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Advice about getting healthy & staying healthy.
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HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
COMOX VALLEY RECORD
Natural solutions to help you
SLEEP joint pain, restless leg syndrome, There is nothing like a good digestive issues, adrenal / nervous night’s sleep. Many of my patients system imbalances, neurotransmitcome in complaining of sleep ter imbalances and more. Each issues. Insomnia can rob you of of these issues can be effectively your life force, affect your mood, addressed with naturopathic mediand depress your immune system. cal approaches. Poor sleep increases appetite and Once we have removed obstacles makes it harder to control your to a good night’s sleep, we look food intake. Prescription drugs for at “sleep sleep such as hygiene”. This zoplicone and I believe in getting to involves makbenzodiazthe root cause of the problem ing sure you apenes have and removing any impediare going to significant bed in a quiet, side effects ments to sleep as a first step dark room including to overcoming insomnia. and taking increased rates of cancer — Dr. Deidre Macdonald time before bed for relaxand death. ation techniques. TV and computer Long term use of these medicashould be reserved for other times tions is not recommended under of the day. Caffeine should be ordinary circumstances. avoided all day. As a naturopathic physician, For those people who still have I believe in getting to the root sleep issue after implementing cause of the problem and removthese basic strategies, I teach them ing any impediments to sleep as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for first step to overcoming insomnia. Insomnia. This technique has been Some examples of issues that can proven to be more effective than affect sleep are: urinary issues, sleeping pills for addressing insommenopausal hot flashes, back or
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Island s
There are many natural solutions to help with insomnia so you can get a good night’s rest. nia. It teaches skills to retrain the brain to be able to sleep through the night. In addition, I am a firm believer that whatever stresses you have during the day can come back and bite you at night. Problem solving and relaxation techniques are an essential part of a program to calm and balance the nervous system 24 hours a day.
In addition, herbal and other natural medicines can be very helpful for balancing the nervous system, calming the adrenal glands and balancing neurotransmitters in the brain. For instance, lately I have been recommending a high dose Valerian product with very good results. Valerian has been proven to increase sleep
time for people with insomnia and specifically menopausal sleep problems. Other natural medicines that can balance the nerves and mind to enhance sleep are 5-HTP, melatonin, GABA, theanine, adrenal tonics, homeopathic medicines and more. So don’t settle for less than a great night’s sleep. — Dr. Deidre Macdonald, ND
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
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Stay motivated, get fit Renee Andor Record Staff
Whether your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, bulk up or live a more physically active life, it can be hard to keep after the first few weeks. Fitness Excellence owner Paulette Jalbert, who has 10 years experience as a personal trainer, says she’s seen countless people start out on their goals with plenty of enthusiasm, only to have their motivation wane shortly Just start after. moving, you have “We’ve all done to move, you have it where we’ve woken up on Januto get off the couch ary 2 and have said and move. ‘enough is enough, — Paulette Jalbert I don’t feel good about myself, I don’t look good in the New Year, my clothes are too tight,’” says Jalbert, adding after holiday overindulgence many people are motivated to get fit early in the New Year. “We have the best intentions, we’re going to buy a gym membership, and ‘I’m going to go to the gym’ — and in three weeks, you never see them again.” She says a large reason people give up is that they don’t see the results they’re looking for, likely because they aren’t doing an exercise program tailored to them. Jalbert’s No. 1 recommendation is to invest in a personal trainer because once you tell them what you want for your body, they can tell you exactly what to do to
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achieve your goals. “There’s tricks to getting what you want for your body — so if you just want to be lean and toned there’s tricks to that, if you want to bulk up, like a lot of guys want to put on the muscle mass, there’s tricks to that. It’s very simple, but hiring a personal trainer, I think, is really, really, really important,” she says, adding, personal trainers are abundant throughout the Valley. “There’s private personal trainers that work out of their homes, they’re in facilities, they’re in the rec centres — but buy personal training to set yourself up so that you know what you are doing.” Another very important component is diet, according to Jalbert, who says a personal trainer should talk to you about what you’re eating. “A lot of the good personal trainers will not only include a weight training program, they’ll talk to you about your diet, because 80 per cent of your effort is your diet,” she says, adding diets will differ depending on a person’s goals for their body. She also points out you don’t need to go on some sort of extreme diet if you’re looking to shed some of those extra holiday pounds. “When I mention diet I don’t mean ‘OK, now I’m just on fruits and vegetables, I’m not eating this, I’m not eating that,’ — just cut back, take 500 calories off your daily intake, take 500 off and start moving, and you’re going to notice a difference within a week,” she explains.
Paulette Jalbert, owner of Fitness Excellence and a personal trainer, gives tips to keep motivated about those new year’s resolutions to get in shape. PHOTO BY RENEE ANDOR Although diets should differ depending on body goals, one general thing to remember is: the more natural the better. “If you’re thinking of food, think of what your body can break down, think of the natural foods, your fruits, your vegetables, high in fibre, high in protein — things that are natural,” she says, adding sugar, white bread, and processed meats and cheese are some things to avoid because the body can’t break them down easily and will store those items as fat. Jalbert’s final piece of advice to stay motivated is to check out a class. “Join a fitness class, you can find a fitness class from step aerobics to aerobics,
zumba, spinning, any type of fitness class,” she says. “Join a class that’s going to keep you motivated, have an instructor that you find that’s going to keep you motivated and keep you coming back. Great music, great instructor, you’ll keep coming.” And if not a class, just do something. “Just start moving, you have to move, you have to get off the couch and move, and sometimes walking around the block is not going to cut it,” she adds. While it can be hard to keep going and reach your fitness goals, Jalbert stresses the importance of investing in our bodies’ wellness. writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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Relaxation weight loss
combined The Ideal Protein weight loss program is complemented by gentle yoga practice Two key elements have been revealed in recent health studies. Current and historical research points toward obesity as a major factor in a long list of diseases and painful conditions. Fortunately, the issue is now balanced by programs that The Ideal Protein have emerged, such weight loss program is as the Ideal Protein a holistic approach that method, that can prois designed to increase vide major assistance to those wishing to lose the body’s ability to lose weight. pounds. Equally important, — Kristin Bjarnason however, additional studies of people engaging in a regular practice of gentle yoga and mindfulness reveal increased peace of mind, enhanced quality of life and a marked improvement in dealing with everyday stressors in life among the participants. Weight loss and relaxation, in combination, can have a significant positive impact on good health.
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The Ideal Protein weight loss program works especially well when combined with the gentle practices of yoga, yoga nidra and mindfulness meditation. The Ideal Protein weight loss program is a holistic approach that is designed to increase the body’s ability to lose pounds. It does so without causing the loss of muscle mass. No matter how much weight a person needs to lose, the program has been successful. The ‘secret’ would seem to lay in the fact that the program provides each participant with tools and resources for weight loss and maintenance that are easy to incorporate into daily life.
In addition to losing weight at a steady pace, the program works to reduce food cravings, improve energy, and allow participants to naturally control their appetite. The Ideal Protein weight loss method has been shown to result in improved blood sugar, reduced blood pressure, and lower cholesterol levels. A key element of the program’s success lies in the fact that weekly coaching is provided to educate each participant in how food affects the body, how food is used by the body
and what causes fat storage. The program can be fruitfully coupled with the gentle practices of yoga, yoga nidra and mindfulness meditation. Among other benefits, yoga and mindfulness help to decrease the fat storing hormone called cortisol. Learning the art of conscious breathing, eating with awareness and living in the moment is part of the practice of mindfulness. — Kristin Bjarnason R.N./Certified Yoga Instructor and owner of Samudra Weight Loss & Yoga Studio
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
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Aging vibrantly with
Somatics Imagine your body feeling more comfortable at work and play. Imagine feeling greater mobility and standing taller. Imagine aging vibrantly
SOMATICS can help you stand taller, increase your mobility, and feel more vibrant. The system of gentle, restorative movements is used by several registered massage therapists and physiotherapists in the Comox Valley.
Imagine your body feeling more comfortable at work and play. Imagine feeling greater mobility and standing taller. Imagine aging vibrantly. Then imagine that you are given the tools to achieve this yourself: that is what Somatics offers many people. ‘Somatics’ is a term coined by Thomas Hanna, the man who developed this system of gentle, effective, restorative movements. Somatics is used by several registered massage therapists and a smaller handful of registered physiotherapists in the Comox Valley and by hundreds of therapists worldwide. Importantly, Somatics allows therapists to teach clients useful tools to help themselves rather than simply applying the modality to the client. Thus Somatics is not ‘done to you’ — the client is an active participant, always sensing, gauging, and learning and changing. Two statements from clients who have experienced good results with Somatics exemplify this Somatic experience: “Somatics is the best tool for lis-
tening to your body; you can’t ignore what is happening.” — Claire M. “It’s like teaching your body how to relax; somewhere along the line it forgot how to do that.” — Adam M. “Somatics has given me back my health after years of back pain.” — PB Awareness of how one holds the body, breathes, compensates for injuries old or recent is of fundamental importance in Somatics. Also slow, mindful movements with more intent and less intensity, is key. For Somatics you will not need: • Fancy equipment • Head to toe spandex • Experience You will need: • To slow down a bit • To explore your body’s movement and postures • A willingness to change patterns There is a hands-on application to Somatics as the therapist uses gentle resistance to increase awareness and bring about change to movement in a particular area. In addition, there are home exercises and even Somatics classes to help individuals maintain
what they have gained in treatments as well as continue to improve and explore on their own. For registered massage therapists or physiotherapists trained in Somatics, the technique can be incorporated into a treatment or stand alone as a treatment unto itself. Somatics helps our bodies and our minds relearn healthy ways to move and let go of movement patterns that are not helpful. To be most effective one needs to slow down and take time. When we slow down and bring attention to any task we have greater awareness and effectiveness; whether that is weeding a garden or chopping carrots or doing a series of Somatic movements. There are several online references to Somatics (in the Hanna tradition) as well as YouTube videos, and listings of therapists who practice Somatics or offer classes. Some Somatics practitioners offer CDs that make home practice easier. Make 2013 the year that you explore Somatics and rediscover healthy movement. — SomaticsPlus
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Courtenay-based Canadian College of Advanced Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy.
Hypnosis for well-being Many of us made our New Year’s resolutions in the foggy haze of a hangover or in the emotional frazzle of holiday entertaining. It’s certainly true that the new year seems an inspired time to consider change – but a new YouGov omnibus study shows that actually only 11 per cent keep their resolutions for more than a week. Jeannie Spencer, clinical hypnotherapist and clinical director of the Courtenay-based Canadian College of Advanced Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, knows from experience that individuals have a much higher chance of success by waiting for the holiday chaos to clear before focusing on personal resolutions. “For most of us, our energy can be physically and emotionally depleted during the holidays,” she says. “People are generally in a much stronger position to make changes a bit later in January, when our minds are more focused and ready to accept new suggestions. It’s because of this that we waited to schedule our popular resolution-based workshops this year.” If health and physical well-being made the top of your resolution list, you may be interested in Spencer’s 12 week, weight loss hypnotherapy workshop. The workshop combines an individual private session as well as 11 weekly group sessions. Spencer comments: “Past success in the program has been outstanding. I still hear from clients today who can’t believe how much their relationship to food has changed since leaving the program. Hyp-
nosis works because it allows individuals to feel completely relaxed in a wakeful state of focused attention. When in this state they can overcome their thinking (i.e. feelings, beliefs, etc.) about a particular problem.” By the end of program, an individual is able to build up self-confidence and learn how to implement new and healthy eating habits that lead to weight loss as well as maintaining an ideal weight. For those who had many different resolutions, the New Year personal development workshop could add clarity and help focus your goals. This one day seminar proposes to help you design a plan for change. Additionally, individuals will learn motivational strategies. “Hypnotherapy is often used to help build the confidence that one needs, by unlocking the potential deep within the mind,” says Spencer. “We use hypnotherapy at the core of our teaching, but we always have fun mixing in introspective coaching tools and group discussion as well.” If you have struggled to keep your resolution going or perhaps just decided not to bother this year, you may want to see if a mid-January resolution will have a more lasting impact. Individuals interested in attending any of the upcoming InvisonYourLife seminars can enrol online at www.invisionyourlife.com or contact Jeannie Spencer at 250-702-4769. — Jeannie Spencer, InvisionYourLife
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
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Smile with confidence Dentures can help improve your appearance and self-confidence Dentures can improve your facial appearance and self-confidence, especially if you have been missing a number of teeth over an extended period of time. By replacing missing teeth, dentures can help you speak better, improve the chewing of most foods, and restore a natural-looking smile. After a period of adjustments, proper fitting dentures will be comfortable, ultimately boosting your selfesteem. Through modern technology , prosthesis can be made to closely duplicate or even improve on what Mother Nature has given us. A denturist has the ability and training to fabricate from beginning to end, customized prosthesis to suit patients individual needs. Services can include dental appliances ranging from 1-2 tooth “flipper”, acrylic or cast frame partials, full dentures, and implant supported dentures. A unanimous agreement from all involved in the dental profession can be wrapped up in one statement: Everyone feels and looks better if they have a nice smile. A sense of well-being and confidence are achieved when people are happy with their appearance. — Ruth Ewert, denturist, Nixon Dental Lab
Did you know? There are a host of ways fitness-minded folks can burn a few extra calories, even if they don’t know they’re doing it. For instance, those who can’t sit still and tend to have a nervous personality may burn more calories than a person who is calm. That’s because fidgeting can burn up to 350 calories a day. Laughing more can also burn extra calories. Scientists estimate that laughing 100 times is equivalent to a 10-minute workout on a rowing machine. Remember to get some shut-eye as well. Research has found that dieters who get adequate sleep can more easily shed weight. For those who are feeling amorous, engaging in intimate behavior can burn up to 360 calories an hour.
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
COMOX VALLEY RECORD
Bringing Back
Vitamins and cancer prevention
People take daily vitamin supplements for a variety of reasons. Many believe that vitamins will serve as an insurance policy of sorts should they not be consuming the necessary vitamins and minerals through their diets. Others believe that vitamin supplements will ease certain ailments or help prevent diseases, such as cancer. Beliefs such as these have helped the dietary supplements business become a billion-dollar industry. There have been many clinical studies conducted to look into the correlation between vitamin supplements and the prevention of certain types of cancer. Understanding the results can be confusing. There is no magic formula for consuming a broad-spectrum vitamin supplement to serve as a blanket remedy for preventing cancer. However,
there have been some studies that show certain vitamins may help lower risk for specific cancers. For example, a study published in 2010 found women who had high levels of vitamin A and C in their bodies, whether from diet or supplement use, had fewer cases of cervical cancer compared to women with lower levels of these vitamins. Vitamin B6 has been known to have various benefits, including reducing a person’s risk of developing lung, breast and colon cancer. Those with high blood levels of B6 have a lower risk, but there is no proof that taking B6 supplements will have the same benefits. Some studies indicate that vitamin E supplements may reduce men’s risk of developing prostate cancer. Studies in the 1970s suggested that high doses of vitamin C could be an alternative cancer treatment, says The Mayo Clinic. These findings were debunked when it was discovered the research methods used to reach the conclusions were flawed. Subsequent studies did not corroborate the 1970s results. However, more attention is now being paid to administering vitamin C intravenously, which has different effects than when the vitamin is taken orally. Until clinical trials are completed, researchers cannot say for sure if intravenous vitamin C will be the new all-natural cancer cure. It is important to note that taking vitamin supplements at the suggested levels recommended should be relatively safe for most people. Individuals should not super-dose vitamins in an effort to achieve better health results. Also, people should discuss any vitamin supplement use with doctors, as some supplements may cause potentially harmful interactions with certain medications.
Smiles for 30+ years
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Did you know? A new study in the journal Neurology suggests that working out is the most effective way to protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers studied roughly 700 study participants from Scotland, all of whom were born in 1936. Each participant reported their levels of leisure and physical activity at age 70, rating their physical activity on a scale from moving only to perform household chores to participating in heavy exercise or competitive sport several times per week. Participants were also asked to rate how often they engaged in social or intellectual activities. At age 73, participants received an MRI to measure
certain biomarkers in their brains. Those who participated in more physical activity showed less brain shrinkage and fewer white matter lesions, both of which can be signs of Alzheimer’s disease. And while social and intellectual activities can be beneficial in preventing Alzheimer’s disease, the study found that social and intellectual engagement weren’t as helpful to the brain as physical exercise. The types of physical exercise most beneficial to the brain are still being studied, though information presented at the 2012 Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference suggested that strength training is perhaps the most effective form of exercise.
Home-grown fruits, berries and vegetables are used in our recipes from our own gardens and greenhouse.
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HEALTH AND WELLNESS
COMOX VALLEY RECORD
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
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Easy ways to improve memory Everyone forgets things from time to time. Periodically forgetting where you left your keys is likely not indicative of a bad memory. But some people find themselves forgetting things more frequently, a troubling development for those who can’t explain their sudden loss of memory.
Prioritizing a good night’s sleep is one way to improve memory.
Memory loss is often considered to go hand-in-hand with aging. As a person ages, conventional wisdom suggests memory will begin to fade. But sometimes memory loss has nothing to do with aging, and a lot to do with a brain that isn’t sharp because of an unhealthy lifestyle. The following are a few ways men and women can improve their memory. Get some sleep. Men and women who aren’t getting enough sleep can almost certainly blame that lack of shut-eye for at least some of their memory loss. When you don’t get enough sleep, your brain’s ability to think critically, solve problems and even be creative is compromised considerably. In addition, research has shown that memory-enhancing activities occur during the deepest stages of sleep, further highlighting the importance of getting a full night of interruption-free rest. Hit the gym. Exercise is another activity that can improve memory. Daily physical exercise increases the amount
Naturopathic Medicine
of oxygen that gets to your brain while reducing the risk for certain disorders, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, both of which can lead to memory loss. Manage stress effectively. Stress has a host of negative side effects, not the least of which is its impact on your memory. Chronic stress that goes untreated can destroy brain cells and damage the region of the brain that deals with the formation of new memories as well as the retrieval of older memories. Numerous studies have shown that men and women cite their career as their primary source of stress. Since quitting your job is likely not an option, find ways to manage your stress more effectively. This may mean finding a way to make the most of your time, be it working more efficiently, emphasizing planning ahead or even vowing to stop procrastinating. Other ways to manage stress include making time to relax and recognizing that you have limits while seeking the help of others.
Make some dietary changes. Diet can also have an impact on memory. What you eat is fuel for both your body and your brain, and a poor diet can have a negative impact on your memory. Be sure to include omega-3 fatty acids, sources of which include salmon, tuna and other cold water fatty fish, in your diet. Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids, which can also be found in walnuts, can boost brain power and possibly reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Foods with antioxidants, including fruits and vegetables, can also protect your brain cells from damage, which can have a positive impact on your memory. Leafy green vegetables like spinach, romaine lettuce and arugula as well as fruits like apricots, mangoes and cantaloupe are good sources of antioxidants. A diet high in saturated fat, which is found in red meat, whole milk, butter and cheese, has been found to have a negative impact on memory. Research has shown that such a diet increases a person’s risk of developing dementia while impairing an individual’s ability to concentrate and remember things. Loss of memory is often a momentary lapse, but those who find themselves becoming more and more forgetful can take steps to improve their memory and their quality of life.
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
COMOX VALLEY RECORD
Make your favorite recipes healthier Using nonstick cookware when preparing your favourite meals can reduce reliance on oil or butter, cutting fat and calories from your diet.
A healthy diet plays a significant role in a person’s overall health. Without a healthy diet, men and women are more susceptible to disease and other potentially harmful ailments. But when many people think of a healthy diet, a lack of flavor is often one of the first things to come to mind. That’s a common misconception, as a diet that’s healthy and full of nutrients can simultaneously be flavorful. In fact, it’s easy to enjoy many of your favorite dishes in a way that makes them much healthier. Oftentimes, a few minor alterations to a recipe is all it takes to turn the dish from high-risk to healthy. Trim the fat. No one wants to eat fat, but fat isn’t entirely bad for you. Fat can help your body absorb vitamins A, D, E and K, and replacing fat with something like carbo-
hydrates decreases how much these valuable vitamins are absorbed. In addition, dietary fat releases chemicals in the brain that make you feel full, reducing the likelihood that you will overeat. Those are just a few of the benefits of dietary fat, which is an essential element of a healthy diet. But overconsumption of dietary fat can be dangerous, and many people simply need to trim some fat from their diets. One way to do that is to reduce how much butter, shortening or oil you use when cooking. For some recipes, you may be able to cut suggested portions of such ingredients by half without replacing them; however, for others, especially those for baked goods, these items may have to be replaced. In the case of the latter, find a suggested alternative to high-fat items, and only use half of the high-
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fat item listed in the original recipe. Chances are you won’t taste the difference, but your body will be better for it. Substitute healthier fare. Substituting items is another way to turn a favorite dish into a healthier dish without altering the flavor dramatically, if at all. For example, instead of cooking with enriched pasta, purchase whole-wheat or whole-grain pastas, which are higher in fiber and lower in calories. If a recipe calls for using milk, choose fat-free milk instead of whole milk. Doing so reduces your fat intake by nearly 8 grams per cup. Recipes can even be made healthier by simply cutting back on the main dish and adding more vegetables. Instead of using the recommended amount of meat or chicken, scale back and make up for it with additional vegetables, which reduces your caloric and fat intake while adding more vitamins and minerals to your diet.
Change your methods. Certain cooking techniques are healthier than others. Frying foods or cooking with fat, oil or salt is not the healthiest way to prepare a meal. Some of your favorite dishes that call for frying or cooking in oil can be just as flavorful if you opt for healthier methods like braising, broiling, grilling, or steaming. When recipes call for basting foods in oil or drippings, forgo these unhealthy options and baste foods in vegetable juice or fatfree broth instead. What you use to cook can also be healthy or unhealthy. Nonstick cookware won’t require you to use oil or butter to keep foods from sticking to the pan. This reduces the amount of fat and calories you will consume, and you likely won’t notice a difference with regards to flavor. Men and women who enjoy food and cooking their own meals can take several steps to make those meals healthier without sacrificing flavor.
Are you ready to quit smoking? Our program can help determine
THE BEST PLAN FOR YOU. CComplete the online questionaire at
qquitsmoking.shoppersdrugmart.ca aand bring the results to our pharmacists.
You’ll get your Samudra Weight Loss and Wellness offers: ð a welcoming environment ð a holistic approach to health & wellness ð a medically designed weight loss program that works ð supervision with an experienced Registered Nurse ð weekly no obligation no obligation information sessions ð mindfulness meditation classes ð yoga & yoga nidra classes Carol Schmick, Ideal Protein Business Consultant, describes Kristin's weight loss clinic, Samudra Weight Loss, as an “elite” facility in Western Canada.
250-871-7006
www.samudraweightloss.co
Find us on 6th Street (between the Atlas Café and Tulio’s)
PERSONAL
TREATMENT PLAN to help you quit. 310 8Th St., Courtenay
250-334-3134 1966 Guthrie Rd., Comox
250-890-9327
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
COMOX VALLEY RECORD
LOVE the
elixir of life...
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
When last did you jump out of bed with the enthusiasm of a child on Christmas morning? All that impairs our ability to do this is the effect of time. The joyfully enthusiastic child within us all has retreated more and more with each blow that life has offered. So now we place conditions on love before we give it and keep ourselves guarded until all these conditions are met. Our abdomen tenses in a defensive stance and can no longer erupt with belly giggles. We now believe that we are protected from all that which is not true love; but you only get as much love as you are willing to give. This brings us to the health benefits of love and happiness. • Love makes you smarter because falling in love releases a hormonelike substance which helps to restore the nervous system and improves memory by triggering the growth of new brain cells. • Love helps fight cancer because being in love
PACMED Convenient
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Your health is our priority! 1782B Comox Ave. • 250-339-5050 • www.medicineshoppe.ca
increases desirable white blood cells which kill cancerous cells as part of the body’s immune system. • Research shows that loving acts neutralize the kind of negative emotions that adversely affect immune, endocrine and
Love makes you ❝ happy and happy people have younger hearts, younger arteries, and a younger RealAge.
❞
— Freedom Now Yoga cardiovascular function. • The brain becomes “fired up” when talking to someone it finds attractive and sends impulses to the heart making it pound three times faster than normal. This results in increased blood supply to the body, specifically the cheeks and sexual organs, which gives us the feeling of butterflies in the stomach. • Studies have indicated that a lack of love, causing social isolation, increases the risk of early death by up to five times.
• The endorphins produced by the body when in love increase blood flow to the skin, which helps keep it soft and smooth, and reduce the development of wrinkles. The increased supply of essential food and oxygen to skin cells when in love also give the face a pinker, healthier glow. • Love makes you happy and happy people have younger hearts, younger arteries, and a younger RealAge. Happy people recover more quickly from surgery, cope better with pain, have lower blood pressure, and have longer life expectancy than unhappy people. Studies also suggest that happy people may have stronger immune systems; they exercise more, eat healthy, wholesome foods and attract loving relationships. Remember that no one can give or take love from you; you can only be in love. So why not reclaim your true power, the power of love? Greet everyone with an open heart and a smile. Make your New Year resolution to love your way back to health, happiness and peace. — Freedom Now Yoga
Breakfast on the Go? Coffee Break? Lunch Break? or Take Home! • Healthy, wholesome and nutritious baked goods, hot soups, entrees and snacks prepared fresh daily. • A wide variety of handcrafted Gluten Free baked goods baked fresh for Fridays & Saturdays each week.
We look forward to your next visit!
Over 50 courses at both our winter & spring sessions.
445-10th Street, Courtenay, BC Serving the Comox Valley for over 35 years. 250-338-0955 ON-LINE COUPONS & SPECIALS: www.grainsbakery.ca
11
12
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
COMOX VALLEY RECORD
When you
Recover faster from the world’s most important job
SLEEP do you really
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NO MORE INSOMNIA, COMFORT FOR SCIATICA AND HIP PAIN My daughter and myself recently purchased these beds. Penny, who suffers from insomnia, claims that she doesn’t wake up in the night so much, and in general falls asleep faster and stays asleep. I have sciatica which causes a lot of hip pain, especially at night. Recently I had to leave my bed and sleep in the spare room bed, which caused a lot of pain. As soon as I got into my Celliant Sleep Rejuvenation System, the difference was amazing. I like that the temperature seems to be adjusted and I am no longer too hot or too cold. We have recommended the mattress to friends, chiropractors, and doctors. Shirley A, Parksville and Penny A, North Vancouver COMFORT FOR COMPRESSED VERTEBRAE I am an injured ex-military veteran with 4 compressed vertebrae. Prior to sleeping on our Celliant Sleep Rejuvenation System, I tossed and turned all night hardly sleeping at all. Now, I fall asleep within minutes and wake up feeling the most incredible amount of energy. This is a FANTASTIC mattress! Jerry Zimmerman, Comox Valley, BC
Only available at Courtenay Merit Home Furniture DO NOT PAY FOR 1 FULL YEAR O.A.C.
MERIT HOME FURNITURE COURTENAY - 2967A Kilpatrick Avenue
250-334-0007
Mon. - Sat. 9:00am - 5:30pm, Sun. 11:00am - 4:00pm