Author:Vancouver Health Coach

June 9, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Carob and Pumpkin Seed Bars

While pumpkin seeds have many beneficial functions in the body, they have gained popularity for being a good source of zinc- an important mineral to prostate health and fertility. Zinc is needed to produce sufficient and healthy sperm making it necessary for conception. Zinc is also one of the antioxidant minerals that is said to help disarm free radicals (cancer causing molecules) and prevent the process which allows cancerous prostate cells to multiply. To reap the benefits of pumpkin seeds, they are best eaten raw and soaked beforehand for optimal absorption. Although roasting them really brings out their full toasty flavor,...

June 7, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

The Exercise Band Workout

During the week I like to train in the gym but on the weekend if it’s nice outside I’d rather not be indoors. Instead I grab some of my favorite exercise equipment and head to the park to workout. Some of my favorite toys to use outside are TRX cables, a Skip-Rope and an Exercise-band. Today’s workout focuses on using an exercise band. Hopefully this post will help you realize that you don’t always need a fancy gym or a ton of equipment to get a great workout in. Get creative and have fun with the environment around you. You might surprise yourself with how great of...

June 3, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Pilates to Strengthen Your Core

For some people, exercise routines focus on weight loss or building muscle. For others, their mission is to increase strength, improve balance, stamina and flexibility. If the latter is your goal in the gym, then working your body ‘core’ is where you should spend your time. We rely on our bodies for everything: when we get out of bed in the morning, get dressed, go to work, play with the kids, and when we work up a sweat in the weight room. That’s why it’s important to take care of our body every day with regular exercise, nutritious food, lots of...

May 30, 2014 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Eliminating Toxins, Fitness, Food, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, Weight Loss By Vancouver Health Coach

Healthy Glow Hemp Protein Smoothie

Hemp could win an academy award for being an excellent source of plant based protein. This quality alone has made hemp protein a desirable addition to vegan and raw food diets but you certainly don't have to follow a specific diet to enjoy the benefits of this plant powerhouse! In addition to protein and fiber (which are needed for good digestion and blood sugar balance) hemp provides both omega 6 and omega 3 essential fatty acids which are needed for a healthy heart and nervous system, glowing skin, happy hormones, weight loss and much more. Your body cannot produce these fats...

May 22, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

Unconventional Core Training: Effective Exercises for Your Core

Core training is more than thousands of crunches and side bends.  The other role of your stomach muscles is for stabilization of your spine.  Your core muscles will contract to prevent any unwanted bending which will help prevent injury.  Some of these exercises may be outside of the norm of your normal core training. Use some of these exercises to add into your routine.  You also get the added benefit of working multiple muscle groups.  Needless to say, you won’t have to worry about doing any crunches. 1. Single arm dumb bell (DB) bench press How to perform it: Lie down on your...

May 18, 2014 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Food and Recipes, Monthly Giveaway's | FREE STUFF, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Fitness Goop Giveaway: Win $100 of Hemp Products Courtesy of Manitoba Harvest

To kick start our Monthly Giveaway Contests, we’ve partnered with Manitoba Harvest who are generously providing us with a $100 gift certificate to give to YOU to enjoy their amazing hemp products. Click here http://a.pgtb.me/VTRCCs and enter for your chance to win! We’ll pick one winner at random at the end of this month. About May’s Giveaway Hemp is a sustainable, green-friendly plant that’s been around for many generations. It is versatile and used for many things such as clothing, rope, car material and of course food! Why Eat Hemp Foods?  Taste great! Hemp foods have a slightly nutty flavor, which compliments pretty much any dish. Easy...

May 15, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

The History of Ayurveda

India covers almost 3.3 million square kilometers in South Asia, and according to plate tectonic theory, can be visualized as more or less a large triangular landmass pushing upwards into the Asian continent. The base of the triangle is its northern edge, the focal area of impact between these two continents. This massive collision over millions of years has resulted in the towering Himalayas: huge sharp folds of land that once nursed an inland sea between India and Asia called the Tethys. The southern section of juts into the Indian Ocean, with the island of Sri Lanka trailing along, the Arabian...

April 8, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

3 Healthy Things to Know About Breasts

I started to study and educate women on breast health almost five years ago and the more I learn, the simpler what I teach becomes. Most women do not conduct a self-breast exam, they have no idea what a self-breast massage is and most women are not comfortable with touching their breasts. With so much attention and focus on breast cancer, how is this possible? We are inundated with pink ribbons and pink products to honour “The Cure.” There are a plethora of walks, runs and fundraising events happening. With all this attention, should it not be that breast cancer rates...

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

Cucumber Matcha Pineapple Smoothie

I’ve been having such a blast today creating new recipes in my kitchen such as a pineapple smoothie and dancing to Easy-E. Such a blast, in fact, that I need to refuel before heading to a couple of yoga classes tonight. As I opened my fridge I got to thinking.. what would Easy E do? Just joshing you. I started to think about a quick combination I could make in my kitchen right now that would provide me with the most energy before class starts in a few short hours. As I dedicate more to my yoga practice, I’ve been paying attention to...

March 21, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Kitchari: A Healing Food in Ayurveda

Kitchari is the classical Ayurvedic panacea, eaten whenever there is ill health or during a therapeutic regimen such as panch karma and detoxification. Essentially made from rice, kitchari is a universal food found in other cultures, with similar sounding names such as ‘kushari’ in the Middle East and ‘congee’ in China. There are an infinite array of variations, and based on the herbs and spices chosen, can be prepared to reduce vata, pitta or kapha. The following recipe is definitely more Indian-inspired, using herbs and spices to enhance digestion. Prepared with whole grain mung and brown rice, kitchari has a...