News

November 2, 2014 In News, Spotlight, Weight Loss By Rich Ralph

Is Sugar Preventing Your Weight Loss?

It’s no big surprise that junk food is not good for us. Why else would it be called ‘junk’? We know sugar and refined foods can make us fat. Have you ever wondered about the mechanism inside us that makes this happen? Hopefully this post will shed some light on what our bodies are doing when we eat those sweets and encourage you to cut back or eliminate refined foods completely. Refined carbohydrates are essentially no different than pouring pure sugar down our throats. When refined, the vast majority of the fiber is removed, which means the carbohydrate is broken down...

November 2, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Uncategorized By Vancouver Health Coach

Probiotics Coupon Code 12% Off Discount

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...

November 1, 2014 In Food, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

The Scoop on Fats: The Good and The Bad

Everywhere you look these days, labels and commercials shout the absence of Trans fats in our favorite foods and the presence of “good” fats instead. Our bodies need some fat for optimal functioning. But we need the right kinds of fat, and we need to practice moderation. Some fats are actually good for you, and others should be avoided at all costs. How do you know which is which? There are two kinds of fats, commonly considered "bad" and "good" fats: saturated and unsaturated fats. While both unsaturated fat and saturated fat are in a variety of foods, studies have found...

November 1, 2014 In Holistic Health, News, Spotlight, Weight Loss By Vancouver Health Coach

Losing those last 10 pounds

When it comes to weight loss, we all know that fad diets are out and good old-fashioned exercise and a healthy diet are in. Sticking to an exercise routine and a health-conscious lifestyle can help anyone drop weight, but what about those last 10 pounds that everyone is always talking about? Holding onto those extra pounds that keep you from achieving your ideal weight may not be your fault. Here are three reasons why diet and exercise may not be enough, and what you can do about it: 1. Hormones When it comes to hormones, there are several common culprits: Estrogen, TSH (thyroid...

October 31, 2014 In Fitness, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Skipping the gym doesn’t mean you’re lazy

  I have been so unmotivated lately to pull out my mat or head to the gym. And I have new instructional DVDs (usually the love of my life) that I haven’t even taken out of the cellophane yet! What’s wrong with me? The guilt that comes along when not following through with planned physical activities is usually enough to spur on a recommitting within a few days time for me. But it has been WEEKS since I’ve been consistent with an exercise regime and, to be honest, I’m not even telling myself tomorrow will be THE DAY. I’m in an exercise slump. But is a...

October 31, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Supplements By Vancouver Health Coach

Does Echinacea Really Help Cure a Cold?

A comprehensive study of the effect Echinacea has on treating the common cold has deemed the herb insignificant. The study followed 719 people aged 12 to 80 starting when they were in the early stages of developing a cold. The participants were randomly divided up into three groups – those taking a pill they new was Echinacea, those taking no pill and those taking a pill which could be either Echinacea or a sugar pill. The results found that cold symptoms were not reduced by taking the herb, and the duration of the cold was only seven to 10 hours less in...

October 30, 2014 In News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Feel Something in Your Yoga Practice

I just completed the longest yoga session of my life. It was 52 minutes drawn out into what felt like 52 hours. I was weak and distracted. Each new pose brought with it a new exit point and strategy. My mind was spilling over with justifications – I had this article to write, after all (though I had no idea what I would write about). And aren’t we supposed to practice self compassion? When I’m not at my best I should be gentle with myself, no? No. I mean, I suppose...

October 30, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Uncategorized By Vancouver Health Coach

Pain is Trying to Tell You Something

At the first sign of pain, many of us tend to reach for quick-fix solutions like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. However, many prescribed medications and over-the counter drugs merely mask the pain, and never really address the cause of it. Additionally–and more concerning–prolonged use of these medications can lead to stomach ulcers, liver problems, and other health issues. There is, however, a safe and healthy option that will address the root of the problem without harmful side effects. This solution begins in your mind. Pain: friend or foe Our bodies are constantly sending us messages. Sometimes we choose to listen to them, while other...

October 29, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Think like a Hunter-Gatherer: Preparing Food for Your Next Meal

No, this is not about the nutritious scrumptiousness of “Raw Cuisine.” Unless you have a full time cook at your beck and call, it is the highest maintenance, labor intensive diet on the planet. (We predict it will soon take its' rightful place along-side "Nouvelle Cuisine"). This is about using our brains; brains that have benefited from cooked food through the millennium. Cooking made all those beans and vegetables we gathered and the meat we hunted easier to digest. Because they were easier to digest, our bodies were able to absorb more nutrients. Our brains grew and we became smarter....

October 29, 2014 In News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Finding the Right Medium to Experience Yoga

Just as there are many different styles of yoga from which to choose, there are also several ways to learn and experience yoga. It’s important that you find the right medium, and the right teacher within that medium, because that relationship will directly affect the likelihood that you will adopt yoga as a regular practice. Probably the most popular method with which to experience yoga is by attending public classes. Studios are popping up on every corner so there’s no shortage of choices – Hatha, hot, yin, etc. The benefits of classes are their availability and the powerful feeling that comes...