Community News
The Magic Bean Sprout

Did you know that Mung Bean Sprouts contain EVERY vitamin known to man? These delicious home-grown sprouts are packed so full of nutrients that they can actually be considered natural supplements. Kids love watching them grow, and even more, they love the fresh garden taste. Mung beans produce an edible sprout that’s crisp and nutty tasting. These sprouts are substantial enough to stand-up to stir-frying, but they’re often used raw in salads and on sandwiches. Because of their high nutrient density, mung bean sprouts are useful in defending against several chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. While mung beans may be new to some people in Canada, they’ve been a part of traditional Ayurvedic diets in India for thousands of years. Mung beans are considered one of the most cherished foods in the ancient Indian practice. Don’t just take our word for it – try sprouting today!

Rick, www.scoopandsave.com

Save Smarter – RRSP vs TFSA 

RRSPs (Registered Retirement Savings Plans) and TFSAs (Tax-Free Savings Accounts) have a lot in common. You can hold a variety of investments in either one, including savings accounts, GICs, mutual funds and stocks. Both avoid taxation of investment income in the year it’s earned and they both have limits on how much you’re allowed to save. When it comes to the RRSP, every dollar you save in a year earns you a tax deduction for the same amount. When the money comes out of an RRSP, barring any special government programs, you will include the amount withdrawn in your taxable income for the year. A TFSA works opposite to an RRSP in these regards. You don’t get an immediate tax deduction for saving inside a TFSA but you don’t have to pay any taxes when you withdraw the money. So which is better? It truly depends on you and your unique situation. This is where your investment advisor can help determine the best course of action to keep your tax bill as low as possible.

Thomas Johnson, www.cascadefinancialgroup.com

Natural Wholy Detox Tea

Are you feeling bloated, constipated or just run down? Did you know that there could be toxic matter stuck in your intestinal wall and colon causing numerous health conditions? Wholy tea can help regulate your bowel movements to keep the waste flowing and not accumulate in your digestive system. The human body is naturally able to expel unwanted material on its own, but due to our bodies being exposed to chemicals and toxins – we become unable to flush. Dr. Millers Holy Tea is an herbal beverage that helps remove these toxins and waste from your digestive tract, which, in turn, reduces bowel irritation, encourages weight-loss and boosts energy levels. The formula is a special blend holy thistle, persimmon leaves, blessed thistle, malva and marshmallow leaves. The tea may also help improve the clarity of your skin. You simply consume one cup in the morning, and one cup in the evening. Good-bye bloat!

World of Water, www.worldofwater.ca

Benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage and combined decongestive therapy are specialized massage treatments used to increase the flow of fluid through the body’s lymphatic system. Lymphedema is a congestion in the lymphatic system that can be caused by allergies, tinnitus, or sprains and strains. Manual lymphatic treatments help improve mobility, reduce pain due to swelling, promote lymph flow where circulation is compromised, aid in recovery of acute injuries by reducing swelling and inducing overall relaxation of the body by decreasing pain and discomfort. Treatments focus on the affected area using compression and gentle massage-like movements to increase fluid movement.  Assessment of your specific treatment needs will determine the duration and number of appointments that will be required to be bring you the relief you deserve.

Amanda Wallis, RMT, CDT, www.sundragonstudios.ca

5 Benefits of Reiki

1. Increased Relaxation. Reiki helps promote a deep sense of relaxation, calmness, & clarity.
2. Stress Reduction. Reiki helps release stress from the body, therefore allowing you to feel more energized and boosting your mood. Reiki has been shown to support the body when dealing with stress, moodiness, depression, & fatigue.
3. Hormonal Balance. Reiki may help reduce stress response mechanisms in the body and stress hormones (cortisone), therefore assisting the body in achieving a natural state of balance.
4. Better Sleep. Reiki may help increase the “happy hormone”, serotonin, therefore helping support immune system and brain function. Reiki may also provide the benefit of better sleep cycles and better quality sleep.
5. Accelerated Healing. Reiki supports the physical, mental, & emotional body. It has been shown to support physical healing related to nearly all known ailments, as well as supporting emotional clarity and spiritual growth.

Nichole Guthrie, Reiki Master, www.nicholeguthrie.com

Clean Eating: Quinoa “Breaded” Chicken Strips 

Ingredients:

Use organic products.
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips,
⅔ cup flour,
1 tsp sea salt + ¼ tsp pepper,
3 eggs + 2 Tbsp water,
2 cups cooked quinoa.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and grease a baking sheet with Coconut Oil or Butter. In a small bowl whisk flour, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl whisk eggs and water. Place quinoa in a third bowl. Dredge chicken in flour mixture, then eggs, and lastly in the quinoa being sure to coat well.  Bake for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked. Serve with your favorite healthy dipping sauces!

Acupuncture for My Pet?

The goal of acupuncture is to promote the body to heal itself. From a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) perspective, veterinary acupuncture encourages healing by correcting energy imbalances in the body. Acupuncture enhances blood circulation, oxygenation, nervous system stimulation, and the release of anti-inflammatory and pain relieving hormones. Acupuncture also aids in the removal of metabolic wastes and toxins. Unlike prescription and over-the-counter pain medications, veterinary acupuncture lacks potential adverse side effects for your pet’s internal organs. Your pet’s medications or supplements will not adversely interact with veterinary acupuncture treatment; therefore it can safely be used in conjunction with traditional health care.

Best West Pet Foods, www.bestwest.ca

Book Club: The Lucky Years 

How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Health. Bestselling author David Agus unveils the new world of medicine, one in which we can take control of our health like never before and doctors can fine-tune strategies and weapons to prevent illness. In this bestseller, he builds on that theme by showing why this is the luckiest time yet to be alive, giving you the keys to the new kingdom of wellness.

David Agus, www.davidagus.com

Cardio Screens Lifeline to Health 

February is Heart and Stroke Awareness Month. Remarkable progress has been made tackling cardiovascular disease in Canada over the past 60 years with death rates declining by more than 75 per cent. This has largely been due to research advances in surgical procedures, drug therapies and prevention efforts. Yet despite our progress, heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death here in Canada. An estimated 1.6 million Canadians are living with heart disease or the effects of a stroke. In 2011, more than 66,000 Canadians died from heart disease or stroke. That’s one person every 7 minutes. In that year, almost 14,000 Canadians died as the result of a heart attack. By adopting a healthier lifestyle, you can delay the onset of heart disease or stroke by as much as 14 years! Cardiovascular screening is a reliable way to know your possible risk factors for a heart attack or stroke. Get your screening done today!

Rick Drury, www.scoopandsave.com

What is Your Mouth Telling You?

The state of your mouth can offer valuable insights into your dental, oral and overall health.  Any bleeding when you brush your gums is a sign that you should see your dentist.  Unhealthy gums can affect your overall health.  Atherosclerosis, clogging of the arteries, has a strong link to gum disease.  Pain on biting might mean a cracked tooth.  Sugar sensitivity usually indicates a cavity.  Tenderness to cold might just need a change of toothpaste.  Tenderness to hot is likely to be more serious.  The pulp of your tooth can become inflamed for many reasons.  The only way to find out, for sure, what’s going on is to see your dentist.  Bad breath can be caused by poor oral hygiene.  A good electric toothbrush, flossing and scraping your tongue all help.  Throat infections also cause bad breath.  Don’t assume that problems will resolve by themselves.  See a dentist at least once a year. Remember: “You don’t have to floss all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep!” Dr.

George Cadigan, www.exclusvielydentures.ca

Budget Your Medication 

With Pharmacare deductibles once again beginning in April, we know that the cost of prescriptions is often difficult to manage for patients. Everyone should have access to good care and safe medication use. There are customized budget plans that are available. This allows you to remain on your medications and manage the expense throughout the year. Along with the budget, visiting pharmacists will visit you or your loved ones in the comfort of your own home on a regular basis. They will help you manage multiple or complex medications and collaborate with other members of your health care team to ensure your health needs are met. This gives you and your family peace of mind with the knowledge that this aspect of your life is taken care of and contributes to a positive quality of life. Better Health and Wellness can be achieved through medication management.

Care At Home Pharmacy, www.careathomepharmacy.ca