Sitting and Cancer – The Perils At Your Desk
March 7, 2015
Several studies are now able to prove that the more you sit in your day, the more increased risk there is in developing certain cancers including colon and endometrial cancer. The same research found that each 2 hour increase in sitting per day increased the risk of developing colon cancer by 8%,…
METH VS RICE: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
February 21, 2015
According to new research, the RICE method may be out of date. It is thought that Rest Ice Compression and Elevation (RICE) could be hindering the healing process of an acute injury by disallowing good blood, full of nutrients and white blood cells to infiltrate the area. When an acute injury is…
Belly Size versus BMI
March 27, 2014
Just stepping on the scale doesn’t tell you much about your future health. That is why health professionals use a variety of measures to help predict a client’s risk of heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems and premature aging and/or death. Commonly the Body Mass Index (BMI) is…
Posture – The Key to Lasting Physical Improvement
March 20, 2014
We can change the inside of our bodies, our appearance, even our height simply by learning good posture and how to hold our bodies in proper alignment. Yes stretching leads to more flexibility and agility but if done with poor posture and a body that is misaligned movement will be limited.…
Do You Need to Be On a Statin?
March 6, 2014
We have been talking a lot about heart disease lately. First we were thrilled with the scientific findings linking heart disease to sugar, have a look at our blog from February 14, 2014. Because we firmly believe that it is the sugar, not the fat, that is killing us. Last week we focused on…
The Benefits of Cholesterol
March 1, 2014
Cholesterol (a steroid lipid) has been vilified, leading many to believe that it is a leading cause of heart disease. Routinely doctors monitor our blood cholesterol to see if a cholesterol lowering medication should be prescribed to lower our risk of heart disease. The usual recommendation…
The Benefits of Walnuts and Walnut Gremolata
February 20, 2014
For the February blahs try something new in the kitchen. Gremolata is a traditional Italian condiment with the main ingredients being Italian parsley, garlic, lemon zest, and coarse salt. Other ingredients that may be added are olive oil, mint, anchovies, rosemary and/or sage. It is usually…
It is the Sugar NOT the FAT
February 14, 2014
Just what I (and a few other holistic nutritionists, scientists) have been saying for years. It is the sugar that is killing us – not cholesterol and saturated fat! Front page news in the Globe and Mail last Tuesday (February 4, 2014), the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal…
Alkalizing Your Diet
January 30, 2014
If you have been following our blog you will notice that we are not scared of meat and we are not scared of saturated fat. We believe that a natural diet of meat, poultry and fish along with full-fat dairy, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and healthy oils like coconut, butter and olive oil should be…
Upper Cross Syndrome = Bad Posture
January 24, 2014
Did your mom always tell you to sit up straight, don’t slouch. It’s bad posture. Of course she was right! Here’s the science to back her up. Slouching (think about how you work on the computer), or upper cross syndrome, is signified by rounded shoulders, head in front of the body and an…
Why Everyone Needs Some Yoga
January 19, 2014
You are well aware that today’s modern lifestyle is a killer. The daily stress resulting from our current routines, demands and expectations is more than many can bear. That is why stress is the leading cause of workplace sickness, the root cause of many illnesses and conditions, and a…
Supplementing the Sunshine Vitamin
January 10, 2014
Vitamin D has been getting a lot of positive press over the last 5 years causing health care practitioners to recommend vitamin D supplements to just about anyone. It seems that many Canadians are not getting enough and when tested show a vitamin D deficiency. It takes only 10 to 15 minutes in…
Treatment for Frozen Shoulder
December 21, 2013
If you notice that your shoulder’s range of motion is becoming less and shoulder movement is becoming increasingly painful then you may be on your way to a frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition that can disrupt your sleep and prevent you from…
Take Control of Your Hypertension
December 13, 2013
It isn’t a surprise that our North American lifestyle is a killer for our heart. Let’s take a look at hypertension which has been called the ‘silent killer’ since many have high blood pressure but are unaware (symptoms only become noticeable once complications have developed). Here are the factors…
Warning! Sushi Can Be a Danger to Your Health
December 6, 2013
Recent research has linked sushi to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This warning comes from a study published in the Journal of Risk Research. This is not good news! But how can anti-inflammatory, so good for you salmon, mackerel and tuna (commonly found in sushi) cause such a…
Champagne, Gingerbread, Candy Canes and Chocolate
November 28, 2013
A Before the Holidays Detox Part 2 – The Liver Detoxification, protein synthesis, repackaging of fats, enzymes for digestion, metabolism, glycogen storage (sugar for energy), and hormone production are just some of the jobs for our liver. This major, vital organ is a workhorse. The liver…
Champagne, Gingerbread, Candy Canes and Chocolate
November 21, 2013
A Before the Holidays Detox Such an exciting time of year, the party invitations are arriving and the stores are filled with delicious treats. I’m looking forward to a December filled with fun times, family and friends, and of course some extra treats (chocolate). Now I try not to go crazy but I…
Knee Pain — Baker’s Cyst
November 15, 2013
Do you sometimes get an uncomfortable feeling behind your knee when you try and straighten your leg? You may notice a bulge and swelling. It may also be painful not only when you fully straighten your let but also when you try to fully bend it. What you may be experiencing is a Baker’s cyst and…
A “New” Healthful Oil – Camelina
November 12, 2013
From Saskatchewan there is a “new” healthful oil on the market, camelina. Although camelina is an ancient oilseed originating in Northern Europe it is new to North American cuisine. There is much excitement around this “new” oil because it is very good source of Omega-3 (anti-inflammatory) and…
Palm Oil (and Orangutans Too)
November 4, 2013
If you read my book The Last Tango with Butter you’ll see that I’m a promoter of palm oil as well as lard and coconut oil. Tragically the myth that these oils contribute to heart disease is firmly entrenched in today’s health care system and Canada’s Food Guide. It is a sham. So forget what you…
Can I Eat My Fruit Basket?
October 24, 2013
In the health industry there is a debate about the merits of fruit in the diet. Some diets designed to improve digestion and rebalance gut bacteria eliminate fruit. Many diets geared towards weight loss eliminate fruit as well. But there is much research showing that fruit is rich in vitamins…
The Paleo Diet – A Review
October 17, 2013
You probably know it as the Paleo diet, but it has also been called the Ancestral diet, the Primal diet, the Original diet, the Evolution diet and the Caveman diet. At Healthy Habits we stress the importance of an anti-inflammatory, natural, whole foods diet. We’ve talked about it with you in…
Healthy Snacking
October 4, 2013
You’ve probably noticed that if you go too long without eating your mental clarity fades and you become physically tired. Your will power also plummets leaving you vulnerable to too much sugar, refined foods, and caffeine. In order to keep you on track with healthy eating, and to keep your energy…
Maintaining Muscle For Seniors
September 5, 2013
There is some interesting research coming out of McMaster University regarding muscle mass and seniors. The old saying ‘use it or lose it’ holds true but there is another aspect that is often forgotten…nutrition. Muscle is constantly breaking down and rebuilding (as are other tissues in our body).…
Benefits of Bare Feet
July 26, 2013
At Healthy Habits I often ask clients to take off their shoes and exercise in bare feet. I like clients to feel the ground, this stimulates neurological receptors in the feet which send valuable information to the brain. Balance and agility improves. Getting rid of the structured shoe and…
Summer Bean Salad Recipe
July 21, 2013
This week I thought I’d share an easy bean salad recipe that I love to make in the summer. What I like about this recipe is that the dressing contains no sugar (unlike the traditional recipe that my mom makes). Aside from the fact that this recipe is delicious, here are six other reasons why you…
Fascial Fitness – Part 2
July 13, 2013
We introduced you to the term fascia in our July 1 blog, Fascial Fitness – Part 1. It is important to understand that if you want to make permanent physical changes to your body you can’t just train your muscles, you have to train your fascia too. Our seamless fascial web that surrounds and…
Fascial Fitness – Part 1
July 1, 2013
It is easy to imagine the impact of exercise on muscles, bones and even joints. But what does exercise do for your fascia? What is fascia! Fascia is a structure of connective tissue that surrounds our muscles, blood vessels and nerves. When our muscles move and exert force fascia provide a…
Omega-3 and Beef
June 3, 2013
In an earlier blog (see Inflammation – An Epidemic posted on March 31, 2013) we discussed the importance of purchasing organic whenever possible to minimize our exposure to chemicals and reduce chronic inflammation in the body. When we purchase non-organic Canadian meat we are not only getting…
Dysbiosis, a Leaky Gut and Inflammation
May 28, 2013
We have been focusing a lot lately on inflammation in the body – which for many is chronic and responsible for a variety of different health woes. Another chronic and often ignored health issue is dysbiosis in the gut. Dysbiosis refers to a condition with microbial imbalances on or…
Taking Your Anti-Inflammatory Diet Wherever You Go
May 17, 2013
This blog is sixth in a series on implementing an anti-inflammatory lifestyle (If you’d like to start at the beginning please see Inflammation – An Epidemic posted March 31, 2013). Now that you know more about how to eat to fight chronic inflammation it’s time to put your new diet into practise.…
Anti-Inflammatory Part 5 – Fats
April 27, 2013
This blog is fifth in a series on implementing an anti-inflammatory lifestyle (If you’d like to start at the beginning please see Inflammation – An Epidemic posted March 31, 2013). The typical North American diet is full of inflammatory fat. And I don’t mean the ‘bad’ saturated fat that…
Our Love Hate Relationship with Dairy
April 20, 2013
North Americans love dairy. Cheese, cheese sauces, milk, yogurt, and ice cream are commonly found in the majority of food diaries that I see…and lots of it. Many people eat cheese 3 meals a day as a main source of protein (bagel and cheese, pizza, pasta and cheese). Others are drinking milk like…
Is Gluten-free Just a Fad?
April 13, 2013
For the last couple of weeks we’ve been focusing on inflammation, a chronic condition that is the underlying cause of many of today’s common health conditions and illnesses. To tackle inflammation we are trying to keep our buckets from over flowing (see Inflammation – An Epidemic posted March 31,…
Are Unnecessary Beverages Filling Up Your Bucket?
April 7, 2013
Last week we got you thinking about your bucket. That is the empty bucket inside your body determined by your genetics. Fill it up with chemicals, alcohol, stress and other threats to our cells and it can overflow leading to chronic inflammation and illness. Empty your bucket with healthy habits…
Inflammation – An Epidemic
March 31, 2013
Allergies, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, skin disorders, irritable bowel syndrome and many other common illnesses and health challenges are closely linked to chronic inflammation. Inflammation is now considered to be a more important risk factor for heart disease than high cholesterol levels.…
Functional Movement Screening
March 24, 2013
At Healthy Habits we believe that posture and alignment are the root of lasting physical improvement. Because of our belief we are cutting edge in the health industry. We spend considerable amount of time learning about our clients’ bodies so we can put together the best exercise plan for each…