Laughter does so much good for us but sometimes we realize we haven’t laughed in a long while. One way you can ensure your laughter quotient is topped up is through Laughter Yoga. Developed in India in 1995 by Dr. Madan and Mudhuri Kataria (a physician and a yoga teacher), Laughter Yoga quickly spread all over the world! What exactly is Laughter Yoga? It’s a unique exercise routine combining unconditional laughter with yogic breathing. Laughter Yoga teaches how to connect with our inner spirit of joy, allowing us to laugh anywhere, any time and for no reason at all! Laughter releases stress and increases endorphins! It’s clinically proven to reduce physical pain and boost the immune system. Laughter stimulates both hemispheres of the brain. It increases productivity and concentration. It’s also a fun cardio workout. Laughter helps us connect with feelings of joy and positivity.

Shari Dunnet, Light Body Healing Works

www.lightbodyhealingworks.com

Thanks to the combined efforts of our community, everyone is looking forward to the opening! The exceptional services and supports for loved ones and their families will continue to be essential components of care. Without the compassionate caring of volunteers and the generosity of donors in the community we would never have been able to reach this important milestone. Admissions for residential hospice will primarily come from people in our community who, for whatever reason, are unable to be supported at home. Supporting people whether at home, in hospital or in residential hospice care will continue to be the foundation of our work. The investment of time and energy in the development of the clinical program and identifying the volunteer support roles needed for this residential hospice care is ongoing and we know that volunteer supports are essential for hospice palliative care to be exceptional. Thank you for all your support.

www.comoxhospice.com

Ingredients:

3/4 cups fresh kale
3/4 cup fresh spinach
1 cup coconut water, unsweetened
1 medium orange, peeled
1 cup pineapple
1 medium banana
1/4 cup goji berries
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tbsp hemp seeds
1 date

Directions:

Blend kale and liquid until smooth.
Add remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth.
Enjoy!

*Use some frozen fruit to make smoothie cold.

www.veganrawfoodrestaurant.com

Did you know that liquid nutrition like smoothies and juices are the fastest way to get your post-workout snack into your system? It is incredibly important to eat after a workout, to rebuild muscle and restore the body’s natural levels of electrolytes. Within fifteen minutes of your workout is ideal, and within the first hour is essential. What you’re looking for in post-workout food is protein, carbs, and healthy fats, as well as potassium. Potassium is an important electrolyte that helps the body restore its fluid levels. Orange juice and bananas are good sources of potassium. Bananas are also high in the “good” kinds of carbs you need after a workout. Pineapples contain bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory that’s been proven to heal bruises, sprains, and swelling. They’re also high in vitamin C, a key component in repairing tissue. Dark leafy greens are high in protein, as well as essential vitamins and minerals.

www.veganrawfoodrestaurant.com

Among the many breakthroughs in natural health, nutrition to support and increase our bodies own stem cells is monumental. Our stem cell levels decrease each year as we age, decline starts at around age 30, reducing our ability to heal and repair. Young people have a large number of stem cells so they recover from injuries more rapidly. Now there is a dietary supplement formulated with natural nutrients by a Stem Cell Scientist. It provides nourishment to the bone marrow, enabling it to produce more stem cells, increasing their numbers by up to 100% over a significant period of time, as shown in two human clinical studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals. It has been used successfully since 2007 by people wanting to achieve and maintain a higher level of stem cells for health or repair.

Corinne Roby
www.rbclife.com/me/rcorinne

If you find yourself stressed out or anxious, try this quick exercise to help bring you peace and relaxation. The technique is simple.   Inhale for a 4 count, hold your breath for a 7 count, and exhale for an 8 count. Repeat this for a total of 4 breaths. Ideally, sit comfortably with your back straight. Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, just behind your top front teeth. Inhale through your nose and exhale thru your mouth with pursed lips, making a whooshing noise. The length of each step is not important, however the ratio of 4-7-8 is important. This technique is effective because it acts as a natural neutralizer for the nervous system, gaining more effectiveness the more it is practiced. This breath works great for children as well as adults.

*Adapted from Dr. Andrew Weil.

Kaley Williams
www.wholewellness.ca

With so many products out there on the market today, it’s important to know that you are getting what you pay for. You want to look for Aloe Vera which is organically grown, cold processed and hand filleted and the activity level of the gel is certified to be in the highest percentile required to provide your body with all the nutrients it needs to heal itself. When the Aloe Vera is hand filleted, it removes the aloin, which kills cellular reproduction, this cannot be accomplished when using the whole leaf and processing it through rollers. For thousands of years people have been using inner leaf Aloe Vera externally for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Aloe Vera contains high concentrations of saccharides and taken from the fresh Aloe Vera plant, saccharides are a potent building block in the body’s immune system defence. What could Aloe Vera do for you?

Maureen Glowasky
www.maureenglowasky.promastore.ca

Injury to tendons and ligaments are a common cause of lameness in dogs. Damage to ligaments and tendons are also very painful as they contain the highest receptors for pain next to the outer lining of the bone called the periosteum. The damage can also cause loose joints and their body tries to compensate by forming calcifications in these areas leading to arthritis/osteo-arthritis. When ligaments are completely ruptured, surgery may be the best option. However for a partial tear of the ligament as in the cranial cruciate ligament, an option may be Prolotherapy. This procedure involves injection of sterile solutions into tendons or ligaments or joints which has the following effects: It increases collagen formation, it triggers the release of growth factors, it causes local stem cells to proliferate and differentiate into the cells necessary for healing.

Phoenix Rising Veterinary Care
www.PhoenixRisingVet.com

Many of us suffer from stress and anxiety in these demanding, multi-tasking, changing times. We often experience pressure coming from many sources, and may feel overwhelmed and really just “stressed out”! This can place a heavy burden on our body, mind and spirit – and really take a toll on our quality of life. It can strain our relationships and make every aspect of life feel more challenging. It can also affect our ability to focus, to find our balance and joy in living. There are many natural remedies out there that can help including relaxing herbs, B vitamins, yoga, and keeping a healthy lifestyle including eating well and getting enough rest and exercise. Clearing your energy field can be extremely effective in reducing stress and eliminating anxiety. Bio-Energy Healing is a safe, natural way to achieve this. It’s remarkably effective for treating stress and anxiety, 100% natural and long lasting.

Light Body Healing Works
www.lightbodyhealingworks.com