OMEGA-3 IS ESSENTIAL FOR ALL AGES

Omega-3 supports cardiovascular health.

Omega-3 reduces inflammation and is the most e ective in reducing triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.

CEO & Group Publisher

• Ryan Benn

Vice President, Publishing & Operations

EDITORIAL

Group Content Director, Editor-in-Chief

Senior Editor • Sandi Gauvin

Editor, CNHR • Bruce W. Cole

• Nina Wagner

• Tracy Peternell

Editors • Melissa Curman, Erin Jackson, Laura Newton

Digital Editor • Colleen Grant

Digital Assistant • Michelle von Hahn

DESIGN

Group Creative Director & Photographer • Scott Yavis

Art Director, Marketing • Brenda Bezell

Senior Graphic Designers • Iva Zima, Lindsay Burke, Alvarro Pastorin

PRODUCTION

Director of Operations

• Devin Steinberg

Production Associate • Natasha Jayawardena

SALES

Vice President, Sales • Ellen Wheeler ext 619

Sales Coordinator

• Phileasha Gentry

Account Executive, USA (East)

Retail Account Executive, USA

EDUCATION & ADMINISTRATION

• Bernadette Higgins 561.362.3955

• Rebecca Randolph

Vice President, Education & Administration

Executive Assistant

Office Administrator

• Jane Griffiths

• Hannah Dewar

• Maria Valle

Manager, alive Academy

• Julia Wagner ext 637

Manager, Academy Admissions

FINANCE

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• Jan Clay ext 623

• Conroy Ing

• Maira Guzman

Accounts Receivable Specialist

Custom Publishing

• Jacqui Harquail

Vice President, Custom Publishing • Brendan Harrington

Publisher, Live Naturally • Deborah Juris

CONTACT INFORMATION

Alive Publishing Group Inc. 100-12751 Vulcan Way, Richmond, BC V6V 3C8

Phone: 604-295-9333 Toll Free: 1-800-663-6580

Cover price is $5.75. Nine issues published per year.

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ADVERTISING POLICY sage accepts advertising based upon space availability and consistency with its mission to promote a natural health and wellness lifestyle. sage is not responsible for the content of advertisements, the products offered or the viewpoints expressed therein.

EDITORIAL NOTE

The information provided in this magazine is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified and licensed practitioner or health care provider. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Alive Publishing Group Inc., its affiliates or parent company. Different views may appear in future articles or publications. Articles in sage are copyrighted and must not be reprinted, duplicated or transmitted without permission.

The heart has long been associated with love. That’s why, come this time of year, we like to celebrate this life-giving organ and the love in our lives.

In this issue, we focus on all matters of the heart. From understanding how our emotions affect our health to exploring the link between inflammation and heart disease, we’ve got your back when it comes to keeping your heart—and the hearts of those you love—in tip-top shape. Plus, we’re sharing some food and supplement synergies that do double duty when paired up. What’s not to love about that?

As the cherry on top, we’re serving up some delicious recipes for you and that special someone … if you can bring yourself to share! From colourful heart-healthy recipes to unique and chocolatey flavour combinations, we’ve got just what you need to make this Valentine’s Day, and the final days of winter, an ode to love and good health.

Here’s to better health and wellness, together!

Run backward to propel fitness forward

When it comes to meeting your health and wellness goals, it’s rare that you actually want to go backward, except in the case of reverse running, the latest fitness trend that’s exactly as it sounds: running backward. Also known as retro running—no ’80s leotard or leg warmers required—it’s a legitimate sport! Pre-COVID, there was even a reverse running biennial world championship.

Besides the occasional sideways glance you may get from passersby not in the know, taking up reverse running also comes with a host of health benefits: it’s easier on your knees, and it’s more stimulating to your heart, lungs, and muscles. Plus, for those looking to set a new personal record, retro running is a training tool you can use to improve your forward running speed.

Curious to give reverse running a try? Make sure to push off from the balls of your feet and look where you’re going!

The chia drink loved by influencers

Leave it to TikTok to popularize the next eye-raising nutrition fad: chia seed water, or, as it’s affectionately called, the “internal shower” drink. Made from chia seeds and water, social media influencers claim the gelatinous beverage improves satiety—and they’re actually right.

That’s because chia seeds swell in size after they’re exposed to water, and, when consumed, slow digestion, promoting a balanced release of energy after meals and feelings of fullness. More importantly, chia seeds can help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation, are high in omega-3s, and keep you regular since they’re so fibrous—hence the “internal shower” moniker.

If you want to give this trend a try, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) of seeds into an 8- to 10-ounce (250- to 300-mL) glass of water. Chug it fast, before it has a chance to fully solidify.

Upcycle your beauty routine

We’ve already started swapping plastic bottles for reusable containers and paying more attention to the ingredients in our everyday household products, so it makes sense that our beauty shelf would be next to make the shift to sustainability. Enter: byproduct beauty, a zero-waste initiative focused on producing items like face scrubs, eye creams, moisturizers, and cleansers from upcycled materials.

This means your exfoliator might be made from used coffee grounds, your lip balm from bruised bananas, your face mask from pumpkin flesh … you get the idea. So not only can you benefit from the natural ingredients in these products, but they also help the environment by curbing some of the 1.6 billion tons of food waste produced globally every year.

A new hair trend is blooming

We’re feeling blue about this hair care trend—but in a positive way! Blue tansy is one of the latest botanical trends to bloom on the beauty scene, joining a long list of plants and flowers routinely used in hair care products to treat conditions like dryness and dandruff.

“Blue” tansy is actually a bit of a misnomer: in plant form, it presents as a golden yellow-hued flower. The indigo color develops once it’s distilled into an oil, whose chemical composition is purported to reduce inflammation.

The oil is pretty easy to find online, though it can be expensive due to its increasing popularity. Go the DIY route and mix a couple drops into your shampoo or scour your health food store’s shelves for hair masks, serums, and moisturizers that tout the tansy.