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Professionals can help! If you have a mental health concern, deciding to take that first step toward reaching out to a professional can seem daunting and scary. However taking that first step can open the door to feeling better. Who do you go to if you have a mental health concern? Your doctor can be a great professional to turn to. They may even refer you to other professionals to ensure you get the care you need. There are many different types of professionals that can help us. For example, counsellors can help you work on relationship issues, past life events and many other topics. Financial planners can help you save money or reduce debt. Reaching out to a professional doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you, it means you’ve recognized a need for change and want someone to help you through it.

Canadian Mental Health Association, www.cmha.ca

Does Matcha Contain Caffeine?

Yes, Matcha does contain caffeine. The caffeine in Matcha is alkalizing rather than acidic. The caffeine is released into the bloodstream slowly. The time of the release varies, but it is not nearly as harsh as the caffeine rush inherent in coffee and energy drinks. This gradual and consistent release provides the body with just the right amount of caffeine over a longer period of time rather than dumping a huge amount of caffeine into the body all at once. Matcha still yields an immediate boost, but not the extreme rush. The lift is far more appropriate to your energy demand, and can be easily regulated based on that demand. Once again, a blast of too much caffeine results in an acidic state that can harm the stomach lining and arteries over time, taxing the organs and disrupting the body’s overall functionality. By contrast, Matcha’s caffeine has an alkalizing effect, resulting in a much gentler influence on the stomach.

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

The Social Nervous System

The Social Nervous System is something that we all know about intuitively, to a greater or lesser degree. When someone makes eye contact with you and gives you a warm smile, your Social Nervous Systems are being engaged. You might feel pleasant sensations in your face and your body, and a whole-body experience of expanding and relaxing. You smile back, the pleasant sensations and expansion increase, and you notice that the other person is mirroring your own relaxation and joy. People have been using their Social Nervous Systems for as long as people have been on the planet. But it has only been in the last 10-15 years that science has identified the importance of a certain group of nerves hat help us feel acknowledged, loved, contacted, met, bonded, secure. Given the complexity and precarious position of the modern world, getting people to genuinely reach out and touch their neighbors is what we really need.

Laurie Pryce, Biodynamic Body
www.biodynamicbody.ca

Tapping Into Your Brain’s Potential

Our dynamic and brilliant brains are continually forming new connections between our brain cells; creating and strengthening vast networks that carry the electrical and chemical information responsible for everything we do mentally, physically, and emotionally. This wonderful process of neuroplasticity, however, is a double-edged sword: the brain also creates and maintains the networks that support our less-than-desirable modes of being. The good news, though, is that we can consciously take control of this process by consistently choosing what we focus on, how we behave, how we think, and how we manage our emotions. It starts of course with us and our conscious awareness and intention; but there are also some amazing tools and technologies, such as neurofeedback, that can help guide and speed up this process of healing and change!

Dr. Chris Hammer, PhD, Valentus Clinics
www.valentusclinics.com

Benefits of Cassiolamine

This multi-flavonoid compound helps in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and in the reduction of high blood pressure. Cassiolamine helps to maintain healthy blood vessels by reducing the adhesion (stickiness) of blood platelets, which promotes healthy blood flow. This important ingredient also serves as an anti-oxidant, which helps to maintain a healthy heart and improved immune system. What this natural legume based extract is mostly known for is its powerful lipase-inhibiting features, which results in the prevention of fat absorption and an effective carbohydrate blocker.

Brett & Andrea Griffin, Valentus Canada
www.weightlosscoffeehub.com

Crooked Head, Crooked Posture

Have you ever wondered what “sets” your balance and posture? Your mind needs to take in information from the environment to know what’s going on around you, and the body uses your senses as a way to take in information. Your eyes play a major role in balance and posture as they give you feedback on direction and where the horizon is. Your inner ear has special canals that detect movement which is a major contributor to balance and posture. What your feet feel on the ground is very important. Also, information from your muscles brings in a lot of data related to position. The most important muscles for this are located along the spine and particularly in the upper neck. To correct those postural issues we need to get the head positioned straight.

Dr. Matthew Kittleson, UC Life
www.uclife.ca

What is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is a condition of the eye, where one loses their ability to focus on nearby objects. It is an age-related problem that typically begins in early 40’s where the crystalline lens within the eye gradually loses the ability to flex, which makes the eye unable to focus light on to the retina. Early signs of Presbyopia include holding objects further away in order to see them, eye fatigue, and headaches. Eyeglasses are the most common way of treating Presbyopia, but they’re not the only option! Today there are many manufacturers of multifocal contacts, which give us the ability to see near and far, that are comfortable enough to help cope with dry eyes. Laser corrective surgery is another great option, where a procedure called Laser Blended Vision is used to achieve vision in all areas and not just distance. To find out which options are right for you, talk to your optometrist.

Dr. Nicholas Catchuk
www.iris.ca

Struggling to Get Pregnant?

Not getting pregnant when you are ready to become a parent can be discouraging, frustrating, and very upsetting. Infertility or suspected infertility is often a terrible shock, bringing lots of self-doubt. You may wonder, “What does this mean for me?”, “what did I do wrong?”, or “where do we go from here?” Wanting a baby when your body isn’t cooperating can be confusing and distressing. Counselling can help you figure out a path forward. Counsellors are trained to provide warm and non-judgemental support, whether you want to acknowledge feelings of loss and anger, reduce your stress and anxiety, develop a strategy to move ahead, or help you maintain your relationship. In counselling, you can explore your feelings safely, learn to avoid shame and blame, learn decision-making tools, and decide who to tell (and how!). Find your calm resilience.

Mary Munro, MA, RCC
www.marymunro.ca

Immediate Dentures

When complete extractions of your remaining teeth become unavoidable, an immediate denture is a solution. This process will help you avoid the embarrassment of being without teeth. Your denturist will initiate the procedure before the teeth are extracted. An impression is made of your existing teeth prior to the extraction surgery and is as working models for the construction of your new dentures. From your models the denturist is able to copy and construct a denture, duplicating your original teeth with improvements to your appearance, if you so wish. At your extraction appointment, your immediate dentures are inserted avoiding the embarrassment of having no teeth during your healing period. The new dentures will however have to be relined after the healing process and this is not included in the price of the immediate dentures. Your denturist will advise you of the procedure that best meets your specific needs.

Kent Roberts RD
www.burnsidedentureclinic.com

How to Choose a Safe Sunscreen

Summer at last! Days get longer and temps get hotter! While we all love the sun, it’s time to be mindful of the damage it could do. When choosing a sunscreen, go for the “broad spectrum” protection. Sunscreens with this label protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against harmful rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. For example, a bottle labeled SPF 85 has no better protection than a bottle of SPF 50. Always be wary of dangerous ingredients in your sunscreen. These include parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, and sodium laurel sulphates. Retinyl palminate, a form of vitamin A, has been linked to skin tumours and lesions on sun-exposed skin. Also, use creams not sprays or powders, as creams offer more sun protection without the nanoparticles.

Clean Eating: Vanilla Chia Breakfast Pudding

Ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or raw honey
Seasonal fruit for topping, Almonds or other nuts for topping.

Directions:
Combine almond milk, chia seeds, vanilla and sweetener in a bowl. Mix well until combined and the mixture begins to thicken. Store covered in the refrigerator overnight or for at least an hour (the longer the better)! Stir well before serving and add a bit of water to the pudding if it becomes too thick. Top with fresh fruit and nuts of your choice. (Yields 2 servings)