Hygeia Health Market, Saskatoon Health Food Store, Organic Grains, Organic Quinoa, chia

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Tip of the Month

7 Tips for Winter Health

In winter, the sun sets earlier, a chill fills the air, and we spend less time outside being active and more time inside eating starchy and sugary foods. Our hibernating instinct doesn't keep us healthy. Rather, our immune system takes a hit, allowing winter colds and flus to grab hold. Luckily, there are certain things you can do to keep your energy up, your immune system strong and your body healthy all winter long.

1. Drink healthy fluids
Drinking six to eight glasses a day of water or herbal tea can keep your digestive system healthy, your weight down and your energy up.
2. Get some z's
Sleepingis is one of the most effective ways to refuel after a stressful day.
3. Avoid added sugars
In addition to causing weight gain, refined flours and sugars can suppress immune-system function.
4. Go for garlic
The sulfur-containing compounds in garlichelp increase the potency of two important cells of the immune system, which in turn help battle colds. Eat garlic raw or cooked for an immune-system boost.
5. Eat zinc-rich foods
Zinc helps prevent a weakened immune system. Get adequate amounts by eating oysters, liver, lean beef, pork, turkey, lamb, lentils, pumpkin and sesame seeds, garbanzo beans and yogurt.
6. Favour fruits and veggies
Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eatingrecommends eating five to 10 servings per day. n.
7. Move it
Don't succumb to inactivity this winter -- hit the yogastudio, run on the treadmill or suit up and head outdoors. A brisk walk burns calories, gets the blood flowing and increases energy.

Organic Foods

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You Are What You Eat! Did you know that if you consumed an average apple you would be eating over 30 pesticides, even after you have washed it? The quality of food has definitely gone down since the second world war. For instance, the levels of vitamin C in today's fruit bear no resemblance to the levels found in wartime fruit. Organic food is known to contain 50% more nutrients, minerals and vitamins than produce that has been intensively farmed.

The most common benefit of organic foods is that of taste. There are also environmental aspects such as fewer chemicals in the soil leading to less erosion of the countryside and pollution of our rivers with nitrates. There are also benefits to the animals and people who live and work on the farms. Organic farms grow a mix of crops and therefore encourage a balanced Ecosystem.

Organic foods have higher levels of many disease-fighting antioxidants and essential vitamins, including Vitamin C. Some of the products we carry here at HYGEIA are hemp seed, flax seed, chia seed, quinoa, beans, lentils and psyllium husks. Most of our grains come from a Saskatoon-based distributor who carry's the popular brand name GREENBOY.