Healthy Families YYC

Wishing you and your family best wishes and memory making moments
this holiday season. May 2023 be a happy, healthy new year. With love, from all of us at Healthy Families.

Please note the clinic will be closed January 24-26 and January 1st and 2nd.

This is our last shop local post from from student staff Marika.

They sell Japanese stationery, table wear and a variety of products.

In Marika’s words “Japanese stationery is awesome but I usually wait for my Japanese grandparents to mail it overseas. This local spot has many of my favourite items. It’s a cool place to check out for authentic Japanese products.”

Winter solstice today, marking the shortest day of the year and the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. With such cold temperatures right now it’s fitting that’s it’s the first official day of winter. What this also means is that from today forward days will begin to grow longer. They will continue to do so until we reach the summer solstice again in June. ☀️

Our next shop local is from our massage therapist Sarah .doro she would actually like to share two places that are very different but equally as good!
providing high quality undergarments for women. Personally and professionally it's important to be fitted properly to get good support in our chests. For Sarah it was a wonder to get fitted properly! Nursing mama's can find many different styles of nursing bras. Any body, big or small, curvy or not, this place can find what you need. Also not just for bras but amazing fitting swimwear when you need it. Great option for gift certificates for moms, sisters, aunts, friends or daughters.

The second place Sarah would like to recommend is This business has a place in her heart.
“When I got shut down over covid this was on of the places I could go walk around and feel a bit more at peace. From rare plants, to indoor decor this place is a vibe on its own. Pet friendly so you can bring your furry friend and wander around their indoor heated greenhouse. Who doesn't love getting a new plant?!”

Great place for gift ideas, last minute greens or the perfect plant.

Do you have an appointment on Friday at the clinic? If so, we would love to see your favourite Christmas sweater! We’ll be wearing ours too!

Our next recommendation for shop local is from Lexi. .eden.inglewood a perfect spot to grab a gift certificate from or take someone for a nice lunch or dinner.

Lexi said her and her mom love the Eden. There is live jazz on Saturday afternoons and Friday evenings. It is a family owned business that opened in 2017 and they love it there! It is definitely a favorite after work on Saturday’s.

If you haven’t been, this is a great time to make a reservation. We want to support these local businesses to keep them around.

Some of you may be doing Christmas shopping this weekend. Our next shop local pick comes from our Massage Therapist Kate!

Her favourite local store is just down the street from the clinic in Kensington....The Beehive! A wonderful store with body products made in store and using locally sourced honey products. Plus candles and so many great stocking stuffers.

"It is through children's early childhood experiences, when the brain is rapidly developing, that we have the opportunity to support learning through a child's natural curiosity and imaginative play. From birth through age 5, children's brains are literally forming the complex web of synapses that last throughout their lives, and greatly impact their social, emotional, physical and cognitive performance as adults.

One of the best ways to nurture development is with open-ended play. Open-ended play materials allow children to make choices, express their creativity and support their independence. Open-ended materials by definition do not have a predetermined use." - Neurochild

A stick can be a wand, horse, part of a fort, sword or any number of other things in play. It is through these experiences that children are able to learn best.

A few examples of open-ended materials include:

* Sticks
* Mud, water, rocks
* Buckets, baskets, milk crates
* Lumber, tires, bricks
* Sheers or silks

Be intentional about providing children with materials that let them make choices about play, and support them in strengthening their cognitive, language and social skills in the process.

There are endless opportunities! 💕
https://thegracefulolive.com/.../children-need-open.../

Sit up tall. One of the first indicators of poor posture is slouching. Souching creates neck strain and forward head posture. This posture decreases lymphatic drainage in the neck, collapses the rib cage, compresses internal organs and increases pressure on the discs, muscles and nerves of the cervical spine. It also shifts the neck’s axis of rotation from the facet joints (they are designed for movement) to the discs (which are not designed to withstand a lot of movement). This spinal stress can lead to premature arthritis of the neck along with decreased digestive and respiratory functions. For every inch your head moves forward from its proper position the compressive forces on the lower neck increase by an additional weight of the entire head, 10-12 lbs.

Regular adjustments are important for keeping good function and evaluating spinal stress in your body.

.lindsaynealon .amygraf .natashabrandt would love to help you with this. Please call the clinic to book an appointment (587) 391-6200

Shop local. This recommendation comes from Linda-Mae and it is
It’s highly recommended if you haven’t been before and need a quiet moment plus coffee in this busy season that you stop by. They also have gift cards, coffee and apparel that make great gifts so it’s win-win when you are there.

This is a throwback post but a gentle reminder, especially useful this time of year.

All it takes is 4 simple breaths to calm the nervous system. Follow the Relaxing Breath Exercise known as the 4-7-8 exercise. It takes little time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. Start with only 4 breaths to take a break from scrolling and shift your thought pattern. You can also use this exercise whenever something is upsetting or you feel internal tension or stress. These 4 simple breaths can also help you fall asleep.
How you do it:
Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
Hold your breath for a count of seven.
Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths. Thanks to original source
#4-7-8

Team favourites for shop local. This one is from .natashabrandt
.ca have quality spices for every recipe or occasion.

Not only local but owned by her cousin-in-law Chelsea and partner Stephen. They travel around the world to make connections with local spice vendors and then bring the spices to sell in Calgary. They have so many unique options from all around the world and it makes a great Christmas gift. They also share recipes using their spices and have a travel blog where you can find out about their suppliers and how they found them!

Just a friendly reminder for holiday hours at the clinic.

The clinic will be closed:
December 24th-26th
January 1st and 2nd

Dr. Lindsay will be away:
Jan. 4th-6th

Dr. Amy will be away:
Jan. 4th-14th

Dr. Natasha will be away:
December 23rd-29th

Hilary McDermott will be away:
December 27th-30th

Shop local! .hilary recommends

It is female owned and handmade in small batches in Calgary. Fatskn is skincare made with grassfed tallow and is 100% natural and clean. They also strive to focus on sustainability and choose recyclable and biodegradable packaging. Great products for saving your skin during the winter months.

Dreaming of warmer days, our next shop local recommendation comes from student staff Isabela.


They are a family owned and operated business that is based in Calgary and specializes in manufacturing paddle boards. Her and her family have had hours of fun exploring and floating around on their paddle boards!

Great products that lead to time outdoors being active.

Did you know we have Cookie Dough Oatballs in our clinic freezer from a delicious, healthy, nut free and gluten free snack. Pick some up next time you are in.

Shop local. .lindsaynealon would like to recommend who has been part of her community and go to shop for pregnancy. They have everything; maternity clothes, nursing clothes, pre and postpartum necessities as well as unique baby gift items. She loves that they support local & Canadian entrepreneurs as well.

Just a reminder that most insurance plans renew in January. You may want to book your appointments for the rest of the year to make the most of your benefit plan.

Our Healthy Families Team loves to support local and as it is the season, we’d like to share our favourite gift giving ideas and local products.

The first one is recommended by .amygraf

These products are created for mom’s and moms-to-be by a mom. They're made with only the best ingredients, none of the yucky stuff. These products make the best gifts for an expectant mom, or a postpartum mom, whether she is still healing or not!

Chiropractic care is much more than getting rid of back pain or headaches:
A chiropractic adjustment can shift our body’s internal perception from survival & protection to growth & transformation. When the core of our body (brain & spinal cord) shows interference, our physiology shifts from a parasympathetic (rest, digest) tone to a sympathetic (flight or fight) one and every cell goes along for the ride. Muscular tension is increased, heart rate quickens, breathing becomes faster and shallower and digestion and immunity become dormant. Our brains and cells perceive they are in danger and we express increased tone and dis-ease.

Regular chiropractic adjustments are an important part of a healthy lifestyle! Ready to book back in? Give the office a call today 587-391-6200 to book with one of our Chiropractors .lindsaynealon .amygraf .natashabrandt

December Healthy Habit - A Recipe Shared by Hilary

Our Healthy Habits for all of 2022 have been staff member’s favourite recipes. The final recipe of the month, the December Healthy Habit, is shared by our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist .hilary It's one of her families' go to soups for those colder days. She always makes a big batch in the fall and keeps some frozen! It's hearty and packed with hidden veggies and protein, which means the kiddos will eat it too.


Recipe and 📷 from

Ingredients

2 cups dried red lentils
400ml can coconut milk
1 onion, rough chopped
2 cups chopped carrots
1 tbsp red curry paste
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
½ cup chopped cilantro
398ml/140z can fire roasted diced tomatos
5 cups broth (veggie or chicken)
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp garam masala
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp turmeric
1 tsp salt
sliced almonds for garnish
plain Greek Yogurt for garnish

Directions: Note this is an Instant Pot recipe. If cooking stovetop skip directions 1-4 and cook all ingredients in pot until tender then go to step 5.
Place all of the ingredients into your Instant Pot Liner.
Secure the lid, and seal your pot.
Set the pot to 5 minutes, high pressure.
After the pressure cycle is complete, allow the pot to naturally depressurize for 5 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.
Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until desired thickness. If it is too thick, add water in ½ cup increments until desired consistency.
For serving, add sliced almonds and a dollop of Greek yogurt. Both are optional but OMG such a great addition.
Keep in the fridge up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 6 months. Do not freeze with the yogurt dollop on top.

Chiropractic care for all ages and stages.

Parents often ask what signs indicate that their children could benefit from chiropractic care. We can learn a lot about movement simply by watching. Asymmetry is an indicator of spinal stress and can easily be observed in our kids. If you have any concerns or questions on your child’s mobility or movement don’t hesitate to ask either .lindsaynealon .amygraf or .natashabrandt (starting soon) They are happy to see the whole family and make sure everyone has a well functioning nervous system.

Your reviews are such a compliment. Thank you for taking the time to write them!



.physio

Anyone else want warm cozy breakfasts right now?

This is the perfect time of year to use up fruit you may have in the freezer or, a more affordable option in the freezer section of the grocery store! Love that this is easy self-serve for the whole family. You can also try it with any fruit!

📷 and recipe from

Ingredients

2 cups rolled old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 large egg, or 1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, divided
cooking spray (or butter for pan)

Optional: additional blueberries, nut butter and extra maple syrup, for serving

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray or grease with butter.
In a large bowl, mix together the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Add in the milk, maple syrup, egg, coconut oil, vanilla and bananas. Stir well to combine. Gently fold in 1 cup of blueberries.
Carefully pour oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Scatter the remaining blueberries across the top.
Bake for 40 to 55 minutes or until the middle of the bake is set and the top is golden. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Portion and serve. Top with additional fresh blueberries and nut butter, if using. Drizzle each portion with maple syrup if you want it a bit sweeter.
For storage: store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Laughing is good for the soul. We love our visits with little ones and it’s a win-win when we all have fun. Laughter is beneficial for your physical, mental, and social well-being and can help reduce stress. Embrace the lol.

This is an incredible program and they now have drop in options available. A great time of year to encourage outdoor play.

Have you always wanted to give TimberNook a try but were a bit reluctant to commit to 2 months of programs? Well here is your chance! We are opening up drop-in options for our Little Wild Ones program for Nov/Dec, and would love to have your little one join us!

This is the BEST time of year to get your kids out and moving in nature- cooped up kids=terrifying for parents🤣😬😆

Get in touch to find out more!

Photos from TimberNook's post

Clinic Update

We are so excited to announce Chiropractor Dr. Natasha Brandt will be joining the Healthy Families Team!

She will be starting part-time on December 1st and will be moving to full-time starting in January. You
are now able to book adjustments with her by calling the clinic. Please join us in welcoming her to the team and learn a little more about her from her message below.

—————————

Being healthy is more than just not being ill, being healthy is about
being physically, mentally, and socially well. We have less community
structure than we used to, and our social health is suffering. We are
burnt out, and stretched thin, and our mental health suffers for it. Our
kiddos seem to constantly be sick which makes their caregivers even
more tired. My goal at Healthy Families is to address each of those
aspects of health to allow our families to thrive. Together, through
holistic wellness and community support we can improve your body's
relationship with itself.

It brings me joy to treat and getting to know the entire family, from
newborn to grandparent, everyone can benefit from Chiropractic care.
I use different adjusting techniques depending on age and preferences
so you can be confident your voice will be heard in your appointment.

My current, but ever-evolving qualifications include:

Doctorate of Chiropractic - Women & Family Focused
Bachelor of Kinesiology
Bachelor of Science in Human Biology
Webster Technique Certified

My goal over the next 5 years is to add CACCP Certification to continue to expand my knowledge of pregnancy and pediatrics.

I can't wait to be your Chiropractor and watch your family grow!