Okanagan Nia classes
Now is a good time to get into your body with Nia.  Weekly Nia classes in Penticton and Kelowna with expert and professional instructors.
Michelle Parry Brown Belt Instructor  Penticton Website 250-492-2186   E-mail	The Nia Technique  (nee-ah)  has been the hottest trend in fitness for 25 years with over 1500 teachers in 30 countries. Nia blends martial arts, dance arts and healing arts for mindful, healing, joyful movement.  Nia is exhilarating! Discover how you can consciously connect to the voices of the body as you grow strong, balanced, centered, and organically alive. Watch Nia Video.  Read ‘What is Nia?' Article.   Learn more about Nia at www.NiaNow.com	Patti Tennessy Black Belt Instructor Kelowna  Website 250-768-2517 E-mail

More books & DVD`s

Articles

• Safety of Art and Hobby Materials - Anwers to questions about art and hobby materials.
• Recipes for Safer Cleaning
  Common ingredients such as baking soda and liquid soap can be used for a host of jobs around the house. Try these recipes as alternatives to hazardous cleaning products![ To Read More...]

  Learning and Stress by Beverly Hunter, kelowna, BC.
  Have you ever wondered how much impact stress has on our ability to learn.  Wellll, it has more than you probably realize! Stress is anything that causes our bodies to change or adapt --good or bad.... 

  Unlocking our Full Potential by Beverly Hunter, Kelowna, BC.
  Sometimes reflexes are only partially integrated. This may be caused by not staying in a stage long enough practising a movement, or because a previous reflex may not have been fully integrated. Sometimes we have to re-educate the connections because of injuries. When we feel we can’t fix a problem the frustration level increases and self esteem drops. Many of these conditions have been diagnosed as ADD, ADHD, Sensory Integration Difficulties, Learning Disabled, Bi-Polar, Aggression disorders, etc. The root cause of these conditions may only now be coming clear. Current research in re-educating connections (and reflexes) offers alternatives to medication in dealing with these conditions... and info about Integration of Dynamic and Postural Reflexes into the Whole Body Movement System.....

  What is Midwifery Care? By Martina O`Sullivan Darcy Midwife

  Learning and Gravity by Beverly Hunter
  From five months after conception to the moment you die, your ability to understand and learn is linked to how you are relating to gravity. Maintaining equilibrium while standing on the Balance Board trains coordination of the two hemispheres. It is impossible to stand still on the Balance Board using only one hemisphere at a time. Movement and vision exercises requiring the equal cooperation of both sides of the body are enhanced when practiced on the board. Various balance board activities are used to develop rhythm, sequencing, motor coordination, visual and auditory processing. They can release emotional stress and trauma; and they can create shifts in behaviour that enhance self-esteem.

  Okay, so what is Celiac disease?
  by Cathy MacArthur is a Penticton Mom with Celiac disease. Her youngest child also has celiac disease...

  The Acid/Alkaline Balancing Act – How Important is It ????by Lila Elliott, Penticton....

• What is Irlen Syndrome? By Pat Everatt, Penticton, BC
  A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE FOR READING PROBLEMS, LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, AD/HD, DYSLEXIA, HEADACHES AND OTHER PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS THROUGH THE USE OF COLOUR.

• Electrical scrambling in the body! by Pat Everatt, Penticton - helps with Children`s attention & focus
• Stay at Home or go back to work? by Christine Northrup. Being a stay-at-home mom: is it right for you? Is it right for your kids? Cjristina Northrups answers these tough questions.
• What is Classical Homeopathy? by Katharina Riedener RHom, Osoyoos
• Are You a Worrier? by Carole Fawcett, Vernon
• You Are What You Eat ! by Bobbie Krien, Herbalist / Sport Nutrition Specialist
• Cosmetics and Birth Defects?
• Hidden Dangers Lurking In Your Personal Care Products  by  Klaus Ferlow of the Ferlow Brothers and Life-long Herbalist , Vancouver
• Glossary Of Chemicals & Synthetics To Avoid In Personal Care Products  by Klaus Ferlow Part Two 
• Calcium Confusion Unveiled  by  Bobbi Krien Herbalist, sports nutrition specialist
• The Importance of Water!
• Healing Touch for Babies
• The Power of Whey!  by Matt Bomba, Vernon, BC
• Want to Lose that Baby weight ?
• Top Ten Excerise Tips
• Need More Fibre?
• Laughter - the best stress reliever   by Carole Fawcett, Vernon
• The following information was initially developed by Interior Health during the devastating forest fires of the summer of 2003:
  Helping Kids Cope With the Fire Threat
  Children's Response to Disasters
  
  

Local Groups, Meeting and Events

Healthy Recipes

Ultimate Protein Shake Recipes
Start you day off right for you and your baby, toddlers, & family.

What is the Glycemic Food Index? and how does it work?

Banana Buried Treasure Muffins

• 3 cups store bought banana muffin mix (750ml)
• 3 tbsp wheat germ (45ml)
• 1/2 cup grated carrot (125ml)
• 1/2 cup grated zucchini, squeezed dry (125ml)
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce (250ml)
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp water or pure apple juice (95ml)
• 12 banana chips, broken

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F/190C.
2. Line regular size muffin pan with paper liners or grease pan.
3. In a bowl, whisk together muffin mix and wheatgerm. Add carrot, zucchini, applesauce and water and stir until combined. Do not over stir.
4. Fill muffin cups 0.75 full and top with pieces of banana chips.
5. Bake in centre of oven for 20–25 minutes, until tops are firm to the touch and golden.

Tip: Wrap in plastic wrap for a quick on-the-go snack. Store in an airtight container and freeze up to 2 weeks.

Transitions:  Acid diet  to an Alkaline Healthy Diet

Cow's milk >> Almond, soy or rice milk 
Beef, chicken, pork, shellfish  >> Fresh salmon or trout 
Cold cereal, oatmeal, pancakes  >> Millet, buckwheat, quinoa 
Baked potato with butter  >> Basmati rice with olive or flax oil 
Coffee, soda, alcohol, fruit juice  >> SuperGreens with Prime pH in water 
1 liter/quart of water per day  >> 1 gallon or more of water per day 
Pizza, hamburger, fried chicken  >> Sprouted wheat tortilla with veggies 
Iceberg lettuce salad  >> Spinach/red leaf lettuce with avocado 
Vinegar/cream-based dressing  >> Olive oil-based dressing with lemon juice 
Pasta with alfredo sauce  >> Buckwheat soba noodles with olive oil/tomato 
Bread with jam  >> Brown rice cake with almond butter 
Potato chips and ranch dip  >> Wheat tortilla chips with hummus or salsa 
Candy, gum, cake, pie, donuts  >> Almonds, pumpkin seeds, raw veggies 
Meat and starch meals  >> Vegetables and low-carbohydrate meals 
Cooked or microwaved meals  >> Raw, steamed or low-temperature meals for more information of alkaline/acid balance and the work of Dr Robert O Young visit http://www.phmiracle4u.com

For More Healthy Kids Friendly Recipes - see OKinHealth`s recipe page

Health & Wellness Tips

The Ok In Health recommend you check out any health Tips with your Naturopath or Doctor and we our not responsible for any information provided on this page or any Ok In Health web site page. See the Healthy Tips page for many more Health Tips.

Folate
Folate is a B vitamin found in foods such as spinach, orange juice, strawberries, kidney beans and chickpeas. An adequate intake (400 micrograms age 14 and up; 600 if pregnant) helps prevent birth defects during the first few weeks of pregnancy. In addition, folate helps red blood cells develop. To increase your intake of folate and other nutrients for good health, strive to consume five fruits and vegetables each day, including those listed above.

There is many great reason to breastfeed, if you are able to do so:

1. Mother's milk is the perfect nutritional food for newborns; your baby receives important nutrients from you.
2. Breastfeeding promotes a strong bond between mother and baby.
3. Breastfed babies have fewer serious infections of the ear and chest, and have fewer allergies.
4. Women who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
5. Breastfeeding causes the release of hormones that help the mother's body to lose weight more easily.
6. Children who were breast fed show a higher IQ than those given formula.
7. Being breastfed during infancy may reduce the risk of obesity in children up to age 6.
8. Breastfeeding helps to reduce the risk of asthma and eczema , particuarly in cases where there is a family history.
9. Breastfeeding can save a family more than $2500 a year in formula costs.
10. Breastfeeding contributes to your baby's emotional and social development.
11. Breast milk provides a great balance of nutrients and antibodies for your baby.
12. Breastfeeding is environmentally friendly.

More Maternity Health & Wellness Tips

• MORNING SICKNESS Pregnancy signals a sudden change in your hormonal balance, which can lead to morning sickness. Eating a number of small meals that are high in complex carbohydrates (potatoes, pasta, rice, whole wheat breads and whole grain cereals) and low in fat seems to reduce nausea. Remember that fried foods and fatty meat tend to make nausea worse. Also keep stress to a minimum. Some women find relief with herbs. Susan S. Weed, author of The Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years, suggests the following herbal remedies: do Sip raspberry, anise or fennel tea each morning. Take two ginger capsules or a quarter teaspoon powdered gingerroot mixed into a cup of water.
• FATIGUE The hormonal adjustments and other changes in the body that occur during pregnancy can also lead to fatigue, especially during the first and last few months. An hour or two of additional rest each day is one obvious remedy. Activities such as brisk walking, swimming and biking also fight fatigue.
• CONSTIPATION AND HEMORRHOIDS Hormonal influences can trigger constipation, and this often exacerbates hemorrhoid problems-a common discomfort during pregnancy. Exercise and a diet high in fiber can help.
• BACKACHE As the body's center of gravity shifts with the progression of pregnancy, many women experience back pain and other muscular aches. Yoga can provide relief, and more and more health clubs and yoga centers are offering classes designed for pregnant women. Check with health clubs, community centers and yoga centers for classes in your area.
• LEG SWELLING, CRAMPS AND VARICOSE VEINS During pregnancy the legs often swell and cramp. In addition, increases in blood volume can lead to varicose veins. A massage focusing on the legs and feet helps increase circulation and recharges muscles weary from carrying extra weight.
• To ensure a healthy baby:

  • Get proper prenatal care.
  • Avoid caffeine and all alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.
  • Don't smoke or use drugs.
  • Take care of yourself by eating right, keeping stress low and sleeping well.

Children Health & Wellness Tips

Kayaking for Fun and Fitness Going camping this summer? Consider renting a kayak at the lake or beach for family fun and fitness. Whether you're rowing solo or tandem, you can burn over 300 calories per hour while enjoying a beautiful summer day. Don't forget the life jacket.

Childhood Obesity

Obesity is increasingly prevalent in children all over the world. Obesity was top of the agenda in the new White Paper on public health, with a drive to ensure that children have the healthiest possible start and that advertising, promotion and sponsorship of unhealthy food and drinks are better controlled. Over the past 10 years obesity has become the most common disorder of metabolism in childhood. 700,000 children in the UK are obese and 1.8 million, 2 to 15 year olds are classed as overweight. Many overweight children become overweight adults – a 40-70 % chance. The consequences of childhood obesity are: insulin resistance and glucose intolerance (type 2 Diabetes), gynecological and respiratory disorders (asthma) and psychological complications. On top of the medical consequences, overweight and obese children are also the targets for bullying and generally have a low self-esteem.

The causes of childhood obesity are even more complicated than adult obesity. Genetic and endocrine (hormonal) conditions are rarely detected and highly unlikely of being the cause.

The environmental causes- the great majority of children have ‘simple’ obesity resulting from excess of energy intake versus energy expenditure over a long period of time. There is an abundance of palatable, convenient, energy-dense food. These empty calorie foods are high in fat and sugar. Studies suggest that the total calorie intake of children has not changed significantly for a number of years, proving that the other main cause of obesity is the lack of physical activity. Half of boys and two thirds of girls between 7–16yrs fail to do the hour exercise a day, as recommended by the World Health Organization.

Obesity often runs in families, if parents are obese it doubles the risk of adult obesity among both obese and non-obese children less than 10 years of age. Despite all the warnings our children are becoming more overweight by the year. If we as adults struggle to lose weight, how can we expect children to overcome this problem.

There are only a few weight-loss programmes for obese children. We know fad diets are not appropriate for growing children. Prevention is always better than cure. Let us hope that the increased awareness, all the different initiatives, policies and guidelines lead to a healthier youth. Children should be allowed to be children, eating sweets, chocolates and crisps are perfectly normal when eaten as part of a healthy diet. A healthy diet, plenty of physical activity and good parental support is essential. A diet based on these high calorie snacks, processed foods and plenty of ready-made meals will never be acceptable.

Family Health & Wellness Tips

Home Safety The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that U.S. hospital emergency rooms treat 8,000 to 10,000 people each year for injuries related to furniture that tips over. Children receive the majority of these injuries. Keep your family safe. Make sure that heavy televisions are close to the floor or set far back into the furniture on which they sit. Use braces or anchors to secure furniture to walls. Keep watch for climbing children.

Book Reviews

Maternity see our maternity Book and DVD page click here

Birth Day - video Starring: Naoli Vinaver Lopez Director: Frank Ferrel

I believe it should be required viewing by all professionals who work with birthing women. It shows a woman who chooses to give birth at home, in water, surrounded by her family and loved ones, moving and responding to her body's cues and being in charge of her own ecstatic birthing experience. She needs no assistance or interventions, and has a natural, drug free, vaginal birth. This video is a gorgeous example of a woman and her entire family being empowered by their "Birth Day". This video also speaks to how the intimate and knowing bond between a husband and wife can have a huge impact on the successful outcome of labor, delivery, and post-partum experience. It is a clear example of what birth can be if it is treated as a celebration, instead of as a sickness, or a medical event.

• Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom By Dr. Christine Northrup (maternity to menopause)
• Ina May's Guide to Childbirth takes the fear out of childbirth by restoring women’s faith in their own natural power to give birth with more ease, less pain, and less medical intervention.
• Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation by: Pam England, Rob Horowitz
• Babies, breastfeeding, and bonding by: Ina May Gaskin
• The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition and Other Holistic Choices by: Aviva Jill Romm

Children

• "Your Vital Child" By Mark and Angela Stengler, NDs
• "Hold On To Your Kids" by Gordon Neufeld, PhD. and Gabor Mate, m.d.
• Incredible You!: 10 Ways to Help Your Kids Greatness Shine Through by Wayne Dyer
• Mother-Daughter Wisdom : Creating a Legacy of Physical and Emotional Health by: Christiane Northrup

Family

• "Kitchen Cosmetic" Jan Norn