Without a regular supply of high quality bioavailable amino acids, the body must break down its own tissues, such as muscle, to sustain vital functions. Those with existing health conditions, or those subject to high loads of physical and/or mental stress, are at risk for this break down process to occur. Amino acids are the basic building blocks for every part of the human body. They help the body to transport and store nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Amino acids are also fundamental components of hormones and neurotransmitters, which are main contributors to mental and physical health.
Community News
Book Club: Silly Cat Goes to the Zoo
Summer Kids Book Review – In this chilling Silly Cat adventure, Aubrey and Emi go with Boots and Aunty Pat to the Calgary Zoo. Poor Boots decides he wants to be a penguin and, of course, ends up in trouble. Luckily, his people friends are able to save the day – with a little unexpected help that arrives in the nick of time. Silly Cat Goes to the Zoo is the first of a series of Silly Cat Adventures featuring Boots and Aunty Pat.
Wilderness Edge for Your Wellness Needs
Imagine taking a break from it all and focusing on how you feel, both physically and mentally. Letting go of the stresses, chaos, and noise of day-to-day life. Getting away and focusing on your personal wellness is important, and Wilderness Edge Retreat and Conference Centre offers an easy and affordable way to do just that.
Connecting with Nature
Located just one hour from Winnipeg in beautiful Pinawa, Manitoba inside Whiteshell Provincial Park, Wilderness Edge hosts a variety of retreats for people of all ages and specializes in hosting groups. Being located in a provincial park means that the centre is surrounded by nature. The sights, sounds, and smells of the great outdoors are waiting for you just outside Wilderness Edge’s doors.
Surrounding the centre are wetlands, forests, nature trails, and a local sandy beach. Experiencing the calming effects of immersing yourself in nature can help you feel more grounded and at peace. Observing local wildlife such as deer and a variety of species of birds can make you feel more connected to the natural world around you, also helping to calm your mind.
Moving Your Body
These natural spaces are also a great place to participate in physical activity, which is critical to improving your overall wellbeing. Hiking, biking, kayaking, rafting, tubing, and canoeing, are just some of the great activities that await you at Wilderness Edge. For winter guests, we offer ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. You can choose to take advantage of expert-guided activities, or do some exploring on your own.
Other activities available include golfing at a nearby golf course, horse riding at a nearby ranch, beach volleyball, tetherball, horseshoes, pool, ping-pong, and tennis at the nearby courts.
Finding Inner Peace
Those who are seeking a more relaxed wellness retreat will be happy to know that Wilderness Edge can accommodate those experiences as well. The centre offers a 13-person outdoor hot tub that overlooks Winnipeg River, a newly renovated 10-person sauna, and three firepits in the courtyard that also overlook Winnipeg River.
Solitude and serenity can be found at Wilderness Edge, and for those who are focusing on their spiritual and/or mental wellness, the centre offers a place to recharge, disconnect from the outside world, and channel your energy inward. If you would prefer not to leave your room during your stay, arrangements can be made to have your meals delivered to you, ensuring you have minimal outside distractions.
Reuniting with Loved Ones
Socializing and connecting to those closest to you also contributes to your overall wellness. The daily stresses and fast pace of life can sometimes get in the way of truly communicating with and enjoying the presence of your close friends and family members. Sharing stories, laughing, crying, and supporting one another are things we don’t always have the time, or the energy, to do.
Wilderness Edge offers a perfect opportunity to focus on your relationships, whether with a spouse or significant other, your immediate family, your extended family, or a group of close friends. Unplugging from the demands of daily life and learning more about one another is an important step in building stronger relationships.
You can participate in team-building activities like kayaking or team sports, which allow you to learn how to work together and solve problems, while also having fun. Or you can take a walk in the woods and find a renewed sense of adventure that will give you shared memories for years to come. Sometimes, just relaxing together, whether around a firepit or in a hot tub enjoying the view, can be a meaningful experience, allowing a peaceful opportunity for deeper conversations.
Exploring Your Creativity
Getting in touch with your creative side can be a great stress reducer and mood booster. Wilderness Edge offers a variety of creative activities, including painting on canvas, rock painting, cake decorating, flower arranging, clay sculpting, and making wind chimes. These classes offer guided instruction, as well as all of the materials needed to create your masterpiece.
If you prefer a less structured approach to finding your inner creativity, why not bring some art supplies with you and spend time during your retreat creating whatever you’d like? With plenty of inspiration in the form of plants, animals, trees, and water, drawing, painting, and photography should be a breeze. Or get a group together to work on a fun craft project.
Eating for Health
Another important aspect of wellness is eating right, and Wilderness Edge offers tasty, nutritious meals for all of our guests. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a night snack are all offered during your stay. A variety of foods are provided, all made fresh and served buffet-style so you can try a bit of everything. Our chefs are able to accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions, provided these are mentioned ahead of time.
One reason many of us tend to overeat or not eat properly is because we’re so pressed for time or stressed that we turn to food as a source of comfort or see it as something that “has” to be taken care of. By getting away from our usual stressors, we have the opportunity to truly enjoy food and consider what we’re putting into our bodies. Wilderness Edge provides the time and space for you to remember how good healthy eating can actually make you feel.
Those who are looking to fast for spiritual or personal reasons can find a peaceful, supportive environment at Wilderness Edge. The serene environment is perfect for focusing on your fasting journey and taking the time that you need to rest.
If you’ve been looking for a chance to leave the daily grind behind and take some time to focus on your mind, body, and soul, consider booking a retreat at our centre. Gather a group of your closest friends who could also use a break, and come experience what Wilderness Edge has to offer. Visit https://www.wildernessedge.com/ and https://www.wildernessedge.com/retreats/, or contact us at 877-753-2535 or info@wildernessedge.com for more information.
Travel Tip: Cindy Knows Travel
Traveling, for most, is an exciting and enlightening activity filled with rich experiences and a plethora of surprises. But it can also present challenges, especially in the context of maintaining one’s wellness routine. I recently had the opportunity to travel to Marrakesh, Morocco—a totally outside-the-box trip that I was equal parts excited and nervous about. Morocco, as a whole, has never been at the top of my bucket list. Keeping up with my healthy habits is relatively easy when I’m in, say, Costa Rica or the Virgin Islands, but Morocco presented new challenges. Here are five things you should know when travelling to a country like Morocco: 1. Pack healthy snacks. 2. Download a few meditations. 3. Indulge in a spa treatment. 4. Hydrate all the time. 5. Be flexible and kind to yourself.
Staying Social as a Senior
As we get older, health conditions, mobility limitations or a lack of energy can keep us from being as socially active as we once were. A diminishing social life might happen gradually as close friends experience the same conditions and family members grow busy. We may not even notice how long it has been since we last spent time with a friend! Isolation has many physical and emotional health risks. Especially if you live by yourself, staying socially active is critical to enjoying a healthy lifestyle. Volunteer at a local organization, join a senior living community or find a group that focuses on similar interests (e.g., knitting, walking, baking, golfing). Get back to living your best life!
Estrogen Dominance Isn’t Rare
Estrogen dominance (ED) is becoming increasingly common because we’re constantly being exposed to estrogen-like substances in our food supply and environment. The substances are natural phytoestrogens, hormones administered to farmed animals and fish, or endocrine disruptors like BPA. ED may cause abnormally painful menstruation, uterine fibroid, endometriosis, and fertility problems in women. It may also cause sexual dysfunction, depression, and obesity in both genders. Unfortunately, it often isn’t noted as a disease in mainstream medicine. The good news is that there are several natural supplements and products that can help to relieve this disorder.
Online Dating Vs. a Matchmaker
Online dating can be exhausting, dangerous and demoralizing. Hours of searching profiles, followed by unsuccessful date after date can result in dating ‘burn out’. Furthermore, when it comes to online dating, you never know who you are really meeting. You have no idea about their actual age and relationship status, their true intentions or if they have a criminal history. Online dating can be extremely dangerous. This is why I recommend a professional matchmaker. An experienced matchmaker will introduce you to the right match, who is screened, and hand picked for you. Finding true love is important and hiring a matchmaker could be the best decision you ever make.
Disability Tax Credit for Type 1 Diabetes
The Disability Tax Credit is a program designed to help those with disabilities or their caregivers reduce the amount of income tax they pay, offsetting some of the significant medical and treatment expenses. What diabetes-related activities are covered? According to CRA, the following activities qualify in the 14-hour-per-week calculation:
• Checking blood glucose levels
• Preparing and administering the insulin
• Calibrating necessary equipment
• Testing ketones
• Keeping a log book of blood glucose levels
With children, the 14-hour-per-week eligibility criteria can usually be met by combining the parent and child’s time.
T1D is an expensive disease and the disability tax credit can provide some financial relief for those who qualify.
The Diet/Mental Health Connection
Studies around the world are now confirming that diet affects mental health. Take one study, for example, where researchers in China and the U.S. found that when observing nearly 5,000 adults over the age of 60, those who were malnourished were 31% more likely to be depressed than those who weren’t malnourished. Another study of 500 participants over the age of 67 found that adding olive oil or mixed nuts to one’s diet can improve cognitive function. In a meta-analysis of over 34,000 people, researchers found that participants who followed a Mediterranean diet were less likely to develop cognitive disorders.
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Daily Posture Strategies
Chronic back and neck problems can be caused over time due to poor posture. Using ergonomic chairs when sitting for extended periods and using footrests at desks can be of great assistance. When standing, ensure your arms are resting at your side, your shoulders are pulled back to open up your chest, your knees are bent slightly, and your stomach is tucked in for core strength (pulling your belly button towards your spine). When carrying a bag or purse, remember to alternate sides. Finally, breathe deeply and balanced – this helps engage the proper postural muscles!
Tinnitus
Described as ear or head noises, tinnitus can take the form of ringing, buzzing, hissing, or similar sounds, and it can be constant or intermittent. In some cases, tinnitus can result from medical conditions such as wax buildup or ear infection, which can be treated, often resulting in total relief of symptoms. In many cases, tinnitus is the first sign of hearing loss. The first step in managing any type of tinnitus is to undergo a complete hearing assessment by a hearing professional. If hearing loss is found and medical intervention is not the answer, your hearing health professional will go over additional treatment solutions with you, such as tinnitus maskers or hearing aids.
