We are so honoured to be able to offer 30% off your First Treatment of Ohashiatsu with Massimo De Angelis, or Margarete Eller! *This offer is extended throughout February and March 2011. Call to book your appointment today! 778.786.2517

Here's a look at some interesting New Year's Eve customs and traditions around the world. Let's celebrate – a new year is practically here.


AUSTRIA
In Austria, New Year's Eve is called Sylvesterabend, Eve of Saint Sylvester. It’s a tradition to make spiced punch made of cinnamon, sugar, and red wine in honour of the saint. Also, the suckling pig is a symbol of good luck. By firing of morters called böller, evil spirits are chased away. New Year’s is greeted with festive decorations (evergreen wreaths), champagne, and fireworks. People usually attend the midnight mass where trumpets can be heard blowing from the church towers during midnight kisses.

FRANCE
Jour Des Étrennes. The French New Year is celebrated with a special feast called le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. Presents and kisses are exchanged. January 6 is the end of holidays. A special cake la galette des rois is cut. The cake contains a fève, a small china character. Whoever finds it becomes king or queen and gets to wear a gold paper crown. And they get to choose a partner.

The PHILIPPINES
The New Year’s Eve in the Phillipines is usually celebrated with family and friends. Traditionally, most households have a dinner party called Media Noche with dishes such as pancit, Hamo, and Lechón (roasted pig), which is usually the centerpiece of the dinner table. Filipinos have a habit of wearing colorful clothing to show excitement for the coming year and often wear clothes with circular patterns like polka dots, for example. It is believed that circles attract money and fortune. Circular-shaped fruit is also served. Their other traditions include throwing coins on midnight or shaking them inside a metal casserole while walking around the house to increase wealth in the new year.

GERMANY
When the clock strikes twelve On Silvester, German New Year’s Eve and feast day of St. Sylvester, people toast to the new year with a glass of Sekt (German sparkling wine) or champagne.
One of German's old New Year`s Eve practices is Bleigießen (Lead Pouring). People would tell fortunes by the shapes made by dropping molten lead into cold water. A heart or ring shape meant a wedding, a ball meant luck will roll your way, a ship symbolized a journey. Dinner for One, 14-minute British stage sketch, is an annual German custom that is often watched on NYE. Outside, an explosion of lights can be seen in the sky.

ECUADOR
Ecuador sees unique traditions on New Year’s Eve. To represent people and events of the past year, effigies called Años Viejos (Old Years) are created. They often represent leaders or political characters that its creators disagree with. The dummies are made of newspaper, old clothes, straw, and papier-mâché masks. Also, they are often filled with fire crackers. At midnight the effigies are lit on fire: it`s the burning away of the past year and welcoming of the New Year.
Another tradition is a ritual performed for health, prosperity, and protection. For example, each person eats twelve grapes before midnight. A wish per grape.

SINGAPORE
In Singapore, people can join in on the New Year’s Eve festivities from atop the world's tallest Ferris wheel: The Singapore Flyer. It is facing in the Marina Bay direction, main focal point of all Singapore NYE celebrations, and overlooking the waterfront.

RUSSIA
On the last day of the year in Russia, Grandfather Frost, wearing blue instead of Santa's red, comes bearing gifts for the children.

ENGLAND
England`s Clock Tower (Big Ben) at the Palace of Westminster chimes thirteen times when the clock's hands strike twelve on New Year`s Eve. It`s only then that the new year officially begins.The British believe the first visitor of each year should be male and should be the one to bring the gifts.
Traditional British gifts are a loaf for the table, a drink for the master, and coal for the fire. For good luck, the guest should enter through the front door and leave through the back. Unwanted or empty-handed guests are not allowed to enter first.

JAPAN
Traditionally, on Japanese new year Oshogatsu, people clean and decorate their homes and prepare Kadomatsu and/or Shimenawa to welcome lucky gods before New Year's Eve. It’s preparation day to welcome toshigami (年神), new year's god.

PAKISTAN
Pakistan celebrates New Year’s Eve on the every first of Muharram (First Islamic Month). It is a religious occasion and is celebrated with Muslims offering special prayers.

MEXICO
For New Year’s Eve in Mexico, people eat a grape with each of the twelve chimes of the bell during the New Year countdown, making a wish with each one. Homes and parties are decorated with colours red for love and lifestyle, yellow for better employment, green to improve financial situation, and white to improve health. Mexican sweet bread is often served, with a coin or a charm hidden inside. When served, whoever gets the slice with the object in it is believed to be blessed with good luck in the new year. Another tradition is to make a list of all unhappy events from the current year and throw it into fire before midnight. Negative energy is believed to die with it.. At the same time, the good things are acknowledged and thanks is expressed for all the good that has happened to make sure that it continues on in the new year.

NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand welcomes the new year with the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere called the Sky Tower. Auckland's sky lights up with fireworks from the top.

Do you have a New Year's Eve tradition? Tell us about it.

The Benefits of Playing Outside in the Snow...Sending children outside to play may not only be healthier for them physically, but it may be better for them psychologically too. And while we're at it, why don't we join them and play out in the snow as well!

A research project called Child of Our Time produced by the BBC is tracking the growth of twenty-five children from the time they're born until they become adults. After reaching the midpoint of this study, they've made an important observation - children who play outside laugh more.

They say that laughter is the best medicine and this holds true for adults and children alike! Not only is laughter a stress reliever, but the physical movements involved with laughing gives the heart and lungs a workout. Laughter also stimulates the immune system to fight off colds and viruses that children are so susceptible too. If playing outside causes children to laugh more - it's something we all need a little more of! Children playing outside experience other health benefits as well. They're more likely to be adventurous and open to new experiences than a child who lives life vicariously - parked in front of the television set. Outdoor play fuels our imagination and teaches us how to be resourceful by creating our own entertainment. It also brings us closer to nature.

Of course there are also the more obvious health benefits of playing outside such as positive benefits on the heart and a reduction in the risk of certain diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Running and jumping builds stronger bones and muscles. How many of us are getting enough vitamin D? The best source of vitamin D is the sun and when we spend all our time indoors, our risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency is high - which could lead to health problems later in life. So avoid grumbling and get outside and play in the snow!

Give your loved ones the Gift of Health this holiday season with any one of the following special offers currently available at Glow Acupuncture & Wellness Center!

Margarete Eller and Massimo De Angelis, Certified Ohashiatsu® Instructors and Practitioners are offering a 20% discount to all clients this month for any body work. This is a great opportunity to try Ohashiatsu® and experience the benefits of this type of bodywork.



Susan Polano, Oceana Massage, is offering a hugely discounted massage this month. A one hour massage is $50. Don’t miss out on this great deal!



Sabeeha Kurji and Andrea Lamont, R.TCM.P’s are offering 25% off to all patients on their next acupuncture treatment when they refer a friend. Please be sure to mention this web offer upon booking.



Gift Certificate are available at Glow and make the greatest holiday gift for the most discerning person on your list! This year, give your loved ones the gift of health and wellness! They can choose what services would best suit them, you just have to decide on the amount. Also, we can put together packages with our beautiful Glow Teas, custom packaged for us from Tea in the Sahara. Feel free to call and ask to speak with Riadh, our in-house tea specialist, who can advise you on what’s right for you. You don’t even have to leave the house! We will take care of everything and even mail your gift if you would like.

Biofeedback at Glow Wellness!

We now offer BioFeedback with Brian McArthur! Brian is offering 30% off for the month of October at Glow Acupuncture & Wellness Center! For more information on what services Brian has to offer, please visit our website at www.glowellness.com and his own website at www.liftedenergetics.com.

Regular Price: $150 - 1hr 45m...in.
$75 - 45min.

30% Sale: $105 - 1hr 45min.
$52.50 - 45 min.

Find Glowing reviews about Glow Acupuncture & Wellness Center on page 48 of this week's Georgia Straight!

Glow Acupuncture & Wellness Center is pleased to announce that we have again made the Reader's Choice Awards for "Best Acupuncturist" in Vancouver. In Mind, Body, and Spirit, Thank you!

"Mind The Gap!"

Having just visited the most recent exhibit of Body Worlds at the Science Centre we thought it might be timely to share a little bit about the brain!

Brain Factors For Health

Water

Water is the first part of a healthy brain, and of healthy brain foods. You need to be able to have the right allowance of water in your blood in order to have a healthy brain. Your brain must be fully hydrated so that it can provide you with the right thinking skills. Be sure that you are drinking plenty of water. Some signs of dehydration are headache pain, fatigue, and not being able to focus. So, keep yourself, and your brain, in plenty of water!


Brain Foods

Brain foods are also important to understand because they can help you be more alert, smarter, and even more creative. The best things that you can do for your brain include eating the right foods. If you are able to eat well for your brain, your brain will be able to take care of you for as long as you are alive. Keep careful track of the food that you eat, and try not to skimp miss meals!

Neurotransmitters

The neurotransmitters in your brain are what are responsible for all of the functions that you hold so dear. There are neurotransmitters that are in charge of the way that you move, the way that you think, and the way that you feel. Each of them needs to be treated well – and fed well – so that they can provide you with the best work possible. There are three key neurotransmitters, and eating the right foods will help each of them succeed.

Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine is the first one. It is responsible for the voluntary movements that your body makes. It is also responsible for drinking, memory, and behavioral inhibitions. People who have Alzheimer's and memory loss might actually have less Acetylcholine, or the transmitters might be blocked. In order to keep your brain healthy and to keep your mind and memory sharp, you need to be sure that you are providing your brain with high Acetylcholine levels. To do this, eat lots of egg yolks, peanuts, wheat germ, meat, fish, milk, vegetables and cheese. They contain plenty of Acetylcholine.

Dopamine

The next important neurotransmitter is dopamine. It is in charge of your voluntary movement and emotional arousal. Schizophrenia might be associated with having too much dopamine, and having too little might be something that causes Parkinson's disease. The drug L-Dopa is given to increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Therefore, it is important that you do all you can to keep the levels of dopamine correct in your brain. In order to have high levels of dopamine, eat meat and milk products, as well as fish and beans, nuts and soy products. In fact, eating 3 or 4 ounces of protein will actually help you to be more energized, and will make you more alert and even more assertive.

Serotonin

Serotonin is involved with arousal, sleep, mood, appetite, and sensitivity. It is also something that is excitatory, and is part of how the brain produces feelings of pleasure. Depression might be caused by having too little serotonin that is active in the brain. In order to keep your levels right and to keep them active, eat lots of pasta, starchy vegetables, potatoes and cereals, as well as breads.

Eat For Life

Aside from taking care of the neurotransmitters in your brain, there are also other things that food can do for you. There are some important tips that you can follow in order to be overall more smart and to eat for intelligence. First of all, balance your glucose levels. This means that the levels of sugars in your body must be level so that your brain can work well. Secondly, eat the fats that are essential to your diet. Third, include plenty of protein, and fourth, include plenty of vitamins. Along with this, there are some important areas to be sure that you include.

Protein

Protein is important in balancing your brain health. It provides the building blocks for your body, and for your mind. Protein is also used in order to make the neurotransmitters in the first place. It is found in meat, fish, milk and cheese. It actually provides the building blocks for the way that your body will grow and change, so it is important to all of your body systems. It helps the body's tissues, internal organs, nerves, and brain and heart thrive. Eating protein will help you have improved mental performance.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are also important to a healthy brain. They enhance the absorption of tryptophan. This is converted to serotonin, and is used in the brain. If you eat a carbohydrate meal, you will feel calm and relaxed for several hours. The key carbohydrates that you can eat are grains, fruits, and vegetables. Also, digestion causes the breakdown of carbohydrates in to the glucoses or sugars that your body needs. This is also the primary source of energy for your brain in general. If you don't keep your glucose levels even, which means your carbohydrates are out of whack, you might feel confused, dizzy, and you might also have convulsions or lack of consciousness.

Fat

Fats are also an important part of your brain health. This is because the brain itself is more than 60% fat. The reason that the brain contains so much fat is that the brain cells themselves are covered by something called the myelin sheath, which is actually made up of 75% fat. Fat is an important messenger in your brain, and is responsible for regulating your immune system, the way that your blood circulates, and memory and move. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to the way that your brain performs. You can find Omega 3 fatty acids in oily fish like salmon, sardines, and tuna. You can also find it in Flax seed and in vitamin supplements. If you don't have enough omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, you might feel depressed, have poor memory or even learning disabilities, and you might have a low IQ, or conditions such as dyslexia, ADD, or other mental disorders.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are also important for a healthy brain. They are essential for the way that your brain grows and develops. If you truly want to have a healthy brain, you need to be able to get plenty of B vitamins. These are the vitamins that are responsible for making your brain healthy and producing energy for your entire body. A, C, and E vitamins are antioxidants, and are very important for preserving memory in the elderly, as well as in people at any age.

Important minerals that you need to promote good brain healthy include magnesium and manganese. These are important for brain energy. Also, Sodium, potassium and calcium are important as well in order to strengthen the thinking process. All of these minerals also make sure that the transmission processes that your brain does on a daily basis go off without a hitch and continue to work just as well as they can.

When your brain is healthy, so are you! Remember that the correct balance of foods is important. There isn't one main food that is a brain food, or that will promote the best brain healthy. A combination of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins and minerals is essential for good brain health. It is also important to eat the correct foods so that your neurotransmitters can function as well as possible. We really are what we eat and what we take in from the world around us!

KARMA MASSAGE! Receive a Massage, Give to Charity!

Book a massage for $50 between September 7th and 11th with Susan Polano of Oceana Massage through Glow Acupuncture & Wellness Center and a portion will go to charity! We invite clients to choose from any one of the following charities listed below! Call today to book your appointment! 778.786.2517

Eat Fresh

The optimal combination is to be eating fresh local organic produce. Farmers markets are now in full swing around the city and provide us urbanites with the opportunity to eat from the farm. For locations around the city and beyond check out: http://www.eatlocal.org/index.html

You may even want to start growing your own food! Imagine…eating food that YOU GREW! Wake up your “inner farmer” and celebrate mother earth by creating your own patch of eden. Even if your space is limited you might surprise yourself at how much you can get out of a small space. Look for helpful tips online or pick up a copy of Garden Anywhere by Alys Fowler.

Another option is to apply with a CSA, community-shared agriculture program. These programs share the bounty and the risk of a harvest between farmer and consumer. Most CSAs put together a box of fresh local produce every week, depending on the harvest, and either have a pick up site or a delivery system. The cost of CSAs varies from farm to farm; a deposit or full payment is taken in the spring once the share is purchased.

Life Without Sugar

Excess sugar eventually affects every organ in the body. Initially, it is stored in the liver in the form of glucose (glycogen). Since the liver’s capacity is limited, a daily intake of refined sugar (above the required amount of natural sugar) soon makes the liver expand like a balloon. When the liver is filled to its maximum capacity, the excess glycogen is returned to the blood in the form of fatty acids. These are taken to every part of the body and stored in the most inactive areas: the belly, the buttocks, the breasts and the thighs.

As it is metabolized, sugar bypasses many parts of the digestive process, and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, raising the blood sugar level. It also produces a sharp rise in insulin, which is used by cells to absorb the sugar. Raised blood insulin levels depress the immune system. If your immune system is depressed, then your ability to fight disease in weakened. Not only this, but sugar also causes the brain to release the chemical serotonin, boosting a person’s mood, and causing a mild feeling of happiness. This feeling is temporary, and soon after you’re left feeling tired and irritable.

Refined sugar contains no vitamins or minerals, so in order for sugar to be metabolized it must draw on the body’s reserve of vitamins and minerals.

In addition to throwing off the body’s homeostasis, sugar may result in a number of other significant consequences.

· Sugar causes tooth decay

· Sugar can upset the body’s mineral balance

· Sugar can suppress the immune system

· Sugar contributes to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties and crankiness

· Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol

· Sugar can cause hypoglycemia

· Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium

· Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair

· Sugar contributes to weight gain and obesity

· Sugar can contribute to diabetes

· Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis

· Sugar causes food allergies

· Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream

· Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon

· Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance

My thoughts on what makes a "Healthy Pregnancy"

What makes for a “healthy pregnancy”? In my mind it starts before baby is even conceived. If a baby is on the horizon why not start treating your body with extra TLC now? Preparing your body for pregnancy can be very beneficial for both you and baby. Keeping a good balance of a fresh wholesome diet, movement or exercise that you enjoy, and nourishing the spirit are all great ways to begin this remarkable journey.

Pregnancy has many surprises, physical and emotional so the more in touch you are with yourself the better. Being able to listen to your body is fundamental. The day to day changes that happen during pregnancy are momentous even when they are microscopic…you are growing a human being!

Growing a human can take its toll on your body so be gentle with yourself. If you are feeling tired during the day and are still working start to unwind earlier in the evening, maybe start your bedtime routine earlier and include some relaxing movements like light stretching or yoga to quiet both your mind and your body. The main thing is to listen to what your body is telling you before it has to “yell” to get your attention. Everything from changing the way you eat from three main meals a day to smaller snacks throughout the day to curb nausea to taking time out with your partner for a “date night” before baby comes will attribute to your well being as a Mama-to-be.

Nourish your spirit, enjoy your growing belly, and embrace your beautiful bountiful body! Find things that make you happy. For instance, I’ve found a prenatal yoga class that I look forward to all week, I’ve also rekindled my love for swimming, and the weightlessness is magical! Whether it’s brunch with girlfriends, or an evening moonlit walk with your partner, explore for yourself what makes you feel good. Prenatal massage can do wonders for a tired or stressed Mama-to-be. A happy Mama = a happy baby! Treating yourself with tenderheartedness will relate directly to what your baby feels, baby will be aware of the warmth and generosity you give yourself so let it be limitless!

Seeking the right support for you is essential. Having a support system in place for your pregnancy and birth that you can trust is imperative, after all, you’ll only be pregnant with this baby once, and you will only birth this baby once. If you live in B.C. you have many choices when it comes to finding the right caregiver whether that be a Midwife, a Doctor or an Obstetrician. And what about a Doula, a sister or a friend to help you and your partner through the pregnancy and birth? Spend some time researching your options, and just think of how much time you spent planning the details of your wedding or the amount of time you put into researching your new car or home. The same due diligence is heeded for your pregnancy and birth. Having people around you that you can trust and who respect you and your choices is a breeding ground for happiness! Trust in your ability to nurture your growing baby.

To all of the Mamas-to-be reading this…There are wise healthy women like yourself all over the world celebrating the miracles of life that are flourishing inside of them, I encourage you to join them!

Glowing Skin!

We’ve been experiencing a mild winter and have been seeing the sun a lot more often lately. Seeing the sun shining reminds me of many things but one of the first thoughts that pops into my head is “did I remember sunscreen today?” So, did you remember your sunscreen today? This brings me to the topic of glowing skin and what we can do to achieve it.
One thing that we all have complete control over is what we put into our bodies. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables along with whole grains, seeds, nuts and legumes will nourish your skin with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs. Avoid animal and saturated fats while leaning more toward cold-pressed vegetable oils, fried foods should be avoided as well. Making an effort to drink at least ten 8oz glasses of water a day will hydrate the skin and aid in flushing away toxins. A regular exercise routine increases circulation, this supplies oxygen and nutrients to the cells.
When it comes to your daily cleansing routine there are a few things to keep in mind, like always wearing sunscreen. We often remember this step in the summer or when we are on a tropical vacation but we should be applying sunscreen daily, even in the winter and on rainy days. Something to avoid is alcohol based toners. There are some great DYI recipes online for natural toners or you could pick up an herbal or flower water instead. Stay away from harsh soaps or solid cleansing creams, another thing to avoid is applying heavy oils around the eyes at night, this could be a contributing factor in puffy eyes in the morning. A gentle exfoliation several times a week removes dead and dry skin cells and helps to stimulate circulation. After cleaning your skin, apply a moisturizing lotion while the skin is still damp for better absorption.
Alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes all dehydrate the skin and so should be avoided.

Thinking of facial rejuvenation acupuncture? Here are some of the benefits;
• improves muscle tone and dermal contraction
• increases collagen production and has an effect on its dispersal
• helps to firm and reduce bags around the eye and neck as well as sagging tendencies
• helps to eliminate puffiness by improving metabolism and thus eliminating excess fluids
• helps to eliminate fine lines of the face and has a diminishing effect on larger wrinkles
• improves hormonal balance thus acne can be successfully treated
• moisturizes the skin by increased local circulation of blood and lymph to the face
• improves facial color by the increase of peripheral circulation
• reduces stress
• promotes overall health and well being
• nerve pathways in the head and the whole body are opened, allowing for and enhancing the free flow of vitality throughout the body
• crystallized emotions held in the face can be released allowing one to present a fresh relaxed radiant appearance
• bring out one’s innate beauty and radiance

Sweet Dreams

Guidelines for Better Sleep

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day (or on most days)
• Avoid strenuous exercise before bedtime. Do not exercise at least 3 hours before bedtime
• Turn off the TV at least 30 minutes before bedtime
• Create a relaxing bedtime ritual, like taking a hot bath with aromatherapy oils
• Eat lightly in the evening. A heavy meal too close to bedtime interferes with sleep. If you need a snack, stay away from protein and stick to carbohydrates or dairy products. Milk contains the amino acid L-tryptophan, which has been proven to improve sleep
• Avoid caffeine at least 4 to 6 hours (preferably 8 hours) before bedtime. This stimulant found in coffee, tea, pop, and even chocolate, can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep
• Avoid alcohol. Although alcohol is a depressant and may help you fall asleep, the subsequent metabolism that clears it from your body when you are sleeping cause a withdrawl syndrome. This withdrawl causes awakenings and if often associated with nightmares and night sweats
• Use the bed just for sleeping and sex. Avoid watching TV, using a laptop, or reading in bed. If reading before bed helps you to fall asleep make sure you use a very low wattage light bulb (15 watt should be enough)
• Avoid bright light around the house before bed. Using dimmer switches in living rooms and bathrooms before bed can be helpful
• Avoid looking at the clock if you wake up in the middle of the night, it can cause anxiety
• If after 30 minutes you can’t get to sleep, get out of bed and do something boring in dim light until you are sleepy
• Sleep primarily at night. Daytime naps steal hour from nighttime slumber. Limit daytime sleep to less than 1 hour, no later than 3pm

Wrap up some love!

My favorite gifts are always ones that come from the heart, whether it’s a hand written letter or a warm knit scarf, the gifts that are given with love are the most memorable to me. I like to keep in mind that giving gifts during the holidays is only one way of showing those we care about that we appreciate them. Spending ridiculous amounts of money on frivolous gifts has nothing to do with the spirit of giving, while on the other hand trying to give on a budget can be tricky…but it can also be a ton of fun. One year we brewed a huge pot of homemade chai, bottled it, wrapped the bottles with red bows and gave it to our friends, they have since brought back those bottles for a refill and our house smelled lovely for days! These are the sort of things that get me excited around the holidays. We’ve also done the same thing with home baked candies and Christmas treats. Even something as simple as making a frozen dinner with the food you have already prepared (coming from a big family I always have leftovers) and giving that to someone who may not be able to cook for themselves or not have the time to. If working in the kitchen isn’t your forte, you could use any of your natural talents to bring out your inner Elf! Maybe you have a knack for gardening and have a friend who would love you to share some helpful tips or better yet, lend a hand getting their garden going! If you can knit you could keep all your friends and family cozy and warm this winter with a scarf or mittens. You may also consider giving your time, you may have an elderly relative or friend that would love someone to go for walks with, or have a movie night with, something like that would benefit both of you. Whatever you end up giving if it comes from the heart you have successfully shared the holiday spirit!

Stick to Stretching!

There are so many benefits from stretching! Most of us have been told or taught that it is important to stretch before and after working out, or maybe when recovering from an injury, or even to help a specific area of the body gain more mobility. Although the reasons for stretching may differ, there are a couple of things that you should always keep in mind to make it even more enjoyable. First you want to make sure that you are doing it right. Proper alignment is very important; it will give the intended muscles, tendons & joints a stretch without compromising other parts of the body. If you are unsure of your alignment ask your care provider or trainer for help. Also remember to listen to your body, if a stretch feels wrong, ease out of it using your breath to guide you back to a safe supported position. Breathing properly while stretching has huge benefits as well. Giving your muscles efficient amounts of oxygen will aid in getting a nice full deep stretch. Breathing deeply and slowly will relax your muscles and your mind.
If you are having trouble sticking to a stretching routine there are many ways to start incorporating it into your life. If you are more inclined to stretch in a class setting, try taking a Yin yoga class, being surrounded by like minded people can help to give you something to look forward to. If your schedule doesn’t fit with your neighborhood yoga studios, set aside some time at the end of your day. Even if you start with ten minutes, stretching before heading to bed is a great way to slip into a relaxed state of body and mind and can increase your chances of a great nights sleep.

Stress Less

There are many ways we can quiet the stress level in our lives. If we take the time to really tune in to ourselves and allow ourselves to listen to our inner voices we sometimes find that those voices have a lot to say! By listening to ourselves and keeping our stress levels in check we are giving ourselves a good dose of preventative medicine.

You could tweak your diet by increasing your intake of omega 3 fatty acids which will help keep the stress hormone cortisol in check. Extra B vitamins will help as well because they keep the nervous system functioning well. There are also benefits to adding extra vitamin C and E to your diet. Both vitamins C and E are antioxidants which protect from free radical damage and help to strengthen the immune system.

It is important to cut down on stimulants such as caffeine. Caffeine puts your body "on edge", so avoiding this excess stimulation will increase your chances of staying calm and slipping into a great nights sleep.

Practice an activity that shifts your focus from mind to body. When your focus is directed on a physical activity your mind has space to become quiet. Get active everyday, even if it's a walk after dinner, moving the body helps to open the spirit.

Remember to take on only what you can handle, be honest with yourself, and give yourself credit for what you do on a daily basis. Pat your self on the back when you complete important tasks, one job well done is better than many jobs done just ok. Also try to keep work at work and home at home if you feel overwhelmed in either place. If you have to, spend a little extra time finishing tasks or conversations where they start as opposed to carrying them with you. Finishing things where you started them will allow you to leave them in their proper place.

Make yourself the most important person in your daytimer, iphone or blackberry. Schedule time to do the things you like not just the things you have to do. Keeping a journal or writing down the next days tasks the night before a busy day will give you reassurance that you will accomplish what you'd like to. A journal is also a great place to vent if you need a non responsive, quiet sounding board. If being quiet isn't what you feel you need then let it out! Howl at the moon if it feels right, whatever way you decide to go about releasing your inner "Wild Thing" will be what's right for you. Letting your creative side shine is a wonderful way to get back to your roots. Dance, sing, paint. a hectic work day can be forgotten with a stroke of a brush against a canvas or a whirl around the living room.

Load up on Vitamin L!

Now is as good a time as any to load up on vitamin L. This essential vitamin is proven to increase giggling, improve positive thinking and huggability. This vitamin is particularly helpful in the recovery period of an illness or surgery, but it's use is not limited to just that. When we are healing it is important to heal the entire body, not just the physical ailments, but also the mind and spirit, vitamin L has all those benefits. As a little girl I believed that my Grandma had magical healing powers. I still believe that to this day but with the understanding that love has a lot to do with those "magical powers". I know now that it wasn't just the vicks vapor rub that made me feel better, it was the heart of the loving hands that applied it. Taking care of ourselves often involves taking care of each other, inevidably that produces vitamin L and a companion on the path to wellness.

Natural Immune Boosters

Giving your immune system a natural boost around flu season is never a bad idea, luckily there are many easy ways to accomplish just that. Taking good care of your body, mind and spirit as a whole can have tremendous benefits. Getting adequate sleep, drinking plenty of good water and breathing properly are a few easy and effective ways to give yourself a boost. Boosts are also readily available from eating well, provide your body with the vitamins, minerals & essential fats it needs to stay strong. Combine that great nosh with a strong digestive system that is able to assimilate all those nutrients and you are on your way!

Address the amount of stress in your life, chronic stress can lead to many problems, a weak immune system is one of them. Stay away from toxins such as cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, they interfere with absorption of vitamins and minerals therefore weakening the immune system. Keeping an eye on your sugar intake has benefits as well, too much sugar impairs lymphatic activity and the body's ability to engulf and destroy bacteria. Green and yellow vegetables have the opposite effect, and they are plentiful this season. These tasty veggies help support the thymus gland and the lymphatic system.

Remember to laugh! "Laughter is the best medicine". Moving your body = exercising your lymphatic system. So pull out the twister mat, your immune system will thank you!

Eating with the Season

There are so many changes that occur when a new season arrives. Autumn brings many wonderful treats, the magnificent colors of changing leaves, marvelous sunsets, the refreshing crispness to the air and a bountiful harvest of delicious nourishment. Eating with the season benefits our bodies, our environment and our wallets! When we choose to eat seasonal produce we end up eating fresher, tastier and more nutritiously. Vegetables like butternut squash are more dense and rich in flavor, and are packed with antioxidants and beta-carotene. Seasonal produce provides our bodies with the energy, vitamins, minerals and fiber we need. Eating seasonally supports our local economy, what is in season is more readily available, and we end up cutting out the premium costs of foods that are more scarce or those that travel far distances to reach our stores. Our environment is also loving that we are reducing the energy cost of growing and transporting "out of season" foods. Some of my favorites for the season include:

• pears, apples, nectarines, plums, pomegranates and figs
• butternut squash, chard, sweet potatoes, radishes, pumpkin, artichokes, beets, broccoli, cabbage and wild mushrooms
• almonds, chestnuts, walnuts, chives, coriander, oregano and rosemary

Here's an idea for a tasty fall inspired breakfast:

I use a wheat and gluten free pancake mix, crumble some walnuts into it and serve the pancakes with either cinnamon dusted pears or poached pears. It's a satisfying breakfast that will warm you up from the inside out!

I Heart Pro-Biotics

Looking to boost your immune system before we head into cold and flu season?
One simple way to do so is taking a high quality Pro-biotic on a daily basis. Pro-biotics have gained a lot of attention in the media lately and with good reason
Pro-biotics maintain a delicate balance between the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. Companies claim their products (bread, yoghurt, cheese) are rich in Pro-biotics, yet most fall short of any therapeutic benefits.



In the late nineteenth century, microbiologists identified microflora in the gastrointestinal tracts of healthy individuals that differed from those found in diseased individuals. They named the beneficial flora “Pro-Biotics.” Pro-biotics literally means “Pro Life”.



In 1994, the World Health Organization deemed Pro-biotics to be the next-most important immune defense system when commonly prescribed antibiotics are rendered useless by antibiotic resistance.

Unfortunately most of us will not be able to get therapeutic benefits from eating yoghurt alone, therefore I supplement with Genestra’s HMF Forte. It is important to take a Pro-biotic if you have been on anti-biotics in the past. In this case I would suggest taking more than the recommended daily dosage.

The next time you visit Glow, be sure to ask your practitioner how Pro-biotics can benefit your health.