we enjoy, helps to reduce stress and emotional exhaustion, while providing a fresh focus and the necessary energy to accomplish tasks. Stretching, walking, listening to music, and reading or watching something funny are all ways to help lighten the load.
