May we inhale the stories that surround us: good vibes, gentle moments, gracious miracles. Let us choose to inundate our souls with the power of quiet breaths that compose our everyday adventures, and balance our ever-busy minds and hearts. May the air that dances through our bodies come carrying wildflowers of presence, compassion, and peace. As we welcome these fruits of the spirit into our souls, may we let go of our inner battles. May we choose to replace fear with bravery, and let go of stress in exchange for a quiet calmness. Let us exhale the negativity that overwhelms us, and inhale breaths of wonder.

May we inhale the stories that surround us: good vibes, gentle moments, gracious miracles. Let us choose to inundate our souls with the power of quiet breaths that compose our everyday adventures, and balance our ever-busy minds and hearts. May the air that dances through our bodies come carrying wildflowers of presence, compassion, and peace. As we welcome these fruits of the spirit into our souls, may we let go of our inner battles. May we choose to replace fear with bravery, and let go of stress in exchange for a quiet calmness. Let us exhale the negativity that overwhelms us, and inhale breaths of wonder.

by | Mar 25, 2016 | Facebook

via Karyn Bender RPh...
Turning to food to alleviate stress or for comfort is a common problem. Unfortunately, using food to pacify our emotions rarely makes us feel better. We can get caught up in a vicious cycle of trying to fill our emotional needs with food, which leaves us feeling unsatisfied, powerless, guilty, and ashamed. The first step in breaking the cycle is to recognize the difference between physical and emotional hunger. Emotional hunger comes on quickly, craves certain foods, and doesn’t go away after your belly is full. It can also trigger negative feelings. Physical hunger is a gradual feeling that goes away when you are full, and doesn’t care what you eat. Next step is to keep a journal to find out what your triggers are. Do you eat because you are bored and feel empty, stressed out, or sad? Once you understand what emotions you are trying to comfort, you can work on fulfilling them in other ways. If you feel the urge to pacify your feelings with food, try exercising instead of eating. Exercise releases endorphins and can have a positive impact on your emotional state, as well as your health.

Turning to food to alleviate stress or for comfort is a common problem. Unfortunately, using food to pacify our emotions rarely makes us feel better. We can get caught up in a vicious cycle of trying to fill our emotional needs with food, which leaves us feeling unsatisfied, powerless, guilty, and ashamed. The first step in breaking the cycle is to recognize the difference between physical and emotional hunger. Emotional hunger comes on quickly, craves certain foods, and doesn’t go away after your belly is full. It can also trigger negative feelings. Physical hunger is a gradual feeling that goes away when you are full, and doesn’t care what you eat. Next step is to keep a journal to find out what your triggers are. Do you eat because you are bored and feel empty, stressed out, or sad? Once you understand what emotions you are trying to comfort, you can work on fulfilling them in other ways. If you feel the urge to pacify your feelings with food, try exercising instead of eating. Exercise releases endorphins and can have a positive impact on your emotional state, as well as your health.

by | Mar 21, 2016 | Facebook

via Karyn Bender RPh...
It’s so easy to get caught up in this fast paced world. Everything is screaming at you that THIS is more important than THAT and you get caught up in the whirlwind. Jumping from one issue to the next you feel that you are caught in a tug-o-war that is tearing you apart. When that feeling of being overwhelmed overcomes you, remember the real priority is YOU. Find solace and rest and come back to your own heart. If everything is well inside your heart, all else will fall into place.

It’s so easy to get caught up in this fast paced world. Everything is screaming at you that THIS is more important than THAT and you get caught up in the whirlwind. Jumping from one issue to the next you feel that you are caught in a tug-o-war that is tearing you apart. When that feeling of being overwhelmed overcomes you, remember the real priority is YOU. Find solace and rest and come back to your own heart. If everything is well inside your heart, all else will fall into place.

by | Mar 14, 2016 | Facebook

via Karyn Bender RPh...

Kale is a super-food; even spinach can’t touch it for nutrient content. Kale is a member of the healthy cabbage family alongside brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower. Kale is a vitamin powerhouse because one cup of the raw stuff contains 134% RDA of vital vitamin C to boost the immune system and fight off infections, and 206% of vitamin A that makes skin look great. Kale’s mineral content is impressive too. A cup will provide you with 9% RDA of potassium which lowers the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. It also has 26% magnesium which is shown to protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Full of flavonoids and anti-oxidants that clear up body damaging free-radicals kale should be top of your shopping list. Some of the anti-oxidants may balance glucose levels too – diabetics take note. And last but not by any means least, it’s stacked full of bowel-pleasing fibre. Kale can be steamed, boiled, mashed and baked into meals as well as added to smoothies. It’s a low calorie super-food that will improve health no end.

by | Mar 9, 2016 | Facebook

via Karyn Bender RPh...

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, made the statement that “All disease begins in the gut,” and researchers are finally beginning to understand what he meant. If you put all of the bacteria in your body on a scale, it would weigh almost six pounds. These single cell organisms can be found throughout the body, but they are especially important in the gut. Gut bacteria helps you digest food, create vitamins, communicate with the immune system, and make molecules that affect brain function. When the gut isn’t healthy, the entire system breaks down. Vitamins are produced in lesser quantities, inflammation can occur, and the brain doesn’t function as well as it should. Research on gut health and disease is ongoing, and many studies are starting to suggest that an unhealthy gut might be the cause of mood disorders, brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, cognitive impairment, diabetes, and even cancer. The healthier the gut is, the healthier (and happier) the person.

by | Mar 4, 2016 | Facebook

via Karyn Bender RPh...