Wellness boosters

How are those News Year’s resolutions holding up?

It’s early March and, for many, the adrenalin of postholiday promises has evaporated. Time for a few wellness reinforcements. Here’s 10 – one at a time, they’re painless and bound to give you a boost.

1. Eat an extra piece of fruit or serving of veggies each day. One apple, a handful of raisins or a few carrot sticks takes you one step closer to 5-10 produce servings a day (remember, fresh, frozen or canned is fine).
2. Book a massage. It’s a great way to release stress, stimulate your muscles and achieve flexibility. If you go once a month, you’ll feel results.
3. Drink a glass of water before you put anything in your mouth. It’s an easy rule to remember and you’ll increase your daily water consumption by default.
4. Swap your midday java for a cup of herbal tea. You’ll appreciate a caffeine-free break that keeps you hydrated and recharged – naturally.
5. Send flowers to yourself. Pick a dreary day, arrange for home delivery and wait for the doorbell. Your home will be infused with a burst of fragrance and colour and you’ll enjoy a pick-me-up that will last for days.
6. Take a noon-hour walk. As little as 20 minutes a day (even done in two 10 minute sessions) makes a difference to your cardiovascular health, not to mention your stress level.
7. Pack a little protein into every meal. A slice of cheese, a piece of lean meat, an egg, a cup of cottage cheese or even a chunk of tofu – they all give your body the kind of energy that metabolizes slowly and evenly from meal to meal.
8. Stretch. Take a cue from the feline community. A few gentle stretches each day will help your muscles stay limber and enhance your endurance.
9. Catch a friend doing something right. Send a handwritten note (increasingly special in these days of e-mail) pointing out something uniquely wonderful about them. Guaranteed you’ll both get a warm feeling.
10. Have a good belly laugh – every day. It’s good for the heart and it helps to keep life’s worries in perspective.

Whet Your Appetite

Throughout this issue, you'll see mentions of many unique Alberta food proudcts. Here's where you can get recipes and find where to buy them. Bon Appetit! www.afpa.com (Alberta Food Processors Association)

www.albertabarley.com
www.albertabeef.org
www.albertamilk.com
www.albertapork.ca
www.aliyasfoods.com
www.alleykatbeer.com
www.bigrockbeer.com
www.bisoncentre.com
www.canola.ab.ca
www.chicken.ab.ca
www.eggs.ab.ca
www.experiencegastronomique.com
www.growingalberta.com
www.highwood-distillers.com
www.hogwild.ab.ca
www.leonigrana.com
www.littlepotatoes.com
www.longviewbeefjerky.ca
www.mundaresausage.com
www.natricia.com
www.palettefinefoods.com
www.pinocchioicecream.com
www.valbellameats.com
www.zinterbrown.ab.ca

Cut Above
Tel: 780.452.6890

French Meadow Artisan Bakery Cafe
Tel: 780.414.6089

Gunther’s Fine Bakery
Tel: 403.272.038

Olive Me
Urban RusticGourmet
Campbell Cakes
Tel: 780.988.3281

Red Hot Mama’s Chilis and Chocolates
Tel: 403.609.2559

Sylvan Star Cheese Ltd.
Tel: 403.340.1560

Tree Stone Bakery Ltd.
Tel: 780.433.5924