Pulse on Health
Issue 4, December 2014
Wellness tips for a healthy lifestyle
holiday immune boosting tips
D
uring the holidays, it’s harder to maintain healthy habits. We’re tempted to go to the late night party instead of bed, we eat more sugar (candy canes anyone?), we often abandon our exercise routine in lieu of shopping, and we generally aren’t as good at taking care of ourselves. Keep your immune system strong by applying a few healthy tips: Eat mushrooms – Japanese mushrooms like enoki, shiitake and oyster are super high in antioxidants that aren’t destroyed in the cooking process. For even more immune fighting power, add garlic. Keep a lid on the sugars – Simple sugars suppress many types of immune system cells. Stay social and laugh – Having a sense of connection to friends has been proven to boost immune system function. Bonus points for having a great time laughing and sharing happiness.
Delicious Cold Fighting
Recipes Soothing Throat Ice Cubes Make ice cubes from Sambu® Elderberry Concentrate. When you have a cough or sore, scratchy throat take one out and let it melt slowly in your mouth.
Elderberry Ice Cream Simply add 2 tablespoons of Sambu® Elderberry Concentrate to vanilla coconut ice cream.
Get the sleep you need – While you want to spend time with friends, don’t let it come at the cost of a good night’s sleep. Especially in busy times, sleep helps your body reset, relax and recharge.
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Be prepared this holiday season with Dr. Dünner’s effective 4-in-1 Swiss formulas, specifically formulated for colds. Sambu®Guard targets upper respiratory issues and comes in a delicious liquid or lozenges, plus there’s ColdGuard for Kids too! Look to Sambu® Elderberry Concentrate for elderberry and elderflower’s preventative force.
Money saving coupon on the back
Skip the Unpleasant Side Effects of overEating
I
t’s hard to eat right when delicious temptations abound. It’s the time of year when we are most likely to skip a trip to the gym, eat that extra piece of cheesecake or something “we know” we shouldn’t eat. Unfortunately there’s always a price to pay and it generally comes in the form of indigestion like gas and bloating. With the comprehensive guide below, you will have the tools you need to get through the season healthy, happy and feeling great!
There’s nothing wrong with a little over-indulgence during the holidays. The key is keeping it to a minimum and ensuring you have the right strategy to get through discomfort. The first thing to know is what to minimize or avoid: Alcohol – yes, this is the time of year to enjoy, but not only can excessive alcohol cause a headache, it can also lead to bloating and digestive issues Heavily processed foods – this is when the “naughty” foods come out – white sugar, white flour, candy, chocolate and more. Enjoy, but pre-set a limit and stick to it Watch out for multiple food groups – different foods take different times to digest. When we combine them in one sitting, they expand that timeline. Try to stick to one food group as much as possible and don’t end the evening with fruit as it can cause bloating Lay off the heat – spicy is nice, but not if you’re trying to avoid tummy troubles
Did you know?
When we overdo it, the common reaction is to lie down and let it pass. The thing is, our bodies digest better when upright, so keep from lying down, or going to bed until at least three hours after eating.
Prevent Gas and Bloating Before they Start It’s no surprise that certain foods are harder to digest than others. Meats, cheese, and those high in fat can be particularly hard on the digestive system, and with the holiday season upon us, those foods are inevitable. The most common symptoms include gas, bloating, cramping and diarrhea. The complete line of Udo’s Choice® Ultimate Digestive Enzymes are meant to combat digestive issues, ranging from Daily Maintenance for absorbing nutrients, to Urgent Care for lactose intolerance. They contain natural enzymes that help break food down from the moment you start eating to prevent symptoms before they start.
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Tips for healthy holiday eating
Do a shot that’s good for you
: s n o i t u l o s e r 5 1 0 2 sin g n a e l c t r a t S •
Bitters are a staple for health in many cultures, especially in Europe, as they are recognized for their excellent ability to support the digestive system.
If you’ve been struggling with “brain fog,” headaches, digestive concerns, or you regularly feel like someone is “pushing your buttons,” a buildup of environmental toxins could be to blame. The body is bombarded by over 2 million toxins in a single day! Toxins are everywhere: in the air we breathe on that crisp late fall walk, in the shiny paper you wrap gifts with and in the perfume you dab on before hitting the holiday party. Even stress and anxiety often felt at this time of year cause the body to produce toxins through the overproduction of stress hormones.
a healthy gut = a healthy you During this time of year, when hugs and kisses are plentiful, keeping a happy belly also means fighting off cold and flu bugs.
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Did you know that up to 80% of your immune system lives in your gut?
The full line of Udo’s Choice® Probiotics Blends comes in seven different formulas to meet every need. From promoting regular bowel movements, improving digestion to supporting your immune system, they have what it takes to get your tracts back on track.
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it’s good to be bitter
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If you feel “overfull,” sluggish and bloated after meals, bring a dose of bitters to the rescue. That bitter sensation on the tongue triggers the stomach, liver, gallbladder and pancreas to secrete vital digestive components you may have been lacking. Gallexier® Herbal Bitters Liquid contains a number of herbs known for their ability to help aid digestion after a heavy meal, but don’t worry, with fruit sugars as part of the formula, these bitters aren’t hard to swallow. Free of gluten, yeast, wheat and dairy.
W
ith New Year’s resolutions looming, we naturally look at what we want to change in the future, but we shouldn’t forget to focus on maintaining a healthy body to get us through holiday demands.
No matter how healthy your diet, zen your attitude, or naturally clean your home, toxins will build up. It’s unavoidable. Without the tools to flush them out of your body, you can’t function optimally. Take heart! Our bodies are amazing cleansing machines, but they need a helping hand once or twice a year to purge the overload. Yet who wants the discomfort and hassle often associated with a harsh cleanse or a fast? Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be drastic. Gentle cleansing options, like the Flor•Essence® 7-Day Purification Program target the entire body so there is no need to buy multiple products, fast, or experience drastic cleansing symptoms. It’s like a holiday gift for your body.
Bitters are not only good for tummy troubles they also help with cuts and insect bites.
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Take a shot of Maria’s Swedish Bitters straight up on its own, or add 1 tsp of Maria’s Swedish Bitters to water or your favourite herbal tea.
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Maria’s Swedish Bitters help stimulate digestion for improved health, plus the alcoholic version is an excellent addition to any first aid kit.
When a Nap is on Your Wish List
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veryone seems to try to get more done as the year winds down. Wrapping projects up at work, entertaining guests, holiday and family demands, it can be a hectic time. But what if you’re feeling more than just pulled in multiple directions? What if the exhaustion is your body’s way of saying it’s lacking something? It could be iron.
Tea-zing out the Stress
I’m exhausted and just can’t keep up
Nothing beats a quiet moment alone with a cup of tea for taming stress, relaxing, and simply making time for yourself. Not only will this “time-out” help your body unwind and eliminate stress, depending on the type of tea you choose, you may also be helping to strengthen bodily systems you rely on. A choice like Flora’s Deep Defense tea after a stressful day will help calm you down. We’ll drink to that!
Iron works as hard in your body as you do putting on a gourmet turkey dinner. It helps with many metabolic processes and it keeps red bloods cells red, healthy and active. The problem is many of us – especially women, due to pregnancy, menstruation and breastfeeding – are low in iron.
Estimates suggest between 20 and 25% of the world’s population is iron deficient, leaving them constantly exhausted. Dark eye circles, pale skin and brittle hair and nails are some of the visible signs that you may be iron deficient; exhaustion and lack of concentration are the invisible symptoms. If you suspect an iron deficiency, talk to your health care provider about a serum ferritin test, which is the best way to understand your body’s iron levels. If it’s time to supplement your iron stores, there’s no need to be worried about tummy troubles with a plant-based liquid iron formula that’s easy on the digestive tract like Floradix® Formula. Restore your festive holiday mood by keeping your iron at optimal levels.
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any one product in this flyer* *minimum $10.00 purchase is required
Easy on the digestive tract Dairy, lactose and alcohol free Free of artificial colours and flavours Certified kosher Suitable for vegetarians
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Floradix® Formula: Plant based, liquid iron and vitamin formula Formulated for maximum absorption Contains whole food and herbal extracts
MONEY SAVING COUPON To The Dealer: Flora will reimburse you the face value of this coupon plus our specified handling fee provided it is redeemed by your consumer at the time of purchase on the item specified. Other applications constitute fraud. Failure to send in, on request, evidence that sufficient stock was purchased in the previous 90 days to cover coupons presented will void coupons. Coupons submitted become our property. Reproduction of this coupon is expressly prohibited. For redemption mail to: Flora, PO Box 1600, Pickering, Ontario, L1V 7C1.
To The Consumer: Provincial Law may require the retailer to charge the applicable tax on the full value of the purchase(s) before the reduction in coupon value. GST, PST and HST are included in face value where applicable. Unauthorized reproduction of this coupon is unlawful. Limit one coupon per purchase. Not valid with any other coupon offer. Offer valid only in Canada.
EXPIRY DATE: February 28, 2015
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