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Struggling with symptoms of menopause? Unfortunately, this phase of life has been under-served for many women. Menopause occurs when you no longer menstruate for over 12 months. It's often accompanied by symptoms like hot flashes, poor sleep, night sweats and mood changes.

This mainly comes from hormonal shifts - however, there is hope for comfort. Food and nutrition can be leveraged as a tool for self-care and to help reduce these symptoms, while ensuring a higher quality of life and reducing risk for disease.

​Are you looking for ways to improve performance and productivity for yourself or within your team? Do you find yourself and your team reaching for overly sweet snacks when the afternoon afternoon fatigue slump rolls in? Incorporating more movement into your workday could be the easiest and most affordable strategy and it might just give you that competitive edge.

​Do you realize that your team consumes 1/3 of their nutrition at work? Have you ever wondered how what they are eating will affect the productivity of your team?

Researchers from Brigham Young University, the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) and the Center for Health Research at Healthways analyzed the topic of "presenteeism" - being present at work, but not performing optimally. (1) The study revealed that employees with unhealthy diets were 66% more likely to report a productivity loss than healthy eaters, demonstrating that the foods we eat have a direct impact on our work performance

It's a new year! Do you have new ideas and new habits to learn?

Hopefully, these new habits will sustain you through the whole of 2023 – not just January and February.

Many people want to create new healthier habits, but find that lack of motivation gets in the way of letting go of old habits because they're familiar and it's easier to stick with what we know; besides we're used to getting dopamine hits from things we do on a regular basis to give us pleasure.

One of the biggest issues we hear from our clients when it comes to their work life is; feeling overwhelmed with too much on their plate, with many skipping lunches and working overtime to get the job done. Studies show that stress and anxiety negatively impact work productivity. Job stress/anxiety also makes employees more prone to error, poor work performance, burnout, and conflict in the workplace. If these issues go overlooked, organizations can pay the price in higher rates of turnover, disengagement, and absenteeism.

​In Canada, 50% of the working population lives with a minimum of one chronic condition which can have a huge impact on quality of life, as well as work performance.

Among these chronic health conditions, diabetes is one of the most prevalent ones of our times and may go undiagnosed as a silent condition in its early stages. With type 2 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on gradually, and you may have insulin resistance for 10-15 years before being diagnosed. Although there is no cure for diabetes, insulin resistance can be managed effectively through lifestyle changes, such as being physically active, eating healthy, limiting alcohol, and having good sleep and self-care habits. The fact that 78% of Canadians are not sufficiently active and 60% have poor eating habits is putting many of us at risk. With a focus on prevention, lifestyle changes, according to research, can prevent at least 70% of major chronic diseases

Health and wellness coaching can play a significant role in the prevention and management of diabetes. You may struggle with compliance to the recommendations by healthcare professionals for a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps you have been told what to eat, how much and when but are struggling to do so consistently and making these changes work for your family and work life.

People and businesses everywhere are feeling the effects of inflation and rising costs. One way that you as an employee can stretch the value of a dollar is to check with your HR provider to see if your employer offers any discount programs for services that are not covered.

You should also be aware of and take advantage of what you have access to through your benefits. Your benefits can provide additional financial security beyond your salary.

Did you know that many Canadians have employee health benefits plans and most major insurers (seven out of ten) include dietitian services in their standard plan?

Many employers offer paramedical coverage as well as spending accounts, this coverage offers reimbursement for a variety of practitioners not usually covered under a provincial health plan.

​Many of us spend most of our time focused on those around us and work rather than on ourselves. When we finally carve out time for ourselves, the last thing we want to do is work on ourselves. In the meantime, issues and difficulties we are having continue to build.

When I was a kid everyone had a vegetable garden in their back yard. It was an economic necessity for our family of eight kids, as it was for many families of the time. Every spring one of us kids would lose our boots, stuck deep in the mud of last year's garden. Kids and mud – so compatible! Gardening for me today is less about economic necessity and more about health: physical and mental. Taste is also a motivator. One of the positive outcomes of the pandemic is the return to nature and a simpler life. Maybe we knew subconsciously what was good for us and would keep us together mentally. Getting our hands dirty offers unlimited benefits and rewards.

After a long period of struggle and adjustment, many of my clients found that working remotely allowed them a better work/life balance and more time for self-care. Now, many are being asked to return to worksites and of course there's resistance. We don't want to give up these newfound benefits. But the reality is, most people need their jobs, so here's what I suggest, whether working from home or onsite.

Clutter is stuck energy. When you clear clutter you release the flow of feel-good energy. You know what I'm talking about. Consider a big mess of food and dishes from dinner versus the feeling of a clean kitchen counter. Ahh, relief.

But we're not talking about cleanliness here so much as stuff. We cram it in drawers, on desks, in pantries and closets to the point we can't find anything and we don't even know what we have.

Have you lost your "mojo" as a result of the pandemic? You are not alone! When life throws us curve balls, we tend to drop one of the most important components of health, movement. The reality is that motivation often leaves us when we need it most but you can choose to accept that it is missing, complain and deal with the effects of a complacent mind/body or you can stand up, dust yourself off and get back in the game. Here are some strategies for you to try:

Curious about incorporating the benefits of more plants? You're not alone. In recent years, there's been a massive movement towards meatless meals, and for good reason - this dietary pattern is linked to reduced risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and colon cancer. Plus, with food costs rising, adopting more plants is a surefire way to save on your monthly bills.

But rest assured, plant-based eating isn't all-or-nothing. You can reap the rewards without completely ditching animal products. By simply shifting your focus to eating more plants, you're already supporting your wellbeing. This includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains. Here's some easy ideas to get you started.

It's common to choose certain times of the year to create a fresh start but the most common times are the new year, springtime, and fall. Each of those times represents an opportunity to start something. If you are wanting to eat better, lose weight, get moving more, increase your ability to manage stress or improve your health and energy levels, then I hope this blog will be helpful in preparing you for success.

It is probable that most people have experienced adverse trauma and other stressors in the past year. Becoming more resilient gets one through a difficult time; resilience is the ability to cope with adversity and to use life challenges to build strength. It is like working out in the gym, it takes time to build our resiliency muscle; a psychological attribute that allows us to maintain our sense of self in spite of stressors. 

Resilience is a set of traits that allows one to move forward when life gets hard, you aren't born with them, you must learn and earn them. In the words of Glennon Doyle, "we can do hard things!" It is important to focus on cultivating resilience. How do we become more resilient?

The holiday season can be a cause of weight gain, stress, seasonal 'blues' and overscheduled calendars, so this year, give yourself the gift of fitness! A general recommendation is to incorporate activities that celebrate the season; social gatherings with friends that involve something other than the usual overindulgence of food and drink.

You can enjoy the celebrations AND maintain a healthy focus. You can adjust your exercise program by reducing the number of days or by scheduling shorter bouts of exercise throughout the day. However it is recommended that every adult get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. (ACSM).

Most holiday challenges or 'stressors' are predictable because we feed into the pattern year after year. Are you ready for a change?  You can create new possibilities by following these THREE strategies to welcome the 'new'. 

The key to implementing a better strategy to manage the holiday season is to practice it beforehand, and not fall into the pattern of managing crisis or putting out fires.

The holiday season is the most wonderful season of the year but does this mean that we are eating everything we lay our eyes on? How do we set healthy and mindful "boundaries" around food, what and how much? Here are some questions to consider which are really more about a mind shift then nutritional advice.

With the impact of the pandemic and the uncertainty over the past couple of years, people have been forced to think outside of the box and adapt to new ways of staying healthy and fit. Fitness centres and gyms have been closed down completely or reduced to minimal capacity. Not everybody wants to go to a gym, or pound the pavement, but how does one determine the best practice for themselves? The American Council of Sports Medicine recommends that people get a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day (150 minutes per week), to improve health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Spending less minutes being sedentary is the next best step!

Did you know humans are the only species who project into the future? Worrying about what might happen or planning for what is next without being present in the now. Did you know that focusing on the future breeds anxiety? All other species, plants and animals collectively focus on the present, they go with the flow of the life cycle and truly thrive in the moment.

Striving for a perfect work-life balance can cause us to feel anxious and overwhelmed and it will set us up for failure. Sometimes we are focused on one or two areas in our lives, whether that's for a day, a few months, even a year. But things change and our priorities and focus in life changes over time.

It's no secret that there's a direct connection between employee wellness, productivity, and business growth. But with more employees working remotely than ever before, are employers doing enough to ensure their people are taken care of?

Now more than ever, with remote working on the rise, it is crucial for employers to implement strategies that ensure employee wellbeing is kept in check. As more and more employees still prefer a remote-working or hybrid environment, it's important to ensure that employees feel connected to their peers and managers, and supported in their personal health journeys. With remote working becoming a permanent part of employees' corporate life in numerous organizations, all employers are encouraged to adopt strategies to ensure that employee wellbeing is placed high on the priority list.

The term work/life balance is often referred to when describing a healthy approach to living. When we consider the definition of balance, according to Oxford Definitions: ('a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions'), it is easy to understand how the term, when used to describe a lifestyle goal, might seem unattainable. Perhaps instead try using the term 'work life wellness. Work life wellness implies that even though most of us have to work, we still need to consider our health and wellbeing at the same time. Creating more space in your day to exercise, taking time for eating better, managing your work hours, and getting to bed on time can increase the chances of living a healthier and more balanced life.

Summer is a wonder, but Fall is just around the corner - signalling change and the need for new routines. Kids are gearing up for back-to-school, and you're gearing up for work mode.

The need for meal planning and developing healthy routines can be looming over many of us this time of year. "How do I get back on track?" Rest assured that developing new routines that suit this season of your life is achievable with small steps.

Here are five tips to help you navigate healthy routines and meal planning this Fall.

Summer is a special time. Whether you are a kid with a summer break from school, an avid hiker, a beach goer or someone who lives for the summer get-togethers, the summer months are nothing short of wonderful. With longer days and restrictions on social gatherings, many people look for any opportunity to spend more time outdoors socializing and who doesn't love a good BBQ with a few beers? The summer often seems short and temptations for indulgences are all around. 

So, what is the best way to maintain your commitment to your health related goals? Avoiding all social gatherings to help you stay focused may not be the best course of action and sticking to salads instead of a fully loaded hamburger and potato chips isn't sustainable. Balance and moderation are key when working at staying on track because, let's face it, resistance and willpower only last for so long.

In Japan, there is a practice called forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku. Shinrin means "forest," and yoku means "bath." So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the
forest environment or experiencing the forest through our senses.

While Japan is credited with the term shinrin-yoku, the concept at the heart of the practice is not new. Many cultures have long acknowledged the importance of the natural world to human health.

Forest bathing can be simplified as being in and connecting with nature through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. We know how good we feel when we spend time in nature. How it can ground, calm, energize, and uplift us. The fresh, clean air, the richness of colors, and the awareness of being part of something bigger than ourselves are just a few of the benefits we can experience.

How do you talk to yourself? Really think about this. 

Take a regular morning routine, such as getting ready for work, and think about what you say to yourself. As you check the mirror before stepping out of your home, what do you say? If it's something like, "You look fabulous!" you're probably not suffering too much from self-judgment. But it's more likely that you say something like, "I look so fat" or "Great, bags under my eyes again." As your day progresses, what's the self-talk? When you make a mistake at work, is your response compassionate or judgmental? Do you say things like "I'm such an idiot," or other negative descriptors?

It's important to point out that most people are very self-critical and at the same time, totally unaware of how damaging this is. Listen to your own self-talk and then picture yourself talking to a friend that way. The odds are, you would never speak to someone else as harshly as you speak to yourself.

Let's consider some strategies for reducing self judgement.

This is a great salad to eat on it's own as a light lunch, added to a buffet or served with chicken as dinner. 

The sound of birds singing on a sunny morning. A soft, early morning breeze is floating through the curtains. The sunrise. A bee is happily moving from flower to flower. A dog is lazily lying in the sun and quietly observing you, as you sip your tea...

• ​Your colleague has a habit of belittling you in front of your peers.
  
• Your friend calls again at 2 a.m. in distress.
• A family member insists on dropping in at inopportune times.
• Your partner has a habit of yelling at you.

Are you having trouble finding a healthy breakfast for weekday mornings that is also quick and easy? Overnight oatmeal is a quick, healthy recipe that you can prepare the day before and then top with your choice of fruit, nuts and berries. It's a healthy start to your day and can be a great source of fibre, protein, healthy fat, as well as vitamins and minerals. 

​Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 1⁄3 cup low-fat milk
• 1⁄4 cup low-fat yogurt
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoon chia seeds or ground flax seeds

Most people know that diet and exercise go hand in hand but did you also know that your diet has a direct effect on how well and how much you sleep?

We all know that this time of year is filled with thoughts of new beginnings and "resolutions" but what if instead of short-term goals, we could take a deeper dive into understanding what we really want and need? Below are some tips to help you get clear.

January marks the beginning of something new, a new day, a new outlook, a new year. There is nothing that says 'fresh start' more than January One. Most New Year's Resolutioners begin their plan for change with good intentions. The desire for change is strong and the hope for something new is high.

If the opportunity for change is so great at the beginning of the year, why is it that so many are back to where they began within the first three months of the year?

Balancing the deep desire for a traditional holiday gathering while combating the feelings of loneliness and isolation because of the Covid 19 pandemic can feel overwhelming.

​As we reach month 9 of the covid-19 pandemic and the days have become shorter, many of us are struggling to maintain a balance both with our home life as well as our physical and mental well-being. 

Combating compromised health and well-being due to this COVID-19 working environment will need to be the focus of many employers this fall if they wish to keep working their way effectively through this uncertain climate. 

Old Ways

I have just completed my 12 Weeks journey and wanted to share my experience so others can truly understand the power of this program.

Just eat less and move more. Has that worked for you?

NO! We've been told this for decades, yet people around the world are getting bigger. 

Most everyone has experienced depressive type symptoms in their life span and may or may not have actually been diagnosed with depression. Depression affects millions of people around the globe, whether mild or severe.

My favourite thing to make with Sweet Potato is pancakes. I make a double batch and freeze the other pancakes. You can put them in the toaster, microwave or a pan to quickly just heat them up. 

​Mood and anxiety disorders are among the most common types of mental disorders in Canada. In fact, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association, in any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.

There are so many possibilities when it comes to creating delicious sandwich options that your children will look forward to eating.

What I have learned over the past 12 years working with clients as a Health and Wellness Coach is that goal setting isn't just about coming up with a goal and your forward action. It's about so much more; like changing the stories we tell ourselves, our mindset, and the words we use that get in the way of us moving towards what we desire.

On a recent shopping trip I picked up a little striped cardigan for 70% off. Deal! I had a passing thought about it being kind of like a cute little cardigan already in my closet. But a deal is a deal, right?

Is Being Mindful and Relaxed the Same Thing?

The short answer is "no". Simply put, being mindful is being aware, and being relaxed is to be free of tension.

Many of us want to bring spirituality into our lives but don't know where to begin. Or we think we have to sit still in silent meditation for an hour each day in order to be "spiritual." 

Self compassion is a value that provides a great foundation for emotional wellness, self-love, and kindness without suffering or self-criticism. Yet so many clients struggle with feeling unworthy and are plagued with feelings of guilt, shame, doubt,fear and stress.

I often coach people who are totally oriented to achievement. "Where is the joy or fun in your life?" I ask. "It feels good to accomplish", they say. Of course, it does; everyone would agree. The trouble is if you get stressed and out of balance in the process of accomplishing something. Worse yet? Burnt out. 

If you could flip a switch to get to the state of health you want – would you do it? This sounds simple doesn't it, and it actually works. It`s simply a matter of wanting something new and creating new habits. What's complicated is when people want something new but also want to keep the old habits at the same time.