By Design Holistic Health

Shinrin-yoku ("taking in the forest atmosphere, or forest bathing"), or nature therapy, has been studied extensively by the Japanese government Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan. It has been scientifically established that walking in the forest can reduce blood pressure and heart rate, reduce stress and anxiety by reducing levels of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol, improve cognitive function, and increase production of NK (natural killer) cells strengthening our immune system.

A 15 minute walk is all that is needed to produce positive effects for stress and relaxation, and a longer walk (1 hr or more) strengthens our immune system with effects lasting 1 week to 1 month later.

Forest environments affect humans via the five senses, providing stimulation of various senses, such as vision (scenery), olfaction (smell of wood), audition (sound of running streams or the rustle of leaves), tactile sensation (feel of the surfaces of trees and leaves).

Take off your headphones, put away your cell phones, breathe deep and enjoy the sights, sounds, and aromas of our local forest and park trails, for a free health therapy that reduces stress and anxiety and improves your immune health!

Green Timbers park, Surrey; Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver

It’s tomato season! This is my beautiful Heirloom Zebra Tomato. So sweet and delicious!

Tomatoes of all types and varieties contain the antioxidant Lycopene, which may be protective against reproductive cancers like prostate and ovarian cancers. The lycopene in tomatoes needs to be combined with a fat for the body to be able to use it.

A fresh tomato salad with olive oil dressing, or tomatoes and avocado or your favourite marinara sauce made with EVOO are delicious ways to get plenty of this valuable nutrient! 😋

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4616444/

Okanagan peaches, BC coast foraged blackberries, lightly sweetened with B.C. honey, on gluten free vegan crepes!
Mmmm breakfast 😋

Those beautiful rich, dark colours speak of powerful cancer fighting and immune boosting antioxidants.

Eat in season! Eat local!