Community News
6 Ways to Alkalize Your Body

Did you know that your immunity is based on how alkaline your diet is? Having an overly acidic diet eventually leads to a weakened state, and our bodies become susceptible to disease. Here are six ways to alkalize – and healthify – your body!

1. Drink plenty of water. Drink half your body weight in ounces every day to keep your body systems regulated. For an extra boost in alkalinity – add lemon!

2. Trade coffee for tea. Green tea is highly alkaline. Try jasmine, sencha or matcha.

3. Kick that sugar habit. Use stevia, coconut sugar or small amounts of honey in place of sugar.

4. Eat more greens. Vegetables are highly alkaline and oxygen rich. Consume fresh green vegetables often as possible.

5. Move. Exercise to create more oxygen and qi flow in the body and to avoid stagnation.

6. Reduce stress. Meditate as often as possible, practice deep breathing, do yoga, and get plenty of sleep.

Care At Home Pharmacy, CareAtHomePharmacy.ca

Clean Eating: Cantaloupe & Cucumber Salad

Here’s a refreshing side salad for a change of pace. It’s delicious served with a spicy grilled chicken, tofu, or fish. Or serve this over a bed of leafy greens with extra dressing on the side. Gently fold together 1/2 small cantaloupe and 1 medium cucumber (cut into 1/2 inch chunks), 1/2 cup crumbled feta, and 6 big basil leaves (sliced thinly). Whisk and add to salad: 1 tbsp olive oil, 2-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar, and freshly ground salt and pepper to taste. Top with 2 tbsp sunflower seeds. (This is the perfect place to showcase your gourmet balsamic vinegars and good quality olive oil. Skip the salt and sprinkle with a little Fleur de Sel for some drama!)

Lisa Kehler, OffYourPlateNutrition.ca

Book Club: The Dirt Cure

Growing Healthy Kids with Food Straight from Soil. In the tradition of Michael Pollan, Mark Hyman, and Andrew Weil, pioneering integrative pediatric neurologist Maya Shetreat-Klein, MD, reveals the shocking contents of children’s food, how it’s seriously harming their bodies and brains, and what we can do about it.

Maya Shetreat-Klein, MD, Dirtcure.com

New Product Review

It’s time to say goodbye to allergens, pollen, dust, mold, pet hair – virtually all airborne pollutants, as the Blue Pure 211 WiFi enabled air purifier captures 99% of particles up to PM 2.5. With a single touch, turn the unit on/off, select fan speeds, and be alerted for filter changes. A digital display lets you see and control the air you breathe to make sure it’s virtually free of allergy or asthma triggers. Or download the Blueair Friend app and connect it for remote control using any smart device. The enhanced 360-degree air intake ensures no pollutant escapes the 540 sq. ft. Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). Using just 60 watts on the highest fan speed, the Blue Pure 211 is 60% more energy efficient than other air purifiers in its class. Your home will become a clean-air haven with the Blue Pure 211.

Aviva Natural Health Solutions
AvivaHealth.com

All About Aloe

Aloe Vera is quite an incredible medicinal plant, full of nutritional benefits. It contains: • 20 minerals, including iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, manganese, chromium, calcium, sodium, and potassium. • Amino acids – 19 of the 20 amino acids required by the body. • 12 vitamins – including vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene. It’s also one of the few plants in the world to contain vitamin B12. • Enzymes – lipases and proteases, which aid in digestion. • Saponins – Substances that exert a powerful anti-microbial effect against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeast. • Salicylic acid – When used topically, it helps to break down dead tissue. When taken orally, it acts as an anti-inflammatory. No wonder it’s used for such a wide range of remedies! The bulk of the Aloe Vera leaf is filled with a clear, gel-like substance, which is approximately 99% water. Humans have used Aloe Vera therapeutically for over 5,000 years – now that’s a long-standing track record!

Kim Ten Krooden
AloeLifestyle.ca

Relief from Back Pain

Back pain can range from mildly annoying to incapacitating. While taking pain medication has been the usual route, different avenues of care may be more effective and offer longer lasting results. Please seek immediate medical attention for numb or weak legs, or urinary problems. Strengthen your core – make sure it is done correctly by seeking professionally trained individuals. Apply heat to an aching back! Registered massage therapy relieves those tight muscles that may be pulling on your spine, pelvis, or shoulder girdles. Acupuncture offers pain relief, reduces inflammation, and relaxes tight muscles. It has been proven to lessen pain and improve function. Acupuncture, along with the above therapies, is recommended to replace opioid pain medication, and most importantly, acupuncture does not cause any significant adverse side effects. Nonneedle acupuncture treatment is available. Please inquire!

Naomi Johnson
HeklaAcupuncture.com

Why Clean Air Ducts?

Answer: Because they get dirty! There are several other factors that can increase the need for regular system cleaning: pets, occupants with allergies or asthma, cigarette or cigar smoke, and home renovation or remodeling projects. Allergy and asthma sufferers, as well as young children and the elderly, tend to be more susceptible to the types of poor indoor air quality that air duct cleaning can help address. We generate a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated 5 to 7 times per day, on average. Over time, this re-circulation causes a build-up of contaminants in the ductwork, which could lead to bigger health issues that could cause serious problems for people with respiratory health conditions, autoimmune disorders, or some environmental allergies.

Dora Air Duct Cleaning
Dora-Cleaning.ca

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 cold-pressed 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

Meet an Intuitive Matchmaker

As a matchmaker with over 23 years of experience, I have facilitated thousands of matches that originated from a strong feeling. I am gifted with very keen intuition and have learned not to question it. Often, I meet a client and know exactly who their match is. I have told people by phone, prior to meeting them, that I suspect I know who their ideal match is. Sure enough, that hunch ends up being the start of a forever relationship. A year ago, a man walked into my office and I immediately knew who his match was. I contacted her and encouraged her to give him a call. She did, and it was one of the best choices she has made. I was just a guest at their wedding. Their connection is spectacular, their love is deep, and their respect for one another is tremendous.

Lianne Tregobov, Intuitive Matchmaker, CamelotIntroductions.com

Considering a Pet Sitter?

If you’re a pet owner who travels, arranging for care for your pets while you’re away can feel like an overwhelming decision. It’s important to look for caregivers who will not only provide for basic needs like food and water, but also companionship, reassurance, and playtime while you’re away. If you can find someone to come to your home, your pet gets to stay in his familiar surroundings, which is less stressful than taking him to a new location! When finding a pet sitter, it’s also important that you’re both on the same page about what’s expected and the fees involved for things like the number and length of visits per day, grooming and walking, accident cleanup, and taking the pet to a vet in case of emergency. You and your pet should feel comfortable about the care arrangements, so you (and your pet) can enjoy your vacation without worry!

Lisa Tustin, Professional Pet Services

Clean Eating: Grilled Corn and Avocado Succotash

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. vegetable oil
S&P
2 tbsp. lime juice
4 ears corn
½ pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 bell pepper
¼ inch diced
½ red onion, finely chopped
1 avocado, chopped into ½ inch cubes
¼ c. fresh basil leaves

Directions:

While steaks are cooking, shuck corn, toss in vegetable oil and let cook on other side of grill. Once you have nice grill marks on corn, take off and slice kernels off with sharp knife. Mix with rest of ingredients, and serve.

Prairie Box, PrairieBox.com