Have Fun, Find Joy

Yesterday, I went on an adventure.

My friend, Tina got us a few tickets to sit in the audience of Cityline.  Here we are with the lovely host, Tracy (such a great name ;).

Superfoods and Fun at the Total Health Show

Yesterday, I ventured downtown to visit the Total Health Show.  This annual show features exhibits, lectures and products to help us live a more holistic lifestyle.

Here are just a few fantastic things I saw:

Organic or Not?

This question stirs up much debate among experts, foodies and bloggers alike.

Are organic foods and products better for you?  For the environment? 
Are they healthier?

I admitted in a previous post that I was an organic skeptic.  Then, I read "In Defence of Food" in preparation for the Vegan for a Week Challenge and it changed my world.

Why?

A Strong and Powerful Body

I have always loved this picture. I have had it for many years and every time I look at it I am in awe.

This woman is lean, strong and powerful with a beauty and grace that I admire.

She is proud of the hard work she has put in to building her body and is not afraid to show it.

3 Ways to Soothe the Body and Mind

We have been blessed with some fantastic weather in Southern Ontario and I am planning on enjoying every minute of it.

Isn't amazing how the sun instantly lifts your mood?

Speaking of mood, I have been finding myself pretty tense lately, so I thought I would share a few of my favourite things that help me to relax and find some inner calm.

Say Om

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Focused relaxation is vital to our well-being. It helps counteract the negative effects of stress on our mental and physical health. There are many different ways to relax – massage, visualization, meditation, and exercise. Here are some easy ways that you can incorporate relaxation into your busy everyday life.

Practice Yoga – It is a great way to develop a balance between the mind, body and spirit. The physical postures help to relax tense muscles and the breathing will help calm the spirit.

Visualize Yourself Calm – Visualizing a peaceful atmosphere, soothing sounds and colours can help slow your mind and create an overall sense of well-being.

Get Pampered– Never underestimate the power of touch! A gentle massage will help to ease tension and improve circulation. 

Just Breathe – When you are trying to relax, take long, slow deep breaths. Place your hand on your abdominals to feel it rise and fall as you expand your lungs and diaphragm.

The Sweet Scent of Serenity – Aromatherapy has been used for many years to stimulate the senses. Essential oils can be calming and soothing or invigorating and uplifting. Lavender, jasmine and vanilla are especially helpful in relaxation.

“Give your thoughts a chance to settle down. Then feel you mind clear like a still forest pool”

- The Buddha

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Achieving Holistic Health

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I am sorry for the lack of postage last week. I was without the internet (I know, the horror), but I am back now and ready rock :)

In the fitness world, we are always talking about different approaches to exercise, the best gear to get you through your workout and the benefits of a balanced diet.

Is this really enough to achieve overall health?
Now don't get me wrong, staying active and healthy eating are vital to our well-being, but there are other factors.

Oral health, for example. If we neglect our teeth, it can cause infections and other serious problems that could affect our body as a whole.

Another one that come to mind is skin care. Do you think about the kinds of products you use? Any chemicals that are in our makeup, shampoo or body lotion will get absorbed into our skin and impact our overall health.
 
What do you think? What else do we need to consider when looking at holistic wellness?

Stay Healthy,
Tracy