Tag Archive for: Healthy lifestyle

A Playful Discussion of the Concept of Fluid Lifestyle and Ignite Retreat

I began ‘working out’ when I was 16.  I’m 41 now.  Yup, that’s right.  I used to wear the electric blue full body spandex suit and jump up and down for an hour almost every day at aerobics classes.  My instructor had similar tights but her outfit was topped by the spandex g-string body suit over the tights… Those were the days!!

 I must admit at that fresh age, I was exercising for ‘the pursuit of the perfect body’, with little awareness of the manifold benefits of physical activity.  It was not long into my exercise routine though that I became addicted to the shift in energy (many a bad mood turned happy), the reduction of stress, the confidence in my body from increased strength and balance, and the sense of accomplishment that exercise afforded.  It has taken me years, however, to really understand that the pivotal key to exercise is its ability to bring us into the moment and to make us stay present.

When I am doing squat leaps, running stairs, or sitting in the chair of utkatasana in yoga for thigh quivering minutes, I am not thinking about anything but what is in that exact moment… breathing, focusing, and maintaining alignment (OK and maybe trying to not fling sweat at my neighbors).  All the busy rush of my mind is forced out.  It does not matter.  Presence and breath are the ultimate gifts of movement.

Likewise any act of creativity can slow the mind to the simplest task at hand.  I used to endeavor to make crafts as Christmas gifts for years while I was in university (as a means to save money, but also as a statement against mass holiday consumption).  I am not sure how the recipients of the gifts felt about them – but I loved the process!!  Choosing a project, sitting there for hours cutting, pasting, ripping, weaving, painting.  I would often forget to blink…  Again all else melts away and alignment with the moment unfolds.

I have created Fluid and Ignite Retreat as an opportunity to explore the magical energy of inspiration and joy that arise from just such delicious expansive moments of breathing, creating, moving, tasting, playing.

We each have our own paths but I believe that our purpose is to expand our consciousness while here on this planet.  Why not start by making choices that honour our bodies and create the possibilities for this expansiveness of body, heart and soul?

Ignite Retreat

Fluid Lifestyle Presents:

Ignite Retreat… Spark the Fire of Creativity and Movement.  Autumn Equinox, September 20-23, 2012

Unleash your energy, activate your inspiration, learn, stretch and dance into joy. Experience the peaceful setting and deep beauty of Stowel Lake Farm, an organic farm and wellness centre on the south end of sun drenched Saltspring Island.  Ignite your inner fire with creativity and movement. Find balance and soak up the abundance of the harvest season.

 Connect with your breath, still your mind and indulge your body in a daily series of sensual, flowing yoga classes with Maria Filippione. Get your body moving and feel the rhythm of the Groove Method with Sarah Smith. Learn the practice of using hot beeswax, colour and encaustic techniques to create your own work of art with artist Maria Middleton. Feast your senses with a field to table cooking class with Stowel Lake Farm’s Haidee Hart. Divine your personal vision, deepen goals, and tap into the energy of your creative voice in a writing workshop with Danielle Janess. (No experience is necessary  to join in any of these options.)

Cory Judge has been passionate about personal health and fitness for years. She holds a degree in Environmental Studies and Geography from UVIC, but found her path led outside the mainstream and into the entrepreneurial world of artisan design.

For more information or to register go to Fluid

E: info@fluidlifestyle.ca

P: 250-886-5551

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Becoming a Produce Detective

Becoming a Produce DetectiveGrocery shopping is something we all do several times a month. We all struggle to buy less processed food, and more locally sourced produce, in environmentally friendly packaging.

So, how do we know about the toxicity of whole foods? Is there a way to identify if the produce we purchase has been genetically modified, organically grown or grown conventionally.

The answer to the question – PLU – Price Look-Up Codes. These codes are printed on small stickers that are found on all fruits and vegetables. The stickers have either a 4 or 5 digit number and depending on where the produce originates the PLU sticker may also contain the produce variety, country of origin, and logo. These codes are affixed to every piece of fresh produce which helps the supplier identify the product and allows the registers at grocery stores to scan them.

PLU Numbers on Produce Stickers:
• Organic produce has a 5 digit PLU number that begins with the number 9.
• Conventional produce has a 4 digit PLU number that begins with the number 4.
• Genetically modified (GMO) produce has a 5 digit PLU number that begins with the number 8.

The codes have been in use since the early 1990’s, and while it’s true that fresh produce in supermarkets is labeled with a code to help identify it; using an 8 to label GMOs is optional, and most companies don’t identify that their produce is genetically modified. Genetically modified foods are not regulated and as of yet, do not require labeling.

PLU Examples:

Fuji Apples
#94129 Organic
#4131 Conventional

Granny Smith Apples
#94017 organic
#4017 conventional

Gala Apples
#94133 Organic
#4133 Conventional

So the next time you go shopping and wonder about how the food you are buying has been grown, be a produce detective and take a look at the PLU code; they contain a little more information than you think.

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How Much Do You Spend on Keeping Physically Active?

How Much Do You Spend on Keeping Physically Active? Many of us believe that you have to spend a small fortune on gym memberships or personal trainers to be physically fit and active. In fact, you can be active without spending any money.

During the colder months, invite some friends to meet you at a local mall.  You can get some exercise and socialize while you are walking, and you can continue your walks out side when the weather becomes warmer.

All activity counts towards being physically fit, so even tasks such as household chores, or gardening will help you shape up.

Don’t forget to check with your healthcare practitioners, many clinics now have Rehab Gyms and as a patient you can use the facility at little or no cost.

Community & Recreation Centres

Many recreation or community centres offer a first class for free, so take advantage of these free demonstration exercise classes.   Your local library’s will have exercise DVD`s that you can borrow for free, or  download activities such as yoga and stretching exercises. For something with a bit more social and entertainment value, try participating in  community-sponsored fun run, or if you need a bit more of a team atmosphere try joining a volleyball or basketball league that plays at your local community center.

Local Parks

Many city parks have free nature walks where you can learn about native trees and plants while exploring a local forest or beach.  Another way to keep active is to help your community by participating in a stream clean-up effort.

In Your Neighbourhood

Try bike riding, and if you don’t own a bike, no worries, many communities have bike shops that also have rentals.  Or, try playing a game of tennis, and sign up for matches at the community courts in your neighbourhood.

Joining a walking group will keep you motivated, and will allow you to meet new people and get you walking on routes that you might otherwise not try.

Staying connected to you community is a good way to keep fit mentally and physically at little or no cost to yourself; and will keep you moving while having a great time!

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Be prepared for your checkup at a walk in clinic

Before your visit to a doctor or health care practitioner, be prepared for your checkup at a walk in clinic by making sure that you take all the important information with you including your medical records.

  • Dates and results of checkups and screening tests
  • List of shots you’ve received (and the dates you got them)
  • Medicines you take, how much you take, and why you take them (including over-the-counter medicines and vitamins)
  • Any health conditions you have, including allergies
  • The name and phone number of a friend or relative to call if there’s an emergency
  • A list of other doctors, dentist, practitioners or specialists you are seeing.
Be prepared for your checkup at a walk in clinic

Be prepared for your checkup

Make a list of any important changes in your life or health. Changes especially stressful ones can have a direct effect to your overall health.  Be sure to include things like:

  • Becoming unemployed
  • A death in the family
  • A serious illness
  • Surgery
  • A medical condition
  • Changes in sleeping or eating habits
  • Pain or discomfort

The health history of your family is an important part of your personal health record so keep track of conditions that run in your family.

Don’t forget to take a notepad and write down the answers so you remember them later. You may also want to take a friend for support, and don’t be afraid to ask lots of question or have the health practitioner  repeat specific information that you are not sure about.

Staying healthy means taking care of yourself all year long.  Your plan may include getting more active, eating healthy, or watching your weight.  Whatever your health goal, remember to be prepared for your checkup at a walk in clinic and let your health care practitioner be part of your health team.

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Natural Health Practitioner Encourages a Diet For Change

Natural health practitioner encourages a diet for change and a transition diet is helpful when a person has regularly eaten meat, sugar, salt, white flour products, and very few grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, sprouts, seeds or nuts. In other words, a transition diet helps with the change from an unhealthy diet to a healthy diet. If a person has regularly eaten natural food, a cleansing program is much easier to follow.

Changing eating habits is very hard to do, and few people are willing to undergo this change until they are forced to in order to save their lives. How much easier it would be if a change took place before serious illness. Meat, chocolate and caffeine drinks are stimulants. Sugar also creates a stimulant feeling but is often followed by low blood sugar, which can lead to depression.

Natural Health Practitioner Encourages a Diet For Change

Diet For Change

In order to re-balance the body the cells need to be cleansed of food residue that has collected through the years

Changing our diet after years of bad habits and unhealthy eating is very difficult. We like the food we are used to eating, and many of them are “comfort foods”. It is hard to change, but it can be done. Any change in your diet needs to be undertaken gradually, eliminating one food at a time. Start by eliminating red meat and salt from the diet. This will begin the cleansing process. Any time a food that has been eaten regularly is given up, the body will began to cleanse. As foods are eliminated from the diet, our taste for those foods will diminish. At the same time, as a more natural food diet is eaten regularly, those nutritious foods will become very satisfying. When salt is given up, the taste buds will change and natural food will be enjoyed more. Adding more brown rice and whole grain will help the transition when eliminating red meat.

Suggested Transition Diet Menu

Before breakfast you can use supplements that are needed for whatever condition you have. If you have candida, take acidophilus first thing in the morning (on an empty stomach) and use appropriate nutrients, foods and herbs that go along with candida. If you have hypoglycemia, eat the appropriate diet, along with supplements and herbs to strengthen the body and overcome this condition.

Breakfast, first thing in the morning, should consist of fruits such as cantaloupe, watermelon, peaches, grapes, pears, apricots, apples or citrus fruit. After an hour you can eat a hot cereal, millet or a brown rice dish or a protein drink. Fresh fruit juices or vegetable juices can also be used, and they should always be diluted with half pure water.

Lunch should consist of salads using sprouts of all kinds, grain soups, steamed and raw vegetables. Use brown rice and millet dishes. You can also drink fresh tomato-vegetable juices.

Dinner should be lighter than breakfast and lunch. You can drink fresh vegetables juices, steamed vegetables, baked potatoes, brown rice and millet dishes along with fresh salads.

Our natural health practitioner encourages a diet for change, but there are more changes you can incorporate into your daily life that will promote better overall health, such as exercise and getting enough rest. Our health care practitioners at Diversified Health are always available to discuss any health questions you may have.

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Have you ever sat in a medical clinic, and felt nervous, sleepy, or depressed?

Have you ever sat in a medical clinic, and felt nervous, sleepy, or just plain depressed? Drab colours, no plants, and stagnant air that can make a setting feel dead.

Diversified Health Clinic

Recently I had the opportunity to step into the inviting space at Diversified Health Clinic. What caught my eye? Well, I had seen their website about a week prior to my visit, and was curious about the unique curved wooden “ceiling-wall” structure which graces the reception area. I was given a tour of the office, and was impressed with the fact that the entire clinic is built with eco-friendly materials. There’s even a wall portion comprised entirely of plants!

As a mental health therapist, I am acutely aware of the mind-body connection. In my own office I have added cheery colours, living plants, shells, and soft lighting. Comfortable seating and nurturing art complete the picture. It’s hard to imagine a client being able to relax and share their feelings in a sterile, cold environment. Similarly, a person needs to be able to feel comfortable when receiving any kind of physical treatment – whether it’s massage, chiropractic treatments, physiotherapy, or acupuncture.

Besides creating a welcoming environment – what else can a practitioner do to reduce a client’s anxiety or trepidation about seeking help? I encourage my clients to do some simple meditation exercises. These can be as short as 10 minutes, and often involve a focus on the breath. Brain science is just beginning to catch up with what Tibetan monks have known for eleven centuries. The latest scans of the brain indicate that meditation helps aid communication between the amygdala (which alerts us to perceived danger) and the prefrontal cortex (which thinks it over and decides what to do). When that communication is enhanced, we are able to calm ourselves, and are much better able to handle stress of any kind. In addition, the ability to self-soothe is considered by many marriage counsellors to be one of the best indicators of a successful relationship.

Today I listened to Sharon Begley, Wall Street Journal science writer, describe how we are coming to a new understanding of our capability for change – real and lasting change to “deep-seated emotional, cognitive and behavioral problems.” There is also hope for people affected by stroke, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and age-related changes. We are living in exciting times indeed!

Caron Smith is a counsellor in Victoria, B.C. She provides services to individuals and couples.  She can be reached through her website Smith Counselling or by phone at 250-885-1610.

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Take Victoria Health Services Health Quiz & Myths

In our constant quest to live better and longer, we seek out and devour every morsel of “how-to-health” news we find; so take Victoria health services health quiz & myths and see how you score!

The challenge lies in finding the truth that is obscured by all the hype. Health myths are as stubborn as ink stains.Passed down from generation to generation or created anew, they refuse to fade away. We have heard them so often we just assume they are true; “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, “The sun causes skin cancer”, “Milk does a body good”, “Fish is good for you.”

Take Victoria Health Services Health Quiz & Myths

Photo credit: students.ubc.ca

Test your myth knowledge and take our quiz. Then read on to find out about some of the biggest myths in health news today. (True or False)

  1. Sea salt healthier than ordinary salt.
  2. Bananas are more fattening than other fruit.
  3. Butter has more calories than margarine.
  4. Brown bread has more fiber than white bread.

Answers to this quiz:

  1. False, but sea salt contains more iodine.
  2. False, the amount of fat in bananas is the same as other fruits, but they do contain high levels of carbohydrates, so watch the size.
  3. False, butter has the same caloric value.
  4. It depends on whether it is “brown” dyed flour or wholemeal. Only whole meal has more fiber.

MYTH: Sun Causes Skin Cancer

Experts and the media bombard us about the “dangers” of the sun. This is one of the most inaccurate myths that persist among most Canadians. Unfortunately, this myth has contributed to massive amounts of disease and illness in our society because we all need sunshine to stay healthy.

Can sun exposure cause skin cancer? Absolutely. An appropriate amount of sunlight exposure actually prevents cancer. Exposure to the sun provides many benefits such as promoting the formation of vitamin D. There is also strong evidence that sunlight is protective against MS, colon, ovarian and breast cancers.

This does not mean that we should all go out and get as much sun as we want. You must exercise caution. At the beginning of the season, go out gradually and limit your exposure to as little as 10 minutes a day. Progressively increase your time in the sun so that in a few weeks, you will be able to have normal sun exposure with little risk of skin cancer.

REMEMBER TO NEVER BURN, THAT IS THE KEY.

Using sunscreen is not a good way to limit your sun exposure, in fact, sunscreen is the LAST thing you want to put on your body, and sunscreen does not stop skin cancer. Sunscreen is a toxic chemical that can cause problems in your system and increase your risk of disease. A far more logical solution is to consume large quantities of whole vegetables will increase antioxidant levels in the body and will provide protection against any sun-induced radiation damage.

MYTH: Whole Grains are good for you

Whole grains are better for you than refined grains, but whole grains are still not something that most people should be eating. Well over 50% of Canadians could benefit from severely limiting or eliminating all grains – refined, whole, sprouted or otherwise—from their diets. This is because nearly everyone with high insulin levels benefit from avoiding grains. People in this group would be anyone who has or is overweight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

The majority of Canadians fall into one or more of these categories. If you are purchasing whole grain, organic sprouted bread, more than likely, it will not move your body toward health, and you are better off avoiding it. The higher your insulin levels and the more prominent your signs of insulin overload are, the more ambitious your grain elimination should be.

Grains to eliminate include: Wheat, Rice, Spelt, Rye, Barley, Oats, Corn, Potatoes (they digest more like a grain)

Highly processed grain products are not recommended, and these would include:  Breads, Chips, Pasta, Pretzels, Cereal, Waffles, Bagels, Pancakes, French Fries, Baked goods

The next time you have a health question,  you can re-take Victoria health services health quiz & myths, or you can ask the practitioners at DHC, for a trusted source for health information that you can rely on.

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12 Top Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products | health care products victoria

12 Top Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products | health care products victoria

The average personal care product contains about 12 chemicals: from shampoo and lotion to sunscreen and mouthwash. If you think there’s no cause for concern, think again, more than one-third of all personal-care products contain at least one ingredient linked to cancer, and less than 20 percent of the chemicals in personal-care products have been tested for safety.

12 Top Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products:

12 Top Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products | health care products victoria
12 Top Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products

Prefixes – Ethyl, Methyl, Butyl or Propyl
What It Is: Parabens
Health Risks: Endocrine disrupters that mimic estrogen; linked to weight gain and breast cancer
Found In: Lotions and shampoos

Fragrance – DEHP, DHP, DBP 5, Dibutyl Phthalate
What It Is: Phthalates
Health Risks: Sperm damage, infertility
Found In: Nail polish, shampoo, deodorant, lotion

Dyes – Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5 & 6, Red 33
What It Is: Coal tar
Health Risks: Carcinogenic
Found In: Hair color, medicated shampoos

Triclosan, Chloro, Phenol, Irgasan
What It Is: Triclosan
Health Risks: Endocrine and thyroid disrupter; promotes antibiotic-resistant bacteria; bioaccumulates in the body
Found In: Antibacterial soap, shampoo, facial cleanser, toothpaste, deodorant

3-(4-methylbenzylidene)-camphor (4-MBC), octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC), octyl-dimethyl-PABA (OD-PABA), bexophenome-3 (Bp-3), homosalate (HMS)
What It Is: Sunscreen chemicals
Health Risks: Estrogenic activity; enhances the potential for pesticides to penetrate the skin
Found In: Sunscreens

Polyethylene glycol (PEG, PPG, Cocoate), propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, polyethoxyethylene, polyethoxyethylene mineral oil
What It Is: Petroleum byproducts
Health Risks: Carcinogen; liver and kidney effects
Found In: Lotions

Petrolatum
What It Is: Derivative of petroleum
Health Risks: Endocrine disrupter; carcinogen
Found In: Lotions

Lead acetate, thimerosal, mercurius solubilis, mercurius sublimates, mercurius corrosives, mercuric chloride
What It Is: Lead and mercury
Health Risks: Found in higher levels in women with breast cancer; neurotoxin
Found In: Hair color, wound treatments, artificial tears

Isobutene
What It Is: Propellant made from petroleum processing
Health Risks: Carcinogen
Found In: Moisturizer, shaving cream, foot spray, breath freshener

Placenta
What It Is: Placenta, placental enzymes, placental extract
Health Risks: Filled with hormones that upset your own balance and increase estrogen
Found In: Skin and hair conditioner

Hydroquinone
What It Is: Hydroquinone
Health Risks: Can cause a skin disease called ochronosis
Found In: Skin whitener

Nano zinc oxide <100mm
What It Is: Nanoparticles
Health Risks: The safety of nanoparticles has not been tested, but they can cross the blood/brain barrier and move along nerves.
Found In: Sunscreens, lotions

Many manufacturers list ingredients on product packaging and on their websites. Check the labels on your personal care products; if you see any of these 12 chemicals, it might be wise to limit the use of the product or to find a “organic” alternative.

Article highlights from Kelly Lerner and Alli Kingfisher; from Natural Home & Garden Magazine

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Victoria Clinic Discusses Health Guidelines for Tattooing

Victoria clinic discusses health guidelines for tattooing, starting with the fact that tattoos arose from a rich cultural history dating back 5,000 years.  The purpose of tattooing has varies from culture to culture.  Before you start  any tattoo, wait until you know exactly what you want permanently inked onto your skin; why you want it, where you want it, and exactly what it means to you.

The best way to pick a tattoo artist is to get a recommendation from a friend or acquaintance who’s had a positive experience working with a local artist. Otherwise, consider group review resources like Yelp.

Victoria Clinic Discusses Health Guidelines for Tattooing

Photo Credit: tattooswithmeaning.org

Insist on a consultation with the artist that will be doing your tattoo before the actual tattooing begins.   You want to talk with this person,  to see if you click,  and to discuss  issues such as your art, placement, the amount of time it will take, and the fee.

You need to insist on a viewing the the facility’s sterilization equipment and procedures.  You need to be shown that the tools are completely clean and safe by being shown an autoclave, sterilized needles, fresh latex gloves, and all necessary ink and equipment laid out on a clean work area. The artist should remove all sterilized equipment from its packaging in front of you, if not walk away.

How much it will hurt will depend on placement, size, complexity, and your own personal pain threshold. Tattoos placed over bones and tendons (spine, neck, back of ankle), on body parts with relatively little padding (feet, hands, joints), and anywhere with loads of nerve endings (nipples, fingers, face) will be the most painful.

Victoria clinic discusses health guidelines for tattooing with an informative booklet that covers informed consent, premises, and operation, preparation, and handling of instruments and equipment, pigments (dyes or inks), infection control, waste disposal, personal service workers, and post-tattooing skin care.

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Boot-Camp Workout for Women you can do at Home | rehab victoria bc

Finally a Boot-Camp workout for women you can do at home!

Start by jogging for two to three minutes to warm up, then start with the first exercise in Round 1.  Do as many reps as you can in 30 seconds, rest 10 seconds, then continue until you’ve completed each exercise for 30 seconds in the order shown.  Rest for a minute, then do the exercises in Round 2. Rest for another minute, then repeat the entire sequence so you’ve completed two sets of each round.

Boot-Camp Workout for Women you can do at Home | rehab victoria bc

Photo Credit: dli.ro

Round 1:

Squats – With feet hip-width apart, bend your knees to 90 degrees, keeping your chest upright. Return to standing.

Pushups – Place hands wider than shoulder-width apart and lower your chest to the floor.

Bicycle Crunches – Lie on your back, hands clasped behind your neck. Bring your right elbow toward your left knee while straightening your right leg, raised six to eight inches above the floor. Alternate sides.

Jumping Jacks – Raise your arms out to the sides & above your head; at the same time, jump up & spread your feet wide. Reverse & repeat.

Back Extensions – Lie facedown with your arms at your sides and slowly raise your head, shoulders, and chest off the floor.

Round 2:

Walking Lunges – Step forward with your right leg and bend your knees to 90 degrees. Move forward as you alternate legs.

Squat Jumps – Do a squat, then jump as high as you can while throwing your arms up into the air, landing softly right into another squat.

Close-Grip Pushup – Place hands side by side, thumbs touching, and lower your chest to the floor.

Standing High-Knees – Jog in place, quickly alternating bringing your knees up toward your chest.

Mountain Climbers – From a pushup position, quickly alternate bringing your knees toward your chest.

Boot-Camp Workout for Women you can do at Home | rehab victoria bc – This boot camp is designed by trainer Laurel Blackburn from Womens Health Magazine.

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