Community News
Serrapeptase, the Little Miracle Enzyme!

Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme, which means it breaks down long protein chains into amino acids that the body needs. These enzymes bind to the alpha 2 macroglobulin in our plasma where it is shielded from the immune system while retaining its enzymatic activity. They are then free to roam through the blood stream seeking to break down hard protein (non-living tissue), fibrin surfaces, scar tissue, granuloma, and even thin out mucous to ease conditions such as chronic sinusitis. It’s been proven to be a safe and effective alternative to NSAIDs (NonSteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen) and should be taken on an empty stomach. The capsule must be a special DRcap (Delayed Release capsule) or enteric coated capsule that allows the Serrapeptase to pass through the stomach to the small intestine where the enzyme is then released.

Enerex Botanicals Ltd., Enerex.ca

Book Club: The Brain Diet

A nutritional plan for raising smarter children; improving your mental and physical well-being; and improving your odds against depression, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, migraine headaches, ADHD, and more, as you age.

Clean Eating: Chicken Taco Avocados

Filling:

1 c. black beans, cooked
1 c. corn
1 c. shredded chicken
1 c. shredded cheddar, plus more for topping
1 package taco seasoning
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, plus more for topping
3 ripe avocados.

Dressing:

1 c. ranch dressing
1/4 c. lime juice
1 tbsp. fresh cilantro
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. black pepper.

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir and combine filling ingredients. Halve and separate avocados, removing pit and hollowing out insides. Mash insides in a small bowl and set aside. Place avocados face up and fill each with 1/3 cup of filling. Sprinkle with more cheddar, then broil until melted. In a medium bowl, combine dressing ingredients. Fold in mashed avocados and mix until smooth. Remove from oven and transfer to serving dish. Drizzle with dressing and garnish with more cilantro, if desired.

Adapted from Delish.com

Why an Organic Mattress?

Many bed manufacturers add fire-retardant chemicals and dustmite deterrents that are toxic to humans. There is also the issue of off-gassing of polyurethane memory foam mattresses, which involves the mattress releasing volatile organic compounds into the air, affecting the quality of the air you breathe every night, which may pose health risks. In the past, you didn’t have to bother with organic beds because they were already organic; we, however, have built a society where most beds are not, and thereby pose health risks for ourselves. Up to a third or more of your life could be spent in bed! One of the most important factors in staying healthy is the quality of the environments in which we spend significant amounts of time, and so ensuring that your bed provides deep and restful sleep without detracting from your overall health is of paramount importance.

Aviva Natural Health Solutions, AvivaHealth.com

Black Seed Oil

Black seed (Nigella sativa) is the new preferred therapeutic oil prized for its immune-boosting and antibacterial benefits to reduce respiratory, viral, and digestive ailments. This oil has been used medicinally in Middle Eastern cultures for millennia. Anecdotally, it’s been said to “cure everything except for death!” And the research is starting to back that up. Studies show that this versatile oil can regulate the immune system, benefit blood sugar, and has anti-cancer activity (Butt et al, 2010). Even though it’s known for its medicinal power, it can be used in cooking and food preparation. Look for a coldpressed black seed oil and for a synergistic blend, use oregano oil and black seed oil together. Look for a combination with vitamins A and D added to give your immune system the best tools to beat the bugs!

Cassie Irwin, Enerex.ca

Summer: Caring for #1

Summer is in full swing! It’s a time to relax, have fun, enjoy life, and take care of you. Sounds great, right? Except…maybe you have difficulty doing this because you are feeling exhausted, stressed, or overwhelmed. Maybe you feel selfish taking the time to make your happiness a priority. Self-care is healthy. Self-care is necessary. Taking good care of you provides a good role model for others. Having fun and enjoying yourself is infectious and when you are happy, the people around you are more relaxed and happy too. Counselling provides an opportunity to talk about concerns and can help you learn better self-care in times of stress or difficulty. Isn’t it time for you to relax, have fun, and enjoy life?

Tracy Sparham, BSW, RSW, Sparham Counselling Services, SheaTreeWellness.com

Plan a Stress-Free Vacation

Planning your holiday is meant to be fun and exciting. The lure of the convenience of the internet can quickly turn to confusion, indecisiveness, and anxiety. Travel agents are here to save you time and don’t cost a penny. Think of a travel agent as your tour guide, who will lead you to the perfect vacation. No matter how much you prepare, sometimes unexpected things happen while you are on vacation. When you book with a travel agent, they are with you every step of the way to ensure a stressfree, enjoyable time, which is what a holiday is meant to be.

Holly Sproule, SouthBeachTravel.ca

Trouble Focusing at School?

Is your child having trouble focusing? Before labeling him or her with a learning problem, consider that over two-thirds of our brain is based on sensing or input, and one-third on execution. If we have trouble focusing or concentrating, it is simply because the pathways between the sensory and execution network areas are not clear. After Brainwave Optimization (BWO), where brainwaves are balanced and harmonized, children achieve, laugh, and enjoy life more completely and engage in a healthier social life. Frequently, BWO providers see kids labeled as “disabled” become top performers in their school. Our surveys demonstrate that more than 85 percent of all children who experience BWO meet or exceed their goals. Here’s what one father shared after his son’s experience with BWO: “He doesn’t stutter as much and he is not panicking when it comes to exams. He is really doing well!”

Joanne Couture, LaLobaTraumaRelease.com

Ayurvedic Recommendations for Summer

According to Ayurveda, summer is pitta season. The most striking characteristics of summer – the intense heat, the long days of bright sun, and the transformative nature of the season – are directly in line with pitta, which is fiery and intense. Your primary focus through the summer months should be to keep pitta dosha balanced by staying cool, reducing the intensity with relaxation, and grounding your energy. During the summer, our bodies naturally crave light foods and small meals that are easy to digest. Sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes pacify pitta. Iced drinks are best avoided, as they disturb the digestive fire and create toxins in the body. Try to avoid extremely spicy foods. Keep in mind that raw vegetables (as in salads) will be better digested if they are eaten at lunch, rather than at dinner. Cultivate a cool and calm internal environment this summer by following these Ayurvedic recommendations.

Purnima Chaudhari, AyuRevive Ayurveda, AyureviveAyurveda.com

Benefits of Ganban-Yoku Treatment

Our regular Ganban-yoku session is done on beautiful stone beds. Clients can choose their own comfortably heated bed from three different types. The session involves lying on the bed for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Once the body is heated, clients step out to the lounge for some water to hydrate and cool down for a few minutes. From there, the steps are repeated until the session time is up. The treatment will gently warm the entire body from the core, burning about 200 to 300 calories, while increasing metabolism and blood circulation. The session will leave the body feeling like you just went jogging instead of lying down. The stones release far infrared rays naturally and can reduce joint pain, as the heat will penetrate deep into the muscle tissues. Heat can also reach deep into the intestines to improve the digestive system, leading to detoxification.

Pocca Poca Spa, PoccaPocaSpa.com

Let Stress Melt Away

Perhaps the most well-known effect of floatation is the reduction in stress from pre- to post-float. But don’t just take our word for it. A 2005 meta-analysis (Dierendonck, 2005) confirmed these findings by studying the effects of floatation REST across 27 studies, with a total of 449 participants. The analysis showed that the impact floatation REST had on physiology, well-being, and performance was significant, and in some cases, it was even more effective than other popular stress management techniques. It also found that healthy people who floated regularly experienced greater benefits the longer they kept up the practice. Float on…

Brad, Float.Calm, FloatCalm.com