We all know that with the change in seasons comes cooler weather and the possibility of cold or ‘flu.
The following are some tips to help get you through the ‘flu season! such a vitamin C, ginger, garlic
and other herbs. Keep your immune system boosted by ....[Read More]
This article also has some great recipes

Fruit and vegetables are very alkalising, which is the opposite of acidic, like many of the foods we eat – meat, sugar, most grains, caffeine and proteins .Stress has an acidic effect on the body too, so as we need to be in a slightly alkaline state to function best. Fresh juices, preferably freshly made, can help to protect us against the ravages of the modern world and make the diet as a whole more balanced........[To Read More]

It is a good idea to get to know and understand the Glycemic Index, because choosing foods with a low GI rating more often than choosing those with a high GI may help you to: •  Control your blood glucose levels •  Control your cholesterol levels •  Control your appetite •  Lower your risk of getting heart disease •  Lower your risk of getting type 2 diabetes....... [Read More]

Feng Shui : To Live in Balance - Traditional Chinese Feng Shui is based on the study of balance and harmony, in both an internal and external sense. In an external sense, in order for us to live in balance, we have to look at what is in our external environment; whether it is at home or at work, or extended to our town and country. In an internal sense, we have to look at what is handed to us in our destiny; with this we can see what is lacking within our spirit, and do what we need to in order to restore the balance.Within our environment Feng Shui applies the Yin and Yang principle, together with the interaction between different energies (Qi)......[Read More]

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Snack on a quarter-cup of pumpkin seeds and you will receive 46.1% of the daily value for magnesium, 28.7% of the DV for iron, 52.0% of the DV for manganese, 24.0% of the DV for copper, 16.9% of the DV forprotein, and 17.1% of the DV for zinc.

To clean: Separate the pumpkin seeds from the stringy membrane of a freshlycarved pumpkin.
Rinse the pumpkin seeds in a colander, until they are free of any membrane matter.
Dry with paper towels.
To roast or toast: Coat 1/2 cup of seeds with 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon seasoning of your choice. NOTE: You can use any seasoning blend you like. Adjust the amount to your taste buds. Place in 250 degree F. oven for about 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. They are done when they are light brown in the toasted.
Additional seasoning ideas:
Try additional seasonings on your pumpkin seeds: Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and garlic salt are some of the many possibilities. Storing:  Store baked pumpkin seeds in an airtight container.

Build up your immune system with Garlic Toast!

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub the butternut squash with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then place it in a shallow roasting dish to bake for one hour. After it is finished roasting, let it cool enough for you to comfortably work with it. Slice the roasted squash in half. Use a spoon to scoop out seeds and remove the peel. Put starchy flesh into a large bowl and mash it well.
Heat remaining olive oil in a medium to large-sized pot. Cook onions in oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until onions are tender and translucent. Add mashed butternut squash and cook together with onions for another couple of minutes, stirring the squash and onions together. Add water or vegetable broth to the mix, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Transfer entire soup, in batches if necessary, into a food processor or blender and process until it becomes creamy and smooth.

Transfer processed soup back to pot, then add vanilla, sea salt, and black pepper. Give it a good stir to incorporate vanilla and seasoning.
Just before serving, scatter chopped fresh cilantro over each bowl. Add a few avocado slices to the top of each bowl. Just before serving add cilantro. from steve

Here is an easy recipe for bars that you can also give to your animals.

DEACON BUDDY BARS
2 cups dried fruit, unsulphured 1 cup raw, shelled pecans
1 cup shredded coconut
4 tbsp fruit juice

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Put ingredients in a food processor (be sure you don't use raisins if your cats or dogs will be eating this too).
Blend well and push into an 8" square glass pan. Refrigerate to firm, and then cut into square or other shapes. Keep refrigerated.
Makes about 9 - 2-1/2" bars. Choose dried fruits that are unsulphured as many people and pets are sensitive to these additives which have been linked to allergic reactions, asthma, and bowel disorders. They may be slightly less appealing to the eye (colour may be darker), but the flavour will still be good. Store dried fruit in an airtight container in the refrigerator. From Maureen from Sound & Energy Awareness.

6 dried figs
3 ripe bananas
2 Tbsp ground flax
1-cup water
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ cup raisins

That is delicious - figs = iron, flax = omegas, bananas = potassium.Soak figs and flax in water overnight. Puree soaked mixture in a blender with bananas and cinnamon. Pour in dessert dishes, stir in raisins, refrigerate, and serve. From Maureen Terrey,Vernon.

Check out our Celiac page and we will soon have a new RAW FOODS page- send us your feedback

Ingredients:
5 medium apples
5 wooden craft sticks
3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 package (14 ounces) caramels, unwrapped
1 tablespoon water

Preparation:
Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Wash and dry apples; insert wooden sticks into stem ends. Place nuts in shallow dish. Combine caramels and water in small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted. Dip apples, 1 at a time, into caramel mixture, turning to cover completely. Remove excess caramel mixture by scraping apple bottoms across rim of saucepan.

Roll bottom half of apples in walnuts. Place on prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes. You can also drizzle some melted chocolate decoratively over apples. Refrigerate 10 minutes or until chocolate is firm. Wrap apples individually; store in refrigerator.

Prep Time: 20 minutes, plus cooling

• 2 cups hazelnuts, soaked overnight
• 1 cup parsley, finely chopped
• 4 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp Celtic salt
• dash of cayenne and/or nutmeg

Process hazelnuts and celery in a mini food processor with 'S' blade until finely chopped; transfer to a bowl. Combine with remaining ingredients and mix well.
Serve with flax crackers, on bed of lettuce, or in a wrap with romaine leaf and veggies.
Serves 4-6.
From Maureen Terrey,Vernon.

Raw Food Recipes

Photo by Maria Carr ©

• Healing Rooms for Rent:- Call for Accredited Practitioners Okanagan Wellness Centre, a professional clinic in Penticton designed for full time and part time practitioners, is now accepting applications. Benefits include full-time reception, waiting room, on-site laundry, kitchen, training room, marketing and flexible scheduling. If you are looking for a professional space to greet and treat your clients, call Nora at 493-7356 or email owc@shaw.ca
  
  
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• Wanted: - Looking for other Practitioners in the Kootenays I Have just moved to Creston and would like to connect with other healing touch / engery practitioners in the area - Creston, Nelson, or Cranbrook. Please contact Leila 
  
  
• For Sale: - La Fuma Zero Gravity Recliner Lounge Chairs and Faulkner Recliner Chairs, Reflexology T-Shirts, Maseur Massage Sandals, Reflexology Foot, Hand & Ear Charts, Books, DVD and self-help tools... www.pacificreflexology.com (604) 875-8818 or 1 (800) 688-9748
  
  
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Fresh Air Spaces
	Can't sleep, always sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, these are some of the signs that you may have mould growing in your home or office. An underestimated source of illness in our communities is right inside our homes and workplaces. It's called Poor Indoor Air Quality. Canadians typically spend close to 90% of their time indoors.
Have you had your Indoor Air tested Lately? see Article
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New local Website Promotes Reuse “Don’t chuck it; give it away!”
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Issues Magazine - There mission is to provide information, inspiration, and networking opportunities for the Holistic Health and Conscious Living Community. Regional Magazine established 1990. Resources for Connecting, Healing & Awakening. Freely distributed throughout BC & Alberta. Published with Love every second month. www.issuesmagazine.net

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Did you know that OK In Health has a weekly newspaper health column?
It is called "A Healthy Focus" and is pulbished in:

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• The Boundary Creek Times
• The Keremeos Review and
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. Contact us

Boost Your Immune System
Throughout our lives, our immune systems are under assault from environmental toxins. Living in crowded cities, traveling frequently in airplanes, and spending time in day care centers and schools all expose us to many more germs than people had to deal with in the past. We can protect and strengthen our immunity by eating right, getting enough activity and rest, practicing stress reduction, and cultivating healthy emotional states. There are also several herbs, such as astragalus, that can help enhance immune function. Obtained from the root of Astragalus membranaceous in the pea family, astragalus has a long history in Chinese medicine, where it is used to ward off colds and flu.

Seasonal Depression Affecting You?
The shorter daylight hours of autumn and winter can affect sleep, productivity and state of mind. Light therapy (also known as phototherapy) may help. It uses specially designed boxes that emit full-spectrum light to simulate sunlight. While still a relatively unknown treatment, light therapy has been shown to have positive benefits in addressing many health issues, including Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), severe premenstrual syndrome, bulimia, and as a non-drug treatment for depression. If you have been suffering from SAD or just feel a little blue this time of year, contact your physician or healthcare provider - depression is a treatable condition; light therapy may be an option he or she recommends for you.

The Benefits of Rhodiola
Rhodiola is one of the rising stars of plant therapy. In infusion or gel capsule form, the plant sometimes called the “new ginseng” appears to protect the heart, prevent altitude sickness, improve moods, alleviating depression, strengthen immune system activity, improves both physical and mental performance, reduces fatigue, and more. “The plant was such a craze in Russia that it nearly disappeared. Rhodiola rosea's effects are attributed to its ability to optimise serotonin and dopamine levels, due to monoamine oxidase inhibition and to its influence on opioid peptides such as beta-endorphins. Rhodiola rosea should be taken early in the day because it can interfere with sleep.

Slow Down When Eating
Do you find yourself eating on the run or grabbing something quick to eat while you are driving or working at your desk? Experts believe that eating slowly may be better for your health. You actually improve what and how much you eat when you take the time to enjoy your food, including the smell, taste, and colors on your plate.

The Ideal Amount of Weight to Lift               
To be effective, weight lifting should become difficult as you reach the last few repetitions of each set. According to fitness experts, to build strength, lift a weight that tires your muscles after 8-12 repetitions. This is normally an ideal amount of weight for you to work with.

Clean Hands Keep the Doctor Away                 
Did you know that washing your hands is the most effective way to stop  the spread of illness?  Washing hands properly and thoroughly is very  important.  An effective hand washing technique is to wet your hands with warm water; soap and scrub for 20 seconds-it helps to sing Happy Birthday (under your breath) twice; rinse under clean running water; and dry completely using a clean paper towel or cloth.

Dry Skin
If chapped lips or dry skin are a problem, find natural relief with calendula, an herbal remedy made from the petals of the ornamental "pot marigold" flower.

Bean Power                                       
Beans, also called legumes, are inexpensive and quite filling.  Dietary Guidelines 1 recommends eating them several times each week.  Red, black, pinto, or kidney beans all pack a nutritional punch.  One-third cup of cooked beans has only 80 calories, no cholesterol, lots of complex carbohydrates, and little fat. They are also a great source of protein, full of B vitamins, potassium, and fiber. Experts believe that eating beans may reduce blood cholesterol,  a leading cause of heart disease.

For more healthy tip visit our Wellness Tips page.