Holistic Health

September 7, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Gut bacteria could be key indicator of colon cancer risk

In a paper published by the University of North Carolina the authors suggest that the balance of healthy versus pathogenic bacteria in our gut is an important element in the development of colon cancer. This is only the latest in a continual stream of research over the past decade showing the importance of a healthy gut flora. But the benefit doesn't extend to just the bowel. A quick survey on the database of the National Institute of Medicine will quickly show that these probiotic organisms are not only good for the gut, but are equally important in the proper health...

September 4, 2014 In Family Fitness, Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Asthma, Allergies and Th-2 Dominance

Asthma and allergies are caused by dysregulation and hyperactivity of the immune system. The part of the immune system that becomes overactive is a subset of T cells known as thymus helper 2 lymphocytes, or Th-2 cells. What are T cells? T cells are a type of white blood cell that carry out the functions of the immune system. T helper 1 cells identify pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi) and stimulate the activity of macrophages, another type of white blood cell, to digest the pathogenic material and cellular debris. In this way, Th-1 cells, when functioning optimally, help us from contracting infections and getting...

August 23, 2014 In Emotional Health, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Dial Down Your Stress Levels With Yoga

Yoga is one of the best ways of coping with the stress of modern life. It doesn’t involve drugs or great expense, and can be practiced by anyone of any age in any physical condition. Most adults spend their lives in a chronic state of being busy. Earning a paycheck, raising children, keeping up a household, and maintaining social relationships require effort and time, and the result is mental and physical stress. Chronic stress is harmful to health. Prolonged stress causes the secretion of various stress hormones, shallow, rapid breathing, and an elevated heart rate. Over time, stress can manifest...

August 17, 2014 In Emotional Health, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Melissa Carr

Multitasking: A Four Letter Word?

How do you feel when I say the word “multitasking”? Do you feel overwhelmed? Or do you proudly say that you’re a good multitasker? Does it stress you out? Or do you feel efficient? As a health professional, I’m supposed to tell you that multitasking may be bad for your health. After all, your focus is usually poor when you try doing two or more things at once. Take, for example, the well-known risks of driving and talking on a phone or text messaging. In TCM, even eating and working at the same time is discouraged. We believe that the...

August 17, 2014 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Food, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Raw Vegan Recipe: Brazil Nut Hummus

Raw brazil nuts are one of the lesser-known nuts to Americans, but a staple to Amazonians, revered for their exceptionally high levels of selenium, a mineral that plays a key role in metabolism and for its cell protecting antioxidant properties.  The antioxidants in Selenium help the body absorb Vitamin E, digest protein, and stimulate the thyroid. Just one or two Brazil nuts a day provides enough of this trace element’s Recommended Daily Allowance of 55 to 100 micrograms per day. Among healthy people in the U.S., selenium deficiencies are uncommon. But some health conditions, such as HIV, Crohn's disease, and conditions...

August 14, 2014 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Food, Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Benefits of Container Gardening

Do you know that gardening activities can burn 300 to 600 calories per hour depending on the level of work you are doing? It is an ideal form of exercise as it combines strength, endurance and flexibility. It helps in stress reduction, lowers blood pressure and relieves muscle tension. In addition to health benefits, gardening is a creator of beauty, wouldn't you feel a sense of fulfillment if you are the one creating it? One way of gardening that's becoming popular is container gardening. This is an approach to gardening where containers are used in growing plants. It's easy and simple...

August 13, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

What is Candida?

Candida albicans is a yeast that is normally found colonizing the digestive tract and other mucous membranes of the body.  After antibiotic use or periods of immune suppression, this yeast can proliferate, causing a yeast infection in the digestive tract, on the tongue ("thrush"), in the nasal sinuses, vagina, urinary tract and in the folds of the skin.  In addition to causing symptoms ranging from nagging to severe, chronic Candida infection can derange your immune system leading to allergies, frequent infections, and autoimmune conditions. Symptoms of Candida Infection: 1.) Bloating, gas, difficulty digesting many foods, heartburn, chronic indigestion, irregular bowel movements...

August 11, 2014 In Emotional Health, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Increasing Energy Levels Naturally: Tip #1

One of the most common complaints I hear in my practice is about not having enough energy. Over the next few months, I will share simple practices that can be done to enhance your energy levels naturally. Some may be obvious - but worth restating, while other practices may give you new perspectives that you may not have considered previously. Increase Your Energy Levels Tip #1: Breathe By far, the most important tip I can share is remembering to breathe properly. Let me tell you why. Your body cannot heal and repair at the same time as being stressed. When we breathe...

August 6, 2014 In Beauty & Grooming, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Homemade Facial For Dry Skin

'Tis the season when dry skin dominates. You're not alone if you're skin has turned from soft and vibrant to dull and flaky this winter. The good news is you can find natural and easy ways to brighten dry skin at home in your kitchen! Not only is this facial recipe moisturizing, thanks to the beneficial oils from the avocado and olive oil, it's also great for oily and acne prone skin too. Lavender essential oil and raw honey have antibacterial properties that help cleanse pores and remove blemish causing debris. Not to mention, lavender is great for promoting a...

July 28, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight, Uncategorized By Vancouver Health Coach

Visualization and Our Immune System: Using Your Mind to Stay Healthy

The cold and flu season is here. Thankfully, however, there is something you can do to improve your chances of fighting off illnesses and staying healthy.  Long overlooked by conventional medicine practitioners, imagery techniques are an extremely effective, safe, and easy-to-apply healing tool. Promising research in the field of mind-body medicine has found that the brain has the ability to influence the immune system. Imagery techniques like visualization have great potential to affect physiology, and are a useful method anyone can use to help strengthen the immune system and promote healing. What is the immune system and how does it work? The immune...