Holistic Nutrition is an integrated look at health that incorporates the whole person – body, mind and spirit. It explores how diet, supplements, lifestyle choices, the health of our minds and spirituality all contribute to, or prevent, many diseases and poor health conditions. Holistic nutrition strives to find a balance amongst them, using evidence-based science and taking into consideration the health of the individual, society and the health of the planet. Natural nutrients have properties that are best described by these words: “live, natural, good quality”. These simple words can serve as a guide to everyone wishing to improve their health.

Research supports the statement that ‘people who own dogs live longer’, and pet owners have some great advantages in balancing daily living. Your dog gets your day started with a much-needed walk, and possibly a couple more throughout the day. You are loved unconditionally by your furry friend. You take time to groom, train, talk to, and play with your dog – social interaction that can offset hours spent on the computer and phone. A dog can change your life, add to your life, give you a life, and extend your life! Not a bad thing to consider.

Music has nonverbal, creative, structural, and emotional qualities. These are used in the therapeutic relationship between client and music therapist to facilitate contact, self-expression, communication, and other clinical goals. Our bodies pulsing with internal rhythms of the heart, the digestive system, and the lungs synchronize to music with its intrinsically rhythmical structure. For people living with autism, ADHD, mood disorders, effects of TBI, stroke, or trauma, the skillful use of music and its elements such as melody, rhythm, and dynamics promotes positive change. Most significantly, it influences the important and necessary shift in physiological and emotional responses away from dysregulation towards regulation and balance.

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery. How many goals have we set and then realized we’ve not reached because there was no follow-through on our part? Planning goes hand in hand with goal setting. If you aspire to retire early, then your money management needs to be very intentional. You need to put a savings plan into place and eliminate any spending that will not aid you in reaching your goal. Smaller goals, such as vacation travel plans, still need to involve planning and saving, and then, of course, enjoying.

April is truly spring. Our senses peak to the scent of flowers, vivid colours, and sounds of birds. This is a perfect time to multiply the effects everywhere within our body, especially with exercise and nutrition. You feel like walking and running outdoors and just the look of fresh spring vegetables will have them home and on your plate before you know it. It is so important to glorify the positives around and within you. Breathe it in and hold it in your memories for future use. People sometimes say, “Nothing makes me happy.” Spring is your chance to discover natural happiness; start your inventory of happy this month.

Is your child feeling overwhelmed or frustrated about keeping up at school? Is he or she struggling with lack of focus or motivation? What if learning can be fun? Imagine your child learning multiplication tables while doing physical exercises. Boredom and fatigue slip away. It’s not long before your child lights up and realizes he is finally grasping and recalling math or new concepts in science. Confidence begins to grow. Movements that cross the midline of the body fire up the brain. Brain gym exercises release stress and flood the body with endorphins, which also help with depression or anxiety. Simply put, when the body moves, the mind moves.