Green & Healthy Living

Journaling for Your Health

It is hard to image that something as unassuming as journaling can be so powerful. Journaling for your health is a remarkably simple process, helping you to clarify and crystallize your thoughts, and allowing for a deeper understanding of your beliefs, thereby creating an improved self-awareness that will you move on a path to a healthy and positive change–a change that is measurable, attainable, and always under your direct control. Here are 3 easy-to-follow steps that will get you started on the track to greater self-knowledge: Getting started The main focus behind this purpose of journaling is learning how to get in touch...

The Price We Pay for Eating Unhealthy

There has been much discussion of late about the high cost of eating healthy. We see articles that recommend purchasing only the “dirty dozen” organic foods: peaches, strawberries, nectarines, apples, spinach, celery, pears, sweet bell peppers, cherries, potatoes, lettuce, and imported grapes. Others suggest growing your own organic produce. Eating less meat and more rice and beans has always been sage advice to save money. Some call for simply eating less. Whatever the call to action, we have yet to see someone explore the real cost of eating unhealthy. So we decided to look at some of the costs of...

Herschel Supply Co. “Lemonade Stand” Pop-up Shop in Deep Cove

For anyone unaware of the brand Herschel Supply Co., they are a Vancouver-based accessories label founded in 2009 by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack. The name Herschel Supply Co. comes from the name of the town where three generations of their family grew up. Based in Vancouver, Canada Herschel Supply Co. is a design driven global accessories brand that produces quality products with a fine regard for detail. Starting Friday (July 7) and remaining open throughout the summer, the Vancouver-based company will be running a “Lemonade Stand” pop-up shop at 4377 Gallant Avenue in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove. The almost 300-square-foot space...

Is Your Body Too Acidic?

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, pH (potential for hydrogen) is measured on a scale of 0 to 14 - the lower the pH, the more acidic the solution, the higher the pH, the more alkaline (or base) the solution. When a solution is neither acid nor alkaline, it has a pH of 7, which is neutral. The following is a generalized list of examples of pH: pH 0 - battery acid pH 1 - hydrochloric acid pH 2 - lemon juice, vinegar pH 3 - grapefruit pH 4 - tomato juice pH 5 - black coffee ...

Three Steps Towards Greater Happiness

In this day and age people are more like busy bubbles apposed to busy bees. We are all stressed about something, in a rush and in our own world. It’s not surprising to bump into a stranger on the street, because their eyes were glued to their phone. We are all busy - and we are all stressed. Our happiness has plummeted as our hectic life style increases. I believe there are three simple things we can do in our daily life to change the way we feel. Three steps  to achieve daily happiness. 1.  Awareness: Put your phone down, take...

Common Probiotics Can Reduce Stress Levels, Lessen Anxiety

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Probiotics, or beneficial live bacteria that are introduced into the body, have become increasingly popular as a way to improve health and well-being. Previous studies have shown a direct correlation between gut microbes and the central nervous system. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri, using a zebrafish model, determined that a common probiotic sold in supplements and yogurt can decrease stress-related behavior and anxiety. Studying how gut bacteria affect behavior in zebrafish could lead to a better understanding of how probiotics may affect the central nervous system in humans. Their results recently were published in Scientific...

What is the Purpose Behind Your Health Goals?

When meeting a client for the first time I always ask a few questions about their health goals going forward. This helps me determine if their goals are realistic and how they've gotten to the point of sitting and talking with me. I can usually tell a few minutes into our conversation how dedicated this person is going to be, how much energy and time it's going to take from me to help them and whether they'll actually achieve the health goals they've mentioned. The reality is, not everyone has the drive, self confidence, dedication and purpose driving him or her...

Yerba Mate: A Traditional Source of Health and Energy

If you ever find yourself in Argentina, you will most definitely be offered a cup of their national drink: yerba mate. There, they still drink this tea-like infusion with a gourd and bombilla (a round drinking vessel and filter-straw). Slightly woodsy in taste, yerba mate is also preferred over coffee in Paraguay, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. This beverage is made from the leaves of the shrub-like holly tree, native to the subtropical South American rainforest. For centuries South American tribes have sipped on this “drink of the gods” for its rejuvenative effects, giving them invigoration, focus and nourishment. Argentine cowboys...

Coco Rinse for Good Oral Health

Good dental hygiene and excellent oral health have a beneficial effect on your overall wellbeing. Glossy white teeth not only give you your brilliant smile, but the mouth-body connection has been well established by medical science. Healthy teeth and gums are linked to the prevention of many diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, lung conditions, and even cancer. You may find it hard to believe that an ancient Ayurvedic practice from India can transform your body by detoxifying it. Recently, I started using a coconut oil rinse called Coco Rinse by Kismet Essentials. I was instantly impressed when I saw that...

Trust Your Gut: 6 Stomach Issues Not to Ignore

We’ve all eaten or have drunk something that didn’t agree with us. We’ve all caught a stomach bug that was settled with rest, and over-the-counter aid and some chicken broth. While many times we can go at it alone and solve a stomachache ourselves, there are certainly times where it’s necessary to see a doctor. Dr. Gina Sam Gastroenterologist with Mount Sinai in New York City and Associate Professor provides insights on symptoms indicative to common conditions and advises when it’s time to see the doctor. Indigestion Common symptoms include feeling full fast during a mean, a slicing pain, burning or tightness...