Lifewise Health & Wellness Bulletin - JULY 2013

Congratulations to all the winners of our Patient Appreciation Month Raffle! Thank you to everyone for participating. We hope that these small tokens express our gratitude for your ongoing support.

Now that Summer has officially arrived, hopefully we can take advantage of the nice weather by going out for walks, cycling, playing tennis, golf, soccer, etc. Remember to do a good warm-up, stretch, put on some sunscreen and drink lots of water. Also, remember to listen to your body; if something doesn’t feel right, don’t force it. If you feel that you have ‘tweaked’ a muscle or joint, give it enough time to rest. Would you rather miss one game or the rest of the season? Have a happy Canada Day!

Yours In Health,

Dr. Karen Baker

Don't over-do, don't under-do, just DO & feel GREAT!

Gaye Barter, Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher

Yoga is about exploration, a dialogue of mind to body, to breath, that changes by the moment. We are organic beings affected by our ever-changing lifestyle, emotions and situations. Yoga makes space for an awakening of the cells, creating an 'intelligence' to awaken to a newfound sense of space and freedom.

Many people seek yoga for improved health and flexibility, but they discover there is more. Ultimately there is a learning, growth and change due to new state of focus. Yoga gives us an opportunity to settle ourselves, to listen, to feel and to have a knowing and learn or relearn on a whole new level.

Through a discovery of alignment, the body can shift towards a state of effortless effort where the skeletal structure supports life and movement without the over -taxing effort on our muscular framework.

By recognising where we are restricted and where the imbalances are, we can begin to change, by gently pushing the edges back.

The most advanced practitioners aren't necessarily the most physically flexible ones; instead they are flexible in mind and emotional, offering themselves a state of grace.

Learning to accept and keep going, 'our edges' soften, we can then start to push them back and 'the box' we are living in, expands. Shifts take place and we may discover we have more freedom in our hamstrings, more depth in our breath and more clarity in our thoughts and a feeling of greater peace...our lives change.

Nudging and coaxing the old so-called comfort zones we begin to know a new place in ourselves.

For the month of July, Gaye will be teaching Wednesday and Friday mornings 9:30-10:45am

& Tuesday and Thursday evenings 5:45-7pm.

See the JULY CLASS SCHEDULE for more details!

Register today or drop in for a class.

5 FOODS TO AVOID TO HELP YOU KEEP ACTIVE

Dr. Suzanne Crix, Chiropractor

Now that summertime is here, I am sure you are all anticipating making the most out of the nice weather and doing the things you love to do outdoors, as am I. The last thing you want is to be slowed down by an “-itis” or inflammation that just doesn’t seem to go away. Whether you have an acute condition such as tendonitis or bursitis, or a chronic condition such as arthritis, carditis or colitis, being more conscious of what you eat will definitely help keep you active. The following 5 foods should be avoided to help decrease systemic inflammation and consequently, you will experience less pain, feel more flexible and vital, lose weight and prevent degenerative conditions.

1. Wheat. Our bodies produce an inflammatory response to the genetically modified wheat that we eat today. Healthier choices include quinoa, spelt, buckwheat and gluten-free products. The Wheat Belly is a great read for more information.

2. Meat. Chicken and fish are protein sources that are much easier for our bodies to digest. The book called The China Study is a good reference about animal proteins.

3. Dairy. Not only does it contain casein protein but also all the not so good things fed to cows such as growth hormone and antibiotics. There is an abundant supply of dairy-free milk options such as soy, rice and almond.

4. Sugars. Refined sugars, especially, increase inflammation in the body. Sugars also feed yeast which is part of the normal flora but can overgrow and cause disease. Some good alternatives include the estevia, guava, honey and maple syrup.

5. Shellfish. These types of fish, such as lobster, scallops and shrimp are high in arachnidonic acid. Alternately, cold water fish such as halibut, salmon and cod are naturally anti-inflammatory.

Simple Blueberry Peach Smoothie

Take advantage of abundant fresh, seasonal produce this summer when it’s at its most delicious and nutritious. When summer recipes are this fresh and delicious, it’s easy to fill your diet with low-calorie, antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables and herbs. Perfectly ripe peaches boast beta carotene and bursting-with-flavor blueberries are rich in vitamin C. If you’re lucky enough to get produce fresh from your garden or find some at your local farmers’ market, all the better! Add the below ingredients to your blender for a quick & easy smoothie. It’s that simple!

 2/3 cup fresh (or frozen) blueberries
 1/2 cup almond milk
 3 ice cubes
 1 peach