Balanced Living

Feed a Cold, Starve a Flu?

Posted by Arja on January 23 in Nutrition

Is this damp, dreary winter getting to you yet?  We are still in the midst of cold and flu season and if you haven’t been sick already you’re probably hoping you can make it through until spring unscathed.  The good news is that with good hygiene, proper nutrition and a healthy attitude you probably can!

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A Lovely Winter Salad

Posted by Arja on January 9 in Salads

Traditionally, winter is a time for hearty, warming foods.  Most people cook soups, stews and other hearty dishes.  Living in a cooler climate also means that access to the abundance of fresh produce readily available during summer months is limited.  Winter recipes tend to feature root vegetables like carrots, potatoes and turnips as well as many vegetables from the Brassica family (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and the list goes on!).  Though many people still like to eat salads in the winter, lackluster produce (and sky-high prices) often mean that they eat far fewer than during the warmer months.<

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Healthy Resolutions

Posted by Arja on December 21 in Holistic Health

It’s that time of year again…  We are in the midst of Christmas and all of the holiday indulgences and at the same time contemplating the end of one year and the start of another.  For many, this is a time of retrospection that leads to resolutions and promises to achieve goals in the New Year.  There are many who consider this practice psychologically unhealthy, but that doesn’t change the fact that many people make New Year’s resolutions.  Many of these resolutions centre around weight loss and improved health, but many goals also centre around personal growth, improved financial status or just generally adding more balance to one’s life.  The sad truth, however, is that a large percentage of people fail to succeed at achieving whatever it is they resolved to accomplish.  Why is that?  In some cases, people start off strong but cannot maintain the initial pace that they’ve set for themselves and within a few months they are off track completely.  Sometimes people set goals for themselves that are not realistic.  In most cases, however, people are trying to make changes but do not have adequate support or knowledge to help them set realistic goals and stay on track for success.

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Getting Clean Without Chemicals

Posted by Arja on December 14 in Personal Care and Cleaning

Being healthy from the inside out is not as simple as just eating clean foods.  Back in October of 2010, The David Suzuki Foundation released a report on what they call “The Dirty Dozen” toxic ingredients found in 80% of some of the most common cosmetic products.  These products included shampoo, toothpaste, lipstick and skin cleansers and the foundation had over 6000 volunteers check the ingredients lists of over 12,500 products.  The end result showed widespread use of the chemicals listed on their “Dirty Dozen” list in products people use every day.

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Comfort Food with a Healthy Twist

Posted by Arja on November 14 in Main Dishes, Meatless

It’s that time of year again…  As the weather gets cooler and the daylight hours get shorter we find ourselves looking forward to warm, comforting foods like soups and stews.  Summer is a time of fresh salads, raw veggies and other ways to celebrate summer’s bounty.  Fall, on the other hand, is when we begin looking for heavier, warming foods to sustain us through the cooler days and nights.

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arja pennanen lytle c.n.p. n.n.c.p certified nutritional practitioner

Arja is a Holistic Nutritionist with a passion for balanced living. She loves to help people sleep better, think better, feel sexier, and just generally feel better by putting the focus on eating foods that make you feel good. Arja uses whole foods, lifestyle adjustments, herbs, and some supplements to help people feel their best and achieve their health and wellness goals.