News

March 2, 2012 In Fitness, News, Running, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Tips For Running Your First Marathon

The 2011 Chicago Marathon along with the New York City race marked the start of the marathon season with more than 80,000 runners between the two races attempting to complete the 26.2-mile or 42.195 kilometers marathon distance, according to Huffington Post. Whether you are a walker or a runner, if you are interested in participating and completing a marathon, with the proper training and nutrition you will be able to finish the race. The first step is selecting the marathon in which you wish to participate. If this is your first marathon race, whether you are interested in walking it or...

February 1, 2012 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

The Burpee: An Endangered Exercise?

There are many exercises designed to work your whole body: dead lifts, back squats and over-head squats, etc…. All of them are great exercises and each of them make you work extremely hard and can develop your body. But you need a gym to go to or equipment at your home to do these. What do you do if you can’t get to the gym or afford the equipment? Stop working out? I do not think so. There has to be an exercise that you can do that works the whole body, includes cardio, strength and core work, portable and be...

January 18, 2012 In Food, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Raw & Vegan Coconut Oil Recipes for Health: Energizing Coconut Peach Melba Smoothie

How can you easily incorporate coconut oil into your daily diet and enjoy its health benefits? Try this raw and vegan Coconut Peach Melba Smoothie. Coconut oil is nature’s richest source of healthy medium chain fatty acids, which help stimulate your body’s metabolism, aid in weight loss, improve cholesterol levels and protect us from disease due to the oil’s anti-microbial properties. To reap the numerous health benefits coconut oil has to offer, the recommended daily intake is 1-3 tablespoons. One of the easiest ways to consume 1 tablespoon per day is in a smoothie. This energizing vegan Coconut Peach Melba Smoothie...

January 16, 2012 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

Basic Beginner’s Workout with Resistance Bands

This article will provide suggestions for resistance band basic exercises. This simple resistance band workout can be done in the comfort of your home--remember, this or any sample exercise program cannot be implemented correctly without first talking with your doctor to make sure you are cleared to begin a new exercise program. Begin with a 5-10 minute warm up of light cardio (walking in place, elliptical trainer, etc.) Beginners: Perform each exercise for 1 set of 15 repetitions, resting when you need to, using enough weight that you can only complete the desired number of repetitions (15). Do this workout 2-3 times...

December 16, 2011 In Emotional Health, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

The beautiful benefits of Iyengar yoga: Helping both the mind and body

Iyengar yoga is one of the most popular forms of yoga in the United States. Created by Shri B.K.S. Iyengar, this type of yoga is particularly well-suited for people with back problems and for people who suffer from stress (two conditions that often go together). Iyengar yoga has been around for over 60 years, and since it is a form of yoga, it is based on practices that are thousands of years old. It is one of the most effective yoga forms for people who want to cope with mental and spiritual stress. Excellent posture, balance, and relaxation are major...

December 14, 2011 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Green & Healthy Living, News, Product Reviews, Spotlight By Lisa Virtue

Release some tension with all natural Spoonk acupressure mats

History often repeats itself, especially when we’ve done good. In India, yogis have been privy to the healing effects of the ancient bed of nails for centuries. This practice is known as acupressure.  Finally the western world is catching on, and just when we need it! With modern day stress, we are in dire need of methods of relaxation. It seems paradoxical, that a bed of sharp nails may actually serve to relax us. But once you give it a good try, you will see for yourself how soothing it is. The modern day version of the yogis’ bed of nails, is...

December 5, 2011 In Eliminating Toxins, Food, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

The Wheat Belly: Diabetes and accelerated aging

I recently read an excerpt called “Wheat Belly” from the book “Wheat: The Unhealthy Whole Grain”, written by Dr William Davis, MD.  What I read in this book touched upon a new concept for me in relation to healthy eating for Type 2 Diabetics. Dr Davis explains how our current supply of genetically modified (GMO) wheat that is prolific within the North American diet actually acts differently within our body than the wheat that our ancestors ate.  While we tout eating whole grains rather than refined grains and starchy foods (potatoes, pasta, white rice, bleached white flour, etc), Dr Davis explains...

November 16, 2011 In Family Fitness, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Benefits of coconut oil for pregnant mothers

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a powerful anti-microbial fatty acid that protects the immune system of the fetus and newborn. Pregnant and nursing mothers should eat coconut oil to increase the quality of the womb environment and breast milk. There has been a lot of research lately discussing how the environment of the womb can affect the long term health of the baby with respect to autism, allergies, asthma, food sensitivities and other chronic conditions. In past blogs we have talked about the health benefits of coconut oil but not specifically its protective properties for pregnant and nursing mothers. A healthy diet...

October 17, 2011 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

5 favourite gluten-free grains

There was a time in my life when eating gluten-free was mandatory to ensure the safety of my wife. Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivity affects more people today in North America than ever before. There are several theories about why this may be happening, but I will save that subject for another day. I believe that the hybridization of wheat over the last 70 years has resulted in a grain with higher levels gluten (some have suggested that wheat today has 50 times more gluten than it did 100 years ago). Gluten is a very sticky protein and is difficult...

October 12, 2011 In Family Fitness, Food and Recipes, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Is your child at risk for Celiac Disease?

Below is a 15 question screening tool to help identify if your child is at high risk for celiac disease. It takes less than 5 minutes to complete and score but can make a lifetime of difference in the health of your child and your family’s quality of life. How accurate is the screening questionnaire? Research has concluded that the questionnaire is 87% effective in identifying children at high risk for celiac disease. However, the questionnaire results are not a medical diagnosis and the screening program does not replace a comprehensive exam by a trained physician. Does the questionnaire recommend treatment? No, the celiac...