Green & Healthy Living

July 22, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Relieve Pain With Contrast Hydrotherapy

What is it?  Contrast hydrotherapy is a gentle, do-it-yourself, cost-effective approach to include in your pain management plan. Switching from hot and cold temperatures quickly requires tissues to adapt, increases metabolic activity in the tissue, and induces a pumping mechanism in your blood vessels. When heat is applied, your vessels dilate, allowing more blood flow into the area. When cold is applied, your vessels constrict, and blood flow is restricted. This pumping mechanism is very beneficial to the injured tissue as it brings nutrients, white blood cells, and inflammatory mediators to the area. What is it used for? Used for osteoarthritis, muscle...

July 22, 2014 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Food, Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Could You Be Iron Deficient?

Being iron deficient is not unheard of and may be more common than we realize. Iron is a super important mineral needed to form hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout each part of our bodies starting from the lungs. This mechanism is essential for our survival. We need sufficient amounts of iron for many functions in the body which include circulation, energy production, immune system function, digestion, utilization of nutrients (especially fatty acids) and cognitive function.. just to name a few. Iron is a mineral needed most in women (especially during pregnancy, breast feeding and menstruation)...

July 19, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

The flu shot: What are your options?

There are several options for preventing the flu and it is important to me that my patients are educated about their options before they make a decision.  With any flu shot or vaccination, the decision is ultimately up to you, but your ND can help you make an informed choice. Why are we so worried about the flu? The flu is caused by the influenza virus, of which there are over 500 different strains The flu can cause symptoms of fever, cough, chills, sore throat, body aches, fatigue or headaches, which usually abate after 1 week It is spread by coughing, sneezing and direct...

July 19, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Yoga Detoxification: Cleansing the Body the Natural Way

Do you find yourself affected by “lifestyle” health issues caused by stress and nervous disorders? Your body reacts negatively to stressors, building up toxins and chemicals and causing illness. A critical step in turning around your physical health is through detoxification, or by removing the harmful elements from your system. You may have seen advertisements for “detox wraps” or “detox health drinks,” but in truth, the most natural and straightforward method of detoxifying yourself is to engage in a healthful yoga program. Yoga not only cleanses your system, purging it of toxins; it also enables you to de-stress and addresses...

July 12, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Uncategorized By Vancouver Health Coach

Controlling Diabetes with a Balanced Diet and Exercise

Lifestyle changes can make a profoundly positive difference when it comes to controlling diabetes, not only from day to day but also over the long term as well. Because many medications associated with diabetes can create complications — such as the link between the Actos and bladder cancer — many people with diabetes are trying to reduce their need for medications and insulin injections in favor of a natural, balanced approach to blood sugar control. A balanced diet, meaning one that contains the right nutrients in the right amounts, is quite capable of reducing the need for diabetes health medications over...

July 10, 2014 In Emotional Health, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Five Ways to Incorporate Meditation into Your Work Day

Meditation is a practice in which an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or as an end in itself. Here are 5 ways you can incorporate this practice into your daily routine. 1. Silence before email. Morning meditation gives you a chance at clarity before your mind becomes busy with the thoughts and activities of the day. If your routine wake-up involves checking your inbox in bed, swap your mobile phone for a few minutes of morning silence. Have a comfortable cushion set up in a peaceful area of your home. Make it a...

July 9, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Can’t Lose Weight? Is Your Autonomic Nervous System Balanced?

Many people think that in order to become healthy they must lose some weight. Actually the opposite is true. In order to lose weight, one must have good health. The truth of the second statement can be seen in gyms everywhere, where people honestly do put in their exercise time and eat a diet of rabbit food, and still despite all their efforts, the fat does not budge, or not to the point expected for the effort put in. The frustration in these people is palpable. Their trainers that are giving them killer workouts are also frustrated. What is going...

July 6, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Uncategorized By Vancouver Health Coach

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...

July 3, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

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...

June 26, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

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...