SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder is common in regions that experience short days and long nights for extended periods of time, like we do here in Canada. Scientists have found that exposure to natural light contributes significantly to how good we feel during the long winter months.

Natural Light is divided into colors and how well we perceive those colors plays an important role in the way we feel. Described as the closest thing to Natural Daylight, the innovative Chromalux Full Spectrum Bulb represents a major step forward in indoor lighting technology.

The Chromalux Full Spectrum bulb has its origin in Finland, Land of the Midnight Sun, where life must be sustained in almost total darkness for six months of the year. Extensive research and testing have resulted in the design of this unique light source, which not only illuminates, but also duplicates the characteristics of Natural Daylight.

Chromalux bulbs can be screwed into regular light fixtures for their pleasing effect; and for therapeutic benefits make sure to have them shining on exposed skin from no more than 3 feet away. It is suggested that occasional glances at the light may further increase the light’s hormone balancing benefits.

Chromalux bulbs - which can be found at P’Lovers and at Super Natural - are excellent for readers, computer users, artists and craftsmen, and all others who value their eyes, due to the fact that there is no ‘yellow’ glare leading to an increase in the sharpness and definition of lines and words.

Do you want to have your sprouts and (feel safe enough to) eat it too? You can with the help of sprouting kits.

Sprouted seeds and legumes are very rich sources of nutrients ranging from minerals and vitamins to enzymes and chlorophyl. Many books have been written on the benefits of eating fresh sprouts. Barley and wheat sprouts are connected to fighting chronic diseases and conditions such as cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, graying hair etc. Sprouted legumes (aside from being great in salads and stir fry’s) are known for being energizing without causing gas.

So if you are looking for a fun way to bring organic, fresh and safe sprouts to your home at a fraction of the cost of buying the limited varieties available at your local grocery store then get yourself a sprouting kit. The kind I recommend is made in Canada by Biosta and it has three trays that can be used for sprouting different varieties of seeds simultaneously, or -if you wish - each tray can be started a day or two later than the next with the same variety of your favourite seed or bean to make sure you have an uninterrupted supply of sprouts all the time. The Biosta trays stack on top of each other, saving precious space in your home or office.

I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t love to have their feet rubbed. Our feet are full of reflex areas that can be very sore. These sore areas on the feet correspond to and give signals to other parts of the body causing pain and stress.

When the feet are massaged, we feel pain, tickling, and pleasure and of course almost total body relaxation.

What is new at the health food store this fall is the Reflex-Roller power foot massager.

The Reflex-Roller combines rolling and kneading motions to effectively massage the soles and the sides of the feet. The kneading action on the Reflex-Roller can also be used on your back while you sit at your desk or at home on the couch.

I recommned this foot massager because it can be used at work without taking any of your time and since it operates on electricity you can be totally relaxed while your feet are getting the rub of their life.

This is not new but most health nuts in Atlantic Canada don’t know about it. The Champion Juicer is the answer to every juicing need, since it operates on the mastication process. The Champion chews the fibers and breaks up the cells of vegetable and fruits to give you more fiber, enzymes, vitamins and trace minerals. The juice from the Champion is darker, richer, sweeter and remains fresh longer than juices from other juicers.

In the past 10 years I have had only one complaint about the juicer, and that from a customer whose Champion refused to turn on since he had forgotten to place the safety screen on. Needless to say, that problem was solved over the phone.

- Nemat Sobhani