Author:Vancouver Health Coach

6 Movements You Should Be able to Easily Do: Part 1

These are exercises that should be no problem at all if our body is functioning well. If you have difficulty with any one of them - you simply cannot do them or you have pain, there are body dysfunctions that should be addressed. Our bodies are meant to move, and when movement becomes a problem due to a lack of strength or flexibility, our lives can close down as we find ourselves no longer capable of doing the things we want. Stairs become a problem, getting in and out of cars or chairs difficult, or we have trouble carrying groceries home. Training...

How To Be Gluten-Free Without Being Socially Awkward

No one wants to be socially awkward. However no one wants to eat something they know causes unpleasant symptoms, either. For the 1 in 133 people worldwide suffering with Celiac disease, or the 6-7% of people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, living gluten-free (GF) is not easy. There has been a tremendous increase in availability, variety and quality of gluten-free products in recent years. However, there are still many facets of gluten-free living that create a ton of awkward social moments. Let’s start with the dinner party. Being a guest in someone’s home, who you know put a ton of effort into...

Heart Rate Monitors: Gadget or Fitness Tool?

You have seen athletes training for marathons, triathlons to the guy that has a garage full of every piece of fitness equipment ever sold on TV wearing heart rate monitors at one point or another.  But what exactly is their purpose?  How is it going to give me the body I want?  Should you include a heart rate monitor in your gym bag? No matter what your goals are, whether it is to lose weight, strengthen your heart, relieve stress, improve your health, or build muscle; wearing a heart rate monitor can help you achieve those goals by helping you find...

Vegan & Gluten-Free Smoothie Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Smoothie vs Pumpkin Spice Latte

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion” Henry David Thoreau Have you been thinking about ordering a Tall Pumpkin Spice Latte but somehow you are resisting the 300-calorie drink that delivers 3 tablespoons of sugar! Try this gluten-free Phytonutrient Rich Pumpkin Spice Smoothie (and enjoy a small coffee on the side). For only 200 calories and without any refined sugar, this Superfood drink delivers phytonutrients like beta-carotene that have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers. The carminative spices, ginger and cinnamon, reduce gas in the stomach and help with the digestion of...

Runner’s Knee: Beating the Injury

On Sunday, August 25 I went to Whistler, British Columbia to be a team Physiotherapist for a group of three athletes taking part in Ironman Canada. A 3.8KM swim, 180 KM bike, and 42KM run. The sheer determination and strength, both physical and mental, of the 2800 + contestants is absolutely amazing. Training and competing in such an intense race requires the proper “pre-hab” and re-hab. In the following weeks I will go through the 4 major injuries encountered by these athletes in the marathon portion of their race. Week 1: Runner’s Knee What is it? Runner’s Knee, clinically known as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome...

Manitoba Harvest Coupon Code: We love Organic Hemp Hearts!

Why are these Organic Hemp Hearts so good and healthy? Organic Hemp Hearts are packed full of protein with 10 grams of plant-based protein per 30 gram serving size. Hemp Hearts are a great way to get an ideal ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3‘s including the rare EFA known as Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA). Testimonials have shown that GLA alone helps with arthritis, joint mobility, eczema, hormonal balance, migraines, menopause in women, healthy cholesterol & blood pressure levels and even weight management. Manitoba Harvest Organic Hemp Hearts contain no additives or preservatives. These Hemp hearts are also made in a dedicated hemp...

Job Loss and Emotional Distress

One way to visualize emotional equilibrium – that much sought-after sense of “balance” – is as a literal scale or balance.  The weight on one side is made up of two factors: your individual vulnerability to distress, and the stressors presently in your life. The counterbalance is made up of your coping skills, and the quantity and quality of support you have or can access. Individual vulnerability to distress is largely a measure of temperament; whether you are easy-going and handle change or uncertainty without much worry, or whether you have a more anxious or ruminating temperament and have a hard time...

Can’t sleep? Yoga poses to get a good night’s rest

Yoga has so many benefits mentally, physically, and emotionally. Feeling stressed and overtired can be the inability to sleep soundly. At the end of the day we expect our bodies to shut down instantly and fall asleep. After a full day of energy-charging our bodies, it can be tough to wind down automatically. Television and computers do not help either with slowing down the nervous system. Many researchers claim that not getting enough sleep has many negative health consequences, such as raising your risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes and even obesity. In addition to those, it also has an effect...

Gluten-Free: Just Another Fad Diet or the Solution to Your Health Problems?

The gluten-free industry is booming, estimated to reach $6.2 billion by 2018, according to research done by MarketsandMarkets. Gluten-free products can be expensive, and although widely more available now than even 5 years ago, it can still be a challenge to find them unless you’re in a health food store. So what is all the hype about anyway? Is gluten-free just the latest fad diet? Could going gluten-free be the solution to your health problems? Let’s start with the basics. Gluten is a protein found in foods processed from wheat, barley, and rye. It also commonly contaminates other grains that do not...

Detoxification: Do Cleanses Really Work?

Many of us have experimented with detox kits purchased from health-food stores and noticed huge changes. Some dropped weight, and others found their skin cleared up. Some had to spend the first couple of days in the bathroom until their bodies got used to the new regimen, after which they felt fantastic. Others felt ill during the entire cleanse and remained depleted afterwards. They probably would have been better off not doing the cleanse in the first place. Our primary organs of detoxification are the liver, gall bladder, kidneys and the skin, and all in all, they do a fantastic job considering...