January 2021

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Health

The power of your immune system

The immune system strives to protect us from infections and to stop tumours in their tracks. Its job, simply put, is to keep us alive. You can look at the immune system as a gift from nature. It works hard to fend off all types of insults to our system. But it’s a two-way deal. If we want all the benefits of a high-functioning immune system, we need to look after it so it can look after us. To help our immune system, we need to eat right and exercise smart. We also need to identify and ignore some myths. Our bodies need fuel and our immune system is no different. IRON deficiency is the most common deficiency in the world. More than 20% of the world’s population has an iron deficiency—and women are more likely to be affected than men, according to Statistics Canada. Iron deficiency leads to less cell-mediated immunity,

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David Whittaker January 27, 2021
Mind

The western shift in spirituality

In the past few decades, many Westerners have moved away from traditional religion. How did we get here, and where are we going? Whatever happened a few weeks ago now seems dated. Lately, it feels as if we are travelling at warp speed, witnessing a world of chaos and angst at every turn. Pondering that thought, I floated down the rabbit hole and began to conjure up memories of my childhood — how church and all the activities associated with it furnished such a solid grounding for my otherwise chaotic home life. Religion, doctrine, and community all provided a solid sanctuary for me. Until it didn’t. There was no one reason or particular motive that disconnected me, but, as I reflect, it clearly was a series of conscious and unconscious happenings, personally and culturally, that created the slow drift away. The last time I went to church was a couple

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Lynda Casey January 25, 2021
Health

Pain meds and gut health

Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts take Ibuprofen and similar medications to help them exercise in the face of aches, pains and minor injuries. A note of caution: This practice can be harmful to your digestive health. Having played sports my entire life, I have taken my fair share of Ibuprofen for the usual aches and pains, at least until several years ago when my naturopathic doctor suggested that it might be causing my eczema and digestive problems. Developed in the 1960s, Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain and inflammation. She called my condition “leaky gut,” where some material from the gut (the gastrointestinal tract) leaks out into the bloodstream rather than being digested normally. A leaky gut, I learned, increases a person’s susceptibility to infections and autoimmune diseases such as eczema, and is related to atherosclerosis, chronic heart failure, allergies, autism and inflammatory-induced metabolic diseases

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Dr. Mandy Wintink January 20, 2021
Mind

How to reduce worrying

If you are stressed out, you are not alone. Studies show that more than 75% of people feel anxious, depressed, stressed or overwhelmed on a daily basis. Stressful situations happen all the time. For most, these situations are unavoidable, like losing a loved one, getting in a car accident or preparing for a job interview. Stress is a part of life. From the moment we wake up until we go to bed, our minds are racing with stressful thoughts, worries and concerns. “What if this happens? What if that happens? What will I do?” But it is not the situations that happen in our lives that cause us stress, it is how we mentally and emotionally respond. While some stress in our lives can be valuable—the fight or flight response is ideal if we need to outrun a bear or swerve last minute to avoid an accident—excessive, chronic and pro- longed

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Michelle Armstrong January 18, 2021
Health

The power of omega oils!

Your guide to the various types of omegas and how they can contribute to overall health. We’re sure you’ve heard about the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, but most are unaware of the other omega fats that play various roles in improving overall health. Dieticians know there are several omegas found in foods and supplements, but it’s important to know exactly what they are, what role they play in the body, how they contribute to health, and what foods contain them. ABOUT OMEGA-3 Omega-3 fatty acids make up a vital part of the human cell membrane. They have also been linked to everything from improved heart health, mental health, and bone health to decreasing liver fat, and inflammation in the body. They’ve even been touted in the slow-down of dementia. Omega-3 is referred to as an “essential” compound, meaning the human body cannot create it on its own and

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Tom Mason January 16, 2021
Longevity

Tap into your sexual fantasies

Talking about and playing out fantasies (even in small doses) can keep sex exciting in long-term relationships. If you have difficulty tapping into your seduction fantasies, look for other sources of inspiration. Ask you lover(s) and friends to share their stories and fantasies. Read erotic fiction or think about some of the ways you’ve responded to sex and seduction scenes you’ve read about in books or seen on screen. You may also want to consider if your beliefs or the feelings you associate with sex (e.g., shame) are stymieing your fantasies.  Ditch the guilt You need not feel guilty about your sexual fantasies—what- ever they entail. Even if your fantasies fall outside the boundaries of your real-life relationships, they can improve the quality of your sex life and deepen connection. Not only do your fantasies help you to learn more about yourself (and your partner, if you share and discuss),

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Dr. Jessica O'Reilly January 13, 2021
Silhouettes of two people on a beach drinking cocktails and watching the sunsetting
Longevity

Creating order in the disorder of life

Harnessing the drive and discipline needed to achieve our goals.  In continuing our journey through the social and personal code of ethics from Yoga philosophy known as the Yamas and Niyamas, we arrive at Tapas.  The literal translation of Tapas is heat. Our understanding of it as a practice is the drive or fire that takes us through. Commonly compared to discipline, it is the push we need to complete the tasks that maybe we don’t want to do.  We use Tapas to build out routines and habits in order to achieve our goals or dreams. The idea around Tapas is that it keeps us focused on our path or journey. We set our goal and then this is the driving force to get us there. Remember the translation to heat, so it is more than just setting up a routine, it is also the desire; the inner fire and

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Lisa Greenbaum January 11, 2021
Korean vegetable stir fry featuring chopsticks
Healthy Recipes

Korean Sweet Potato Noodles

This sweet dish is sure to travel your family’s tastebuds to Korea! Travel may be limited right now but we can still experience it’s flavours through the foods we bring to the table. INGREDIENTS 2 zucchinis, ribbons or julienned 2 carrots, julienned 1 large yellow onion, sliced 1 package of cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced 1⁄4 cup of chopped green onions 1 package of sweet potato starch noodles 3 Tbsp of soya sauce 1⁄4 cup of vegetable broth 2 Tbsp of sesame oil For Serving (optional): Chopped romaine Sliced avocado Chopped cucumber Kimchi Sesame Seeds DIRECTIONS Heat a large pot of water for the sweet potato noodles and follow instructions on the package. In a wok or large frying pan, heat the vegetable broth until it’s bubbling. Add sliced onions and cook until translucent. Add the carrots and mushrooms and cook for another 2 minutes, then toss in zucchini ribbons and

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Max Brennan January 10, 2021
Gr
Longevity

The balance of wealth and values

Money buys a lot – but not happiness or a balanced life. It doesn’t change people, it reveals them. I met a lovely young couple years ago who won a pile in the lottery. His dream was to buy a touring motorcycle and play lots of golf; her dream was to holiday in the Caribbean and have their kids swim with dolphins. Driving home on the new bike, the mirror fell off and they returned to the dealership, joy interrupted by this annoyance. When it came to golf, he invited his three best buddies to play some nice courses they’d all only talked about before the win. A few rounds in, his appreciative buddies acknowledged that they couldn’t play anymore for a while because they had to get back to work. The 35-year-old lottery winner conceded that more rounds for him meant playing with a new group, retirees, good guys

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David Swanson January 8, 2021
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