Thursday, 31 July 2014

Something a Little Different, Dandelion Greens are today's Vegetable of the Day!


Dandelion Greens

·     Dandelion is beneficial to digestion and is an antiviral that may be useful in the treatment of AIDS and herpes

·     It may also be useful in treating jaundice, cirrhosis, edema due to high blood pressure, gout, eczema and acne

·     Dandelion is also used to treat and prevent breast and lung tumors and premenstrual bloating

·     Dandelion greens are high in vitamin A in the form of antioxidant carotenoid and vitamin C

·     They also contain calcium and potassium

·     Dandelion root contains inulin, which lowers blood sugar in diabetics
     Dandelion greens may seem like something out the ordinary to you, but they are a healthy and easy substitute in almost any recipe that features other greens such as lettuce, kale, spinach etc. They are wonderful to use to flavor pesto or add to breakfast smoothies, sandwiches and salads. Here's a delicious and simple pasta recipe with some added nutrient benefits form dandelion greens!
 
Pasta with Sausage and Greens
1 pound of pasta
Olive oil
1/4 pound of sausage or tofu, crumbled
4 cloves garlic, minced
Four big handfuls of seasonal greens like dandelions greens
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
 
1) Cook the pasta in salted water, drain and set aside.
 
2) In the same big pot you cooked the pasta in, heat a little olive oil and add the crumbled sausage and garlic.
 
3) Cook over medium heat until the sausage is cooked through.
 
4) Add the greens and cook until barely wilted, then add the pasta and cheese and stir until all is combined - about two minutes.
 
It's always great to try something new and a bit different!
 

Wednesday, 30 July 2014

Cilantro: Veggie of the Day


Cilantro

·     Cilantro can be useful to treat urinary tract infections

·     Both the leaves and seeds aid digestion, relieve intestinal gas, pain and distension

·     They also treat nausea, soothe inflammation, rheumatic pain, headaches, coughs and mental stress
Cilantro is one of the easiest vegetables to add to your diet because you can add it to almost any meal with very little effort. Cilantro is great on eggs in the morning, or added to a shake. Its great to flavour dips with (such as Greek yogurt) for a yummy snack and when mixed with lime juice it works great on steak, chicken, fish, and especially shrimp. Don't just decorate your plate with this super helpful veggie, make sure you make it part of your meal! Check out this recipe from +Elise Bauer @ www.simplyrecipes.com

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Recipe

  • Prep time: 5 minutes
  • Cook time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 3-4.
If you are using frozen shrimp, defrost them by placing them in a bowl of ice water or cold water. Adding a little salt to the water will help the shrimp retain their briny flavor.

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp high smoke point oil such as grape seed oil, or canola oil
  • 1  Serrano chile (more if you like it spicy, or just a fraction of one if you want less heat), sliced into thin rings
  • 1-2 garlic cloves, sliced thinly
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Salt
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1-2 Tbsp lime juice

Method

1 Place a large sauté pan or a wok over your strongest burner on high heat. Let the pan heat up for a minute and then add the oil. Use a high smoke point oil since you will be cooking the shrimp on very high heat. Let the oil heat until it's shimmering. If it starts to smoke, remove the pan from the heat for a moment.

2 Add the chiles to the pan and toss to coat with oil. Cook 30 seconds. Add the shrimp and garlic to the pan and sprinkle with salt. Toss to coat with oil. Let the shrimp cook undisturbed for 1 minute before tossing again so they get a little bit of a sear. Stir-fry until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes.

3 Turn off the heat and mix in the cilantro, then the lime juice.
Serve hot or at room temperature. Serve alone, over rice, or in a folded heated flour or corn tortilla
 

Tuesday, 29 July 2014

Vegetable Facts and Easy Recipes





Broccoli
·     Broccoli contains twice the vitamin C of an orange
·     It has almost as much calcium as whole milk--and the calcium is better absorbed
·     It contains selenium, a mineral that has been found to have anti-cancer and anti-viral properties
Did you know that cutting broccoli into smaller pieces and the stems into thin slices and letting them sit for 5 to 6 minutes before cooking will enhance their cancer protective properties? Also, we absorb the vitamin C a little better once the broccoli has been steamed or boiled so try out this recipe and add more broccoli to your diet:
Roasted Garlic Lemon Broccoli (makes six servings)
2 head broccoli, sliced into florets, let stand five minutes
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
I teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Preheat oven to 400 degree F (200 degrees C)
In a large bowl toss broccoli florets with extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt, pepper and garlic.
Spread the broccoli out in an even layer on a baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven until the florets are tender enough to pierce the stems with a fork, 15-20 minutes.
Remove and transfer to a serving platter. Squeeze lemon juice liberally over the broccoli before serving for a refreshing, tangy finish.
 
More interesting facts about vegetables, their most helpful nutrients, and how to best incorporate them into your diet to come!
 

 
 

Friday, 25 July 2014

Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine


*       Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest continuously practiced medical systems in the world.
  • Throughout history, more people have been treated by Chinese medicine than by any other formalized system of medicine and it is still used today by roughly one fourth of the world's population for primary health care.

The ancient beliefs on which TCM is based include the following:

  • The human body is a miniature version of the larger, surrounding universe.
  • Harmony between two opposing yet complementary forces, called yin and   yang, supports health, and disease results from an imbalance between these forces.
  • Five elements—fire, earth, wood, metal, and water—symbolically represent all phenomena, including the stages of human life, and explain the functioning of the body and how it changes during disease.
  • Qi, a vital energy that flows through the body, performs multiple functions in maintaining health.
  • In TCM, herbs are often combined in formulas and given as teas, capsules, liquid extracts, granules, or powders.
  •  According to the 2007 NHIS, about 2.3 million Americans practiced tai chi and 600,000 practiced qi gong in the previous year.
  • Recent studies, including some supported by NCCAM, suggest that practicing tai chi may help to improve balance and stability in people with Parkinson’s disease; reduce pain from knee osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia; and promote quality of life and mood in people with heart failure


Wednesday, 23 July 2014

New Contest!


Like and share our page on facebook to enter the contest to win a Lotus Aroma gift basket WORTH OVER $150.00!

LOTUS AROMA is a pioneering brand offering exceptionally natural and eco-friendly care products for your face, body and home. We go far beyond others when ensuring the quality and effectiveness of our products, and each is fashioned with the purest botanical essences and according to the highest manufacturing standards – GMP.

Our green-consciously sourced active ingredients are 100% plant-derived, and up to 50% organic. All formulas are vegan and guaranteed 99.5% to 100% natural, and are free of gluten, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, irritants, petroleum-based mineral oils, genetically modified oils, parabens, silicone, dyes, synthetic fragrances and phthalates. We promote sustainability in every step of our manufacturing and packaging.

Pure Health Centre has just opened at 238 Robson in Vancouver! Pure Health Centre started with a simple premise: create a Hub of Health to serve the community. Our integrative approach provides a full spectrum of medicine. It is our philosophy to truly engage with our clients to discover their needs and deliver the most effective treatment. Our arrays of services were handpicked to create a one-stop shop of health. 

Not only do we have the right advice but we have the right selection of products next door to get you on your path to wellness.


We offer:

·         Acupuncture

·         Traditional Chinese Medicine

·         Massage Therapy

·         Nutritional Consultation

·         Naturopathy

·         And MuscleMD

 

Like and share our page on facebook to enter the contest to win a Lotus Aroma gift basket WORTH OVER $150.00!

The contest on this site is now way endorsed, sponsored, administrated by, or associated with facebook. You are providing your information to www.purehealthcentre.ca

Like and share our page on facebook and you’re entered to win a Lotus Aroma gift basket WORTH OVER $150.00!


Tuesday, 22 July 2014


 

Did you know?

Interesting Facts about Massage Therapy

·         Massage is perhaps the oldest known form of health care; there has been evidence found of its early beginnings with the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Asian and Indian artifacts and texts.

·         Massage Therapy is a hands on treatment that manipulates the soft tissues in the body such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues. Muscles are made up of tiny bundles of muscle tissue from about 5 in the eyelid to 200 in the derriere.

·         More than half of massage therapists (63%) receive referrals from healthcare professionals.

·         Massage is scientifically shown to be effective treatment for

o  Cancer-related fatigue
    • Chronic low back pain
    • Frequent headaches
    • Post-operative pain

·         Babies fall asleep faster when massaged than when rocked, and they stay asleep rather than waking the moment Mom tiptoes away.

·         When massaged regularly, children suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and autism experienced decreased pain, decreased anxiety, and decreased inattentiveness.

·         Massage therapy can help to partially restore mobility to the elderly afflicted with Parkinson’s disease and arthritis, and can also reduce levels of anxiety, depression, and the effects of loneliness.

·         People with a wide variety of conditions, ranging from insomnia to tendinitis to asthma to high blood pressure, receive relief from therapeutic massage.

·         Massage can help us feel less stressed, boost our immune system and increase our mental alertness.

·         The most immediate and most noticeable response to massage is relaxation. When your body relaxes, the functions that heal and restore your body are allowed to take place.

·         Bob Hope lived to be 100 years young, and is believed to have had therapeutic massage daily as part of his healthy regimen!

Friday, 18 July 2014

Interesting Facts About Acupuncture

10 Interesting Facts about Acupuncture:


 Acupuncture was introduced to the general public of North America in 1972 and has been gaining popularity ever since.
Acupuncturists feel your pulse and look at your tongue to gain a better understand...ing of what is going on inside the body.
 
Modern Needles are made of stainless steel, disposable, and so thin that they are only about the width of two human hairs.
 
Even though a needle is being inserted into the skin, acupuncture is virtually painless.
 
In all, The World Health Organization recognizes over 200 health conditions effectively treated with
acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
 
Acupuncture is highly individualized – for example, if 50 people with the common cold received acupuncture, all 50 people could have different acupuncture points in their treatments.
 
Acupuncture can increase the success rate of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) up to 65%.
 
Acupuncture is now being used by doctors in war zones as part of emergency care in combat and in frontline hospitals.
 
Acupuncture is gaining popularity for animal care as a preventative measure, as well as a pain treatment.
 
Acupuncture is sometimes covered by your health insurance, and you could be reimbursed by the government!

Acupuncture

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of complementary therapy rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been practiced for thousand of years. It involves the insertion of hair thin needles just under the surface of the skin into acupoints to stimulate the body’s self defense system and help cure different ailments. The stimulation of these points helps to regulate the body, improve circulation, repair immune function, aid detoxification, and helps the body to heal itself. Although acupuncture is most known for treating pain there are more than 80 conditions that it has been recognized as treating successfully. Some of the conditions Acupuncture is known to treat are:

  •  Sports and repetitive strain injuries
  •  Arthritis
  •  Digestive conditions
  •  Stress and anxiety
  •  Insomnia
  •  Reproductive issues
  •  Allergies 
  •  Back Pain
  •  Rubella
  •  Respiratory Disorder
  •  Addiction
  •  Hemiplegia
  •  Fatigue
  •  Acne
  •  Muscle Tension
  •  Blood Pressure


Our Acupuncturists administer unique and customized acupuncture treatment plans to our patients based upon individual patient assessments.
Our current acupuncturists are Jason Brien and Clair Chiu

Jason Brien has clinical experience in treating gastrointestinal disease, depression, chronic fatigue, and infertility and has working knowledge of the full range of human ailments. He offers esoteric acupuncture, five elements acupuncture, standard meridian therapy, fire cupping, healthy lifestyle counseling, herbal therapy, and nutritional consulting.

Clair Chiu is a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a registered acupuncturist that has been serving the Greater Vancouver community for over 20 years. After graduating from university she began internships with many highly respected TCM doctors. She worked as an acupuncturist and herbalist in Taiwan for 10 years before immigrating to Canada. Clair started her own practices in Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford before concentrating her practice at Pure Health Centre. Over the years, she has successfully treated many patients with symptoms including but not limited to; acute and chronic pain disorders (lower back, neck, joint pain, car accident injuries) sleeping disorders, menopausal problems, depression, migraine headaches, and infertility.



Nutrition

Nutritional Consultation


Meeting with a holistic nutritionist can clarify the answers to your nutritional questions and provide you with the education and motivation required to attain your goals. Nutritional consultation involves building a detailed picture of your lifestyle, eating habits, and medical history in order to understand and address concerns you may have about your health. Talking to a nutritional advisor will help make it easier to enjoy your best self and an abundance of wonderful food that makes you feel good in body and in mind. You will also be advised on which vitamin and mineral supplements are best to top up the goodness of your food to provide complete nutrition. Seeing a Nutritionist can offer guidance in the following areas:


  • Weight normalization, weight loss or weight gain
  • Making sense out of conflicting theories of nutrition
  • Vegan/Vegetarian transition
  • Sports nutrition
  • Nutrition for medical conditions
  • Stress management
  • Understanding the use or proper food supplements
  • Increased energy detoxification
  • Reduced acne/eczema
  • Improved digestion
  • Hormone balance
  • Blood sugar regulation
  • Improved circulation
  • Learning how to balance the nutritional needs of the body


Our Holistic Nutritionist will create a nutritional program tailored to your needs incorporating your lifestyle and using a balanced approach to healthy eating, exercise and overall well-being.
Our current holistic nutritionists are Gloria Elizabeth and Carmen Dunn

Carmen Dunn is an Orthomolecular Nutritionist who supports professionals who feel burned out, fatigued and hopeless by helping them regain their health, energy and hope. Having originally come from the corporate world herself, she understands the unique stressors and challenges that professionals face and as a result, knows how to correct them. Carmen’s coaching style has repeatedly been described as ‘fun’ by clients. She wants to put happiness, fun and self-empowerment back into peoples’ lives. Carmen knows that the biggest health challenge people face isn’t in knowing that they need to eat healthier, it’s finding strategies to make it work within their busy lives. This is why she created the lifestyle redesign which helps professionals with the emotional, psychological and physical challenges that detract from healthy living.



Gloria Elizabeth
Before Gloria Elizabeth became a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, she worked for the largest corporate weight loss company in the world where she learned a valuable lesson- the dieting industry sets people up to fail. The weight loss industry has positioned themselves as the conductor of the dieting rollercoaster. She wants everybody off the ride. You see, Gloria wants you to win. The only successful way to achieve lasting results is to stop dieting. Good, natural, real food was the key to long term balance, healthy weight and happy bodies. The powerful impact of making great food choices will resonate in all aspects of your life. Gloria will coach you with enthusiasm and support so you can stop holding yourself back from who you are, and who you are is someone who is ready for big, life affirming, healthy change.


Areas of focus:


Healthy Weight Management
Detoxification
Blood sugar balancing
Emotional Eating
Food addiction
Lifestyle coaching




For more information or to follow her health advice on Facebook, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gloria-Elizabeth-Nutrition/146025525588201

 
 

TCM

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one the oldest continuously practiced medical system in the world. Throughout history, more people have been treated by Chinese medicine than by any other formalized system of medicine. It is still used today by roughly one fourth of the world's population for primary health care. TCM is a highly effective system of medical care based on natural laws which govern the movement of vital energy through the body. This energy, translated as “Qi” or “ Chi”, supports the harmonious functions of the body, mind and spirit. Illness symptoms stem from an imbalance in your body that causes Qi to move with disharmony. Once our practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine make a diagnosis, they treat the symptoms while looking after the health of your body as whole. They use the following options to treat our patients:


  • acupuncture
  • herbal medicine
  • moxibustion
  • cupping
  • exercise therapy
  • massage techniques
  • dietary therapy


The most common therapeutic modalities are acupuncture and herbal medicine, which have such a wide range of applications, they are appropriate for most conditions. Our TCM practitioners will make a diagnosis and treatment plan specific to you and your symptoms.
Our current TCM practitioner is Clair Chiu


Clair Chiu is a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a registered acupuncturist that has been serving the Greater Vancouver community for over 20 years. After graduating from university she began internships with many highly respected TCM doctors. She worked as an acupuncturist and herbalist in Taiwan for 10 years before immigrating to Canada. Clair started her own practices in Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford before concentrating her practice at Pure Health Centre.

Over the years, she has successfully treated many patients with symptoms including but not limited to; acute and chronic pain disorders (lower back, neck, joint pain, car accident injuries) sleeping disorders, menopausal problems, depression, migraine headaches, and infertility.


 

Naturopathy

Naturopathy

Naturopathic medicine is a holistic, non-invasive approach to healing that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural medicine to diagnose, treat and prevent disease. In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, a variety of therapies are used including herbal medicine, clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathy, bodywork, and lifestyle counseling. Naturopathic treatments are chosen based on the individual patient diagnosing to treat both acute and chronic conditions. Our Naturopathic doctors use treatment plans that reflect whole person healthcare and address the root cause of illness.

Our current naturopathic doctors are Dr.Dharm Sidhu and Dr. Kathy Dang

Dr. Kathy Dang is a Naturopathic Physician who brings combined training in both Naturopathic and East Asian medicine to address individual health needs and incorporate focused treatments on all aspects of health - mind, body, and spirit. She is a licensed Naturopathic Physician in BC who completed her studies at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and is also a Diplomat of Oriental Medicine. Dr. Dang is a general family practitioner that serves people of all ages, with chronic & acute illness along with focus in Women’s health, hormone balancing, reproductive health (optimal conception/prenatal/postnatal care), pediatrics, gastrointestinal health, stress & pain management, weight loss, detoxifications, immune support and healthy aging.

Dr. Dharm graduated as a Naturopathic Doctor from the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine and has been practicing for over 3 years. She creates partnerships with her patients in finding the right mix of a healthy lifestyle and living purposeful lives. Dr. Dharm also practices family medicine with a special interest in women’s health, fibromyalgia and chronic pain, diabetes, digestive concerns. With over ten years experience working in social services and mental health she has tools to provide support to those suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression, addiction and anxiety.

Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy is a hands on treatment that manipulates the soft tissues in the body such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues. It rehabilitates tissues by increasing blood and lymph circulation, reducing muscle spasm and improving range of motion. Massage Therapy aids in improving healing through increased circulation and calming the nervous system.

Some conditions that benefit from massage therapy are:
  •  Neck and Back Pain
  •  Muscle Tension
  •  Stress and Anxiety
  •  Headaches
  •  Fibromyalgia
  •  Strains and Sprains
  •  Whiplash


Whether you want help with acute or long-standing health issues, or whether you simply want to improve your vitality and performance, we can help. Our massage therapy services are focused on effective pain relief, injury recovery, and improved movement performance. Our massage therapists provide a wide range of massage therapy treatments including; sports massage, deep tissue massage, as well as myofascial release.


Our services are currently provided by Jennifer Li

Jennifer Li is a massage practitioner that is passionate about helping people. With extensive background knowledge in Chinese medicine and health regiments, she is experienced at providing personalized services to clients from all walks of life. Jennifer works from a variety of different approaches, most of them based on traditional, tested techniques passed down through generations of family practitioners. She has a tremendous amount of expertise at appropriating Chinese massage methods to suit the demands and physiological needs of a Western clientele. Whether you are living with chronic physical ailments or simply wanting to gain a better understanding of your body through Chinese massage therapy, Jennifer will be sure to deliver a set of services to maximizes your health and well being.

MuscleMD
Trigger-Point Injection (TPI) therapy is a long-established medical procedure used to treat muscular and fascial (myofascial) pain. The process of TPI therapy involves the insertion of a small hypodermic needle into trigger-points where a very small amount of local anaesthetic is injected.
Some examples of conditions that could benefit from TPI therapy are:
  • Whiplash/sprain injuries of the neck/back (e.g. Motor Vehicle Accident)
  • Mechanical back pain
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Achilles tendinitis / Plantar fasciitis
  • Headaches with a muscular tension component
  • TMJ pain
  • Muscular pain/tightness with no other identifiable cause
To be seen at the MuscleMD Clinic you will need to be referred by a physician if felt appropriate. TPI treatment varies for each patient. An individualized care plan will be made for you at your first visit. Treatment is fully covered by MSP for valid B.C. Care Card holders.
Our services are provided by Dr. Ravi Dhanoa

Dr. Dhanoa is a Canadian Family Physician with a special interest in Trigger Point Injection therapy. He received his medical degree from Imperial College London (UK) in 2006 and has been practicing medicine in British Columbia since 2009. He initially had a full service Family Practice on Vancouver Island, where he trained in Trigger Point Injection therapy and developed his skills further. As well as establishing the MuscleMD Clinic Dr Dhanoa is a Clinical Instructor on the Family Medicine Residency Program at the University of British Columbia, where he trains Family Practice residents.

 
For more information on the procedures and treatment please visit www.musclemd.ca


Pure Health Centre Now Open

Pure Health Centre located at 238 Robson St. in Vancouver, B.C., is now open!

To celebrate we are offering 15%-20% off acupuncture and massage therapy! Pure Health Centre started with a simple premise: create a Hub of Health to serve the community. Our integrative approach provides a full spectrum of medicine. It is our philosophy to truly engage with our clients to discover their needs and deliver the most effective treatment. Our array of services were hand picked to create a one-stop shop of health. 

Acupuncture
Massage Therapy
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Nutrition
Naturopathy
MuscleMD

If you pain or tension, we can help!
Not only do we have the right advice but we have the right selection of products next door to get you on your path to wellness.

Check us out at www.purehealthcentre.ca or give us a call at 604.899-4162

@PureHealthVan