Community News
Cardioflex Q10

A supportive nutritional supplement for doctor recommended diet and exercise plans that is designed for cardiovascular health. Cardioflex Q1O is a unique blend of vitamins and amino proteins taken daily as supportive natural therapy to enrich cardiovascular health, establish cholesterol balance, and reduce CRP (C-reactive protein). Strengthen the cardiovascular system. Dissolve atherosclerotic plaque. Relieve the pain of angina pectoris (chest pain). Reduce the likelihood of blood clotting, heart attack or stroke. Increase heart and other muscle strength and stamina. Reduce blood and tissue lipids (fats) and cholesterol. Reduce C-reactive protein (CRP indicates artery inflammation) as well as homocysteine levels. Increase antioxidant intake and activity to slow aging. Help natural immunity against viral, fungal, and bacterial diseases, including antibiotic-resistant strains. Reduce hypertension and improve overall circulation. Manitoba Made, Innotech Nutrition product.

Nutrition Plus, www.nutritionplus.com

Chocolate Hemp Snackers 

Need a quick pick-me-up that’s loaded with protein, fibre, and is a little bit sweet?  Try a Chocolate Hemp Snacker.  Hemp Snackers are the innovative crunchy macaroon-like energy bar listing organic hemp seed as the #1 ingredient.  Full of protein, fibre, Omega 3’s and 6’s, inulin, antioxidants, and magnesium, they’re a snack you can feel good about eating.  Because they’re dehydrated at low temperatures rather than baked, they’re crunchy and easy for your body to digest. We chose organic Canadian maple sugar to sweeten them with, both for the unique flavour as well as the nutritional benefits. Only 150 Calories per one bar.

Natalie Dueck, www.rawnata.com

February is Heart Month!  

Today, heart disease and stroke take one life every 7 minutes and 90% of Canadians have at least one risk factor. Cardiovascular disease is caused by controllable and non-controllable risk factors. Controllable risk factors would include smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity. Non-controllable risk factors being age, gender and heredity. Signs and symptoms of a heart attack include squeezing chest pain, problems breathing, and pale or bluish skin. It is important to know that not everyone will experience chest pain during a heart attack. Women (and some men), people with diabetes and the elderly can experience what we call “soft signs” which can include mild, unfocused chest discomfort, tiredness, gastric discomfort and flu-like symptoms. It is strongly recommended to attend a First Aid, CPR and AED certification course to be able to properly identify and attend to emergency situations should they arise.

Yvonne Harder, www.eastmansafety.ca

5 Ingredients to Stay Away From

1. Parabens: Widely used as low-cost synthetic preservatives. They have been linked to cancer, and having an estrogenic effect.

2. Phthalates: Very toxic ingredients that aid in skincare absorption. Classified as “probable human carcinogens” by the EPA.

3. Petrochemicals: Many household cleaning products are loaded with petrochemicals, and this is linked to the rise in cancer and other diseases.

4. Cosmetic Fragrance: Artificial fragrances are made from petroleum which can cause skin irritations.

5. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate: The second most concentrated ingredient in shampoos and soaps. Also used in car wash detergents. In sufficient amounts, SLS is capable of changing the information in your genetic makeup. Read your labels – the FDA requires that label ingredients are listed in the order of highest concentrations – meaning that the highest level of ingredients are listed first.

Balance Your Hormones – Naturally! 

Hormones are chemical messengers that affect many aspects of your health as they travel in your bloodstream throughout your entire body. Hormone imbalance is the root cause of various diseases and disorders. Some of the most common side effects of hormone imbalance include: Infertility, Weight gain, Depression, Fatigue, Insomnia, Low libido and Hair loss. Organs and glands like your thyroid, adrenals, pituitary, ovaries, testicles and pancreas regulate most of your hormone production, and if your hormones become even slightly imbalanced it can cause major health issues. The good news is there are ways to balance your hormones naturally. Start with your diet! Foods packed with healthy fats like coconut oil, avocados, grass-fed butter and wild-caught salmon. Antioxidant rich fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds help strengthen your endocrine system, as they cancel the effects of free radicals on the body. Consumption of organic food with plenty of clean, filtered water is essential if you want to keep your balance!

Nichole Guthrie

Exercise…The Best Medicine

“What if I told you that this drug treats everything? And that it helps prevent almost every illness you might get, including certain types of cancer?” asks Jordan Metzl, MD sports physician. What is it? Exercise! If you’ve made a resolution to begin exercising this year or you’ve renewed your commitment to workout regularly, read on to find out why that is the best resolution you could have made. Regular physical activity can help prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and even some cancers. Exercise can lower both of those, can reverse type 2 diabetes, help alleviate depression, and relieve arthritis pain.  Metzl is a big fan of strength training and high-intensity interval training, which has been shown to have great results in improving fitness and burning calories. The Curves circuit is a 30 min. high-intensity interval workout consisting of the resistance machines and metabolic conditioning stations. We also encourage members to walk or do some other cardio between their Curves workouts.

Curves International 2015, www.curves.com

PRO-TEC

PRO-TEC is an antioxidant-rich supplement specially formulated to protect against free radicals. It also supports the delicate hormonal balance and maintains proper pH of the blood, keeping it from becoming acidic which can lead to chronic disease. PRO-TEC helps strengthen and protect the cardiovascular system, reinforce connective tissue in your joints and muscles that break down as we age, prevent absorption of toxins, support hormonal balance to maintain the proper ph of the blood, and more. The formulation includes Grape Seed Extract, Wild Mexican Yam, and Aloe. It is the unique combination of these plant-derived components that work together to promote stronger vascular and connective tissue integrity while increasing absorption and elimination of the toxins that can cause pain and cellular destruction. It’s never too late to begin to bring your system back into balance. Experience how good you can feel!

Darlene Savage, www.peopleswaylc.com

Winter Hazards & Your Cat

It can be a scary situation. You get into your vehicle and you hear a faint sound. When you pop the hood, you’re able to see that a tiny kitten has crawled in. Year after year we see our share of cats who have been injured because they just wanted to keep warm. During the winter months, a kitten, who doesn’t have very much body fat, can get quite cold. When he feels the warmth coming from your engine, up he goes. It may seem like folklore, but there have been several instances of this happening. If you suspect a cat could get under your car, honk the horn or bang loudly on the hood before starting the engine. Ultimately, cats do seek shelter in and around vehicles and some are badly injured, burned, or killed when drivers fail to notice their presence. Always keeping your cats indoors is the best way to keep them safe from vehicle dangers.

Lisa Tustin, Veterinary Assistant

New Year’s Resolutions!

Have you made New Year’s Resolutions for 2016? Here is something to question – “If these resolutions are so important, why have I not done them before? Am I actually ready to execute these changes, or am I creating them because I ‘should’?”  Instead of resolutions that often aren’t honored or successful even before the first month of 2016 is over, WHAT IF you made a list of positive emotions you wanted to feel in the New Year instead? “I choose to work on feeling healthier” avoids self-recrimination rather than “I will quit smoking”.  “I will connect with people who are important to me.” Is less pressuring than “I will call my relatives more often”. “I can choose exercise as a way to honor my body” is more flexible than “I will go to the gym three times a week.” Successful, guilt-free resolutions that you will follow through on! All the best in 2016!

Maureen Becker, www.sourcewithin.com

Financial Fitness

When filing for bankruptcy an individual assigns all of their property (subject to certain statutory exemptions) to a Trustee in Bankruptcy for the benefit of their creditors. A portion of monthly income earned in excess of certain government thresholds, referred to as “surplus income”, must also be paid into the bankruptcy estate. Once bankruptcy is declared, an individual no longer has to deal with their unsecured creditors, and any wage garnishments will stop. Most people who declare bankruptcy for the first time are eligible for an automatic discharge nine-months after the bankruptcy filing, provided they do not have surplus income. Once discharged, an individual’s obligation to pay their unsecured debts is extinguished, subject to certain debts that may survive such as student loans, alimony, child or spousal support, and certain court fines or penalties. A Trustee in Bankruptcy can offer a free consultation to fully review all of your options.

Deloitte, Trustee in Bankruptcy, www.debtsolutions.deloitte.ca

DIY Natural Deodorant

Traditional deodorants contain many harmful ingredients including aluminum. Aluminum is a known neurotoxin that has been linked to breast cancer and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Want to know how to make your own natural, aluminum-free deodorant that WORKS? Simple! All you need is: 3 Tbsp coconut oil, 4 Tbsp baking soda, 2 Tbsp shea butter, 2 tbsp corn starch and any essential oils (like lavender and tea tree). Make a double boiler by placing a glass jar in a small pot of water. Bring water to a simmer. Add coconut oil and shea butter to the jar and let melt. Turn off the heat, add the baking soda and cornstarch, and stir until smooth. Mix in essential oils and let cool. To use, just scoop a small amount from the jar and rub onto your armpits until absorbed. Some people transfer the deodorant to an old anti-perspirant tube to make application easier.