News

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

Top Five Misconceptions About Body Fat

Body fat has been long demonized in modern culture. Just the mere words can make people squirm. For years we have tried to burn it, shred it, lose it, trim it and tone it. Yet many of us don't really understand what it is and why it's necessary. The media has played a major role in shaping our misperception of body fat. Many myths and a ton of misguided information have arisen because of this. Here's our list of the top five misconceptions about this much misunderstood tissue. Muscle Turns To Fat A classic and one of my personal favorites: The idea that...

October 21, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Correct the Underlying Cause of Asthma

Asthma problems can be corrected, and with lifestyle modifications – they can remain corrected. The most recent statistics compiled by the federal government illustrate that nearly 2.5 million Canadians over the age of 12 suffer from Asthma. The Globe and Mail reports that 75 per cent of those with Asthma also suffer seasonal allergies, which in turn, aggravates the debilitating symptoms. Asthma is a dysfunction of the body’s breathing apparatus which manifests as chest tightness, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. There are two types of Asthma: day-to-day and exercise induced. With day-to-day Asthma, the body is not able to take in deep...

October 21, 2014 In Food, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Should I take supplements or not?

Some would say that even if you eat a "balanced diet" you should still take supplements because there are not enough vitamins and minerals in the soil. What do you think? There is some truth to the assertion that supplementation has become necessary due to the fact modern agricultural practices don't preserve the quality and nutrition of the soil, and hence, the abundance and diversity of nutrients in our food has declined since the introduction of synthetic fertilizers. This is bolstered by evidence that organically grown foods have been shown to have a greater density of nutrients. Thus, my recommendation is...

October 20, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Health Care Reforms: How Would you Change Health Care for the Better?

This is a big question, and could easily form the subject of several books. But since I don't have the time to do this, I am only going to highlight a couple points and keep the discussion brief, and welcome input from others The first issue when it comes to health is one of personal responsibility. None of us are born with an instruction manual, and so it is very important to provide people with a model of health and personal health care that is easy to understand and practice, including both diet and lifestyle. I believe that medical science is...

October 19, 2014 In Family Fitness, Fitness, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Getting Physically Fit Before Pregnancy

Four years ago I made a promise to myself… I would never again join a gym that required more than a month-to-month commitment. You see, despite all my best intentions, I have a really bad habit of not going to the gym. This became especially apparent to me a few years ago when I joined a gym that was literally a few steps away from my apartment. There was absolutely no excuse for me not to go to the gym and yet I still couldn’t motivate myself to go on a regular basis. That’s when I realized that no matter...

October 19, 2014 In Family Fitness, Fitness, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

How Exercise Reverses Aging

The best anti-aging solution isn’t for sale, in fact it’s free. It can also help you lose weight, think better, sleep sounder and give you a stronger heart. Solid scientific research proves this one thing can help you live longer, stronger and happier. It’s called exercise. The key to a successful fitness plan is persistence, so if just squeezing back in your pants and looking better isn’t quite enough motivation for you, here are some powerful reasons to lace up those sneakers and break a sweat. Turning Back the Clock on Aging Back in 1966, a group of 5 young men took part...

October 18, 2014 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Restoring an Ailing Eco-System: Ten Tree Reforestation Project

Forests cover 31% of the land area on our planet. They produce vital oxygen and provide homes for people and wildlife. Many of the world’s most threatened and endangered animals live in forests, and 1.6 billion people rely on benefits forests offer, including food, fresh water, clothing, traditional medicine and shelter. But forests around the world are under threat from deforestation, jeopardizing these benefits. Deforestation comes in many forms, including fires, clear-cutting for agriculture, ranching and development, unsustainable logging for timber, and degradation due to climate change. This impacts people’s livelihoods and threatens a wide range of plant and animal species....

October 18, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Lisa Virtue

Is Soy Really Bad for Your Health?

There we North Americans go again, enjoying too much of a good thing. I’m talking about soy products. But the Japanese have been eating soy for centuries, and they seem so lean and old, and healthy. This is true. However, upon further examination, we notice that the soy consumed in Japan is often fermented, in the form of tempeh, miso, natto, and soy sauce. Fermented soy is better for us, because the nice bacteria break down all the hard to digest phytic acid coating the beans. These troublesome phytates also block mineral absorption, leading to osteoporosis. But more good news:...

October 17, 2014 In Food, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Lisa Virtue

Eat Like a Caveman: The Paleo Diet

We live in an era of information overload, especially surrounding nutrition. I personally have been overwhelmed and confused about food for most of my life. At times I thought I had the answer, after having followed a certain diet for months and months, only to be defeated by feeling sick and malnourished. I’ve tried The South Beach Diet, the vegan Thrive Diet, a basic whole foods organic diet, and a raw fruitarian-vegan diet After feeling highly unstable on my six month fruit kick, I began following a Paleo diet. Though it is just about the fourth month in, I can say that...

October 17, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight, Uncategorized By Lisa Virtue

Hemp Milk Does a Body Good

If you’re looking for a creamy, rich and delicious drink, filled with protein and healthy fats, look no further. Hemp milk may be your tasty answer. Hemp seeds contain all 8 of the essential amino acids, making it a pretty great protein source. Just half a cup of hemp seeds offers 44 grams of protein, (that’s 11 grams of protein per ounce) and 640 calories. Another amazing fact about this glorious seed, is that it is perfectly balanced in essential fats. Humans need both omega-6 and omega-3 fats in order to function at our best. The ideal ratio is thought to...