Health Works Chiropractic & Wellness Centre

11/21/2025

Rose hips are the fruit, or seed pods, that come from various types of rose plants. When spent flowers remain on rose bushes, the plants produce small, edible, 1/2-inch berry-sized seed balls left on the tips of the stems. Most growers tend to prune the faded rose blossoms down to the next stem node to encourage more blooms, so the hips are not often seen. The fruits are ornamental, and look like small red or orange crabapples, but may ripen to purple or black in the late summer and fall, to the delight of birds who enjoy eating them. Read on to learn how easy it is to harvest rose hips to make tea, jelly, and more.
Benefits and Uses of Rose Hips
Both rose hips and rose petals are edible, and rose hips are considered healthy. All roses should produce hips, though rugosa roses—native shrub rose species—are said to have the best-tasting hips. These hips are also generally the largest and most abundant, and typically used for the following:
Jellies and syrups
Sauces, soups, and seasonings
Fruit leather
Rose hip tea
Warning
Don't use rose hips from plants treated with a pesticide not labeled for use on edibles. If you're unsure, it's best to avoid using pesticides if you plan to consume the hips.
How to Harvest Rose Hips
Time the Harvest and Hip Removal
The best time to harvest your rose hips is after the first light frost has nipped the leaves and before you experience a hard frost that freezes the hips. Light frost helps sweeten the flavor.
Waiting until after a frost is also suitable for the plant, since cutting the hips before frost could encourage the rose to send out new growth that will be killed back at the next frost.
The hips should appear firm and have good color. Typically, rose hips are red or orange at maturity. Leave shriveled or dried rose hips on the plants for the birds to enjoy; they won't be as tasty and may be too mushy to pick. To remove the hips:
Don garden gloves to avoid being pricked by the thorns on the rose canes.
Pluck fully ripe hips off the rose canes or clip them off with a knife or scissors.
Clean the Hips
Trim off the stem and blossom end from the hip. Hold the hip securely and slice it in half. You can do all this trimming with scissors if the hips are too small to use a knife.
Remove the Seeds
You can use whole, fresh rose hips, but the seeds inside have an irritating, hairy covering, so removing the seeds before eating is best. Cut the hips in half and manually scoop out the seeds. You don't need to remove the seeds if you're making jelly.
Rinse, Process, and Store the Hips
Thoroughly rinse off the rose hips by running water over them in a colander. The hips can be used immediately or dried, or frozen to be stored for future use.
Tip
For the most healthful impact, use rose hips when they are fresh. Drying rose hips causes them to lose most of their vitamin C.
Edible Uses for Rose Hips
Two common ways to use and preserve rose hips are for jelly and tea.
Rose Hip Jelly
Rose hips can be cooked to extract the juice for jams and jellies. The juice can be strained and used immediately or frozen for up to a year. When making jelly, rose hips are often mixed with other fruits, such as apples or cranberries.
Remove the blossom remnants and stems from the rose hips to extract the juice to make jelly.
Wash the hips in cool water.
Add the rose hips to a pan, cover with water, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Cool, then strain through a cheesecloth into a container. One pound of rose hips equals about 2 cups of juice.
Tip
Rose hip juice can also be used to flavor cocktails, mocktails, and as a refreshing, tart drink when you add a few tablespoons of the juice to cold water.
Rose Hip Tea
To dry rose hips for tea, spread them out over baking trays and dry them in an oven or dehydrator set to 110°F until the hips are dry and brittle. When completely dry, store them in airtight jars.
For fresh rose hip tea, steep four to eight rose hips in a cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Don't use aluminum pans or utensils that could discolor the hips; aluminum also affects vitamin C absorption from rose hips. Stainless steel is fine.
To make dried rose hip tea, you will need about half as many rose hips (two to four in this case) as if you were using fresh ones.
Tip
If you want to try out the flavor of rose hips but don't have any in your garden or aren't up to all the seeding and prep work involved, rose hip tea is widely available in many grocery stores.
FAQ
Can you eat rose hips from any rose?
The rose hips from all types of roses are edible. Just ensure they haven't been treated with any pesticides.
Are rose hips safe to eat raw?
Rose hips are safe to eat raw. However, you'll want to remove the itch-producing hairs surrounding the seed first.
What do rose hips taste like?
Rose hips have a floral, slightly sweet, and tart flavor. They are similar in tartness to citrus.
When should you harvest rose hips?
The best time to harvest rose hips is in the fall, shortly after the first frost. Some believe that the cold weather causes the sugars to concentrate, making rose hips sweeter.
What is the best way to process rose hips?
One of the easiest ways to process rose hips is by drying them. You can dry them in the sun, in the oven, or a dehydrator. You can dry rose hips whole, though whole rose hips will take longer to dry out fully.

Thespruce.com

11/14/2025

Registered Massage Therapy for infants has a variety of benefits. The benefits are as follows:
Improved Circulation: Gentle massage strokes stimulate blood flow promoting better circulation and oxygenation of tissues, which can aid in growth and development.

Enhanced Digestion: Massage can alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort by promoting better digestion and bowel movements. Techniques like "bicycle legs" and gentle belly rubs can provide relief for infants experiencing digestive issues.

Pain Relief: Infant massage can reduce pain and discomfort associated with medical procedures, teething, and muscular tension. The release of endorphins during massage helps soothe and comfort the baby.

Boosted Immunity: Regular massage can stimulate the lymphatic system, helping to strengthen the infant’s immune system and reduce the risk of infections.

Relaxation and Sleep: Massage promotes relaxation by reducing stress hormones (cortisol) and increasing levels of relaxation hormones (oxytocin), leading to improved sleep patterns and overall better rest for the infant.

Neurological Development: Sensory stimulation through touch is crucial for the development of the nervous system. Infant massage enhances neural connections, supporting cognitive and motor development.

If your baby is fussy, does not sleep regularly, or is not feeding properly; massage could be the answer for you.

Sandhya is a certified RMT and PT certified in infant massage. Call 705-526-6900 to book an appointment.

11/12/2025

Why we do what we do:
To inspire acts of kindness. We believe kindness can have a positive impact on individuals and society as a whole.
To improve mental health and well-being. Research has shown that performing acts of kindness can have a positive impact on mental health. By performing acts of kindness, one can reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
To foster community connections. The RAK Foundation believes that communities can grow when connections are created and strengthened through kindness. People have a stronger sense of belonging and social cohesion when they are connected through kindness.
To provide opportunities for service. We believe that serving others through random acts of kindness can be a powerful way to cultivate feelings of empathy and compassion. Offering resources that encourage people to serve others promotes a sense of selflessness and responsibility.
To create a ripple effect. We know that every small act of kindness can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to be kind.
To create a sense of belonging. The foundation believes that we can help people feel more connected to their community and promote a sense of belonging through our three areas of focus.
To inspire change. We believe every act of kindness has the potential to inspire positive change in the world.
Here are some ideas on how you can participate in World Kindness Day:

Visit a senior and deliver a kind surprise
Donate a book to a library
Be a friend to a lonely neighbour
Cook a meal for someone who is struggling
Celebrate someone you love
Hide handmade bookmarks at your local library
Donate used towels or blankets to a shelter
Donate blood
On November 13th try to perform at least one act of kindness or better yet try to do as many as you can.

Random Acts Of Kindness Foundation

11/11/2025

11/10/2025

This simple move will help loosen up your back, hips, and core before you exercise or anytime you feel tight.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hands on hips.
Move your hips in a clockwise circle (forward, right, back, left), making larger circles as your muscles warm up.
Continue for 30 seconds, and then repeat in the opposite (counterclockwise) direction.

11/07/2025

For the month of November the Hydro therapy bed will be 50% off. Hydro therapy has many health benefits and all you have to do is lay there and enjoy. Call 705-526-6900 to book an appointment.

11/03/2025

There's a good reason why people rake leaves off the lawn in fall. Ignoring them and allowing them to stay on the grass all winter invites fungal diseases. But that doesn't mean the only solution is leaf removal.
Another option is to mulch the leaves, which has the added benefit of boosting your lawn's soil. Sounds simple, right? But the devil is in the details. Here are the tips you need to turn those troublesome leaves into free fertilizer.
Why You Can Leave Leaves on the Lawn If You Mulch Them
When you ignore the leaves that fall on your grass and let them lie there all winter, they mat down over time. The bigger the leaves (such as red oak tree leaves), the bigger the problem. Matted leaves form a coating that impedes air circulation. Without proper circulation, harmful fungi have an optimal environment for invading your lawn.
But when you mulch a leaf, you reduce its surface area, minimizing the potential for matting. The smaller you can make it, the better.
The goal is to grind down each leaf into fine particles. Such particles, rather than matting down, will permeate down into the soil.
Do I Need a Mulching Mower?
Mulching mowers are designed to chew up grass blades into fine particles. Using a mulching mower allows you to leave grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. But a mulching mower also does a great job of grinding up leaves. So you may wonder if you have to own a mulching mower to turn leaves into fertilizer.
While you don't need a mulching mower for this task, it certainly helps to have one. It takes more work, but you can also do the job with a regular mower. You will just have to make more passes over the leaves with a regular mower, checking on your progress with each pass.
You will know you have achieved your goal once the particles are so small that you don't even recognize them as leaves anymore. At that point, you can just leave them to sink into the earth over time.
Tips for Mulching Leaves With a Regular Mower
While mulching leaves with a mower is not overly hard work, there are certain things to keep in mind to facilitate the work and get the job done right:
Don't mow after it rains: Do not mow when the leaves are wet. Wet leaves will not break down as easily. In fact, generally speaking, when the grass is wet, that is not the right time to mow.
Stay ahead of the leaves: Do not attempt to mulch leaves if they have formed a thick layer. For this reason, it is best to start the project early in the fall. Each time the trees drop another thin layer of leaves, go back and mow again.
If you fail to stay ahead: If the leaves have piled up on you, all is not lost, but you will have to alter your approach. One option is to skim off the bulk of the leaves with a rake, transporting them to your compost bin. They will eventually break down (although shredded leaves will break down faster) into compost. When the compost is finished, you can sprinkle it over your lawn. If your mower has a bag attachment, you can skip the work involved in raking and just bag up the excess leaves, dumping them into the compost bin afterwards. Either way, after removing the excess leaves, you can mulch the remaining ones into the soil.
Adjust the mower wheels: Raise the wheels on your mower to the highest setting for this project.
thespruce.com

10/27/2025

Thermography will be held at Health Works on Tuesday November 04th, 2025.
If you would like an appointment, please call 1-800-403-2041.

10/24/2025

If you're like us, you think the best thing about carving a pumpkin is saving the seeds for roasting! There are many different techniques for seasoning and roasting pumpkin seeds, but this simple method is trusted by hundreds of Allrecipes users. Learn how to prep pumpkin seeds for roasting, plus get ideas for seasoning or sweetening them.
How to Clean Pumpkin Seeds
The most laborious part of roasting pumpkin seeds is prepping them. You first have to separate the seeds from the gooey mess inside of the pumpkin. Fortunately, we've got a few tricks up our sleeves for making this process as painless as possible:
1. Scoop the seeds. First, use a strong metal spoon to scoop as many of the seeds out of the pumpkin as you can. Be sure not to let the pulp dry before cleaning the seeds.
2. Soak the seeds. Place the mass of seeds and pulp in a large bowl. Run water over them and use your hands to swish the seeds around, removing any noticeable bits of pumpkin. The flesh will separately more easily from the seeds this way. Drain off excess water.
3. Rinse the seeds. Place the clean seeds in a colander and rinse until any remaining flesh is gone.
4. Optional: Boil the seeds. Simmer the clean seeds in salty water for 10 minutes. (See below for why you should do this).
5. Dry the seeds. Drain the boiled/cleaned seeds in a colander and use a towel to dry the seeds as thoroughly as possible to ensure they get nice and crispy when baked.
Should You Boil Pumpkin Seeds Before Roasting?
Although you don't have to boil the pumpkin seeds before roasting, we recommend it. Boiling pumpkin seeds in salted water helps the salt to permeate the seeds inside the shells and helps them to cook more evenly.
How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds
Once your seeds are prepped and ready to go, it's time to roast! You'll find ingredient measurements below, but here are the basic steps:
1. Toss the clean, dry seeds in butter (or oil) and seasonings.
2. Arrange the seeds on a baking sheet.
3. Bake until golden brown.
Tips:
• For less mess, line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
• You can roast the seeds of any winter squash, not just pumpkin.
How to Store Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Allow the seeds to cool completely before storing. Roasted pumpkin seeds can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the fridge for up to two months.
Roasted Pumpkin Seed Flavor Variations
This simple recipe allows for countless flavor combinations, both sweet and savory. Here are just a few favorite ingredients you can use to season and sweeten pumpkin seeds:
• Savory: chili powder, garlic salt, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, cayenne pepper, ranch dressing mix, Tajin, curry powder
• Sweet: maple syrup, honey, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, cinnamon
How to Use Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds can be used for more than just snacking straight out of the bag (although, we do recommend that, too). Try mixing them into homemade granola, using them as a garnish for squash soup, adding them to trail mix, sprinkling them over baked goods, folding them into hummus, or using them as a salad topper.
Ingredients
1/2x
1x
2x
Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings
• 1 ½ cups raw whole pumpkin seeds
• 2 teaspoons butter, melted
• 1 pinch salt
Directions
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and gather ingredients.
• Toss seeds in a bowl with the melted butter and salt. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown; stir occasionally.
• Enjoy!
• Nutrition Facts (per serving)
83 Calories
5g Fat
9g Carbs
3g Protein

10/17/2025

Do you suffer with neck pain and/or headaches. Our massage therapists can help you with that. By targeting muscle tension and enhancing blood circulation, massage therapy can alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with various headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. Call us today to book an appointment at 705-526-6900.

10/13/2025

The Health Works Team would like to wish you all a Very Happy Thanksgiving.

10/10/2025

What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy focuses on improving physical function and mobility through various techniques. It is designed to help individuals recover from injuries, manage pain, and enhance overall physical well-being. Physiotherapists are trained professionals who assess, diagnose, and treat physical conditions using evidence-based practices.

If you are in need of physiotherapy call us at (705) 526-6900 and we can book you an appointment with Sandhya who will ensure you are feeling better in no time.