Author:Vancouver Health Coach

November 27, 2014 In Eliminating Toxins, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Uncategorized By Vancouver Health Coach

Are We Passing the Grade? Chemicals in Canned Food Liners

First sent out in 2008, this is a good reminder. BPA, the hormone-mimicking chemical that was found in hard polycarbonate plastic water bottles is also in the liners of canned food. I've noticed a big change in the kinds of water-bottles people cart around. Those colourful hard plastic ones have become an endangered species, due to the risk of bisphenol A (BPA) leaching into the water. Everyone appears to be switching to the stainless-steel variety, which seems to me to be a much better choice. When huge outdoor-gear companies like Mountain Equipment Coop listen to their customers' concerns and decide to stop...

November 26, 2014 In Family Fitness, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Supplements By Vancouver Health Coach

Reversing the Calcium Crisis in our Youth

Calcium is critical to the physical structure and healthy functioning of the human body. It is necessary for transmitting nerve impulses and regulating muscle contraction. Calcium is the primary mineral in your body that makes up your bones and keeps them strong. Ninety percent of the human body's calcium is stored in the bones and teeth. The need for calcium starts with infancy and continues throughout one's life. If your diet is deficient in calcium, your body will take what it needs from your bones. The result, osteoporosis, is a reduction in bone density that leaves bones more porous, fragile,...

November 26, 2014 In Eliminating Toxins, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Top Five Remedies to Preventing a Hangover

It’s no secret that intoxication has a number of immediate negative consequences like impairing our judgment and the ability to do most things. But even after a drinker has sobered up, alcohol can still be causing some harm to our body. The most common symptoms are headache, nausea, fatigue and dehydration. The severity and number of symptoms varies from person to person; however, it is generally true that the more alcohol a drinker consumes, the worse the hangover will be. Hangover remedies range from drinking a little more alcohol the next morning, to burnt toast and black coffee to an...

November 25, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Preventing Cancer with Kale

By now, most people are aware that a healthy diet limits poor quality fats, refined sugars, and processed foods while emphasizing the benefits of whole foods, essential fatty acids, and cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and especially kale. Here is a simple recipe that is not only delicious, but helps in preventing cancer with a powerful cancer-fighting punch! Packed full of anti-cancer nutrients Kale– an important member of the cabbage family– is rich in anticancer elements. Cancer-fighting compounds such as bioflavonoids and carotenoids, which are abundant in kale, have been shown to stop enzymes from triggering cancer formation in the...

November 25, 2014 In Emotional Health, Green & Healthy Living, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Taming Your Saboteurs

Have you met your saboteurs? I’m not talking about the spouse who brings home your favourite dessert to celebrate your sticking to a meal plan, or the friend who compliments your weight training achievements with “you’re really getting cut – does it bother you that people will start to think you look like a man?” The saboteurs I’m thinking of live even closer to home, in your own psyche. They sometimes act up just when things start going your way, and sometimes wait until you’re getting close to reaching a goal you’ve been striving for before they pounce. When I’m working with...

November 24, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Super Sexy Citrus Salad Dressing

I’ve been on a mint and citrus kick these past few weeks and in the spirit of salad season and beach bods, I figured it would be crazy not to combine the two into a delicious salad dressing. Why make your own salad dressing? Whenever I go grocery shopping, I always get tempted by some of the mouth watering salad dressing combinations out there. Unfortunately I always put them back on the shelf when I read that the oils used in many of them are refined, of poor quality and contain trans fats and added sugar (culprits in weight gain and other...

November 24, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Natural Treatments for Skin Problems During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of growth, change, and-for many women-skin trouble. Although the “glow” of pregnancy is often envied, some women experience less attractive changes in skin appearance. From rashes and dark spots to stretch marks and raised bumps, soothing your skin during pregnancy can be simple and safe. According to an article in American Family Physician, some of the most common skin conditions during pregnancy are stretch marks, hyperpigmentation (melasma, chloasma, or the “mask” of pregnancy), and pruritis (dermatitis or rash). Women may also experience a wide range of other skin changes during pregnancy. Some of these require immediate medical...

November 23, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Recipes for Health: Grilled Asparagus with Feta Cheese

Our new food mantra is elegant simplicity at its most nourishing. We want to start with the freshest and best ingredients (and local whenever possible), prepare them easily and effortlessly, and then serve and enjoy the delicious, nutritious fare with people we care about. Nutrition studies have shown that asparagus is a low-calorie source of folate and potassium. Its stalks are also high in antioxidant and asparagus provides an amazing amount of nutrients notes an article in Reader's Digest. Asparagus provides essential nutrients: six spears contain some 135 micrograms (¼g) of folate, almost half the adult RDI (recommended daily intake), 20 milligrams...

November 22, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Raw Summer Salads: Mango Mint Kale Salad

Kale farmers must be rejoicing - kale has moved from “garnish” to  centerplate green “Superfood”, and no wonder. Kale is a cruciferous vegetable and one of the most nutritious anti-inflammatory foods because it packs an alkalizing punch delivering detoxifying, cholesterol-lowering phytochemicals and antioxidant nutrients that protect us from cancer. Kale is an excellent source of fiber, vitamin A, C and K, and manganese. It is also a good source of calcium, potassium and B vitamins and all for only 34 calories per raw chopped cup. In this raw summer Mango Mint Kale Salad we balance the bitter notes of the...

November 21, 2014 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, News, Product Reviews, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Hail Merry Makes Tasty Gluten-Free Snacks

I am not usually a fan of macaroons, but the chocolate flavored macaroons by Hail Merry do actually dance in your mouth before they melt. This is not only a super healthy snack, but also makes a great gift for your gluten-free friends, or anyone who likes all things yummy and is conscious of what they put in their bodies. Why are these Hail Merry Macaroons are so good? Hail Merry only uses organic high quality ingredients. Chocolate Macaroons: organic shredded coconut, dark cocoa, organic cold pressed coconut oil, organic maple syrup, raw Madagascar bourbon vanilla, sea salt. Blonde Macaroons: organic shredded coconut, natural...