Genuine Wellness
243 Main St N0M 2K0 Parkhill, ON, Canada

Trick or treat? In our case it’s all treats! Come check out our surprise grab bags, filled with over-stocked items at a discounted price! Plus, we may have thrown in a sample or two just for fun because, I mean, who doesn’t love an extra freebie? Grab bag minis are selling for $10 (approximate retail value $17) and regular grab bags are selling for $20 (approximate retail value of $32). ... Each bag is unique and the types of items included are food products, confectionary, and natural beauty care. First come, first serve! And just a reminder that Smart Solutions ( Lorna Vanderhaeghe) Win Your Way to Wellness contest is still on. Purchase any Smart Solutions product and upload your receipt by October 31, 2020 to enter. Prizes include a $5,000 relaxation getaway, fitness package, or nutrition package or 1 of 100 Smart Solution product bundles. Nothing would make me happier than to have one of you win!

For many of us, our thoughts are immersed in covid updates and how our lives have changed as a result. It's hard to avoid the daily covid reminders, but we have the choice to think positively or negatively. I'm not saying that we should ignore covid because it's unpleasant to think about. It's very important to be aware of what's currently happening.... Personally, I'd rather focus my thoughts on health, not sickness. I'd rather direct my energy towards happiness, gratitude, and care of other people. I still want to get covid updates so that I can make informed decisions, but I'd rather not dwell on the negative. Let's think about being healthy, prepared, resilient, nurturing, and respectful of others. Let's work together to stay positive and strong!

We have children's masks available for ages 6-10, made by a wonderful group of women at World Tailors in London, Ontario. We have an assortment of colours and patterns to choose from... it's been cute watching the children pick out which one they like the most!

$2 off select allergy supplements! Quercetin is a natural anti-histamine that helps reduce allergy symptoms and boost the immune system. Quercetin is also a powerful antioxidant that supports good health and reduces signs of aging caused by free radical damage.... Natural Factors Quercetin Complex includes grape seed extract, blood orange extract, turmeric, and coenzyme Q10 to help reduce inflammation and improve circulation. In comparison, Natural Factors Bioactive Quercetin EMIQ has 40 times greater absorption than regular quercetin and includes vitamin C. (Vitamin C works synergistically with quercetin). As a side note, I've read that a group of Canadian researchers are keen to study the effects of quercetin on covid 19. As reported by CBC, Dr. Michel Chretien (brother to Canada's former prime minister Jean Chretien) and a team of researchers began testing quercetin after the SARS outbreak and found success using quercetin in treating other viruses such as ebola. (report linked in comments) It was discovered quercetin can bind with proteins in certain viruses that interfere with the virus's ability to infect its host. It's hoped that quercetin may act similarly with covid 19 by blocking the virus from developing in the body. To be clear, Health Canada has not approved any treatments or cures for covid 19 to date. There are no published studies indicating that quercetin is effective against covid 19, but it is interesting that it's being considered for covid 19 research. To find out which allergy products are on sale until September 12, 2020, go to www.genuinewellness.ca, click on SHOP at the top of the page and then click on Allergies on the right hand side bar.

I recently came across a 2010 Harvard study that concluded eating an average of one daily serving of processed meat (such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, or luncheon meats) was associated with a with a 42% higher risk of heart disease and a 19% higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Whoa!! I did some research and discovered more recent studies that came to the same conclusion: processed meat poses a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Here are some theories as to why:... Processed meats contain nitrate preservatives that are harmful to the body. Nitrates form into nitrosamines that create oxidative stress and can contribute to insulin resistance. Processed meats are high in saturated and trans-fatty acids, which affects insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, a diet high in saturated fats can lead to obesity, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. On average, processed meats have 400% more salt per gram than unprocessed meats. Wow!! High dietary sodium increases blood pressure and can be a contributing factor to heart disease and diabetes. I imagine this type of study would be hard to conduct because there are so many other variables such as activity level, diet, weight, underlying health, and age. However, the final conclusion is that processed meats do present a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Iron is an important nutrient that helps carry oxygen in your red blood cells from the lungs to the rest of your body. Often, people who are low in iron feel extremely weak and fatigued. Extreme iron deficiency can result in anemia. Some other common symptoms of low iron may include: - shortness of breath - dizziness or light headedness - heart palpitations... - pale skin - dry skin and hair - cold hands and feet Many of these symptoms can easily be confused with other conditions such as under active thyroid, so it's essential to have your blood tested by your doctor if you suspect you have low iron. I don't recommend supplementing with iron unless your doctor has advised you to do so because too much iron in your system can damage your liver. There are many, many different iron supplements on the market to choose from with varying levels of quality and bioavailability to the body. Ideally, consider a high quality iron supplement that includes vitamin C as it enhances the absorption of iron. Folate and vitamin B12 can also be beneficial in supporting red blood cell formation. New Chapter fermented iron complex is a simple one-a-day, whole food based tablet that's gentle on the stomach. It's made with fermented organic vegetables and herbs making it more easily absorbed by the body and non-constipating. Available in store or online at www.genuinewellness.ca. @newchapterinc

Varicose veins occur when the blood pools in the veins due to poor circulation and causes the veins to swell. Typically, they affect more women than men. Sitting for long periods, or sitting with crossed legs can contribute to varicose veins. An important way to improve blood circulation is through regular exercise and movement. A couple key nutritients can also help improve varicose veins.... One key nutrient is coenzyme Q10, which increases circulation (and is also a beneficial antioxidant). Another key nutrient is citrus bioflavinoid, which helps strengthen the walls of the veins to help tone and protect them from swelling and stretching. (Citrus bioflavinoids can be helpful for hemorrhoids for the same reason.) Taking citrus bioflavinoids to treat varicose veins requires patience as it's not likely something that will provide noticeable improvement within a short time. Citrus bioflavinoids are found in the pulp, peel, and white pithy part of citrus fruit.It's tempting to peel off the white stringy parts from a segment of orange, but it has valuable nutrients if you don't mind the texture of eating it. @ Genuine Wellness - Healthy Living

Over 30 billion loads of laundry are done each year in North America.... that's a lot of plastic detergent containers going into the recycle bin and/or landfill! Tru Earth laundry strips offer a plastic-free alternative for doing your laundry. The strips are biodegradable and packaged in compostable cardboard sleeve. Plus, they take up a lot less space in your home compared to bulky liquid detergents. Tru Earth laundry strips work in all types of washing machines. Just add... a strip into your washing machine before adding your laundry. No measuring required! Each strip is ultra-concentrated, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly. They are free of parabens, phosphate, dyes, and chlorine bleach. Tru Earth's website states their light-weight strips can save the equivalent of taking 27 million cars off the road for a day in terms of truck fuel and CO2 compared to plastic jugs. Or, the equivalent of planting nine million trees. That's huge! Tru Earth laundry strips are now available at Genuine Wellness!

As we know all too well, life can change and change in a hurry. A singular virus has modified our daily lives, transformed our expectations and how we interact socially. Despite its challenges, coronavirus has also allowed us to pause and reflect. What can we do better/differently going forward? There's always room for improvement and there's no time like the present to get started!... This is not the time to put off your goals and dreams to wait for the "perfect" time. Make a plan and start today!

I was notified earlier today by the municipality that a bylaw was passed last night for North Middlesex that face coverings are now required in indoor public spaces (with some exceptions). It doesn’t come as a surprise, and I would say the majority of people I see are wearing masks anyways. As a retail business, we're required to put a sign up indicating face coverings are needed to enter, so you’ll see that on our door as a reminder.... In case you didn’t know, we do have cloth masks available for purchase. The masks have a cotton outer layer and moisture wicking cotton blend interior with soft elastic ear loops. Patterns are either blue/beige (pictured) or black/grey. Stay safe everybody!

Ever wonder why people who live in hot countries traditionally eat spicy foods? Countries such as Mexico, Thailand, India, Jamaica..... well, one of the reasons is that spicy food can help us feel cooler. Spicy foods make us sweat and perspiration helps cool us down. Eating spicy foods doesn't actually increase our body temperature, but it can trigger the brain to produce sweat. As sweat evaporates from the skin, it cools the body. It's like our own natural air-conditioning!

I just posted my first blog on the new website! It’s a recipe for garlic scape pesto, although if you don’t have garlic scapes, minced garlic works too. In past years I’ve tried to use garlic scapes in various recipes and was always disappointed. I always found garlic scapes a bit tough to chew. I finally learned not to use the woody bottom section of the scape and just the top softer part. Makes a big difference! The recipe is vegan and I increased the nutrition with some u...nexpected ingredients. Check it out and let me know what you think! https://www.genuinewellness.ca/garlic-scape-pesto/ @ Genuine Wellness - Healthy Living

Ninety-nine percent of the calcium from our diet is absorbed in the bones. The rest is in our blood. Calcium is needed for more than just strong bones. It's also needed for nerve function and it’s important to balance calcium and magnesium for blood pressure balance. An obvious sign of lack of calcium is osteoporosis, but muscle cramps can also indicate an imbalance of calcium/magnesium in the body.... It's possible to get enough calcium from your diet and still be deficient because your body is simply not absorbing it well. Perhaps due to poor digestion (not enough stomach acid) or lack of vitamin D. Dairy products typically provide good amounts of calcium, but for many people dairy can be difficult to digest. Obviously if you're not digesting dairy well, it's more difficult to absorb calcium from it. Additional dietary sources of calcium include sesame seeds (and tahini), salmon with bones, dark green leafy vegetables, and almonds. If you’re taking a calcium supplement for bone health, be sure it includes magnesium. I also like to see vitamin D in the formulation to support calcium absorption into the bones.