Community News
Eye Healthy Recipe

Easy Green Smoothie. This refreshing smoothie is hydrating and filled with vitamins for your eyes, such as – vitamin K, lutein, zeaxanthin, carotenoids. A handful of spinach. 1½ cups frozen pineapple chunks. 1½ cups frozen peach chunks. 1 banana. 1 can light coconut milk (400 ml). 1 tsp. of ground flax and hemp seeds. Add ingredients to blender. Add fresh spinach, fruit, and coconut milk into a blender. Blend & Enjoy!

Laughter is the Best Medicine

I asked a supermarket employee where they kept the canned peaches. He said, “I’ll see,” & walked away. I asked another & he also said, “I’ll see,” & walked away. In the end, I gave up & found them myself in Aisle C.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

I asked a supermarket employee where they kept the canned peaches. He said, “I’ll see,” & walked away. I asked another & he also said, “I’ll see,” & walked away. In the end, I gave up & found them myself in Aisle C.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

I asked a supermarket employee where they kept the canned peaches. He said, “I’ll see,” & walked away. I asked another & he also said, “I’ll see,” & walked away. In the end, I gave up & found them myself in Aisle C.

Words To Live By

“If life was always predictable there would be no room for new adventures and surprises. Be open to all possibilities today, knowing that no matter what road life presents to you, it has always got your back.” – Keith Macpherson

Wellness Book Club

The Complete IBS Health and Diet Guide: Includes Nutrition Information, Meal Plans and Over 100 Recipes for Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Dr. Maitreyi Raman MD MSc FRCPC, Angela Sirounis BSc RD, Jennifer Shrubsole BSc RD. This comprehensive book provides all the current information on the disorder’s possible underlying causes as well as its symptoms, clinical features and effective treatments and therapies, including both complementary and non-drug therapies.

Clean Eating Recipe

Healthy Detox Salad. Roast 3 cups cubed butternut squash with 1 tbsp olive oil, ¼ tsp turmeric, ¼ tsp cumin, salt, and pepper at 425°F (220°C) for 25 minutes, stirring halfway. Whisk ¼ cup grapeseed oil, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp maple syrup, and 1 minced shallot for dressing. Toss 1 bunch kale, 1 pint Brussels sprouts, roasted squash, and 1 oz. toasted pumpkin seeds. Drizzle with dressing, mix, then fold in 1 diced avocado.

Deep Breathing for IBS

Even just 5-10 minutes of deep breathing per day can help you cope with stress. Taking a moment to focus on your breathing can help keep your mind from wandering to external stressful events or internal emotions. There are hundreds of breath practices that can positively impact the vagus nerve and its function. Belly breathing, alternate nostril breathing and breath watching practices are three popular breathing practices that can be readily learned through a beginner class for yoga, or even online through meditation and breathing applications. The LyfeMD application (www.lyfemd.com) is one such application that is available to use at no cost if you have IBS and live in Canada. Concentrating on your breathing and listening to your body helps you focus on doing something positive for your well-being.

Stress and Your Nervous System

Humans cannot withstand being in a long-term state of emergency. When we encounter a stressful “event”, we have an expected physiological response (heart rate increases, pupils dilate, blood shuttles to our extremities and away from our organs), and after a few hours, we should return to a more balanced state. Research shows blood flow increases in our “hindbrain” away from our “forebrain,” meaning we become more emotional vs. rational. Ask Dr. Narotam how stress manifests in your nervous system and how she can reduce muscle tension and pain in the shoulders/neck, while balancing the nervous system and enhancing your overall well-being.