Community News
Natural Product Review: pureWash® Pro

pureWash® Pro is a breakthrough in home laundry purification. As it turns out, your laundry has been keeping a dirty little secret, (It’s really not that clean at all!). Detergent may leave clothes smelling clean, but it does not eliminate the mold and bacteria that builds up from sports activities, pets, and everyday living. pureWash® Pro cleans clothes with the disinfecting power of oxygen, not detergent. This same technology is used in Hospitals and Hotels. It’s clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and mold, plus it’s both safe for the environment and for family members of all ages! If you have sensitive skin, you will not get skin irritations as you do from detergent. Detergent build-up promotes mold growth and does not kill bacteria. Independent, scientific studies have proven pureWash® Pro kills 99.9% of both with cold water. The power of naturally oxygenated water eliminates dirt, bacteria, and mold better than detergent!

Kevin Shale, Low Environmental Impact Technologies, Leit.ca

3 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Immune System

It’s officially cold and flu season. Here are five simple things you can do to improve your body’s natural immunity: 1. Drink a TON of Water: Ensuring you are hydrated is an important part of keeping your immune system strong. Try to drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water each day to keep your body in tiptop shape and ready to fight cold and flu bugs. 2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep: The body regenerates and repairs itself while you sleep. Getting a proper night’s rest – between six and eight hours – is important for keeping your body’s natural defenses at optimum efficiency. 3. Take a Hot/Cold Shower: The next time you take a shower try alternating hot and cold water. Research shows the body’s immune system is stimulated when it tries to warm itself up in between the extreme temperature changes. White blood cell production is increased and endorphins are released that help you relax and relieve pain.

Brett Scott, www.disabilitytaxcredit.webs.com

Bowenwork: The Answer to TMJ/Jaw Pain

Have you ever come from a dentist appointment or cleaning and felt jaw pain that just won’t go away? Maybe you or someone you know has braces, dentures, clenches their teeth all day, or wears a night guard? Do you know that some people grind their teeth so intensely at night that they wake up with chronic migraines, headaches, or a sore jaw? Grinding teeth can also cause painful teeth, a tight face, and sore neck muscles. Bowenwork can help you STOP grinding your teeth at night, so you can get rid of that ‘attractive’ night guard. Many desperately search for a solution but have not found a natural, effective, and long-lasting option. Sound familiar? If this is you or someone you know, you should try Bowenwork to help with your TMJ/jaw pain. Bowen Therapy works, even if other therapies were unsuccessful. Don’t give up your search for natural pain relief!

Bernadette Kozak, Certified Bowenwork Practitioner, WinnipegPainRelief.ca

Pharmacists as Prescribers (Part 2)

Dermatitis is also referred to as Eczema. It is a broad term for a number of similar skin conditions. It can either be Atopic or Contact Dermatitis. Atopic Dermatitis is itchy and persisting (chronic) and is very common in young kids but may also happen to adults. Contact Dermatitis can be allergic or irritant. Contact Dermatitis starts with an itch that develops into a rash and is brought upon by an allergic reaction. Once it is decided what type of Dermatitis a person has, then suitable treatment is recommended. For better prognosis, it is important that Dermatitis be treated immediately. Delaying treatment may lead to the spread of Dermatitis and development of infection. Qualified pharmacists in Manitoba now have the authority to assess Dermatitis, recommend treatment, and follow up with patients. After detailed assessment and consideration of the risks and benefits to the patient, pharmacists have the authority to prescribe certain steroid based topical medication.

Dr Hajra H. Mirza, www.pharmachoice.com/mb/rossmere-pharmacy

Workplace Desk Ergonomics

Some of us sit at computers at work hours at a time. This position takes toll on our body, so we must do what we can to promote good posture, as well as decrease risk of injury. Start with your chair. Seat pan height allows for 90 degrees of both knee and hip flexion so feet rest comfortably on the floor. Lumbar support on the back- rest is helpful. Arm -rests should be set at a height when your shoulders are relaxed, the elbows are bent at 90 degrees and forearms rest comfortably. A cushioned wrist -rest on your desk or attached to your keyboard is beneficial. Next, look at the computer monitor. It should be positioned at a height where the centre of the screen doesn’t fall below 0-15 degrees under your horizontal line of sight. It can be angled slightly upward so it’s square to your face. Finally, the mouse or phone should only be an arm’s reach away. Try these simple steps to prevent neck or back pain!

Heath Vermette, South Sherbrook Therapy, www.southsherbrook.com

In Honour of Our Veterans – Your Brain and PTSD

Being on the defensive can be draining, as can attest any military service person that struggles with PTSD. Trained to defend our country or to help others in need and to contribute to international peace and security, military personnel can end up staying in alert mode so they can be ready for action when needed. Relaxation or meditation is next to impossible and sleep can even become an issue, making it impossible to rest. If you have experienced any kind of trauma or lived through a life-threatening event, your brain could be stuck in the “fight-flight” mode and sending your body mixed signals. A de-harmonized brain may be your core problem. Know that the use of Brainwave Optimization, a non-invasive neurotechnology that allows your brain and nervous system to relax and recalibrate, has been shown to reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms, insomnia, and depression.

Joanne Couture, RMFT RSW, laloba@lalobatraumarelease.com

What is Kirtan?

Kirtan is a means of finding our way back to the core of our being, to our heart, and to our connection with each other. It is a very simple and powerful way to meditate. It’s effortless and joyful. The music does the work for you as you flow with the melody and rhythm. It is the art of ecstatic chant. You are invited to share yourself on all levels: your joys, your sorrows, your love, and your pain. You can channel them into song; calling out to the creative energies of the Universe for support in gratitude and grievance alike. Based on ancient chants, Kitran has the ability to quiet the mind if listened to with intention. As you sing with each other, you experience a deep connection. When the music stops, your mind is quiet. All are welcome and encouraged to share their voices through this meditative spiritual practice.

Karma Yoga Winnipeg, www.karmayogawinnipeg.com

To Floss or Not to Floss?

By now, most of us have heard of the recent Associated Press (AP) article, which looked at 25 peer-reviewed studies on flossing. The article cited weak or unreliable evidence that flossing has long-term benefits (published Aug 2016). The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) continues to support flossing as an effective preventative measure to remove plaque, the main cause of gum disease. Floss is meant toclean between teeth and under the gums (areas where your toothbrush can’t reach). If you avoid interdental cleaning, you are missing as much as one third of your tooth surface! There are other tools available, such as interdental or proxabrushes and mechanical devices, such as Waterpik (or AirFloss). However traditional floss is the most cost effective option and, therefore, the one most often recommended. If you have any questions, contact your local dental office.

Dr. Sarah Keating Sangalang, www.reflectionsdentalhealth.ca

Self-Awareness Is Key

How could you ever repair a vehicle if the causes of what made it break down were invisible to you and everyone else? This statement is true for nearly everyone in all aspects of our lives (not our vehicles). We desire to improve our health, relationships, and life but we have no idea what is actually preventing us from achieving these desired improvements. “I would fix it if I knew what it was’” is a common theme for many of us. Becoming self-aware leads us to uncover and understand what are the hidden causes and factors. It also gives us the opportunity to release, move on from, and heal whatever the invisible factors have been. Self-awareness leads to answers. Answers lead to solutions. Solutions lead to living a most excellent, healthy, balanced, and productive life. Are you looking for solutions? Self-awareness is the key!

Shannon Russell, www.bodymindfreedom.net

Mindful Holiday Eating

It’s not the shortbread or chocolates that’ll get you. It’s what you THINK about the shortbread and chocolates that’ll do it every year. It’s the extreme all or nothing thinking, the good food/bad food mindset that’ll turn a couple cookies into ten. It sounds something like this: “get it while you can and lose it in January” or “I’m not gaining an ounce this year.” Mindful eating is the middle ground. Conscious eating decisions that leave you feeling better after eating, holidays or not. Less food provides more joy and satisfaction which lends itself well to savoring all the season has to offer. The basics to ask yourself this season before eating and drinking: 1. “Am I Hungry?” 2. “How Hungry Am I?” 3. “What do I REALLY want? 4. “How much will satisfy my hunger/craving while leaving me feeling peaceful? 5. “How do I want to feel in my body after I’m done eating?”

Lisa Kehler, www.offyourplatenutrition.ca

Healing with Crystals

Crystals and gemstones have amazing holistic healing abilities and can be used for many applications such as meditation, reiki, and chakra clearing and balancing. With a little practice and intuition, anyone can interpret the immediate characteristics of a stone. For example, red is the colour of action and red stones can invigorate and enliven in the same way that the blood in your body gives you life. Amethyst is a good crystal for protection against all sorts of negative energy. It expands the mind, encouraging creativity, intuition, and calm. Rose quartz is a beautiful crystal for love, compassion, tolerance, and radical self-love. Citrine is the prosperity crystal. It attracts abundance, as well as boosting your self-esteem! Hematite protects against negativity. Its mirrored surface deflects other people’s moods and bad vibes.

Sherri Versluis, www.thepreferredperch.ca