Spotlight

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 Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Eliminating Toxins, Food, Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Can Proper Nutrition Prevent Heart Disease?

Physicians would agree that chest pain is no laughing matter. If a person is experiencing chest pain related to heart disease or hypertension, it is imperative that they make certain healthy lifestyle choices to reduce the pain. It is widely suggested that proper nutrition can help prevent heart disease, so the first place for many to start is with improving their diet. According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 600,000 people die each year of heart disease. That comes out to 1 in 4 deaths, making heart disease the leading cause of death for Americans. Despite the fact that heart disease...

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...

October 15, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Lisa Virtue

Nut-Milk for Heart Health and Diabetes

Did you know that nuts and seeds can protect your heart? They contain arginine, an amino acid that helps improve blood flow. (Which could also prove useful on date night, wink wink.) Studies have shown that when nuts (or nut milk) were substituted for an equal amount of carbohydrate in participants’ diets, heart disease risk dropped by 30%. Another study on cholesterol found that compared to a low-fat diet recommended by the American Heart Association, the addition of a handful of pecans a day greatly improved cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels, while low-fat dieters continued to suffer. The risk of type 2 diabetes...

October 14, 2014 In Emotional Health, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Natural Methods for Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is more than just the “Winter Blues.” It is a form of seasonal or temporal depression that typically affects people during the winter months of longer nights and less sunlight. If you suffer from SAD, there are many alternative therapies that can naturally help you improve your mood and reduce depressive symptoms, even if you already use a light box for treatment. Improve your mood with food. Certain foods have proven relationships to brain function. Healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, and lean protein are essential parts of a healthy diet...