Both . . . → Read More: Trigenics Myoneural Medicine]]> Trigenics Myoneural Medicine is a form of neuromuscular therapy (NMT). What makes neuromuscular therapy so amazing is that it can serve as the bridging gap between soft tissue techniques such as massage therapy and chiropractic with benefits such as pain relief and restoring function being cumulative and exponential when both methods are utilized.

Hemp hearts are the inner de-shelled part of hemp seeds,  Cannabis Sativa, which arguably translates from Latin as ” most perfect food.” The seeds are nowadays also becoming known as  ”perfect” food . . . → Read More: Hemp Hearts]]> Hemp hearts are so good it is hard to believe they are so good for you! And good for you they are.

Hemp hearts are the inner de-shelled part of hemp seeds,  Cannabis Sativa, which arguably translates from Latin as ” most perfect food.” The seeds are nowadays also becoming known as  ”perfect” food because they are a source of complete protein and contain anywhere from 25 to 35% protein. They are also a source of complete essential and omega fat, containing 86% omega 3, 6 and 9 fats. In addition, hemp hearts are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber. They are also low in carbs and provide more energy than an energy bar, without the artificial additives, sugar and with less saturated fat.

Hemp hearts are quite delicious with their mild nutty flavour, and chewy rich and soft texture. I love them in my plain yogurt for breakfast, slightly sweetened with fruit yogurt, raw honey, fresh or frozen fruit or maple syrup. They can be eaten with anything, in cereals, soups, salads, main dishes and deserts although they are most beneficial raw.

Because they are so full of energy and calories,  it is preferable that you eat them in the first half of the day, rather than the second, in order to wind down properly and be able to have quality sleep.  Five tablespoons (55g) contain:

• 314 calories of energy from 20 g protein
• 23.2 g unsaturated fats (14.9 g Omega 6 and 4.7 g Omega 3), and 2.7 g saturated fat
• 5.9g carbohydrates, 3.3 g fiber, 2.6 mg iron, 40.6 mg calcium, 5 mg sodium, 5 mg Vitamin E, .55 mg vitamin C, .07mg vitamin B6, .18mg vitamin B2, .76 mg vitamin B1, 1200 IU vitamin D,

What is so amazing about them is that even though they are so calorie-rich, they are known for their weight loss benefit. Because of the optimal balance of omega fatty acids and the high protein content, hemp hearts help curb hunger and cravings, provide long lasting energy and help the body to optimize weight and metabolic rate.

They also help prevent diabetes, because they are easily digestible and the high fibre and fat/low sugar content ensures that blood sugar and insulin stay level, avoiding insulin resistance and the resulting pre-diabetic state that can ensue when on a steady high carbs/sugar diet.  Their optimal essential fat and protein content helps prevent high cholesterol and inflammation in the body, both of which are pre-cursors to heart conditions. If I got you excited about hemp hearts and for more information and wonderful recipes, as well as to buy hemp in bulk, please visit the websites below:

Sources:

http://www.hemphearts.com

http://www.buyhemphearts.com

http://www.livestrong.com/article/154639-what-are-the-benefits-of-eating-hemp-hearts/

Chiropractors practice a manual approach, providing diagnosis, treatment and preventative care for disorders related to the spine, pelvis, nervous system and joints.

Chiropractors use a combination of treatments, all of which are . . . → Read More: Conditions which Chiropractic Care can help]]> One of the largest primary-contact health care professions, chiropractic is a non-invasive, hands-on health care discipline that focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal system.

Chiropractors practice a manual approach, providing diagnosis, treatment and preventative care for disorders related to the spine, pelvis, nervous system and joints.

Chiropractors use a combination of treatments, all of which are predicated on the specific needs of the individual patient. After taking a complete history and diagnosing a patient, a chiropractor can develop and carry out a comprehensive treatment/management plan, recommend therapeutic exercise and other non-invasive therapies, and provide dietary and lifestyle counselling.

For many conditions, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care is frequently the primary method of treatment. Where other conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the neuromusculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.

Chiropractic care may also be used to provide symptomatic relief for patients with chronic conditions. According to patient surveys, by treating the neuromusculoskeletal elements of such disorders, chiropractic treatment has been shown to improve the general well-being of the patient.

There are many reasons to seek chiropractic care (see conditions treated below).

Chiropractic is a regulated health profession, recognized by statute in all Canadian provinces and American states. Millions of patients rely on chiropractic care to help them live healthy, active lives.

Common Conditions Treated:

* Back Pain
* Neck Pain
* Whiplash
* Shoulder Pain
* Tendonitis
* Arthritis
* Headaches
* Sports Injuries
* Work Injuries
* Motor Vehicle Injuries
* Postural Pain/Tension
* Limited Range of Motion
* Wrist/Hand Problems
* Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
* Knee Injuries
* Sprain/Strain
* Ankle/Foot Problems
* TMJ/Jaw Problems
* General Health and Well-Being

It is a time when the mother-to-be experiences rapid weight gain and hormonal loosening of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues to accommodate for the birthing process. Both of these changes in turn lead to postural changes and . . . → Read More: Pregnancy and Chiropractic Care]]> Pregnancy is an important time to get chiropractic care both in the pre-natal and post-partum stages. 

It is a time when the mother-to-be experiences rapid weight gain and hormonal loosening of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues to accommodate for the birthing process. Both of these changes in turn lead to postural changes and changes in sleep patterns and positions.

Postural changes include increased spinal curves, flattening of the feet, spinal misalignments and pelvic imbalances all of which also lead to increased muscle fatigue and stress on all joints and ligaments. All of these as well as the pressure of the baby on the spine can cause pain in the back, buttocks and legs.

Studies have shown that women who have chiropractic care throughout their pregnancies may have shorter and less painful labor, with fewer complications and interventions. When the spine and the pelvic bones are aligned with chiropractic care, the pressure on the big ligaments which support the uterus and connect to the pelvis is even.

If the pelvic ligamentous pressure is uneven, that can affect the baby’s positioning, thus preventing the optimum position for birth and leading to longer, more painful labor and increased need for medical intervention.

Chiropractic can alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms arising from the muscular, ligamentous, and biomechanical stresses encountered during pregnancy. Chiropractors accomplish this through the use of highly specialized gentle adjustments, soft tissue techniques, strengthening exercises, stretches, and pregnancy, dietary and nutritional counselling, all of which are individualized to fit the specific needs of each pregnant woman.

The frequency of care varies for each individual, and typically, regular care during a non-complicated pregnancy will range from once per week to once per month.

It is the labor and delivery when the newborn’s spine is first affected by the mechanical forces present during . . . → Read More: Chiropractic and Children]]> Chiropractic care is beneficial equally to infants, children, adolescents and adults. Children can experience problems with neuromusculoskeletal functioning in the same way that adults can. For example, back pain is a prevalent condition among children.

It is the labor and delivery when the newborn’s spine is first affected by the mechanical forces present during the process. Spinal segments can be misaligned from the trauma of passing through the birth canal and from the birthing process itself. Medical research has identified the fact that many problems early in a child’s life can come from birth traumas.

During the first years of life, when children learn to walk and fall frequently, fall from bed or down the stairs, further compromise to the functioning of the spine occurs. Later in childhood, Injuries during games and sports, such as falls from a bike, as well as carrying heavy backpacks during the school years, having poor posture while studying – these are all normal activities in life that continue to affect neuromusculoskeletal alignment and neurological functioning.

Chiropractic treatment for infants and young children employ light finger-tip adjustments, no more than 8 ounces, to correct subluxated segments. Sometimes, a “popping” sound results when the spinal joints are moved, however this sound is not always heard when children’s spines are adjusted. Young children’s spines are more flexible than those of adults and usually respond to care faster.

Symptoms of nerve interference may be expressed in children as: difficulty nursing, disturbed sleep, frequent ear and throat infections, colic, bed wetting, growing pains, headaches, foot imbalances, leg pain and back pain.

In the presence of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction, and in the absence of contraindications, chiropractic adjustment is an appropriate and effective procedure. When diagnosis does not indicate chiropractic care or when co-intervention is needed, referral to the appropriate health practitioner will be made.

In the Vertebral Subluxation Complex or VSC, various changes happen inside your body. These are different . . . → Read More: What is Subluxation]]> Vertebral Subluxation happens when spinal nerves which are the nerves that come out from between each of the bones in your spine become irritated. The pressure on the nerves interferes with the signals traveling over those nerves.

In the Vertebral Subluxation Complex or VSC, various changes happen inside your body. These are different components that are grouped in five categories:

The osseous (bone) component is where the vertebrae are either out of position, not moving properly (restricted), or are undergoing physical changes such as degeneration. This component is sometimes known as kinesiopathology.

The Nerve Component is the malfunctioning of the nerve. Research has shown that only a small amount of pressure on spinal nerves can have a profound impact on the function of the nerves. This component is scientifically known as neuropathology.

The Muscle Component is also very important. Since muscles help hold the vertebrae in place, and since nerves control the muscles themselves, muscles are an integral part of any VSC. In fact, muscles both affect, and are affected by the VSC. This component is known as myopathology.

The Soft Tissue Component is when misaligned vertebrae and pressure on nerves results in changes in the surrounding soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, blood supply, muscles and other tissues. These changes can occur at the point of the VSC or far away at some end point of the affected nerves. This component is also known as histopathology.

The Chemical Component is when all these components of the VSC are acting on your body, and therefore causing some degree of chemical changes. These chemical changes can be slight or massive depending on what parts of your body are affected by your subluxations. This component is often known as biochemical abnormalities.

Today, scientific evidence is showing the dangers of subluxations and the health benefits of correcting them. To be healthy, it is vital that your nervous system be functioning free of interference from subluxations. Chiropractors are the only health professionals trained in the detection, location, and correction of the VSC.

Your nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of your body. This means that when there is subluxation, parts of your body will not get the proper nerve messages and will not be able to function optimally. In other words, some part of your body will not be working properly.

Correcting nerve interference is done through chiropractic adjustments and techniques specifically designed to correct the vertebral subluxations in your spine.

It uses breathing biofeedback and stretch/resistance activated neurological reflexes to reset the nerve to muscle communication.It is different from other myofascial release therapy techniques in that with it, the nervous system is treated to reset the way the brain . . . → Read More: Trigenics]]>  

In honor of the victims of the heart-rending natural disaster currently happening in Japan, this month I am holding the people . . . → Read More: Matcha Madness]]> I have always been a lover of Japanese language, food, culture and traditions. All cultures have something unique and beautiful that distinguishes them from all others but I find Japanese culture especially captivating.

In honor of the victims of the heart-rending natural disaster currently happening in Japan, this month I am holding the people of Japan in my thoughts and I would like to share my passion about one of their most wonderful creations – matcha green tea. I am taking the time to honor the victims and survivors of this tragedy by sending them my spiritual support and blessings , many times each day.

Matcha lattes have recently become hugely popular since being introduced by Starbucks although they have been available for longer in specialty tea houses. Matcha is not only delicious but full of health benefits.  The reason for that is that the whole green tea leaf is ingested rather than simply the water in which the leaves have been steeped. Matcha contains more antioxidants than superfoods such as blueberries, goji berries, pomegranates and spinach. Some of the health benefits of matcha are reducing cholesterol, boosting metabolism, naturally enhancing energy and vitality, and reducing oxidative stress on the body.

What also makes matcha unique is its delicate creamy flavour which is the result of harvesting the leaves in a very special way.   Several weeks before harvest, the green tea plant leaves are covered, which stimulates the production of more chlorophyll, a darker green color and more amino acids which, in turn, gives the tea its characteristic creamy sweetness. Once the tea buds are hand picked, the leaves are laid out flat to dry and then de-veined, de-stemmed and stone ground into the fine matcha powder we get to enjoy. It takes up to 1 hour to manually stone grind 30 grams of matcha! The elaborate process of cultivating the plants, the quality of the tea buds (only the finest ones are selected) and the ceremonial hand picking and stone grinding is what makes matcha so prized and expensive.

Gastronomers sometimes like to say that there are 5 flavors – sweet, salty, bitter, sour and… creamy the last being so appreciated that it deserves to be in a category of its own. Matcha’s unique creaminess is nicely enhanced by the sweetness of steamed milk (or rice/almond milk for those of us who are dairy-intolerant). Unfortunately, the matcha lattes available at Starbucks contain ingredient-grade powder and less than 50% matcha, the other ingredients being sweet additives. Local coffee shop Blenz uses higher quality matcha and our local tea house – the Granville Island Tea Co. prepares probably the most heavenly matcha latte I have ever had, koicha (thick) and lightly spiced with cardamom, another heavenly ingredient.

There are two main ways of preparing matcha – koicha and usucha (thin). Forgoing the traditional way of steaming the tea, I personally prepare my homemade matcha latte the usucha way (1 gram of matcha or you can use 1.75 grams) and use my Fresco electric whipper rather than a chasen (a bamboo whisk) to blend the powder with fresh cold or steamed milk  until there are no clumps remaining and the milk is frothed into fluffy cream. I then pour hot water into the cup and gently blend it in with the whipper, adding a teaspoon of condensed milk or honey if I want it slightly sweet. Very non-traditional but delicious! And here’s my secret of the month – you can order the best quality matcha from Granville Island Tea Co. and can also get the cheapest relatively good quality matcha available in 30 gr cans at Booster Juice. Finally, in Japanese tradition, matcha is an ingredient of many desserts such as manaka, castella, mochi, matcha cake, manju and ice cream. The tea is usually served unsweetened with a dessert on the side. So if you ever feel like being an impromptu Japanologist for a day, try the matcha latte with green tea cake or green tea moscarpone at Chicco  (1504 Robson St.) – you’ll be glad you did.

Links:

http://www.granvilletea.com/

http://www.chiccocafe.com/contact.html