Health
Sprouting
Wish you could garden but don’t have the time or perhaps a backyard? No matter the season, where you live or what your budget is you can grow these little gems called sprouts! I’m talkin’ about alfalfa sprouts, mung bean sprouts, broccoli sprouts, radish sprouts, lentil sprouts… to avoid sounding like Bubba Gump, I’ll stop here.
Hats Off to Grads
As Fernie’s highschool students prepare to graduate, I find myself thinking back to my own graduation. I remember my highschool graduation ceremony well. The day was hot. Record-breaking hot.
June Ab Challenge
Back by popular demand, we have revised the Ab Challenge for this June. Check off the box as you finish each day. Remember that you must keep breathing during your abdominal exercises and consult a health care professional if you have any concerns prior to commencing your challenge. As the workouts get harder you may want to break it up into sets. Keep us posted on Facebook (Sarah’s Active Rehabilitation) on your progress. Good luck!
1 - 15crunches
15kickouts
10s plank
10pushups
2 - 20crunches
20kickouts
14s plank
14pushups
3 - 25crunches
25kickouts
18s plank
18pushups
Our Capital
Ottawa may not be a likely place for a “short city getaway” from Fernie, but that is where I found myself for three days last October, so I grabbed the opportunity to explore our capital city.
Collaborate
It seems paradoxical that the practice of yoga, which is designed for relationship with oneself can often times have its greatest rewards when experienced in the company of others. The Sanskrit name for this phenomenon is Satsang—usually translated as "truth-company" or being in the company of the wise. Satsang, according to several texts of yoga, is one of the great doorways to inner freedom. A group practicing together creates a mystical field, a field of grace. It is within this field that inspiration is sparked, creativity is enriched and healing and happiness are given freedom.
Dynamic Soccer Warm-up
The Fernie fields are clear and will soon be dotted with various soccer teams. Weather you are a part of the Fernie Youth Soccer Association (FYSA), the ladies team (Fernie Flash), rep soccer, drop in, or just playing a pick up game, a good warm up is essential to prevent injuries.
- Start with a light jog around the field, one to two laps.
- Perform the following travelling approximately ten metres, then lightly jog back to your start position. You can get your team to do these in unison or split into two lines:
Fernie Visits
The other day, our buddy Jamie came over to our house. Jamie is part of our Fernie family and is a Fernie-uncle to our son. Jamie did not call ahead. He did not text. He had no reason or excuse to come over. He just stopped by. He visited. In our technological world, the random visit is becoming rare. He knocked on the door and our dog jumped up, her tail revealing the excitement of having a visitor. We chatted with Jamie, had a drink, and caught up with each other. He helped us move some furniture before biking home.
What Does Going Green Mean to You?
As a kid, saving the planet meant trading in pop bottles for money. As a teenager, it was keeping the blue box under the sink and teaching my dad how to compost.
Challenge 22
April 22 is Earth Day. However, I tend to agree with an infamous purple dinosaur who sings that, “Every day is Earth day.” There are many things individuals can do to reduce their environmental impact on the Earth. This month, in honour of Earth Day 2014, I will list 22 steps for improvement. I challenge readers to choose three items to focus on for improvement in their household. Many of the items provide the added benefit of saving money too; be green to save some green.
1. Lower your hot water temperature a couple of degrees.
2. Commit to using reusable grocery bags.
Finding Manna
Over 2000km from the nearest inhabited island and 3000km from the nearest continental landfall lies the mysterious and ancient Rapa Nui, also known as Isla de Pascua or Easter Island. Inhabited by Polynesians as early as 700CE, the island has endured through the ages despite slave raiders, famine, overpopulation, deforestation and many other challenges. Through all this, the imposing Moai, or Easter Island “Heads,” have stood guard around the island attracting, intriguing and fascinating visitors for centuries.
Get Skipping
Do you remember Jump rope for heart? It is a Heart and Stroke Foundation fundraiser that encourages children to collect pledges and participate in a jump-a-thon at their school. To my surprise, 30 years later, it is still going on right here in Fernie and at approximately 4,000 schools across Canada! This has inspired me to help you get your skipping ropes out and get jumping this month!
Benefits of skipping:
Travel, It’s Good For Your Health!
While my last two columns have featured the type of trip that will take a substantial amount of planning and funds, getting away for a couple of days can often be just as beneficial as a two-week holiday.
Living Your Yoga
I was extremely fortunate to grow up in a house where coming home at the end of the school day was something to look forward to. There was no feeling quite like home. Warm greetings, home cooking, and a safe space always awaited me. As I grew older, I had similar experiences of “coming home” when I had the opportunities to travel from my prairie suburbia into the Alberta foothills and Rocky Mountains. Hiking, camping, climbing and just being in nature, always made me feel complete. That life was exactly the way it should be regardless of what adversities I had been dealing with.
A National Pastime
The other day, someone asked me if my son, Jack, would grow up to be a hockey player. My answer was, “I don’t know.” Jack will learn to skate; he will be exposed to the sport of hockey (along with many others). Then, it is up to him what he chooses to do. I want him to find the things he is passionate about.
10 Changes You Can Make To Improve Your Health
Prevention is key. We as a medical community know that preventing most of the chronic and life-threatening diseases of our time is easier (and cheaper) than treating those same diseases. Unfortunately, lifestyle changes are challenging, particularly if you attempt to change everything all at once and in a way that isn’t lasting. True changes need to be lifetime changes, with room for occasional modifications. This month’s article is simply a list of changes you can make to your life that can have a positive impact on you health immediately.