Inside The Polished Apple

April is Mother Earth Month at Elan Family Wellness Centre. Thank you to Dr Robert Clarke, Network Spinal Analysis Chiropractor at Elan, for this article on Earthing.  Connecting to the earth is essential to good health. In recent years Earthing (making physical connection with the earth) has become trendy, yet for most of us we know that spending time in nature is good for us. Researchers now measure the benefits. So whether it's your backyard, a walk in one of our amazing parks in the city, or getting out of town to enjoy nature, the benefits on our bodies and our brains is profound. To be considered Earthing, your body must connect with the earth. Walk with bare feet, get your hands into the soil, hug a tree or, lay on grass and watch the clouds. This way we directly feel the magnetic force of the  earth, we feel its frequency. This is more powerful than so many of the medications people are prescribed, helping moods, anxiety, inflammation, and a large host...

This March at the ICPA Freedom for Family Wellness Summit in Washington, D.C., I had the privilege to meet and hear the Mother of Direct Entry Midwifery, Ina May Gaskin. Her practical manner and advice, and recommendations to follow our intuition and nature, meant she is first to my mind on the subject of Mother Nature. Ina May quoted Martha Mears, “Follow nature...we can grow wise only by her wisdom.” Tips and idioms from Ina May that can be applied to Pregnancy and Birth. And life in general. Promote good posture and strong bones-specifically to help in pregnancy and birth, but we all need this! Learn from nature-how do animals birth? Don't interfere unless necessary! Walk the cows in (which helps the release of milk). Our private parts are “shy”-that's why they're called private parts ;) Do what is asked of you (that's basically how her grandmother became a midwife). Walking & hard labor is better for you than the “idle li...

Goddess Offering "May you be blessed Goddess For you bear in your womb Our Mother Earth Looking over it everyday Full of Love Preserving its Peace" We were privileged to have Jennifae Coburn of Supporting Sisterhood hold space for us for a women's circle (with two husbands too!) this past week.  What a beautiful evening!  Crystals, candles and feminine energy.  We had a chance to do a hand fasting, plant seeds for our healing using an Anastasia planting ceremony, share our stories, and send our wounds and worries back to the earth with a dry Epson salts "bath" infused with lavender and healing herbs.   With the Anastasia ceremony, I personally planted a butternut squash that will be programmed for my own personal "medicine"/ healing.  Next up (and when the weather cooperates), I will get to walk barefoot in the garden space in which I will plant it.  Sounds right up my alley!   The evening was a lovely way to connect to...

Spring has finally arrived!  Not just a date on the calendar, but sun, warm weather, melting snow and tiny green shoots.  Here's a small article that was posted earlier this month in our newsletter :   You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer . *    *    * When we recognise the virtues, the talent, the beauty of Mother Earth, something is born in us, some kind of connection; love is born . Thich Nhat Hanh We've been longing for Mother Earth to cooperate this spring! After one of our longest winters full of snow and cold, we're ready to celebrate the new season. April always reminds me of new babies (usually of the human, chick and bunny varieties), sprouting grass and bulbs, spring, and our earth. It's also that time of year when we crawl out of ou...

It's Mother Earth Month at Elan Family Wellness Centre.  Here's a guest post from our Reflexologist Sandra to help you through pregnancy!   Top 10 pregnancy tips 1. Get comfy clothes (think pants with the big band on top, yes those). Invest in some supportive bras in larger sizes, some sports bras work well too. 2. Get a support team together (doula, post partum doula if you need extra help other than family & friends). 3. Get educated on what kind of birth you would like (water birth, birthing centre, midwives). Read both Ina May books. 4. Think about nutrition and source some places for healthy foods. Plan some easy meal prep and high protein snacks and have them on hand, you WILL get hungry fast! 5. Use your benefits, check out acupuncture, chiro, massage etc. and treat your growing body to some relaxation and re-aligning. 6. Move! Walking, swimming, prenatal yoga... It'll do you and baby good. 7. Be gentle with yourself. This us a time...