Hyland's Leg Cramps - Product Review

I was recently asked to try Hyland's Leg Cramps to review. Firstly, I have always been a fan of Hyland and homeopathic products. After my breast augmentation my surgeon recommend I take Arnica. I still take it to this day as I bruise easily and train so hard. Anyway, I quickly said yes.

According to Hylands  information about their product:

• At the onset of symptoms for fast-acting relief of leg, calf and foot cramps
• Strong and effective pain relief
• No stomach discomfort
• No aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxenUses: Temporarily relieves the symptoms of stiffness, pains in limbs, joints, legs and cramps in calves, feet and legs.

   

  Active Ingredients | Purposes:

  Cinchona Officinalis 3X HPUS: pains in limbs & joints
  Aconitum Napellus 6X HPUS: pains in joints, legs
  Gnaphalium Polycephalum 3X HPUS: cramps in calves & feet
  Ledum Palustre 6X HPUS: pain and cramps in legs
  Magnesia Phosphorica 6X HPUS: cramps in calves
  Rhus Toxicodendron 6X HPUS: pain and stiffness
  Viscum Album 3X HPUS: pains in joints

  “HPUS” indicates the active ingredients are in the official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States.

  I actually suffer from leg cramps especially when I am prepping for a show. I find this product to be highly beneficial and it works really well. I would recommend it to anyone who suffers from leg cramps.

   

  http://www.hylands.com/products/hylands-leg-cramps

• *Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.*

Genuine Health - Fermented organic gut superfoods+ - Product Review

Genuine health is known for their high quality health food products. I was recently sent their Genuine Health - Fermented organic gut superfoods+ - product for review. I always include greens and superfoods in my diet so I was happy to try it.

Overall I was very impressed with the packaging. It clearly tells you what the product is and does. It also is very clearly written on the front that it contains 22 fermented plant-based superfoods and prebiotics to nourish a healthy gut. The flavour that they sent was Summer Berry. And it is dairy free, soy free, gluten free and even vegan.

According to their website:

Using the latest research available on the gut microbiome, we have created the ultimate prebiotic gut superfood – fermented organic gut superfoods+ is the ONLY prebiotic superfood that packs a 1-2-3 punch!

1 – Made from 21 organic plant-based superfoods that are rich in phytonutrients called polyphenols, which not only feed our gut microbes, but have synergistic benefits with them, too!

2 – Easy-to-tolerate source of prebiotic fibre that helps to feed “good” bacteria and won’t irritate the gut – or cause bloating.

3 – Fully-fermented, amplifying the plant nutrients and improving digestion.

The health of the gut is crucial to our overall health. Research is finding new evidence to support this all the time. But to nourish your gut and body completely, a probiotic alone often isn’t enough.

Did you know that the International Association for Probiotics and Prebioticsrecommends a minimum daily intake of 5 grams of prebiotics? And for good reason! Prebiotics help to improve gut health by:

✓ Encouraging the growth of gut bacteria
✓ Improving digestion
✓ Enhancing mineral absorption

But not all prebiotics are created equal. The majority of prebiotics on the market today have their downsides:

✘ Many feed both the “good” and the “bad” bacteria in our guts
✘ Many lead to uncomfortable gas and bloating, and can irritate the gut lining
✘ And most don’t offer nutritive benefits

Nutritional research has come a long way. One of the most exciting recent discoveries is that the plant foods that provide our bodies with nutrition from phytonutrients are also good for our gut ecology. Polyphenols are a type of phytonutrient known to contribute to overall health and slow the aging process – and research has recently identified that polyphenols contribute to gut health, too.

"Genuine Health has perfected the art of the fermentation process – we use artisanal methods of fermentation and we know precisely when to stop the process to ensure peak phytonutrient potency.

Then we add a fermented fiber that is easy to tolerate – so you get all of the benefits of a prebiotic fiber and none of the bloating."

It does mix very well. And overall I was impressed with the taste. It does however have around 11g of carbs. And if you are dieting like me for a body building competition or counting your macros this needs to be accounted for.

Overall it seemed to help with digestion because I was a little bit hungrier throughout the day vs when I did not include it in my diet.

If you are interested in finding out more you can visit their website:

http://www.genuinehealth.com/store/fermented-organic-gut-superfoods#.WigNx7YZMdU

Raymond James Partners with Umind.ca To Help Deliver Canada's Premiere Online Resource for Child & Youth Mental Health Care Professionals

SOURCE Raymond James Ltd.

Topical Edge Lotion - Product Review

I was recently sent the Topical Edge Lotion to review. I thought this would be great considering that I am in prep and how hard I train on a daily basis. And this is a pain reliving athletic lotion.

Performance & Recovery Lotion

"Topical Edge's clinically proven PR Lotion helps you train harder, go faster, push longer and recover quicker. Use it every time you suit up. You’ll feel stronger and your muscles will feel better afterwards, so you can hit it again tomorrow."

Both my boyfriend and I tried it. We found for it to have an instant cooling effect that provides immediate relief of pain. Even just the action of the lotion getting rubbed into the muscle provides immediate improvement of pain symptoms.

Topical Edge Performance & Recovery Lotion is powered by menthol and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Menthol is approved by the FDA as safe and effective when used according to the label. Baking soda is a commonly consumed ingredient in food, toothpaste, and antacids.

Topical Edge Performance & Recovery Lotion is comprised of pharmaceutical grade ingredients sourced from certified suppliers. Topical Edge PR Lotion contains: menthol (0.5%), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), water, isopropyl palmitate, lecithin, poloxamer 407, denatured alcohol, benzyl alcohol, coconut oil, jojoba seed oil, caprylic/capric triglycerides, lippia citriodora flower extract, sorbic acid, and sodium hydroxide.

Topical Edge Performance & Recovery Lotion allows you to workout harder and recover faster thanks to the main ingredient sodium bicarbonate (which is simply baking soda). Topical Edge PR delivers sodium bicarbonate directly to working muscles in order to reduce the workout burn, and feel better the next day. Here's more info on how it works.

Topical Edge PR is available in a 5 workout box for $20 at www.topicaledge.com.

I would highly recommend this product to those of you who workout hard and want to manage muscle soreness and injuries.

Spokes - Air Puffed Potato Snack

I recently was sent Spokes air puffed potato snacks to try. Luckily they caught me just before I got back on to prep and could try them. Holy moly were they amazing! They would be a great snack for someone on a diet and watching their calories. They taste like a potato chip meets cheesie.

The best part about they is that they are a light and crunchy potato snack that is air-puffed {never oil fried}. They are lightly oil-misted and seasoned for a naturally delicious clean and crisp taste experience.

They had simple ingredients as well.  I love products that have simply ingredients. They satisfy your crunch craving and taste great. I was sampled bbq and salt and vinegar.

They really are a great guilt free treat and they are Canadian. And are probably one of the best healthy snack on the market today and Ive tried a lot.

“Created by a Canadian Mom who wanted a Better-For-You (BFY) snack for her family, SPOKES was born as a result of many years’ work refining product development and consumer research. We’re naturally curious, and are always experimenting with new things. With an emphasis on wholesome, naturally simple ingredients and great taste, we set out to create a delicious snack the whole family can love. The new brand is quickly gaining traction with extremely positive consumer response so far, and for good reason,” says Dave Pullar, CEO of Left Field Foods. “Selective about everything we do, we listened carefully to our customer. This is at the heart of our commitment to excellence and the driving force behind what we do every day – from sourcing simple, quality ingredients, to our product innovation and production processes, to ensuring consumer satisfaction – and above all, creating a naturally delicious taste experience for families to enjoy, without all the bad stuff,” says Pullar.

SPOKES air-puffed potato snacks typically retail $3.99 for a regular size bag, and are already available across Canada in most natural, conventional and independent grocery and drugstore retailers including: Whole Foods, Kardish, Goodness Me!, Planet Organic, Blush Lane, Safeway, Sobeys (Western Canada), Thrifty Foods, Metro (Quebec), London Drugs and Bed Bath & Beyond. For more information on where to find SPOKES, please visit spokes.ca

About Left Field Foods

Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Left Field Foods is a high-growth snack food company focused on helping savvy snackers eat and feel better, today and tomorrow. The company develops innovative, naturally delicious products with Great Taste from the Ground UpÔ that appeal to consumers’ growing preference for great tasting, Better-For-You (BFY) products made with naturally simple ingredients. For additional information, please visit: leftfieldfoods.ca

For more information visit www.spokes.ca

Hey Guys!

I was recently sent the Super Human Elite Post Recovery Formula to try. It can be found at: https://www.superhumanstrength.com/pages/recovery-protein-hydration-formula  

"Intense sports and workouts deplete your body of what it needs. It's because of this that we created our Recovery Formula. This formula will put the necessary protein, carbohydrates, amino acids, electrolytes and vitamins that your body wants after an intense workout or game. Our Recovery formula has been designed with intensity in mind."

As I was just beginning my prep I was able to try it. I also gave it to my boyfriend to try. The flavour that they sent us was "Crushed Berry."

My first impression was that the container was sharp looking and unique vs other brands and products. Its tall and slender and its very easy to see the writing on the packaging.

According to their website:

"Our Elite Series Recovery Protein Formula was created out of a need by strength coaches in professional sports. Due to many professional sports signing on to NSF Certification (This makes sure there are no banned substances in the products) strength coaches haven’t had a many choices for safe products to choose from that were also natural. SuperHuman Recovery is an NSF Certified for Sport product that has been formulated using natural ingredients to allow the body to recover from a high intensity workout and provide the body all of the protein, carbohydrates, amino acids, electrolytes and vitamins that it wants. This product carriers a Canadian Natural Product Number. (NPN)

This product is perfect for athletes and also non-athletes that just want to exercise. Many people have found that they not only feel less depleted after consuming the Recovery protein formula, but also feel less sore the next day.

This product has no artificial sweeteners or colors and you’ll be a bit shocked by how good and refreshing it tastes after a workout, game or any other strenuous exercise.

Fun Fact: We had a big debate over here at SuperHuman about the organic sugar in this product. Most of the market is moving towards no sugar much like our other products. However, for a recovery product, sugar is listed as a medicinal ingredient. After a workout, sugar is a proven method to help replenish that lost glycogen in muscles and help shuttle amino acids into the muscle cells, thus providing a true recovery. This type of recovery also helps cut down on muscle soreness and helps build and repair body tissues.

1156 grams(2.55 lbs) – 68.3 gram serving – 17 Servings

Recovery Elite Post Workout Formula by SuperHuman is a supplement that provides over 27g of pure New Zealand Whey Isolate protein, as well as 27g of our engineered carbohydrate matrix that includes; organic cane sugar, potato starch and pea starch, not to mention relevant doses of vitamins and minerals in each dose. Recovery contains unique ingredients that have been clinically proven to help restore and replenish energy.

Ingredients Include:

INGREDIENTS: New Zealand Whey Protein Isolate,
Organic Cane Sugar, Carb10 (Legume-based
starch derived from pisum sativum (peas)), Potato
Starch, Natural Flavour, Citric Acid, Taurine, Vitamin
& Mineral Blend (Vitamin A (Vitamin A Palmitate),
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin D2
(Ergocalciferoil), Vitamin E (dl-Alpha Tocopheryl
Acetate), Vitamin K (Phytonadione), Vitamin B1
(Thiamine Mononitrate), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin),
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine
Hydrochloride), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12
(Cyanocobalamin), Biotin, Pantothenic Acid
(Calcium D-Pantothenate), Potassium (Potassium
Citrate), Sodium (Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate),
Phosphorous (Tricalcium Phosphate, Magnesium
Phosphate), Calcium (Tricalcium Phosphate,
Calcium Lactate), Iron (Ferric Orthophosphate),
Iodine (Potassium Iodide), Magnesium (Magnesium
Phosphate), Zinc (Zinc Oxide), Copper (Copper
Gluconate)), Red Beet Powder (colour), Stevia Leaf
Extract, Sunflower Lecithin (as an emulsifier).

After a vigorous workout you must replenish your body with energy in the form of calories. By doing so, your body increases protein synthesis, replenishes glycogen and decreases protein breakdown. Where those calories come from is very important, that’s why a recovery protein shake is often the easiest and most convenient way to get the nutrients you need.

Post workout nutrition is based on the fact that certain nutrients are metabolized differently at different times of the day, specifically around times of exertion, i.e. your workout. Exercise sensitizes muscle tissue to certain hormones and nutrients, making muscles most responsive in a post workout window of anywhere from 30 minutes to 48 hours, depending on the work done. The macro-nutrients of focus are carbohydrates and protein. Carbs assist with replenishing glycogen, which is stored in muscle and is the main source of energy used in a lot of endurance sports. Replacing these stores has significant impact on subsequent performance levels, for both aerobic and anaerobic work. Protein, on the other hand, helps with building and repairing muscle. Exercise increases circulating catabolic hormones that break down glycogen and fat for fuel and can continue to break down muscle tissue, post exercise, if nutrient intake is compromised. Therefore, consuming a high glycemic carbohydrate, as well as a high quality protein, such as the ingredients found in SuperHuman Recovery, will help ensure that you’re properly re-fueling, replenishing, repairing and re-building, post workout.

SuperHuman Recovery Protein contains a unique combination of carbohydrates that that create a cascade effect of absorption into depleted muscle cells after intense exercise. All of these ingredients are natural and from the purest sources available."

For me personally I found it did not mix well with water and had kind of a grainy taste. Maybe I needed to mix it more. However, I was short on time so I did not get to do so.

I really like the fact that it is non GMO, gluten free and NSF. It does have a whey protein so be careful if you can't digest dairy because that means it is deprived from milk. Although the website claims that it has no artificial sweeteners Sucralose was named in the ingredient list along with sugar cane and potato starch. Despite these ingratiates all of the other ones make for a great post workout cocktail especially the fact that it does have an array of vitamins, taurine, L-Glutamine and magnesium among other great micronutrients for recovery. It states on the packaging that you should consume no later than 90 minutes after exercising. One thing I didn't like about the label is that it doesn't say how many calories a scoop is nor how many carbs and/or fat it contains. These are particularly important to me since I do watch my macronutrients as a bodybuilding figure athlete.

The product is manufactured in the USA but does state that it is a product of Canada. Which I find interesting.

Overall I think this is a decent post workout for an athlete that plays sports or a recreational gym goer looking to improve their recovery and health. The price is a little steep but thats because most of the ingredients seem to be high quality. You get what you pay for with this product.

Fast Facts on Sexual Assault from

In the wake of accusations against Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose, Harvey Weinstein and other powerful notable public figures from entertainment and politics, sexual assault is a hot topic in the news and on social media. Many argue that not enough is being done to protect women inspiring a “me too” campaign which has spread on social media inspiring women to share an incidence of inappropriate sexual advances. Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, is incredibly passionate about the topic given she sees the negative long-term consequences of sexualassault. In this open honest, Q&A Dr. Hafeez shares insights to offer clarity and help drive the conversation forward.

Who typically commits sexual abuse or assault.

Sexual abuse or assault is most commonly reported as being committed by a relative, a parent or a sibling. It can also be a close family friend. Such assaultusually takes place at home, and for years, goes unreported or unaddressed. Sexual assault can also take place in the workplace or with a work colleague outside of the office location. This is what we are seeing in the news as more and more people become comfortable coming forward.

It is important to note that sexual assault also occur in dating, committed relationships, even marriage. If one person feels uncomfortable and clearly declares their unease or fights a certain type of intimacy, it is assault if it is forced on them. Often, women ignore such assaults as just part of their relationship.

What is the mindset of the assailant? 

Opportunity, a sense of entitlement and oppression over the victim. They want to assert power over the victim. Partly it’s a pathology that leads people (often men) to coerce another person into a sexual act. It can be a form of control that someone feels they are lacking which drives them to dominate someone they perceive as weaker. It is definitely more psychological than physical, as the tactics are often based in domination, a sense of strength along with the satisfaction of ‘owning’ the victim.

What are the thoughts of the victim when it happens and after?

Typically, victims experience feelings of fear and guilt that they somehow helped precipitate it in some way. They also have a horrible sense of being bonded forever with the assailant in hiding the crime. They also experience rumination as they replay the event over and over leading to anxiety or depression, self-doubt and a sense of extreme vulnerability. They question their safety and ability to protect themselves.

Why do many people refrain from coming forward with an accusation?

Many fear persecution, losing family and loved ones, being 'tainted', not being believed and the “drama” of it all. They figure best to remain quiet as not to stir anything up. When it comes to the workplace, many fear losing their jobs or having their name linked to something scandalous. This is why they often remain silent. What we see currently in the news media is a momentum of more and more people coming forward because they see they will be protected once they do. We also see workplaces sticking to their core values as an organization regardless of how notable the accused is. The statement made by NBC after Matt Lauer’s firing went in this direction.

What are the key things women must do when assaulted and why are they so important?

First, report the assault immediately to if not family or close friend, the police. Stepping forward to police prevents it from happening again to you and to others. It's incredibly important to keep the evidence, clothes, texts, etc. seek medical and psychological treatment. Document everything. This is more difficult for children who may cope through playing or with drawing. Parents should pay close attention to what their kids express during play. Oftentimes children who are sexually abused feel anxious or frightened that "something bad will happen" if they tell a grown up. Kids become paralyzed with fear and then deny or bury the memory of the trauma. 

What should parents tell their children about inappropriate sexual advances from adults?

It is very important that parents make kids feel 100% safe should they ever have anything to share with parents. Having open discussions about their bodies so they understand what is and isn't appropriate is also key. Parents should tell their children that any contact that makes them feel uncomfortable is unacceptable and they should always tell their parent or a trusted adult. Kids must be empowered to be assertive and vocal to the adult making the advances. Finally, children should not feel pressured or forced to hug, kiss or be overly affectionate with anyone. 

What are long term ramifications if children do not speak up?

They learn that the behavior is either acceptable or become timid and afraid to address it. It shadows their lives in other ways as well. They may bury the incident only to later develop anxiety, addictions to alcohol, drugs or food. They may develop an eating disorder, engage in cutting, or other self-damaging behaviors. 

What are long term ramifications if adults don't speak up?

Trauma affects people of all ages. When adults keep the incident to themselves and try to forget it, it still lingers in their mind. Anything can trigger the memory or the feelings associated with it such as anxiety, fear and a general uneasiness. This may arise in intimate relationships where a person may be closed off sexually or emotionally without knowing why.

What is the treatment for moving past sexual assault? 

One form of therapy that has been extensively researched and proven to be effective for treating trauma such as sexual assault is EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and talk therapy helps heal. 

Does admitting it happened and seeing the accused brought to justice help the person get over their experience if so why? If not what else must they do to heal? 

Yes, many avoid the experience because if they admit it to the world then they have to admit it to themselves and relive it. In reality, having the accused brought to justice brings closure, hopefully a possibility that it won't happen to others but there's healing in the exposure. Exposure therapy is one of the best treatments for all trauma. 

What else would you like people to know about this subject?

That sexual assault exists a lot more than people think and would like to believe. Yes, there are some guidelines to what constitutes it, but there are some rules of thumb when it comes to children in particular. For example, a child cannot consent to any form of sexual activity, period. When a perpetrator engages with a child this way, they are committing a crime that can have lasting effects on the victim for years.

Child sexual abuse does not need to include physical contact between a perpetrator and a child. Some forms of child sexual abuse include: exhibitionism, or exposing oneself to a minor, masturbation in the presence of a minor or forcing the minor to masturbate, obscene phone calls, text messages, or digital interaction, producing, owning, or sharing pornographic images or movies of children, sex trafficking and other sexual conduct that is harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare.

Education is a must, to help spread awareness and teach both adults and children what is and is not appropriate. 

What are some ways parents can educate their children?

It all depends on the age, cognitive and developmental level of the child but at any age, a parent should try and instill some basics into their child about abuse. For instance; telling very small children or toddler about who can bathe them or touch their private parts, teach them to have a healthy body image but understand privacy. As they get older, allow children to explore developmentally but have them be aware of their rights, such as even not kissing grandma if they don't feel like it. Giving children that control allows them to understand the ownership over their bodies and realize its value. Explain as they get older what types of actions constitutes assault but always, at all ages, explain, that they need to tell a trusted adult when someone hurts or violates them.  

About the Doctor:

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD, a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. 

She can certainly provide answers to specific questions regarding the connection between grief and anxiety. Feel free to send them to me. 

Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.