Community News
Natural Health Spotlight

As women living longer, healthier lives, our faces often tell our life story before we are ready. However much we may want to turn back the hands of time, many of us want an alternative to painful, invasive procedures, possible scarring and injecting foreign substances into our skin. Fortunately, there in an effective non-surgical option that is not just pain free, but a soothing treatment that helps you feel so relaxed that you may just drift into sleep. Introducing Finer Face®, which uses advanced microcurrent technology. The current conducts a subtle vibration to the outer layer of the skin that stimulates and activates the fine muscles of the face. Like a “workout” for the face, an on-going series of Finer Face® treatments will tone and lift the muscles – reducing fine lines and giving you a more youthful look.

Jen McCarthy
www.newerawellness.ca

Carbon Neutral Landscaping

Traditional landscapers in Canada use gasoline-powered lawn mowers, trimmers and blowers, contributing to a whopping 5% of Canada’s annual air pollution! Until now, no one in Canada has addressed these concerns until Clean Air Yard Care was developed as Canada’s first Zero Emission Yard Care service, all powered from renewable energy. We use the sun’s energy to convert to electricity on our specially designed trailers, to power all of our battery and electric lawn and yard care tools. Using all of this innovative equipment means that we don’t require any external power source, don’t produce any harmful emissions, our equipment is quieter and we don’t spill any gasoline or oil. In fact at Clean Air Yard Care we are so earth friendly; we offset any emissions we create each year and are now also proud to become Canada’s first carbon neutral landscaper.

Richard Larkin
www.cleanairyardcare.ca

Home Wellness

Seeking health and wellness often takes us OUT of the house … to the Health Food Store, a Naturopath or Massage Therapist and so on. But how many of us take the time to look inside our HOMES to make sure we are addressing the basics of health? The air and water can be very toxic. We battle chemicals and electromagnetic fields that hamper our sleep and wellbeing.   A Wellness Home embodies natural light, clean air, rejuvenating sleep, and clean and healthy water.  And this is just the start. I invite you to also examine how your home feels. Is it easy and functional to live in or is it cluttered and busy?  Do you find it hard to keep it organized? Does it allow you space to move and grow? Do you LOVE everything in your home?   Is it beautiful to you or do you just make do?Awareness is the beginning.

ChaCha Chapin
www.chachachapin.com   

What is Matcha? 

Matcha is a Japanese green tea that has been shade-grown, de-veined, de-stemmed and slowly stone ground into a very fine powder. Matcha isn’t steeped, it’s “eaten.” Matcha drinkers benefit from a higher concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibre than are found in any other tea, making matcha one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. To match the potency of antioxidants found in a single serving of matcha, you would need to drink at least 10 cups of brewed green tea. Traditional matcha is also very simple to make. Pour ½ cup of hot water over ½ teaspoon of sifted powder, froth it (with a traditional bamboo whisk or an electric milk frother), and enjoy! With zero sugar and virtually zero calories, matcha is the ultimate “zenergy” drink.

Tiffanie and Kip Home, Just Matcha Tea Shop
www.justmatcha.com

Oil for Acne?

Turn to nature and cold-pressed, organic oils for glowing, healthy, clear skin. Soaps, alcohols, foaming products and strong astringents stress your skin, making it more vulnerable to skin problems, including acne. Consider adding oil to your regime to heal and balance the skin. Here’s how: Instead of soapy cleansers use an organic cold-pressed olive or jojoba oil to unplug sebum in the pores and reduce blackheads. Rinse with warm water, apply a thin layer of oil to the face and allow it to sit for a minute or two. (Adding essential oils like Tea tree or Lavender to the oil will act as powerful anti-bacterials.) Using a clean, hot washcloth, wipe the oil off your skin. Before bed, consider applying a thin layer of coconut oil (drying, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial), or a super healing oil like Tamanu oil to cleansed, warm skin. Wash off in the morning.

Karen Van Dyck
www.naturesfirstbeautybar.com

Finding Migraine Causes

If you or someone you know suffers from migraine headaches, you know how big of an impact they can have. Changes in weather, certain foods, loud noises, bright lights or even sudden movements can trigger them. Sometimes they come out of nowhere.Yes, these are common triggers, but most of the time these triggers are not the actual cause of the migraine. In fact, there is usually an underlying structural issue at the head and neck that causes tension and pressure to build up in and around the brain. The Doctors at UC Life focus specifically on locating and correcting these structural issues, allowing the body to release the tension and pressure that cause migraine headaches. If you or someone you know is suffering from migraine headaches, it’s time to contact UC Life for a complimentary consultation to see if they can help.

Dr. Matthew Kittleson
www.uclife.ca

Book Club: Autism – Beyond Despair

Autism, Beyond Despair, CEASE Therapy, Homeopathy has the Answers, by Dr. Tinus Smits MD.

A riveting read for anyone with an interest in autism and other developmental and behavioral disorders. Through the ingenious use of homeopathy Dr. Smits was able to clearly identify the many causes of autism and to treat them systematically and logically. This book is a profound message of hope for anyone involved with autism.

Dr. Anke Zimmermann, ND
www.drzimmermann.org

Good Financial Health

When is the last time you considered your own financial health? There are many dimensions to financial health, including the amount of savings you have, how much you’re setting away for retirement, and how much of your income you are spending on fixed or non-discretionary expenses. Each person’s situation is different, for this reason, it is worthwhile spending some time in developing your own financial plan to ensure that you’re on track to reach both your short-term and long-term goals. People often fail to recognize the power of interest; For example, putting away $10.22 per month from the time you are 16 years old, with compounding interest, would result in $100,000 upon retirement. However, purchasing everyday items on credit and just paying the minimum balance each month may mean that you reach retirement carrying $100,000 in debt. Shedding unnecessary debt now with our help can steer you toward future financial health.

Colleen Craig
www.cecraig.com

Visit your Denturist 

Many people are not aware that they should visit their denturist office every two to three years. By not doing so, their overall oral health may be jeopardized, making their denture wearing ability and comfort harder to achieve. The need for regular visits is due to changes occurring in both the bone structure and soft tissues of your mouth over time. Usually a simple reline or rebase can refit the denture to the gums causing a more comfortable and tighter fit. However between the five to eight year mark, the actual denture teeth may be worn down enough to cause damage to your Tempo mandibular Joint from over closing. This over closing can also lead to cracking of the corners of the lips, aging of the face, or even headaches. Denturists are your Denture specialists and are trained to spot these problems and correct them.

Kent Roberts
www.burnsidedentureclinic.com

Sleeping, Snoring, Always Tired?

Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and benefits your heart, weight, mind, and more. The cost of poor sleep is much greater than many people think; it can have profound consequences for our long-term health. People who consistently fail to get enough sleep are at an increased risk of chronic disease.  One potential cause of inadequate sleep is Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Multiple arousals each night are a result of the closing of their airway when asleep. This causes decreased oxygen levels and increased blood pressure. Over time, this leads to the chronic elevation of blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Fortunately, when sleep apnea is treated, sleep quality improves, blood pressure may decrease and so do the associated risks. Testing for Sleep apnea is done in the comfort of your own home.

Shelley McCulloch, RRT
www.medprorespiratory.com/obstructive-sleep-apnea-treatment/sleep-disordered-breathing

Doula Support Spotlight

Doula Nancy Murphy offers prenatal, birth and postpartum support to pregnant women and their partners/families from Victoria to Duncan, both in a home birth and hospital setting, with midwives and physicians. Having a doula on hand to coach you through your pregnancy and birth adds an extra level of support throughout your entire pregnancy journey and offers great peace of mind. As a graduate of the Pacific Rim College Holistic Doula Practitioner program in Victoria, Nancy utilizes integrative holistic approaches such as Thai massage, yoga, acupressure, and herbal medicine, with her clients. Also a visual artist in Victoria, Nancy embraces the beauty of pregnancy by sculpting belly casts as a beautiful keepsake for expectant mothers, with each cast being finished with art designs chosen with her clients. Another fun service that Nancy provides is belly henna – which is perfect for baby showers and other celebrations.

Nancy Murphy
www.theartofbirthdoula.com