Spotlight

August 19, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Running App Runtastic 5.0: Makes You Want To Run More Often

If you love running, the running app Runtastic may be for you! Runtastic – an innovative suite of apps, products and services that track and manage health and fitness data to motivate individuals to get in shape, stay healthy and improve overall fitness – has announced a brand new version of their flagship app, Runtastic. Over the past year, the award-winning app has undergone a complete transformation, incorporating user feedback, expert knowledge and industry trends. The result is a revamped design and user experience, as well as new features and improved functions. This announcement comes as the company surpasses 70 million downloads worldwide. It's impossible to make progress by standing still or becoming complacent,” says...

August 19, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Lower Abs Myth Explained

Of all the myths floating around in the wide world of fitness, one of my favorites is the legend of the "upper and lower abs." One of the reasons this ranks high on my list is because even though its so easy to debunk, this myth is so persistent, that it just refuses to go away. Hundreds of years of anatomical research are conveniently brushed aside in seconds by every late night infomercial selling the latest gadget or contraption to help sculpt, tone or chisel your lower abs for a perfect washboard, six-pack stomach. And, it'll do it in less than...

August 18, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Top anti-inflammatory foods

In past articles, I have discussed how inflammation is the underlying cause of most chronic and autoimmune disorders.  The major cause of inflammation in the body is the food we eat so eating anti-inflammatory foods is important for good health. Food allergies and intolerances have been implicated in a wide range of medical conditions, affecting every part of the body: from mildly uncomfortable indigestion, to severe illnesses including celiac disease and diabetes, to developmental disorders such as ADHD and Autism. The inflammatory reaction occurs when an ingested food molecule acts as an antigen, a substance that causes the immune system...

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 16, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

The Power of Matcha Green Tea: DoMatcha Review

An infamous superfood known for its high antioxidant content, matcha green tea has gained popularity in recent years, being called for in smoothie recipes, lattes and even baked goods. Matcha is a ceremonial Japanese powdered green tea, traditionally used by Zen monks to symbolize harmony, purity, tranquility and respect. Matcha comes from the leaf of the tea and has an impressive nutrient profile, containing roughly 15 times the nutrients as a cup of traditional green tea. Matcha is most abundant in vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll and the cancer fighting antioxidant, EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate.) It also contains L-theanine, a mood enhancing, and anxiety...

August 15, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Avoid Training Injuries: The Importance of Stretching

We all have been told that we must stretch-stretch-stretch before and after every workout. Yet many of us have no idea what stretching does for us, and don’t bother to do it. Worse still, we rush through a quick stretching routine that is not only ineffective but sets us up for potential injuries. Proper stretching does play a very important role in both overall health and performance in workouts or sports. The importance of stretching for our bodies? One of the primary benefits of regular stretching is that it can help prevent muscular imbalances. Because no one has perfectly symmetrical muscular development,...

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...