Author:Vancouver Health Coach

October 14, 2014 In Emotional Health, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Natural Methods for Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is more than just the “Winter Blues.” It is a form of seasonal or temporal depression that typically affects people during the winter months of longer nights and less sunlight. If you suffer from SAD, there are many alternative therapies that can naturally help you improve your mood and reduce depressive symptoms, even if you already use a light box for treatment. Improve your mood with food. Certain foods have proven relationships to brain function. Healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, and lean protein are essential parts of a healthy diet...

October 14, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

When Does Alcohol Become Bad For Your Health?

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used stimulants. Even with economic stress, bars were and have continued to run smoothly. People can’t wait to have that post-work beverage after a long and challenging day. I definitely don't disagree with this - I think moderate consumption of alcohol is fine. But I am talking 2 glasses a week. Why? Don't be foolish - alcohol consumption has many, many short and long-term side effects in the body. Yet people find it therapeutic at times. This is because alcohol releases GABA, a neurotransmitter which has a calming affect. Are there any foods...

October 13, 2014 In Ask The Expert: Health & Fitness Advice, Fitness, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Ask The Expert: Healthy and Fit Travelling Tips

Ask The Expert is a health & fitness advice column. If you have a question for one of our Fitness Goop experts, please email [email protected]. This question was asked by Jennifer from Vancouver B.C, Canada. My work requires that I travel and spend time away from home. I am finding it very difficult staying healthy while travelling from one city to another. I am feeling fatigued, having a hard time making good food choices and having a hard time working out without my own gym. What advice can you give for avoiding getting sick and keeping fit while travelling?” Hi Jennifer, first...

October 13, 2014 In Emotional Health, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Stress and Digestive Issues

Did you know that the reason your gut may be rolling may be due in large part to stress? Whether it is Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ulcerative colitis, or simply a stomach ache before you are about to give that really important speech, stress may be playing a significant role in the health of your stomach. If you are hiking in the woods, you round a corner and come face-to-face with a grizzly bear, your body is not going to prioritize digestion at this moment. Instead, it’s going to go "Oh sh*#t" - quite literally! If you were given enough of a...

October 12, 2014 In News, Supplements By Vancouver Health Coach

Nutritional Celebrities – 4 Superstar Supplements

After reading several research findings and trends in nutrition, a common theme begins to emerge. Maintain a healthy diet and you will increase your chances of staying healthy. However, is it possible to get all the necessary nutrients by simply eating healthy? With changes to our food supply such as packaging and processing and damage to our soil where fruits and vegetables are grown, even the most health conscious person may be lacking in some of the most basic nutrients. As a general rule, supplements should be taken only after considering your own unique situation. Consult first with a knowledgeable health...

October 12, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

The ABCs of Smart Training: Part 1

When designing a training program, it is wise to follow the concepts outlined in the ABCs of smart training. Apply them during all training and encourage them in daily activities. Following the ABCs will help increase training potential, improve skills, decrease recovery time, and minimize potential for injury. If you are new to exercises or have any injuries or aches and pains it would be best to get clearance from your Physician before beginning this or any other exercise program. The exercises may look easy but when you are beginning they may be more difficult than you thought. A1–ATHLETIC STANCE AND...

October 11, 2014 In Fitness, News, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

Tennis Warm Up (Upper Core & Arms): Part One

Whether you're getting ready for a match or just hitting with friends, following the advice below will help you optimize your on court time and prevent injuries. Part 1 of this 3 part series outlines upper core and arms warm-up. Part Two will outline lower core and legs warm-up and part 3 will outline on court warm-up strategies and post play stretching tips. Always Warm up to play or practice, don't play to warm up. Since most of the effects of warm up are temperature related some form of general warm-up should be done before hitting a single ball. Slowly but...

October 11, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Enzymes: You Are What You Digest

The raw food diet is a diet of fresh, whole food that has not been refined, chemically processed, denatured, or heated above 118°F, so its nutritional content is preserved, including the living enzymes. Enzymes are functional proteins essential to all living things that act as catalysts for numerous chemical reactions including digestion. As Chief Nutrition Officer of Hail Merry, a company dedicated to making the healthiest and best tasting plant based snacks, Dr. Claudia Pillow is on a mission to demystify the concept of living enzymes in raw food and separate myth from fact. Below is a reprint of an...

October 10, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Gluten-Free and Vegan Pizza Crust

Dear Gluten-Free Fans, what are you craving? Sometimes I just want a pizza and beer! TGIF! And good news, now we can have our pie and eat it too! Plus, the gluten-free beers on the market keep getting better and better (yes, most regular beer is made from barley hops and contains gluten). I love this easy to make pizza crust for the crispness, the omega-3 fatty acids, and the normalcy of sharing a gluten-free pizza and beer with loved ones on a Friday night. N4AO- kids will happily eat it up but hold the beer. Vegan or Gluten Intolerant?...

October 10, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News By Vancouver Health Coach

What’s All the Fuss About Trans Fats?

Fat is a major source of energy for the body and aids in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K and carotenoids. Both animal and plant-derived food products contain fat, and when eaten in moderation, fat is important for proper growth, development, and maintenance of good health. As a food ingredient, fat provides taste, consistency, and stability and helps us feel full. In addition, parents should be aware that fats are especially important source of calories and nutrients for infants and toddlers, who have the highest energy needs per unit of body weight of any age group. Trans fat...