Canadian economy takes $7.1 billion hit annually due to pain, according to Global Pain Index

GSK study finds Canadians missing out on work and family time due to pain¹

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 21, 2017 /CNW/ - Body and head pain take a serious toll on the personal and professional lives of Canadians, according to a recent study by GSK. The Global Pain Index (GPI) examines the impact that pain has on people's lives, and found that Canadian workers lost an average of 1.8 working days due to body pain over the one-year survey period.² Two-thirds (66%) of workers suffering from body pain say they regularly work through their pain, which causes a detrimental effect on their performance,³ as well as a hit on the Canadian economy.

EFFECTS OF PAIN ARE FAR-REACHING
Most Canadians are affected by pain, with two-thirds (65%) of Canadians experiencing body pain on a weekly basis.⁴ Beyond the economic implications, the GPI identified that pain is holding Canadians back in their personal lives, affecting time spent with friends and family. What's worse, over half of the respondents (58%) agreed that they would be better parents without pain.⁵

"The GPI results describe what I see in my office. The effects of body and head pain experienced by patients go beyond physical symptoms," says Dr. Yvette Lu. "Patients are burdened by their pain and it's impacting relationships with loved ones, as well as their emotional health and well-being."

According to the GPI, pain has a significant emotional and social impact on Canadians, with a majority of body pain sufferers feeling worried or anxious (77%).⁶ Surprisingly, pain also affects sufferers' self-perceptions, with more than half reporting that their pain makes them feel older than they are (57%) and four in ten feeling unattractive when they are in pain (42%).⁷

GAP IN KNOWLEDGE OF PAIN MANAGEMENT
The study identified that while many Canadians are looking to non-prescription treatments to help manage their pain, it turns out that they don't know very much about the treatments they're using most often. The GPI found that only about one-third (31%) of Canadians are very or extremely knowledgeable about the potential risks associated with their medication,⁸ and only one in four (24%) report they know how it compares to other medications.⁹

Half of Canadians turn to oral pain treatments as a first method for treating their pain, and about 17% of patients look to treat pain with a cream or gel.¹⁰

"Patients are looking for solutions when it comes to managing pain," said Lu. "Most often, they grab a bottle of pills at the pharmacy, but there are also effective medicated topical options that work as anti-inflammatory pain relievers, reducing joint and muscle pain and helping to speed up the body's natural healing process, allowing sufferers to get back to doing the activities they love."

Visit www.GSK.com for further information on the Better for Everyone commitment and existing GSK initiatives to help reduce the impact of physical pain.

About Voltaren
Voltaren^®, part of GSK Consumer Health, is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever. Voltaren^® contains medicated topical gels that provide patients with the relief of pain associated with acute, localized minor muscle or joint injury. Voltaren^® is available in more than 130 countries worldwide. Diclofenac, the active ingredient, is one of the world's most widely-used pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medicines. It has been used effectively since the discovery of the agent in Switzerland 40 years ago. To learn more about pain and how to relieve pain effectively, go to www.global-pain-index.com.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include Voltaren Emulgel^®, Aquafresh^®, Sensodyne^®, and TUMS^® – which are trademarks owned by and/or licensed to GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies. These brands are successful in over 100 countries around the world because they all show our passion for quality, guaranteed by science. They are inspired by the real wants and needs of the millions of people who walk into pharmacies, supermarkets, market stalls and go on-line all over the world every day, and choose us first.

GlaxoSmithKline's goal is to build a global, growing business called Fast Moving Consumer Healthcare (FMCH), dedicated to everyday healthcare with all of the scientific expertise and quality guarantees that demands, working at the speed and with the genuine consumer understanding the modern world expects.

About GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK)
One of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information, please visit www.ca.gsk.com.

About the Global Pain Index
The Global Pain Index research was completed by Edelman Intelligence, a global insights and consultancy firm. Interviews were conducted online between 14 September and 2 November 2016 with controlled samples to ensure a nationally representative sample of the online population in each country surveyed (age, gender and region).

In total, Edelman Intelligence spoke to 19,000+ respondents in 32 markets (Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA). A minimum of 500 interviews were completed in all countries except in the US, UK, Germany, Sweden and Australia (1,000 interviews).

SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline Inc.

European doctors learn to access the heart from any approach with Baylis devices and expanded training program

SOURCE Baylis Médical

Crawford Street, Natural Skin Care, Opens NEW lab in Toronto

-- Protect your skin naturally this winter with these four NEW and all-natural products --

Crawford Street Natural Skin Care® reinvents itself, in the new Toronto lab, with a transformed line of skin care offering: plant-based, hi-end products in unique, efficient and environmentally friendly packaging. Crawford Street is well known and appreciated for its all-natural, high quality, and hypo-allergenic skin products. https://www.crawfordskincare.com/

Canadian winters can wreak havoc on the skin: windy, cold, dry outside temperatures combined with hot, dry or damp indoors conditions. Winter naturally invites relaxation, renewal and rejuvenation. Crawford Street welcomes winter with a NEW survival kit containing four new products including mineral baths, deodorant, body oil and cuticle oil - all in environmentally responsible glass packaging.

“I am excited about the new and all-natural formulas. Our customers want quality products, environmentally friendly options, catchy names and unique packaging. Crawford Street products work well and look beautiful on the shelf”, said Gaelyne Leslie, Founder of Crawford Street Skin Care.

Mineral Baths ($25): Soak away your winter blues with a relaxing mineral bath.

Crawford Street introduces three new mineral baths: Detox, Relax and Steam. Each contains high quality Dead Sea salts, and a carefully selected combination of therapeutic essential oils, to cleanse the body, unwind or soothe tired muscles.

Natural Deodorant ($10): A all-natural deodorant that works! Be prepared for everything winter throws: shovelling the drive, hitting the slopes or cozying up by the fire. When the heat is on, be prepared!

Crawford Street’s natural, HARD WORKING, deodorant cream contains a power packed combo of essential oils - all anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and deodorizing. It combines wetness absorbing cornstarch that will keep you smelling fresh all day! There is no aluminum, propylene glycol, phalates, or parabens but instead it contains beneficial botanical plant oils that deodorizes and kills bacteria. New scents include: Herbes de Provence inspired by the fields of Southern France; lavender essential oil, rosemary, marjoram, parsley and thyme creating a delightfully herbaceous scent, Woods, an earthy blend, includes cedarwood, juniper and clove, it’s a bit woodsy and a bit spicy but appeals to women as much as men. Think “Old Spice”!

Body Oil ($45): After a nice soak, indulge in a little self-care. The simple application of oil has an amazing effect on the body and the mind. Body oils offer an intensely hydrating treatment for the skin, as they help lock in moisture and are quickly absorbed into the deepest layers of the skin keeping it moisturized longer than any lotion.

Toning and Smoothing Cypress Body Oil is the perfect way to combat dry skin caused by the harsh winter elements.  Carefully selected essential oils, in a base of grapeseed oil, will gently detoxify congested layers of skin tissue, improving skin tone and texture, while at the same time deeply moisturizing the skin.

Cuticle Serum ($25): Hands and nails take a beating in the winter due to lack of humidity, dry and cold air, along with repeated polish changes during the holiday season.  Serums don’t need to be limited to just the face. This luxurious Cuticle Serum, infused with Rose Otto and Borage Oil, delivers a deeply protein-rich treatment that will keep your cuticles healthy and soft, and it also smells divine!

ABOUT THE BRAND & FOUNDER

Crawford Street Skin Care was founded in 2010 after owner Gaelyne Leslie had a severe allergic reaction to a commercial brand of face moisturizer. Her background as an investigative journalist led her to research the long list of ingredients in her moisturizer and the whole experience left her horrified, she having extremely sensitive skin.  As a result, she started to experiment with natural ingredients, eventually coming up with a moisturizer that was not only 100 percent natural, but it really worked! Friends noticed her glowing, smooth skin and soon she was whipping up cream for them too.

As a journalist, Gaelyne was committed to quality, integrity and education. She brings this same commitment to her skin care line. “I believe that what you put on your body is as important as what you put in it. And what is left out, is as important as what is mixed in.”

Every ingredient included in the product is carefully researched and chosen for its unique properties. Gaelyne is always looking for the best plant-based ingredients she can find for her customers. She always chooses fair-trade, sustainable and organic ingredients when available.

Today Crawford Street Skin Care products are produced in small batches in our laboratory on Crawford Street in Toronto. We take special care to ensure that each product arrives to you as fresh as possible.

Crawford Street Skin Care products are 100% natural. They are free of petrochemical derivatives, such as mineral oil and petroleum, PEGs, Parabens, DEA, Sodium Laurel Sulphate, artificial dyes and fragrances, chemical preservatives.

New Guide Shows How Sleep Revitalizes the Soul

Dita Wegman reveals insight on how to interpret dreams

LAC-SIMON, Ottawa. (Oct. 30, 2017) – Humans spend almost one third of their life asleep, and yet, hardly any thought is given to this vital task. Dita Wegman gives testament based on natural law, that the true value and beneficial nature of sleep has been forgotten.

Wegman asserts that sleep provides more than just physical and mental nourishment, but also provides spiritual and soul revitalization. Now, she explores the interplay between sleep, dreams and the soul in “Treasures of Sleep: Connect with the Universe and Nourish Your Soul.” It covers what the soul gathers from the cosmos and why we must sleep.

“Treasures of Sleep” emphasizes the difference between resting and sleeping. Wegman explores why we need sleep and promotes the fact that every human being’s core of is existence is their individual Spirit, which many refer to as their Soul. She states we have to separate the Spirit from the mind and that the Soul and Spirit has to be nourished and recharged while we sleep, since the brain assigned for daytime activity is at rest. Additionally, she showcases sleep as the source of nourishment that is essential for every living form on earth under Creation-law to maintain health, happiness and overall well-being.

The book also enlightens readers about dream interpretations, the work of the great astronomer and physician Nostradamus, and how the stars and planets communicate in a silent language of nature symbols seen during sleep and prophetic messaging.  She uses Nostradamus’ fundamental work of intuitively perceived images, which are referred to as “dreams,” to contrast the mind-produced images that interrupt sleep and disturb a good night’s sleep. The book guides readers on how to achieve the desired REM sleep, which is the state of the “deep sleep,” and states we must enter it every night to be recharged and have the energy for a new day.

“Sleep is not only for when we are tired,” Wegman said. “It is a natural component that keeps every form of life on the planet in balance. Treasures of Sleep shows you the how to get the most out of your time sleeping and rejuvenate your entire being.”

For more information, please visit www.TreasuresofSleep.com, www.ditawegman.com or www.nostradamusdreams.com.

FEED Your Gut with Genuine Health’s fermented organic gut superfoods+

November 15, 2017 (Toronto, ON): The health of our entire body depends on one thing: how happy and healthy our gut microbiome is. Our microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms that influence not only our digestion, but also our mood, immunity, and even body composition! As the experts in gut health, Genuine Health understands the importance of a healthy, thriving microbiome and has developed the ULTIMATE nourishment for gut microbes with its NEW fermented organic gut superfoods+.

For the past 25 years, Genuine Health has established itself as a global leader in superfoods, fermentation and the microbiome, and has created its very own PRIME, SEED and FEED approach. With these three easy steps, individuals can keep their gut microbiome on its best behaviour. PRIME the gut with fermented nutrition, SEED the gut with the healthiest live microbes, and FEED the microbes with the ultimate nourishment to keep them happy.

How do you keep your gut microbes happy? PREBIOTICS! We need to eat not only to nourish ourselves but to nourish our microbiome. Prebiotics can also help to produce beneficial short chain fatty acids, improve gut function, help digestion and enhance mineral absorption. But, for many people with digestive issues, most prebiotics can lead to digestive discomfort. The most common type of prebiotic on the market today is made from inulin, which can irritate the gut lining, and may even feed both “good” and “bad” bacteria, and can lead to gas and bloating.

Enter fermented organic gut superfoods+, the ultimate prebiotic gut superfood with a 1-2-3 punch. It includes 21 phytonutrient-rich superfoods, easy-to-tolerate prebiotic fibre, and is fully fermented, all which intensifies the strength of the nutrients, and helps to encourage the growth of “good” bacteria. 1. Phytonutrients are plant nutrients and polyphenols are the best-known class of phytonutrients that provide benefits throughout the body. Each of the ingredients in fermented organic gut superfoods+ were carefully chosen for its high polyphenol content. 2. The rich source of prebiotic fibre is VitaFiber, which is easy-to-tolerate and helps to encourage the growth of good bacteria. 3. fermented organic gut superfoods+ is fully-fermented improving gut microbial profile and increasing the anti-inflammatory properties of phytonutrients by 20%!

“The new fermented organic gut superfoods+ is extremely rich in polyphenols - twice that of even the healthiest mix of a 2-dozen-ingredient salad, and it has the advantage of having the polyphenols microbially transformed pre-consumption through traditional fermentation.” – Dr. Alan Logan, ND, FRSH

fermented organic gut superfoods+ is available in unflavoured and unsweetened (stevia-free), Summer Berry & Pomegranate, and Orange Ginger. 21-day - $59.99, and 7-day servings – $24.99. fermented organic gut superfoods+ can be found at your local health food, grocery and drug retailers. Visit www.genuinehealth.com to find a store near you.

About Genuine Heath

For 25 years, Genuine Health has been making natural supplements that people are passionate about because they work. Founder and CEO Stewart Brown’s love for natural health started early in life when he suffered with health issues and found solutions through holistic modalities and supplements. Upon opening his own chain of natural supplement stores, he witnessed first-hand how some products worked and some didn’t for his customers. He then collaborated with Sam Graci, the formulator of greens+, and experienced the amazing effects of taking a product that makes a real difference to your health. Today, Genuine Health has over 170 products sold in both Canada and the US, and is focused on empowering people to live life with passion by embracing natural health products that improve their lives – every day!

Deep dive into lung cancer genomics offers new lens and lease on life

VANCOUVER, Nov. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - When Joe Biegel was told he had advanced cancer, he was shocked. At 57, the Vancouver father of two was active and a non-smoker. After returning to his doctor when a persistent chest cold got worse, Joe had an X-ray that confirmed the diagnosis. "My world changed," he says.

Surgery wasn't an option. But tissue biopsies revealed cell mutations susceptible to specific drugs and that set him on a more personalized chemotherapy treatment path. His BC Cancer oncologist, Dr. Janessa Laskin, also enrolled him in the Personalized Onco-Genomics (POG) program. It identified an RNA defect, which may have played a role in how he developed lung cancer, and showed a high probability that his cancer would respond very well to a specific late-stage chemotherapy drug.

"Joe's situation is a perfect example of why we need projects like POG to take us to the next level of innovation and discovery in cancer care, to uncover new treatment options with the best technology in the world," says Dr. Laskin, Senior Scientist and Medical Oncologist, BC Cancer. "The POG program is doing that right here in BC."

Genome British Columbia (Genome BC) has committed $2 million to the BC Cancer Foundation for the POG program. This translational research initiative will generate genomic information in conjunction with real-time treatment planning for patients with metastatic cancers. Including whole genome analysis in clinical decision-making allows for the rational, data driven development of strategies to treat severe and metastatic cancers, and identify clinical trials that patients may benefit from. This will potentially lead to more effective and personalize therapeutic options that are rooted in the latest knowledge and technology.

Joe says POG results offered options and optimism for the future. For now, he continues to focus on the present. Today, almost two years after his diagnosis, having also done some standard treatment, Joe takes one pill a day that is so far managing the cancer well.

The investment made by Genome BC towards POG will help sustain the program and focus on addressing issues that have emerged as the program has matured. These include incorporation of proteomic data and related bioinformatics into POG to enhance results from the whole genome analysis. Health economics research and assessments will also be conducted, enabling more successful implementation of POG research outcomes into clinical care.

"POG is a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment and it should become the standard of care in our province," says Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President, Sectors, at Genome BC. "Genomic technology is evolving rapidly, and POG is optimizing cutting-edge science to move it into clinical care quickly and effectively."

"BC Cancer Foundation's partnership with Genome BC is an important investment in one of the world's leading cancer trials," says Sarah Roth, BC Cancer Foundation President and CEO. "Together our two organizations propel cutting-edge cancer research programs to the next stage."

This investment is valued at $2 million and was funded through Genome BC's Strategic Initiatives program. For more information on Genome BC's funding programs, visit genomebc.ca.

About Genome British Columbia:
Genome British Columbia leads genomics innovation on Canada's West Coast and facilitates the integration of genomics into society. A recognized catalyst for government and industry, Genome BC invests in research, entrepreneurship and commercialization in life sciences to address challenges in key sectors such as health, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, agri-food, energy, mining and environment. Genome BC partners with many national and international public and private funding organizations to drive BC's bioeconomy. In addition to research, entrepreneurship and commercialization programs, Genome BC is committed to fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among teachers, students and the general public. www.genomebc.ca

SOURCE Genome British Columbia

Excess Acidity Finally Meets Its Match!

Mineral-Rich Multiforce Powdered Supplement Treats Lactic Acid Build-Up Associated With Muscle Fatigue & Strenuous Exercise; Helps Prevent, Minimize Acid-Related Gout, Osteoarthritis & Uric Acid                                       

Proprietary Blend of 100% Natural, Gluten-Free Ingredients Offers Safe & Proven Complete Body Solution for Athletes & Active Consumers Seeking Healthier Balance Between Acid & Alkaline  

SARASOTA, FL., November 17, 2017 – Representing one of the greatest ironies in personal wellness today, millions of athletes and fitness devotees who watch every bite they eat are being challenged by the very same culprit affecting those who regularly consume processed foods, salty snacks and sugary desserts. Their shared enemy? Excess acidity.

Consider this: if you’re a serious athlete, “weekend warrior,” or an active consumer who values the life-affirming benefits of strenuous regular exercise, it’s likely you’ve experienced the muscle discomfort and fatigue often associated with lactic acid build-up. Conversely, if you follow the typical “Western diet” that’s low in fruits and vegetables and find it difficult to resist foods you know aren’t good for you, it’s likely you’ve experienced such excess acid-induced health issues as gout, uric acid, heartburn, joint pain, chronic fatigue, osteoarthritis and many more.

Fortunately, however, whether you’re a fitness junkie, a junk food junkie or some combination of the two, help is here at last!

Introducing Multiforce (www.multiforcehealth.com), a globally-popular multi-mineral powdered supplement newly available in America that’s already helped millions around the world not only to treat but in many cases to prevent the development of excess acidity resulting from extreme workouts or poor diet. Featuring a breakthrough blend of 100% natural, gluten-free, vegetarian and clinically-proven essential natural minerals such as Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Calcium, Multiforce helps your body re-calibrate its pH balance between acid and alkaline so you can feel your best in the fastest and most comprehensive manner possible.

The Growing Need To Cut Excess Acidity Down To Size                

With more Americans than ever before embracing extreme sports and demanding workouts, and with the majority of us still favoring processed foods over nutritious fruits and vegetables, we’ve achieved perfect storm-level conditions for making excess acidity one of today’s most problematic health concerns. And when it comes to diet, it’s not just the obvious foods we need to be wary of: even seemingly healthier food staples as dairy products, animal protein and even low-sugar cereals are responsible for generating acid-forming chemicals in our body that over time can lead to muscle fatigue, slow down muscle recovery and cause many of the troubling health issues mentioned above.

Multiforce To The Rescue!                                                                                                                                                                 

Specifically formulated to treat the causes of various health issues associated with excess acidity and not just their symptoms, Multiforce makes use of the citrate form of minerals which are able to neutralize three acid molecules and are much more easily absorbed by the body. This is what makes Multiforce so effective. In addition, unlike traditional treatments for excess acidity on the market, Multiforce works systemically from head to toe as opposed to just zoning in on one select part of the body. What’s more, Multiforce doesn’t rely on digestion to be absorbed – thus ensuring consumers won’t face the stomach discomfort or nausea often associated with mineral supplements.

A natural alkaline powder that’s safe, proven and incredibly easy to use (just mix a teaspoon of powder with water), Multiforce is ideal for virtually anyone anxious to tackle the acid-based causes of muscle fatigue, gout, uric acid, joint pain, chronic fatigue and osteoarthritis (please find a clinical study showcasing Multiforce’s effectiveness in dealing with this condition at www.multiforcehealth.com/new-hope-for-osteoarthritis-sufferers).

Multiforce is offered in three flavors: Natural Lemon Flavor; Natural Mango Flavor; and Naturally Unflavored. All three are sold on thewww.multiforcehealth.com site for $29.99 (a free two-week supply is also available at www.multiforcehealth.com/free-sample.html), other online sites and in a growing range of retail stores in Florida (with other states to follow soon).

The Science Behind Multiforce                                                                                                                                                                                      

Body acids are neutralized through various buffering systems in the body, but for these systems to properly maintain the perfect pH balance, sufficient alkaline mineral compounds are required – the very same minerals (including Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium) typically found in fruits and vegetables.

In order to maintain this ideal balance, nutritionists suggest we eat seven to ten servings of fruits and vegetables as well as drink two liters of water daily. Since that represents a tall order for almost all of us, the solution is simple: let Multiforce’s alkalizing blend of multi-minerals supplement your body’s nutrients, replenish these life-balancing minerals and, over time, reduce the symptoms caused by over-acidity completely.

Check out these alarming facts to see just how prevalent exceed acidity really is:

• Coffee – far more acidic than tap water

• Sodas – contain corrosive acid  

• Animal Protein – can form uric acid

• Sugary Desserts & Salty Snacks – linked with increased obesity

A Commitment to Balanced Health                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Commenting on Multiforce’s longstanding mandate to help offset the conditions associated with excess acidity, Garth Woolley - CEO of Multiforce parent company SANP International LLC - said, “Anyone coping with muscle issues or with the numerous concerns stemming from excess acidity can rest assured we’ve gone to great lengths over many years to create the most potent and effective all-natural solution offered directly to consumers today. We’re heartened by the highly enthusiastic response Multiforce has already received from consumers and retailers in the U.S. and look forward to helping countless more people eliminate the corrosive effects of acid in their lives over the years ahead.”

For more information about Multiforce, visit www.multiforcehealth.com; to read a clinical study about the brand’s efficacy, visitwww.multiforcehealth.com/new-hope-for-osteoarthritis-sufferers.

4 Reasons A Great Meal Is About How You Eat – Not What You Eat

Everyone knows it’s important to eat the right foods to live a long and healthy life, but many of us fall short of that ideal.

We eat on the run, pulling into a drive-through and scarfing down a hamburger on the way to the next appointment. We grab a candy bar at the grocery checkout and munch it on the way to the car.

And somewhere along the line we realize that just as you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can’t judge food by its taste, says Jane Bernard, an educator and author of Lucid Living in the Virtual Age (www.sensualthinking.com).

“We know that taste can be misleading, at least when it comes to what’s best for us,” she says. “People love donuts, but they don’t make a nutritious breakfast. Spinach isn’t popular with many people – especially children – but it’s beneficial to our health in many ways.”

But for Bernard, a great meal is less about what you eat than how you eat it. She advocates something she calls “intuitive eating” that’s aimed at improving every dining experience – and perhaps making for a healthier diet along the way.

“Intuitive eating is deceptively simple,” Bernard says. “Focus on one meal at a time to get the most pleasure and nutrition from your food. Notice what you see, smell and taste. Check in with your body to see if you’re really hungry – because sometimes we keep eating when it’s actually time to stop.”

Although you might find yourself shedding a few pounds, intuitive eating isn’t necessarily about losing weight, she says. It’s about getting more pleasure out of your meals – and getting more pleasure from the people you have meals with.

Bernard suggests a few exercises that can help turn you into an intuitive eater:

• Smell food before putting it in your mouth. Nearly everyone has memories tied to the aroma of food. Perhaps it’s your mother baking cookies on Christmas Eve. Perhaps it’s hamburgers sizzling on a backyard grill. With most meals, people don’t take the time to savor the aroma, Bernard says.   Does it smell inviting? Greasy? Fresh? Bad? “If the food doesn’t smell right, it isn’t,” Bernard says. “Let your nose protect you and help guide choices.”
• Taste food as you chew. You may think you already do this, but too often people don’t really take time to enjoy the taste, Bernard says. They wolf down their food so they can move on to whatever is next on their agenda. Tasting food helps your body relax and digest more efficiently, she says. Tasting and savoring what you eat also is good for overall health.
• Be thankful for your meal. Giving thanks doesn’t have to be limited to Thanksgiving. “Think about what food is giving you: energy, strength, health, nourishment and pleasure,” Bernard says. “If you take a little time to meditate on that, your body will relax and you will get more nourishment from your food.”
• Give your stomach time to inform your brain. It takes 15 minutes before your brain gets the message from your stomach that you’ve eaten. That’s no doubt one reason people over eat. They don’t give their body time to get the message that they are getting full before gulping down even more food. “Take time to have conversations when you eat and you will eat less – and enjoy the meal more,” Bernard says.

“Eating is a necessity of life,” Bernard says. “But there’s no need to rush things. Eat just enough to feel good and trust that hunger will return and another meal will be found.”

About Jane Bernard

Jane Bernard, author of Lucid Living in the Virtual Age (www.sensualthinking.com) and other books, is a philosopher and educator who writes and teaches about intuition and sensual thinking. She has appeared on TV and international radio, talking from the intuitive perspective. Jane introduced her first book, Fine Tuning, on The Montel Williams Show, in 2006.  Her easy-going combination of common sense and originality is a natural eye-opener.