A delicious high-protein salad that’s gluten-free and perfect for summer! INGREDIENTS: 3 cups broccoli, chopped; 1/3 cup red onion, chopped; 3 slices cooked bacon, chopped; 2 tbsp sunflower seeds; 1/2 cup Greek yogurt; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; stevia to taste ~1/8 to 1/4 tsp. DIRECTIONS: Roughly chop cooked bacon and add to a bowl with the broccoli and red onion. In a blender, blend the yogurt, apple cider vinegar and stevia. Pour the mixture over the broccoli mixture. Stir to combine, and sprinkle the sunflower seeds on top. Refrigerate 30 minutes prior to serving. Enjoy!
Community News
Living With Dementia?
People living with dementia can feel isolated and unsure of where to go for support. You are not alone. The Alzheimer Society walks alongside families living with dementia from an uncertain and worrisome time of noticing the early signs of dementia and getting a diagnosis, right through to the late stages and making end of life decisions. We provide support, resources and education every step of the way. Contact us today to reach a reassuring ear by phone or get a quick response by email. Visit our website to find an office near you at Alzheimer.mb.ca.
Teachings From Nature
Trees teach us how to live our lives with resilience. When we turn to the trees as our teachers watching how they grow and transform, they can teach us how to live our lives with resilience. They remind us of the importance of being grounded and rooted, fully planted deep beneath our feet into the earth. Their roots connected with other like-minded roots and souls as a foundation to draw upon. Our trunk solid like the oak or flexible like the Willow allows us to adapt and shift to the demands of unforeseen changes around us. Resilient when storms or branches break, finding creative ways to re-emerge or work around. Their branches wide open with leaves creating a canopy of growth, shelter a pathway of expansion to receive. Then they shed, release and begin a new cycle once again.
Acupuncture for Allergies
Acupuncture has gained recognition as a natural remedy for various medical issues, including allergies. The practice targets specific meridians associated with immunity, such as the lungs, colon, stomach, and spleen, to help restore defensive qi and reduce swelling, watery eyes, runny nose, and other allergy symptoms. Acupuncture may also impact the activities of cells and inhibit an overactive immune system, leading to decreased inflammation in conditions like hay fever. Some individuals seek acupuncture as an alternative to conventional allergy treatments, while others combine it with medications for enhanced effectiveness. Acupuncture may be used alone or in combination with other treatments, but it’s important to see a licensed acupuncturist for safe and effective care.
Preventing Lyme Disease
There are several kinds of ticks crawling around Manitoba, including the Deer Tick which is responsible for transmitting Lyme Disease. Avoiding tick bites is the best way to prevent this. Here’s how you can keep yourself bite-free when spending time outdoors: 1) Wear closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, and pants. 2) Walk on pathways, staying clear of heavily wooded areas. 3) Use bug spray with DEET or picaridin. 4) After being outside, check yourself, children, gear, and pets for ticks, bathe, and put all clothes worn outdoors into a dryer for 10-20 minutes. If you find an embedded tick, gently remove it using tweezers by pulling close to the skin, avoiding squeezing the tick.
End the Self-Sabotage
Did you know your unconscious mind could be keeping you from having what you truly want in your life, and could even be sabotaging your best efforts? Most of us don’t realize that we make commitments to ourselves other than the ones we’re consciously aware of. These unconscious commitments fuel your thoughts and behaviours, and create your reality. They are what creates the gap between what you say you want and what you are actually experiencing. For example, when you were young, you experienced a difficult situation and didn’t know how to process it. You made a decision (consciously or unconsciously) to make it mean something about you or the world around you. This formed a belief as a coping mechanism and your mind believed it was necessary for survival. Maybe it’s “I’ll stay quiet so I won’t seem stupid” or “Good girls do what they’re told”. Even though these beliefs and decisions are old, they have stuck with you, been reinforced over time and prevent you from having the things you truly desire. Ready to expose and erase those unconscious commitments and choose new ones? This is the powerful work we do in the Shine True programs.
Lesley Steppler RHN, BSW, RSW | Shine True Wellness
Sound Healing for Better Sleep
Sound healing uses sound and vibration to promote healing and balance in the body, and one of its many benefits is improved sleep. It helps improve sleep by: 1) Relaxing the body – releases pain-relieving chemicals and reduces muscle tension. 2) Reducing stress and anxiety – reduces sympathetic nervous system activity. 3) Calming the mind – promotes peaceful and restful sleep. 4) Improving sleep quality – waking feeling more refreshed and having less difficulty falling asleep. 5) Creating a peaceful environment – helps improve mood. 6) Regulating the circadian rhythm (your internal biological clock) – can help avoid insomnia and improve the sleep/wake cycle.
Physical Activity for Depression & Anxiety
Physical activity should be considered as a first-line treatment for depression and anxiety, according to a scientific review that analysed more than 95 scientific reviews involving 128,000 participants. The study found that physical activity was more effective than counselling or medication in some cases, and provided positive impacts across all studies. Shorter exercise interventions of 12 weeks or less were found to be the most effective in reducing mental health symptoms. The research highlights the need for exercise to be prioritised as a mainstay approach for managing depression and anxiety, particularly as it can make a positive change to mental health quickly. Study found in The British Journal of Sports Medicine – https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2023/03/02/bjsports-2022-106195
Considering Getting Dentures?
It’s never too early to start thinking about your dental health and whether dentures are right for you. While most people who require dentures are between the ages of 55 and 64, younger individuals may require partial dentures if they have lost their teeth. If you are experiencing loose teeth, difficulty eating certain foods, or swollen gums, dentures may be a helpful solution. However, it’s important to have a good foundation before starting with dentures, so it’s best to have gum disease treated before beginning treatment. Contact Fast Dentures to discuss your needs and review your options.
Improve Your Focus & Concentration Naturally
Very often the brain and nervous system become fatigued and overloaded. Much like a computer receiving too much data all at once, the brain can become overwhelmed, slow down, or even crash. This can result in an inability to focus, brain fog, memory loss, ADD/ADHS-like symptoms, a “wired” feeling, or the inability to cope with daily life. Alternative approaches such as Biofeedback testing and treatment are highly effective in improving focus and concentration. It detects imbalances, or weaknesses, in the stress-handling areas of the body, and in turn, stimulates the affected areas to help the mind and body better function in times of overload, overwhelm, and fatigue.
Over 65? Assess Your Risk
Bone mineral density (BMD) testing is crucial in assessing the risk of developing osteoporosis or fractures. Women and men over 65 and those with risk factors for fracture should get a BMD test. Combining BMD tests with clinical risk factors can determine fracture risk and inform treatment decisions. Protect your ability to live your best life with Echolight™, the new ultrasound bone density measurement scanner that takes 15 minutes to do. First time in Manitoba. You have the option of either having the scan in our office or in the comfort of your home since we have a portable one. Echolight™ is radiation-free, safe, accurate as well as Health Canada and FDA approved.
