Community News
Vipassana Meditation

Research has shown that meditation can expand the brain, and help people avert stress and disease. One way to achieve this is through Vipassana meditation, a technique that emphasizes mindfulness, with the goal of seeing things as they “really are.” An ancient meditative technique from India, Vipassana was taken up by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) just over 2,500 years ago. Vipassana meditation is the practice of freedom. It is an honest and direct practice: the moment-to-moment investigation of the mind-body process through calm, open, and precise awareness. Learning to observe our experience from a place of spacious stillness enables us to relate to life with a balance of wisdom and compassion. This experience fosters clarity and penetrating insight into the nature of who we are, as well as increased peace in our daily lives.

Brett Scott, Disability Tax Credit, DisabilityTaxCreditWinnipeg.com

Something to Sleep On

Daydreaming about better health? Getting 7-9 hours of uninterrupted, deep sleep can help make those dreams come true. Some researchers claim that the health benefits of sleeping are equivalent to those of eating. When daylight fades, our bodies release melatonin, a natural sleep aid/hormone with powerful antioxidant properties that works to: 1) Reduce inflammation; 2) Foster mental and emotional resilience; 3) Boost immune system function; 4) Improve performance and memory; 5) Protect your heart; 6) Prevent cancer. Having trouble sleeping? Here are a few tips to help you nod off: 1) Darken your room. Melatonin release only happens in low light/dark conditions. Blue light from mobile devices, TV’s, etc. inhibits this process. 2) Avoid eating/drinking 2-3 hours before bedtime. 3) Keep a consistent sleep/wake schedule. 4) Engage in moderate to rigorous exercise. If you rarely feel well rested talk to your healthcare provider about natural and medicinal support.

Sean Miller, CMHA MB & WPG, mbwpg.cmha.ca

A Daughter’s Recommendation

Care At Home Pharmacy can help seniors remain in the comfort of their home by having quality care come to them. My parents have greatly benefitted from “visiting pharmacist” Yolanda Yeung’s involvement. She initially developed a medical profile for each of them and made recommendations to their doctor regarding medication changes. She visits my parents’ home weekly to monitor their progress and well-being, and provides their prescriptions and any other pharmaceutical needs, as recommended by their doctor. I am my parents’ primary caregiver but do not live in the city, so Yolanda and I communicate by email. She also regularly communicates with the doctor and nursing service involved with my parents’ care. It is a great comfort to me to know the Care At Home Pharmacy team provides a personalized and reputable service to seniors like my parents and is so willing to partner with other services in this type of care at home model. – Happy Daughter.

Care At Home Pharmacy, CareAtHomePharmacy.ca

Clean Eating: Lemon Tahini Dressing

This delicious dressing can be used for salad greens or as a sauce over rice, steamed vegetables, and baked potatoes.

2/3 cup plain almond or rice milk

5 tbsp lemon juice

1 clove garlic

½ tsp salt

½ cup tahini

1/8 tsp toasted sesame oil

Place all the ingredients in a blender and puree for 1 minute at high speed. Herbal D-TOX Cookbook for Cleansing by Dr. Terry Willard, CI.H.,Ph.D. AvivaHealth.com/WildRose

Book Club: Herbal D-Tox Cook Book for Cleansing by Dr. Terry Willard, PH.D.

Out with the old and in with the new. Detoxification is one of the central concepts of natural healing because it is impossible to build healthy new tissue without eliminating old cells and their by-products. This D-Tox program is designed for both meat eaters and vegetarians. The recipes in this book are designed to stimulate your own creativity and to show you that a delicious Meal Plan can accompany a detoxification diet.

Nathan Zassman, Aviva Natural Health Solutions, AvivaHealth.com/WildRose

Natural Product Review: Cardioflex Q10

Cardioflex Q10 is a Manitoba-made nutritional supplement designed for cardiovascular health. With a unique blend of vitamins and amino proteins, Cardioflex Q10 is a supportive natural therapy that enriches cardiovascular health, establishes cholesterol balance and reduces CRP (C-reactive protein). With this product you can expect some amazing results: Strengthen your cardiovascular system, dissolve atherosclerotic plaque, lessen the pain of angina pectoris, reduce the likelihood of heart attack or stroke, increase heart and other muscle strength and stamina, lower blood and tissue lipids (fats), and increase antioxidant intake. Give yourself natural immunity against viral, fungal, and bacterial diseases, including antibioticresistant strains. Reduce hypertension and improve overall health!

Dr. Maria Di Bernardo D.C. is a certified NAET Advanced Practitioner, Village Chiropractic Centre

Amazing Yoga Benefits for Children

Just like adults, children live in a fast-paced world with many stressors and expectations. The practice of yoga helps to bring minds and bodies back into a place of harmony and balance. Children classes consist of more than just the physical yoga poses; they also incorporate yoga teachings and traditions in a safe and nurturing environment. Classes are taught in a non-competitive, playful, and vibrant way through games, storytelling, music, and guided visualization. Through yoga, children will physically develop skills such as flexibility, strength, body awareness, balance, and coordination. They will also grow mentally cultivating self-love and respect while learning self-calming and relaxation techniques through breath work, mindfulness, and meditation. All improving attention and behavioral regulation, enhancing self-confidence and social interaction. Through yoga, children become connected; mind and body strong.

Harmony Warrior Kids Yoga, harmonywarrior.com

Play to Heal

Are you worried about your child or youth’s current behavior or mood? Anxiety, defiance, grief and behavior at school are just a short list of common concerns that parents may have. As a parent, it is hard to see our children hurting, and we may not know where to turn or what to do. Play Therapy is a treatment for children, youth, and families that involve therapeutic elements similar to adult talk therapies with very playful elements such as puppets, dolls, art and sand that allow children and youth to express their inner most emotions. Through play therapy, children and youth can also learn social skills and skills to manage emotions and self-regulate.

Melissa Beer, GrowingRootsTherapy.ca

Get Cranked!

There are a lot of high-protein and energy options in the world today, so why Cranked Energy Bars? Wholesome, quality energy! These freshly made bars are high in protein, made from good ingredients, and come in a wide variety of flavours. Apple Cinnamon, Banana, Choco-Espresso, Chocolate Gluten-Free, Maple Walnut, Mint Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Coconut, Pumpkin Spice, and Vanilla Gluten-Free. One of my favorites is the Apple Cinnamon Bars which are packed full of energy. Ingredients: Peanut Butter, Protein Blend (Whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, whey protein hydrolysate, Bos taurus (milk), Natural flavours, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, stevia leaf extract), granola, honey, molasses, applesauce, oats, chia, chocolate chips, cranberries, puffed wheat, wheat germ, oat bran, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon. Contains: Egg, Wheat, Peanuts, Sesame Seeds, Milk. Approximately 300 calories per bar.

Nutrition Plus, NutritionPlus.com

Sunscreen 101

Spring is in the air! It’s time to start thinking about sunscreen if you haven’t already. When selecting one, go for the “broad spectrum” protection. Sunscreens with this label protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against harmful rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. Generally, an SPF over 50 doesn’t give much more added protection, and a higher SPF does NOT mean people can stay in the sun longer. Secondly, take a look at the ingredients. Physical blockers (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) provide the best protection and cause less skin irritation than chemical sunscreens.

Care at Home Pharmacy, CareAtHomePharmacy.ca

Where Is Love?

You’ve decided enough is enough. You have plenty going for yourself and you want to share your life with someone special but where on earth are you going to find them? Times have changed. We live in an electronic world but computers don’t have hearts and you don’t know if the person behind the screen is authentic. You have asked your friends and coworkers if they know anyone right for you and you have been insulted by who they have suggested! A matchmaker specializes in finding love for people who are looking for one special partner. An effective matchmaker meets with all potential clients in person and determines who the right person is for them. A criminal record check should be conducted on each client. When choosing a match-maker it is important that you work with a service that has been in business for quite some time and has many success stories.

Lianne Tregobov, Camelot Introductions, camelotintroductions.com