What To Do After “I’m Sorry, it’s Cancer.” An Exceptional Guidebook for Navigating Your Way to Health and Happiness. Two-time survivor Wanda St. Hilaire provides easy-to-read information that you will not get at your local cancer centre. Learn how best to navigate your cancer journey and make empowered, informed decisions. St. Hilaire’s mission is to greatly reduce suffering and ensure you maintain a high quality of life through, and well beyond, cancer. You’ll discover how to uncover imbalances for healing and you’ll create a unique and personalized wellness plan that will help you on toward health and happiness. ImSorryItsCancer.com
Community News
Does Your Pet Need Dental Care?
It’s not surprising that many of us don’t think too much about periodontal disease in our pets…at least not until something starts to look…or smell…bad! Often, there are no obvious signs, but just as with humans, our pets’ overall well-being is very dependent on the state of their teeth and gums. Infections, gingivitis, and broken teeth all can have very adverse effects on their systemic health, as well as being just as painful to them as it is for us. Your veterinarian can help with tutorials on dental home care and prevention. Treatment may include diet, oral rinses, brushing, and of course, professional cleaning done by your veterinary team.
Is Your Toothpaste Toxic?
Did you know that your mouth is one of the most absorbent places in your entire body? While you’re brushing the ingredients in your toothpaste enter your mouth and gums, which are the gateway to every system in your body. This is why you need to be very careful when choosing toothpaste. Many brands contain questionable ingredients that you’re far better off avoiding. Modere’s toothpaste received the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) gold standard verification. • Sugar free • Fluoride-free • Water-soluble abrasives clean without damaging tooth enamel • Supports healthy looking teeth and gums • Our non-toxic formula means it is safe for the whole family • Natural peppermint oil freshens breath. Lisa Tustin, Modere, LiveClean.Market
Stressed about Stress?
Stress is often thought of as something that happens to us. However, stress is a response to an event and therefore mostly within our control. A major study found that when people view unpleasant physical sensations, like a racing heart and nervousness, as helpful instead of harmful, the risk of heart disease, stroke, and early death diminishes greatly. How can we change our mind about stress? By intentionally subjecting ourselves to a healthy stressor. Fifteen minutes of intense exercise releases endorphins – our body’s natural pain killers and stress fighters – which helps us associate a positive feeling with stress-inducing events. Sean Miller, CMHA MB and Winnipeg, mbwpg.cmha.ca
The Feeling of Calm
A recent client who experienced Brainwave Optimization for the first time discovered what it was like to feel calm. Years of abuse had left her always cautious and afraid of not being able to manage the overwhelming feelings that come indiscriminately because of the PTSD. “It seems as though I’ve come further in these last two weeks of brain balancing than I have in all my years of therapy. I actually feel calm. It is such a foreign feeling to me.” And all that, just by sitting back, relaxing, and listening to her own brain balancing itself. Joanne Couture, RMFT, RSW, La Loba, LaLobaTraumaRelease.com
Improve Digestion with Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are a trendy little superfood that can do amazing things for your digestion. They have a special type of soluble fibre called mucilage and act as a prebiotic to feed the good bacteria in your gut, as well as improve your digestive transit time (how often you go). Introduce fibre into your diet slowly to avoid any adverse reactions.
Chia Seed Pudding Recipe:
• 2 cups kefir
• 1/8 cup + 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
• 1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• Combine and let set over night.
Ally Potrebka, RHN, RYT, Health and Happiness, HealthAndHappiness.ca
Treatment-Based Massage Therapy
Although massage therapy is an art form and each massage therapist has a different style, the intent of treating someone with a specific pain should be to find its source.
When you see a therapist for a specific pain, you shouldn’t expect a massage for the entire appointment. The therapist should start with tests to rule out conditions that might be more serious or need to be referred to someone else. Then there should be some assessments to determine where the pain is coming from: misaligned joints, reduced range of motions, fatigued muscles, or referred pain. After that, the best part, massage!
Finally, the therapist should discuss with you how often you should be back, based on your individual needs. Crossroads Rehabilitative Massage, CRMassageBrandon.ca
Orthopaedic Manual Therapy
Orthopaedic manual therapy is a branch of physiotherapy or physical therapy that is used in the management of nerves, muscles, and bones of the body (i.e., neuro-musculoskeletal conditions). It uses specific treatment approaches such as manual or manipulative techniques and therapeutic exercises. Scientific and clinical evidence and detailed physical examination of patients are used to arrive at a diagnosis and to develop a management plan to restore and improve the movement and function of these individuals. Orthopaedic manual therapists, in addition to their physiotherapy/physical therapy degree, also have extensive post-graduate education and training in this specific area.
Paula Moreira, B.Sc., BMR.PT., MCISc., FCAMPT, Physio 4 U, Physio4U.net
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Injuries to the rotator cuff (muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder) are often related to overuse, especially in activities that take place above head height. Occasionally, these can be related to specific trauma. Injuries can be as simple as a strain to the muscle(s) and tendon(s), while in more extreme injuries, the tendon(s) may become partially or completely torn. The prevalence of rotator cuff disease increases with age, with four percent occurring in individuals 40 years of age and older. Fifty-four percent of rotator cuff injuries affecting those 60 years and older are usually more severe, resulting in partial or complete tendon tears. Symptoms of a rotator cuff strain or tear may include pain and swelling in the front or side of the shoulder, pain when raising or lowering the arm, pain when reaching back (putting on a jacket). Treatment involves avoiding activities that cause pain, and gentle stretching exercises as prescribed by your physiotherapist. Doug Treloar (BMR, PT, Acupuncture Certified) PhysioFirstClinic.ca
Thai Curry Carrot and Pumpkin Soup
• 2 cups carrots, peeled and diced • 1-1/2 cups cubed pumpkin • 1 can coconut milk • 4 cups chicken stock • 1 Tbsp. green Thai curry paste • 2 cloves garlic • 1 Tbsp. freshly grated ginger • 1/2 tsp. each, salt and pepper • 1/4 tsp. cumin • 1/4 cup shredded coconut • madras curry powder. 1. Cook carrots and pumpkin without browning over medium heat for 10 mins. 2. Add spices, curry, and ginger. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken stock, coconut milk, and coconut. 3. Cook on medium heat for 35 minutes. Blend with blender. Enjoy! Lisa Kehler, OffYourPlateNutrition.ca
Book Club
Adventures for Your Soul: 21 Ways to Transform Your Habits and Reach Your Full Potential by Shannon Kaiser. Sometimes, the one thing you need to make a change is to see things from a fresh perspective. Discover 21 innovative explorations to boldly confront the habits that are holding you back. Shannon Kaiser’s program utilizes an empowering process that encourages you to go on adventures for your soul, so you can:
• Achieve your goals
• Remove limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging patterns
• Feel freedom from fear and live with purpose and passion
• Be unapologetic about your innermost desires
• Make happiness your natural way of life
