Family Health

Food For Thought

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food for thought

Here is some food for thought, an honest conversation about food and weight loss.

I Want To Lose Weight, What Should I Eat?

Well, my answer is a question to your question. What do you want to eat? If your answer is pizza, chocolate and McDonald’s, we need to dig a little deeper into why you want to eat those things.

Many people say that they are comfort foods. That they crave them and these foods make them feel good. But do they really make you feel that good?

I’m sure within an hour of eating at McDonald’s, your stomach is cramping and you’re not really sure what’s going on in there. Also depending on how many Reese’s pieces you ate, you may be feeling quite nauseous. Later on, do you think to yourself, “oh man, why did I eat that?” And feel bad about yourself for doing that?

If so, this comfort food isn’t really as comforting as you may think. So, let’s take some time to reframe the way we think about food and the comforts it provides.

comfort foods

Food For Thought

If you are regularly consuming food that you know isn’t good for you, it’s time to consider why you’re eating them. Maybe these foods are being used as a form of self disrespect or self sabotage? Perhaps you have become so addicted to the foods that you thought of as comfort food that you can’t seem to walk away from them now? You desperately want to stop wanting them, but their chemicalized mixture is meant to keep drawing you back in.

Click here to read, Finally Quit Your Sugar Addiction With These Top Tips.

What’s Your Relationship with Food?

Transform The Way You Think About Food

A major issue with food is that many of us have grown up in a society of abundant food sources. Where we can go to the grocery store and choose any item we’d like!! Then we bring it home and use food as a way of celebrating with family and friends. It’s also a way to pass the time if we are bored. Furthermore, it can be used to keep us company if we are lonely and even to distract us from the stressful times in our lives.

Because of all of these roles that food has taken on, it’s almost as though food has become a friend. However, it’s important to note that just like in life, we must choose our friends wisely.

Begin by looking at food in two ways:
  1. As a friend
  2. As fuel for your body
what is your relationship with food

Food – Friend Or Foe?

Food can be looked at as a friend ONLY if you think of it as though you are choosing the best friends possible to have close to you in your life.

Therefore we cut out McDonald’s because she has such a toxic personality! We cut out pizza because he’s a gossip. Furthermore, we cut out chips, chocolate and candy because they have a bad attitude. We also cut out ice cream because she never could keep a secret.

So if you’re keeping only the best possible ‘friends’ (food) in your life, make sure you include abundant amounts of:

If you choose to eat meat products, make sure they are:

  • Free range
  • Grass fed
  • Wild caught
  • Antibiotic free

In addition to making sure to include as many organic options as you can.

Click here to read, Do I Always Need To Buy Organic?

fuel for your body

Fuel Your Body Right

Secondly, you can decide that food only has one purpose: to fuel your body. Food is only fuel. That’s it. We only NEED food for its nutrients, vitamins and minerals. You can begin to stop relating food with comfort, loneliness, boredom and celebration. Rather, appreciate it for what it is ~ the fuel your body needs to survive!

Sugar Sugar – Cool Math Games Review

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sugar cool math

Sugar Sugar – Cool Math Games Review

The age old saying, “it’s takes a village to raise a child” could not ring more true then it does today. With so many of us forced to stay home due to mandatory social distancing, we are relying on others and technology more than ever, to keep us connected.

Today, I find myself in the same boat as millions of other families.  Struggling to work from home while trying to find new ways to help my children (ages 9 & 7) grow mentally, physically and emotionally through engaging education. Although our education system is doing their best to provide educational means online, I still find their resources fall flat in regards to stimulating aspects such as:

  • Imagination
  • Logic
  • Problem solving
  • Creativity

While expressing some of my concerns to a friend, she asked me if I had tried the site coolmathgames.com.  She said it was a game changer for her two boys and furthermore it was free! She definitely got my attention with that so I jumped online and went to see what it was all about.

Games Galore

The first thing that jumped out to me was all the categories they offered such as:

  • Strategy
  • Skill
  • Numbers
  • Logic
  • Trivia

They also had other categories including one called ‘More’ which included topics such as memory, geography and science. As such, I immediately thought this was the answer I was searching for!

Each category had quite literally hundreds of games to choose from. Sorted in such a way that you could easily find a game that would suit your child’s interest. For example, when I clicked on strategy, I could select games under topics such as:

  • New strategy games
  • Popular strategy games
  • Business games
  • Tower defense games
  • Endless puzzles
  • Match 3 games
  • Construction games
  • Figure it out

So after exploring the site quickly for myself, I decided it was time to test it out on my children. I began by asking them the obvious question, “who wants to try out some new games on my computer?”.  Note to parents, this is NOT the best way to do it.  A small fight ensued as to who would play first, followed by some tears, but FINALLY through compromise, they were ready to play.

Let The Games Begin!

The game they both decided to try first was called Sugar, Sugar. The game seemed simple enough.  Sugar would fall from above and you were to draw a line to help guide the sugar into the mug. Without dating myself, it reminded me a lot of a game called Lemmings that I used to play at their age.

The first level was pretty straight forward and they were able to pass during their first try however the levels become increasingly harder moving forward. At only level two I had to assist them by asking questions like, “what would happen if you drew the line half way down the page rather then right from the top?” as this level had two mugs at opposite side of the page which needed to get filled.

After about ten minutes they had enough, and started playing around with more familiar games such as:

  • Connect 4
  • Checkers
  • Snake
  • X’s & O’s

That probably lasted another ten minutes and then they were done. That said I must confess I found myself sneaking back on and continued to play Sugar, Sugar myself as I found it to be fun and challenging.

Final Review

Although this site had great categories and literally hundreds of games to choose from, I would give it a thumbs down for a few reasons.

Firstly, I found the games rather difficult especially for my 7 year old son. There didn’t seem to be a gradual increase of difficulty between levels but rather an abrupt jump. Secondly, I didn’t like how you weren’t able to select your child’s grade level to help find games specific to their skills and needs.

Lastly, I found the graphics and animation to be disappointing. The graphics appeared reminiscent to what you would expect from our old gaming consoles like NINTENDO or Sega.

Therefore, for those reasons I found this site feel flat especially compared to so many other great websites out there.

For further reading and exceptional resources for all ages, click here to read, Activities For Toddlers In Quarantine. You may also enjoy, Supporting Healthy Brain Development In Children and A Natural Approach To Hyperactivity & Focus In Kids.

What Is Arrowroot? Nutrition, Benefits And Uses

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what is arrowroot

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day about some health issues I was having. After my quick rant they asked me if I had tried arrowroot. “Arrowroot??” I said.  “What is arrowroot?”

Here is what I found out and why I believe it should become a household staple!

what is arrowroot

What Is Arrowroot?

The Arrowroot plant іѕ nаtіvе tо Cеntrаl аnd Sоuth Amеrіса аnd thе Caribbean.  However, it саn аlѕо bе fоund in other tropical regions of the wоrld ѕuсh аѕ Southeast Asia, South Afrіса, Auѕtrаlіа, аnd іn Flоrіdа.

Thе arrowroot рlаnt can grow as tall аѕ six fееt and can be used in a variety of forms.  As a powder іt is:

  • Odorless
  • Glutеn-frее
  • Lоw-рrоtеіn
  • Whіtе coloured starch

Thе herb іѕ еxtrасtеd from thе flеѕhу roots (rhіzоmеѕ) оf the arrowroot рlаnt.  This is done through a соmрlеx process оf wаѕhіng, рееlіng, soaking, then drуіng in thе sun.  Thе rеѕult is a fine, white powder wіth the ѕаmе tеxturе аnd арреаrаnсе аѕ соrnѕtаrсh.

how to use arrowroot powder

What Is Arrowroot Powder Used For?

Arrоwrооt іѕ рrіmаrіlу uѕеd for іtѕ soothing bеnеfіt and its effect іn dеаlіng with diarrhea as it rеlіеvеѕ:

  • Excessive асіdіtу
  • Nausea
  • Indіgеѕtіоn
  • Cоlіс

In addition to a a mіld lаxаtіvе. Furthermore it can be used tо trеаt аthlеtе’ѕ foot. Nоt bесаuѕе іt is antifungal but bесаuѕе thе starchy роwdеr rеmоvеѕ moisture whеn ѕрrіnklеd іn ѕосkѕ.

Arrowroot соntаіnѕ саlсіum, саrbоhуdrаtеѕ, аnd оthеr nutrіеntѕ and іѕ еаѕіlу digested. Therefore it’s a great source оf nutrіtіоn fоr іnfаntѕ, реорlе rесоvеrіng frоm іllnеѕѕеѕ (еѕресіаllу those оf thе bоwеl), аnd those оn restricted dіеtѕ.

Thе herb іѕ considered by some tо bе еаѕіеr оn the stomach thаn other fоrmѕ of ѕtаrсh. Thоugh mоrе еxреnѕіvе than соrnѕtаrсh, аrrоwrооt іѕ also used іn thе kitchen to thicken soups, ѕаuсеѕ, оr соnfесtіоnѕ.  Vegetarians uѕе іt іnѕtеаd оf еggѕ іn breads аnd deserts.

Everyday Magical Things ~ Arrowroot

How Arrоwrооt Powder Imрrоvеѕ Hеаlth

Thе hеаlth bеnеfіtѕ оf аrrоwrооt flour vаrу wіdеlу.  When соnѕumеd, it contributes tо a healthy dіgеѕtіvе system, аѕ thе ѕtаrсh wоrkѕ аѕ a laxative.  Also, dосtоrѕ оftеn rесоmmеnd arrowroot fоr реорlе who are nаuѕеаѕ or vоmіtіng, аѕ іt іѕ natural and рrоvеn tо reduce nаuѕеа. It іѕ also high іn саlсіum аѕh, whісh assists wіth stabilizing the acid levels іn thе bоdу, mаіntаіnіng a healthy іmmunе ѕуѕtеm.

weight managment

Weight Management Miracle

Mаnу people utilize аrrоwrооt flоur as a wеіght-lоѕѕ ѕubѕtаnсе. Mainly because the роwdеr thickens mеаlѕ when incorporated, but also because it hаѕ a vеrу low fаt content аnd nеxt tо nо саlоrіеѕ.  Bу adding the роwdеr іn during сооkіng, it еxраndѕ the аmоunt of food, without multірlуіng thе саlоrіеѕ.

Click here for a vanilla pudding cake recipe using arrowroot!

potassium health benefits

Power of Potassium

The arrowroot plant also contains potassium.  Pоtаѕѕіum works tо соntrоl thе heart rate and ѕtаbіlіzе blood рrеѕѕurе.  Heart and blood-related problems саn lead tо a plethora of ѕеrіоuѕ оf dіѕеаѕеѕ. Thus, so mаnу people choose tо іnсоrроrаtе аrrоwrооt іntо their diets tо avoid thіѕ.

Arrowroot is аlѕо a mаіn іngrеdіеnt іn bаbу роwdеrѕ, bесаuѕе оf іtѕ ѕmооth аnd ѕооthіng рrореrtіеѕ.  It іѕ bеnеfісіаl in аnу ѕkіn роwdеr оr lotion, as іt calms irritation аnd assists with the healing оf аnу rаѕhеѕ оr impurities.

precautions of arrowroot

Arrowroot In Summanry AND Precautions

  1. Arrowroot hаѕ аntі-іnflаmmаtоrу and antiseptic рrореrtіеѕ аnd may be аррlіеd as аn оіntmеnt оr роultісе.
  2. Arrоwrооt роwdеr, which is bаѕісаllу flavorless, іѕ оftеn mіxеd with juice оr оthеr bеvеrаgеѕ bеfоrе ingestion. However, be саrеful tо mіx аrrоwrооt wіth соld water first bеfоrе putting in аnуthіng hоt оr it wіll bе сlumру lіkе ѕmаll dumрlіngѕ.

Arrоwrооt should bе uѕеd wіth саutіоn fоr сhіldrеn, wоmеn who are рrеgnаnt оr brеаѕt-fееdіng, and people wіth liver оr kіdnеу disease.  There аrе no ѕіgnіfісаnt ѕіdе еffесtѕ whеn uѕеd іn thе recommended dоѕаgе and is nоt known to interact аdvеrѕеlу with any drug or dіеtаrу ѕuррlеmеnt.

Tо аvоіd соnѕtіраtіоn, соnѕumеrѕ should nоt tаkе аrrоwrооt wіth other medications оr dіеtаrу supplements uѕеd tо аllеvіаtе dіаrrhеа. It hаѕ bееn ѕuссеѕѕfullу соmbіnеd wіth mіlk, lеmоn аnd оthеr fruit juісеѕ, оr ѕugаrѕ wіthоut apparent hаrm.

There аrе mаnу ways уоu саn enjoy thе benefits of аrrоwrооt. Thе important thіng is tо mаkе sure thе form іn whісh уоu соnѕumе it will gіvе уоu all thе benefits іt offers.

EMF Radiation And The Potential Dangers To Your Health

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EMF Radiation

Is EMF radiation affecting your health and the well-being of your family?? It’s no secret that technology is on the rise, and for many reasons that can be considered a good thing.  However, there is a strong debate surrounding the potential dangers of electromagnetic radiation.  As technology becomes more advanced, in many ways, our lives become easier. But with that, there are potential health risks associated with the increase in electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

Many people are surprised to learn how devices that are meant to make their lives easier can negatively affect them. Many appliances in your home release their own EMF’s that can vary in frequency and intensity of electricity including your:

  • Cell phone
  • Computer
  • Microwave oven
  • Wi-Fi devices
  • TV

Their level of danger is dependent on both the regularity and duration of your exposure to them.

What Is EMF Radiation?

EMF radiation are streams of energy waves that are also produced by some natural sources such as the sun. However, what’s worrying is the fact that EMF radiation from artificial sources, mainly the gadgets in your home, is stronger than the radiation from these natural sources.

Artificial sources of EMF’s alters the body’s own electrical system. As such, this may lead to health issues including heart problems and an increased risk of cancer and leukemia.

what are emf's

What Are The Main Types Of EMF Exposure?

There are two main categories of EMF exposure:
  • Low-level radiation
  • High-level radiation

Low-level radiation also referred to as non-ionizing radiation, comes from devices such as:

  • Power lines
  • Cell phones
  • MRI’s
  • Wi-Fi routers
  • Microwave ovens

High-level radiation, or ionizing radiation, comes from devices such as medical imaging machines, in the form of X-rays. Also the sun since is produces ionizing radiation in the form of ultraviolet rays. It’s important to note that the intensity of EMF exposure increases the closer you are to the EMF source.

Click here to read, What The Neck? Are You Short-Circuiting?

what causes emf radiation

What Are Health Effects Of EMF Radiation?

There has been much debate surrounding the health effects of EMF radiation. At this point, there are a lack of conclusive long-term studies. However, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) claims that EMFs may be carcinogenic to humans. But research thus far has been unable to provide concrete support of this claim.

However, a recent small scale study showed that there may be an increased risk of leukemia in adults after being continuously exposed to high levels of EMF.

What is certain is that more research is needed to determine the safety of EMF radiation and the potential long term effect it can have on people. Therefore, in the meantime, it is necessary to be as safe as possible and stick to recommended safety guidelines.

what is emf radiation

Wireless Routers

Although great for the convenience, wireless routers can be responsible for doing more than you think. Yes, they allow your home electronics to communicate while eliminating the need for any wiring.  But, in doing so they emit huge amounts of radiation into your home.  Unlike a computer, cell phone and television that frequently get turned off, wireless routers are constantly running.  This means EMFs are flooding your home every minute of every day. Even if you can pick up a wireless signal from a neighbor or local business, know that their EMFs are also seeping into your home.

protection against emf's

How To Stay Safe From EMF Exposure

There are a number of things you can do to increase your protection against EMF exposure including:

  • Limit the number of electronic devices in your home as much as possible
  • Turn off and unplug computers, phones, televisions, microwave and other devices when you are not using them
  • Avoid sleeping with your phone
  • Use earbuds or the speaker function when answering calls
  • Avoid using TVs with Wi-Fi functionality
  • Don’t use your TV for extended periods
  • Avoid staying too close to your TV when it’s operating
  • Reduce the number of times that you have to use your microwave oven
  • Stay far from your microwave when it’s operating
  • Ensure that your microwave is serviced annually to maintain a strong seal
  • Avoid resting your PC on your lap
  • Get a computer pad to block EMF radiation
  • Use a non-wireless router in place of the wireless if possible
  • Unplug your wireless router while you sleep and whenever possible

You’re one step closer!

Asthma In Kids Can Be Decreased By Just Doing This!

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Asthma In Kids

Every parent wants to do what is best for their children. But, is having a family dog, a good idea, especially when it comes to asthma in kids? Well, I strongly woof you to appreciate that Fido has served your children well and has actually reduced their chances of developing childhood asthma!

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a sporadic inflammatory disease that affects the airways and the lungs and is one of the leading chronic inflammatory diseases in children worldwide. Often, it presents as tightness in the chest, shortness of breath and wheezing sounds.  It can be very scary to experience!

kids health

What Causes Asthma?

Asthma is often triggered by airborne environmental and genetic factors that include:

Asthma cannot be cured completely; but with a proper lifestyle, it can be well managed and controlled. However, what if we could drastically reduce the risk of developing it in the first place?

How dogs can reduce the risk of childhood asthma

Asthma Study

Research confirms that having a family dog could have several health benefits, including decreasing your child’s risk of developing asthma. According to a research carried out by Dr. Tove Fall, a professor of epidemiology at the Uppsala University, children from the time of birth, raised with dogs, had an estimated 15% decreased asthma cases than children who were not raised with dogs.

This Swedish nation-wide study tracked 650,000 babies and found that babies who live on farms or have frequent exposure to farm animals within the first year of life, can reduce their risk of asthma by 52%. The results were robust and independent of parental asthma or whether the child was first-born.

Furthermore, kids who grow up with family dogs have a 15% lower risk of developing asthma, compared to kids who did not grow up with a dog.

Later, a 2018 follow up study was done to determine if the sex of dog or number of dogs would have an impact on results and here’s what it showed.

  • Children exposed to female dogs had lower risk of asthma compared to those exposed to male dogs.
  • Children with two dogs or more had lower risk of asthma than those with one dog only! 
best dogs for kids

In Conclusion

What we have learned from these studies is that pregnant women and young children can safely play and share time with farm animals and dogs knowing that it may indeed be serving them well. Especially when it comes to asthma in kids! The idea is that animals provide the body exposure to germs and microbes which improve immune function. 

However, if your children are older and have allergy induced asthma from dogs, adding a family dog to the equation is not the answer!  Research showed that exposure within the first year of life reduced the risks of asthma. This doesn’t necessarily mean your family can’t have a dog. There are some low to non-shedding breeds that some allergy and asthma sufferers are not sensitive to. These breeds include but are not limited to:

It is important to meet and share time with a possible future fur-family member to test allergy sensitivity before making the commitment. If you are thinking of planning a family in the future, maybe having Fido join the team first would be a strategic health move! 

Other Articles You May Enjoy

Activities For Toddlers In Quarantine

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Activities For Toddlers

Looking for activities for toddlers to do during quarantine, keeping them occupied, engaged AND learning? Check out these top tips and resources!

As you already know by now, the Coronavirus outbreak has already affected most parts of the world. This has resulted in special measures being put into place in an attempt to ‘plank‘ the spread of the virus such as the closing of schools and daycares. With no clear date in sight of reopening school doors, parents are now being challenged to come up with new and creative ways to keep their children occupied, engaged and learning from the comforts of their home.

As a parent of a toddler (and young baby) myself, I understand and certainly sympathise with other parents facing this same situation. It can be really difficult to know where to start and to find the appropriate tools while still obeying proper quarantine / social distancing guidelines. Especially when it comes to activities for toddlers. As such, I have put together a list of tips and resources that have been working for my family.

kids schedule

Create A Daily Schedule

If your child attended any sort of daycare/preschool/school, then following a daily schedule should be a familiar task.  Therefore creating structure and rules, like a set schedule to follow at home, is the perfect place to start.  In fact,  According to Kathy Eugster, MA, RCC, CPT-S, BCRPT-S (Pacific Spirit Play Therapy Resources);

“When parents provide structure, it means they are asserting and establishing their parental authority and control in a responsible manner in order to encourage healthy growth and development of their children.” –Providing Structure for Your Child: How to Assert Your Parental Authority

Start by breaking the day into blocks including tasks such as:

Depending on your child’s age you can also incorporate a ‘recess’. Perhaps this is a 15 minute break between activities to have a healthy snack, run around or let loose before moving on to the next item on the schedule.

One schedule that has been floating around and seems to tick off all the right boxes is this COVID-19 Daily Schedule.

covid-19 daily schedule

I particularly like this schedule because it incorporates all the topics I listed and gives examples on how to achieve each of them.

Another benefit to following a schedule like this is it allows the kids to still have some say.  Allowing your child to make their own choices within a given category will help keep them interested. Plus they can change up activities throughout the week depending on how they’re feeling and still get the benefits of learning. Also, when you include your children in the decision making, they are more likely to follow willingly in addition to learning a life skill.

“Decision making is one of the most important skills your children need to develop to become healthy and mature adults. Decision making is crucial because the decisions your children make dictate the path that their lives take.” – Jim Taylor Ph.D.

how to play with your kids

Play And Activities To Do Together

According to Kenneth R. Ginsburg and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health; 

“Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth.”

They go on to discuss the importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds.

So, what are some of the activities you can do with your child? Well, here are some of my favorite links I use to get ideas and keep things fun!

importance of reading to your children

Storytelling

There are incredible benefits of reading to your child which can start at a very young age. In fact, according to a study by Ohio State University;

“Young children whose parents read them five books a day enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than kids who were never read to. This ‘million word gap’ could be one key in explaining differences in vocabulary and reading development.” 

There are several statistics and benefits which demonstrate the importance of parents reading to their children. Click here for a list of tops tips on how to read to your child in order to get the most out their literary experience.

Why do we need creativity?

Engage In Creative Tasks

Toddlers are curious and active by nature. So, you can’t simply expect your child to stay calm in the house for the whole day without any sort of proper engagement. Some great examples of activities that can keep your toddler interested and occupied include:

With such activities, you can enhance their imagination and creativity. Besides, such tasks can even help your kid discover their passion. Click here for a fantastic list of 20 ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS among additional tips and resources.

quality time with kids

Spend Quality Time With Them

Negative things always have some positivity in them. Before the self-isolation period, you may not have had enough time to be with your kids. However, you now have all the time to sit and listen to your kids. You can let your kid lead you to do what they love.

By taking such an approach, your kid will feel appreciated and in control. This can go a long way towards ensuring that your child does not get bored even when they have to spend most of their time indoors. Click here for some fun ways you can encourage quality time with your family.

Final Thoughts

You now know that even though your child has to stay in the house to meet the social distancing goal, there are still several activities for toddlers and older children you can do to keep them:

  • Active
  • Engaged
  • Stimulated
  • Learning

For another great resource for an ‘all in one’ learning experience at any age, click here to obtain Scolastic Learn At Home – day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking and growing.

Other articles you might be interested in:

Are Chiropractors Safe?

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is chiropractic safe

Are Chiropractors safe? Furthermore, what do they do??

Chiropractors perform spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments by applying a gentle and specific impulse with their hands to the spine and other joints in the body. The adjustment corrects and aligns the spine removing stress from spinal nerves. By correcting spinal alignment and removing nerve interference the body is better able to function and heal properly.

Chiropractic adjustments are effective in restoring mobility and relieving pain. Especially to injuries caused by traumatic events such as slips and falls or due to repetitive strain.  

Chiropractic Adjustment Benefits Your:
  • Bones
  • Muscles
  • Joints
  • Ligaments
  • Tendons
  • Cartilage

Click here to read, Are Chiropractors Doctors?

benefits of chiropractic

Chiropractic Benefits

  1. A Great Way To Relieve Pain – Chiropractic care is one of the best ways of getting rid of aches and pains. It’s effective and helps people avoid taking pain medication. Also, it’s great for relieving neck pain, back pain and headaches.
  2. Corrects The Underlying Problem – Pain medications don’t address the source of the problem but the symptoms. Furthermore they can become addicting and cause an opiod addiction. However, Chiropractic focuses on the nervous system, which controls the body’s function from breathing to digestion. The spine protects the spinal cord and nerves. Therefore, spinal health is essential to the overall wellness. Click here to read, A Natural Proven Solution To The Opioid Crisis.
  3. Helps Avoid Medication – Medication can be useful in addressing various health problems but typically they just mask the symptoms. Unlike chiropractic care which can relieve aches and pains by getting to the root cause of the problem. Giving you relief without any drugs or pesky side effects.
  4. Personalized Treatment – No formula must be followed for chiropractic care. A qualified chiropractor will assess your situation and come up with a care plan to correct the problem. Chiropractors may use different instruments and techniques that best suits that patient’s specific needs.
  5. Complements Other Treatment Procedures – The great thing about chiropractic care is that it can be used alongside other forms of treatment. Chiropractic patients may also be receiving massage therapy or acupuncture. All of which complement each other.

Click here to read, What The Neck? Are You Short-Circuiting?

Is Chiropractic Safe?

Are Chiropractors Safe?

Chiropractic care is an extremely safe. It’s conservative, yet effective option for correcting spinal problems. Maintaining a healthy spine is crucial to having a healthy nervous system. But must be handled with care. Chiropractic is non-invasive and drug-free, making it a safe option.

Most patients feel instant relief after receiving chiropractic adjustments. Some patients may feel mild side effects such as soreness and aching. The good thing is that it typically doesn’t last and will go away in a few hours.

Always share any concerns you may have with your chiropractor.  Chiropractors are well-trained professionals who understand how to take care of their patients.
To find a chiropractor in your area please click here for our online directory.

You’re one step closer!

What Is Social Distancing?

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Social Distancing

You’ve probably heard the advice by now that to slow down the spread of coronavirus (or the Covid19 pandemic); we need to practice social distancing. But what is social distancing? Well, the concept is meant to curb the spread of the virus by avoiding close contact with people in public spaces, where the virus is easily transmitted through viral particles when sneezing or coughing and touching contaminated services.

Click here to read, What Is Coronavirus?

What Is Social Distancing?

It’s disappointing to hear that social gatherings are being cancelled such as:

  • Sports events
  • Festivals
  • Weddings
  • Visits with friends and family
  • Birthdays
  • Playdates

However, there is a significant health benefit to following these measures. These cancellations help to slow or even stop the spread of disease. Thus preventing overcrowding of the health care system and allowing proper care for patients more readily over time.

Canceling social gatherings is just one example of social distancing. Currently, the recommendation is to stay at least 6 feet away from other people in any environment outside your home. Experts agree that this is one of the best ways to reduce your chances of contracting COVID-19.

What is social distancing? This is the clearest explanation you'll hear

Why Is Social Distancing So Important?

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic as the numbers of new cases continues to grow worldwide. Therefore, it is essential for you to understand how the virus is spread from person-to-person to reduce your risk of getting sick and infecting others. COVID-19 is most likely spread through:

  • Direct contact with a person who has been recently infected; 24 hours before the surfacing of their symptoms.
  • Close contact with a person who’s already confirmed with infection and coughs or sneezes close to you.
  • Touching surfaces or objects (such as door handles or tables) contaminated from a sneeze or cough from an infectious person and then touching your mouth or face.

It’s for this reason that you’re urged to allow more space between you and others in order to make it harder for the virus to spread.

Click here to read, How To Prepare For The Coronavirus.

What To Do When You're Stuck At Home | Activities While Social Distancing

Social Distancing At Home

Here’s what you can do at home to curb the spread of the virus.

  • Stay home if you can
  • Wash your hands with soap or hand sanitizer
  • Practice good hand, sneeze and cough hygiene
  • Disinfect surfaces
  • Increase ventilation in homes or adjust your air conditioning
  • Visit shops sparingly better yet start buying goods and services online

 If a family member is sick, here is how you can care for him/her:

  • If possible, care for the sick person from a single room
  • Keep the number of caregivers to a minimum
  • Close the door to the sick person’s room and open the windows
  • Both the caregiver and the sick person should wear a surgical mask when in the same room
  • Give extra caution and closely monitor vulnerable family members, including people over 65 years and those with chronic illness.

Click here to read, How To Get Tested For The Coronavirus.

work from home

Social Distancing In The Workplace

Here is what can be done at the workplace:

  • Stay at home if you’re sick
  • Keep your distance and avoid handshaking
  • Hold meetings through video conferencing
  • Defer large meetings
  • Hold mandatory meetings in the open air
  • Sneeze and cough into your sleeve rather than your hand
  • Use hand sanitizers throughout the day and regularly disinfect high touch surfaces
  • Adjust AC and improve ventilation
  • Avoid non-essential business travel

 

How Do I Get A Coronavirus Test?

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How Is The Coronavirus Tested

Do you find yourself asking, “How is the Coronavirus tested?” Furthermore, “where do I get tested?” Well, here is my first hand experience about how and why I got tested for COVID-19.

It’s certainly bad timing for anyone getting sick. Especially with symptoms that may represent COVID-19 as fear is in the air! Any cough, sniffle, temperature change or sense of a sore throat has everyone on edge asking, “could this be the Coronavirus?”

Knowing the answers to these questions is important. Particularly if you have had or may have had contact with many others. The time is now and responsibility ours in order to protect our community.

why get tested for cornavirus

Why I Got Tested For COVID-19

Monday March 16th I lost my voice within a couple of hours. However, I was convinced it was because I had inhaled the fumes of disinfectant wipes all day. But the next day I woke up with no voice in addition to a sore throat and coughing. ALL RED FLAGS during these times!

Add to that, my contact with many people and I fall into the category of people who should contact a health practitioner. So, I decided to consult my friend who is a nurse. She informed me that fever is often the last symptom and to get tested regardless of missing this common symptom. But, where do I go? Furthermore, how is the Coronavirus tested?

Click here to read more about, What Is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus Self-Assessment Test

So, How is the coronavirus tested? Better yet, should you be tested? Well, the Ontario Government’s ‘self-assessment’ is the first place I would recommend to those curious to go. 

The questions outlined in the self assessment are the same questions you will be asked if you arrive at a COVID-19 Testing / Assessment center. 

Did you answer yes to the questions asked in the self-assessment? If so, you should seek clinical assessment for COVID-19 over the phone or call your healthcare provider. I tried calling mine only to get an answering machine message redirecting me to this exact assessment. Also suggesting I call Telehealth if the assessment indicates the need for further testing.  

Click here to read, How To Prepare For The Coronavirus.

Key things to know about coronavirus testing

COVID-19 Assessment Centre Protocol

My next move was to call Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000 in hopes of receiving a referral from a nurse to receive an appointment for testing. I preferred an appointment then to wait in a long walk-in line up where I feared to be exposed to the virus.

While I waited on the line for over two hours, I realized the wait may be longer than driving around the city and finding an assessment center. While waiting on the phone, I searched for an assessment center online that would accept patients without an appointment or referral. I found the closest assessment center to me and decided to take a chance that they were accepting walk-ins. 

St. Joseph’s Hospital was the closest COVID-19 assessment center.  When I arrived, I drove around the building slowly looking at all of the temporary signage they had placed up. All to direct people on where to go. At every patient entrance, there was one to two employees at the door dressed in full protective gear.

How Doctors Stay Safe Battling Coronavirus

Protective Gear For Medical Staff Exposed To COVID-19
  • Gowns over their clothes
  • Face masks
  • Hospital hats
  • Gloves
  • Helmets with shields over their faces

Finally we found the entrance off of Sunny Side Drive, close to the Queensway. I decided to leave my spouse in the car to ensure limited contact for her and avoid clogging up the already busy healthcare system.

As I walked in, a hospital employee opened the door for me to avoid contact with the door handle. There was a check-in desk with separation glass around it and two employees on the other side. First, they asked me the same questions found on the Ontario self-assessment.

Once I answered yes to two of the questions they asked me to disinfect my hands and put on a mask. Next, I waited in a line of less than 5 minutes to register. Everyone stood as spaced apart as space would allow. When I was called up to the registration desk, I was asked to hold my health card up to show her.  Decreasing unnecessary contact in order to lower risk to the healthcare providers.

With no voice, check-in at registration was a bit of a struggle.  Once registered, I hung up the phone with Telehealth Ontario. Which, by the way, I was still on hold waiting to speak with someone.

covid-19 test

How Is The Coronavirus Tested

I was asked to wait in the waiting room until a nurse and test room opened up. There were about 20 seats in the room and 5 people waiting.  Only two of us sat down (I had planned to wash my clothes as soon as I got back home). 

My name was called within 5 minutes of waiting. I was brought into a room where a nurse asked me more detailed questions about:

  • My symptoms
  • Contact with others
  • Travel history

Next, he checked my blood pressure, heart rate and temperature. When I asked, “how is the Coronavirus tested?” He explained that the swab would be “a different feeling” and wouldn’t be painful but would most likely cause my eyes to water.

I tilted my head back where he proceeded to push the swab to the very top of my nasal cavity. Next, he twisted the swab for an uncomfortable 10 seconds. So much so, my nose and eyes watered for the following 10 minutes. 

Time For The Results Of The Coronavirus Test

The doctor came into the room briefly after testing and explained to me that it’s important to act as if I have the COVID-19 virus. At least until I received my test results which would come in 24-72 hours after testing. The system is backlogged with negative results, so the results may be received in the mail later than 72 hours.

If there are positive results, I was to expect a phone call. I was reminded that even if my test is negative, to not leave my home until my symptoms have resolved. 

I was instructed to disinfect my hands as I left the hospital. Once home, I washed my hands again. Removed my clothes, put them in the wash and showered. Overall, I was impressed with the flow at the hospital.

From the time I walked into and out of St. Joseph’s Hospital COVID-19 Assessment center, I clocked 35 minutes. Their set up, process and procedures were well thought out and working smoothly. Thank you to the front line!

Ready to go to your nearest COVID-19 Assessment Center?  Click here for the list of centers I used in order to find where to go

What Is Coronavirus?

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what is coronavirus

It seems like no matter what channel you watch or radio station you listen to, word of the Coronavirus is everywhere! But what is Coronavirus exactly?

Well, the first case of Coronavirus (recently changed to Covid-19), was traced back to Wuhan, China where patient X is believed to have been infected from an animal source at a “wet market”.

It is believed that the lack of hygienic standards may partly be to blame since animals such as live birds and fish were being kept and butchered in close proximity. Since that first report, the virus has spread rapidly infecting entire communities, in different countries, all across the globe.

As of now, the outbreak has yet to be tied to a specific source of animal. However, the original host is believed to be bats whom incidentally are host to a variety of zoonotic viruses including:

  • HIV
  • Ebola
  • Rabies
coronavirus pandemic

What Is Coronavirus?

Typically, Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause diseases. This includes the common cold to more severe illnesses like:

  • The Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV)
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)

First discovered in 2019, Coronavirus is a new strain that hasn’t been identified in humans before. Recently, scientists in China have reported that the Coronavirus has mutated into two strains. One of which is so aggressive that it makes developing a vaccine more complicated.

So far, about 15-20% of hospital cases reported across the globe have been classified as “severe”. Furthermore, the death rate has been calculated as 0.7% to 3.4% depending on patients location and access to good medical care.

Answering Kids’ Questions About The Coronavirus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSsKQPqpS7A

How Is COVID-19 Spread?

Animals appear to be the origin of the virus. However, recent studies indicate that COVID-19 is rapidly passed from one person to the other. The disease is caused by an infection with SARS-CoV-2. This only affects those who have been in contact with someone who has been confirmed to be infected. Everyone is therefore advised to exercise standard caution to prevent the spread of the infection.

Recommended Precautionary Measures For Coronavirus 
  • Covering nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing
  • Regular hand washing
  • Cooking meat and eggs thoroughly
  • Avoid close contact with people

Especially with those showing any symptoms of respiratory illness like coughing and sneezing. Social distancing is one of the most important steps in containing the spread of this virus.

Click here to read, How To Prepare For The Coronavirus.

Why fighting the coronavirus depends on you

What Are The Symptoms Of COVID-19?

Symptoms of Coronavirus can appear within 14 days of being exposed to the virus. Diagnosed similarly to any other conditions caused by viral infections, doctors can either take samples of saliva, blood, or tissue to test you for the virus.

Common Signs Of The Coronavirus Infection Include:
  • Respiratory symptoms
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Breathing difficulties

In more severe cases, Covid-19 can cause:

  • Acute respiratory syndrome
  • Pneumonia
  • Kidney failure
  • Death

Therefore, call your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Tell them about your symptoms over the phone before making the official visit to the doctor’s office. Your doctor will advise you accordingly and make appropriate recommendations. 

Click here to read, How Do I Get A Coronavirus Test?

What Treatments Are Available?

Currently, there’s no treatment particularly approved for COVID-19. Nor has a cure been found. However, treatments are currently under study. So, there is no need to panic.

Also, there are medications and supplementation that focus on managing symptoms. Therefore your doctor can recommend an appropriate regimen or treatment based on what your symptoms include or any complications you are suffering with.

Sources

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#symptoms

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200127-sitrep-7-2019–ncov.pdf

https://www.healthline.com/health/coronavirus-covid-19