Iron deficiency knows no boundaries – from women (it is estimated that up to 26% of reproductive aged women are iron deficient), to athletes, the elderly, and vegetarians – shortage of this mineral is widespread. Iron is an essential element for the body, and when it’s low, energy levels decrease. Other tell-tale symptoms include: weakness, pale skin, dark under-eye circles, brittle hair and nails, shortness of breath, and cold hands and feet. Think you may be deficient? Try a natural liquid iron supplement. It will help fight back against iron deficiency by promoting the formation of healthy red blood cells. Visit a LifeSmart clinic and talk to the Pharmacist about your options!
Community News
Winter Nutrition for Seniors
It’s important for seniors to eat well in the winter months, and some key foods to eat for optimum health include: 1) Citrus fruits – citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, helping to boost immunity. 2) Dark, leafy vegetables – broccoli, spinach, and chard provide many vitamins and antioxidants. 3) Root veggies – root vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals, and fibre. 4) Vitamin D – with less sunlight exposure during the winter, eat egg yolks, healthy grains, seafood, and fortified milk. 5) Good fats – flax seed, walnuts, and avocados are high in healthy omega 3 fatty acids.
The Dark Brother Within
Deep buried inside each man is a part of himself that he does not like. This is his shadow self with roots as far back as childhood and the storehouse for anything he has disowned or rejected about himself such as anger, shame, empathy, grief, and unresolved wounding. Because he chooses to shun his shadow it results in him having low self-esteem and mental or chronic illness. This month, we courageously face the dark brother within as we start to integrate our shadows living as whole complete men.
Scents and Our Brain
Almost all information about smell is stored in the brain’s hypothalamus, a part of the limbic system, which seems to play an important role in controlling mood, memory, behaviour, emotions, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, stress, and hormonal balance. When a person inhales a smell, a certain signal is sent to the brain, which then spreads throughout the body. Choosing specific scents can lower our stress levels, boost mood, and improve memory. For better concentration, for example, combine a few drops of rosemary, sweet orange, and basil essential oils in your diffuser to increase your focus and productivity.
Negotiating vs. Compromising
I used to believe that relationships were all about learning to compromise with each other to find a middle ground. When we compromise, we tend to give up our own needs for the betterment of staying connected to others. When we learn to negotiate, we zero in and distill those needs that are fully needed to be met by finding the bridge between ourselves and another. By giving ourselves permission to express and negotiate our deepest desires, we find a creative way where both people can get their core needs met, which then leads to less resentment and greater satisfaction without losing themselves in the relationship.
Did You Know?
As of July 1, 2022 there were 7,329,910 Canadians over the age of 65 and there were 13,484 Canadians over 100! (StatsCan 2022)
1st Annual Christmas Craft Market
Santa’s coming to the first annual Christmas Craft Market at the Comox
Seniors Centre Saturday November 19th from 9am – 1pm.
A free event for the entire family. Featuring talented Artisans, giving the gift
from their hearts. Quality handmade items. Something for everyone.
Located at 1801 Beaufort Ave, Comox, (across from Town Hall).
Visit our unique Gift Shop. Enjoy beverages and baked goods at Dei’s Cafe.
Christmas Donations
As Christmas nears, please think of isolated and vulnerable seniors in your community when considering charitable donations. Comox Valley Senior Support provides supports to seniors year-round in an number of ways, but the requests for support always become more urgent as the Christmas holidays approach. $50 will provide ten hot meals for one of our seniors. $200 will pay the Society’s phone and internet bill for one month, freeing our funds to support seniors in the community. $500 will cover the the cost of mileage for our volunteers for one month – volunteers use their vehicles to deliver food, assist with household errands, attend to shopping needs or to ensure seniors in the Valley are able to safely get about their community. Comox Valley Senior Support also collects gifts for seniors each year and a donation in any amount will be directed to creating a smile on Christmas morning.
First Annual Spelling Bee
Thank you to those who attended the Comox Valley Senior Support Society’s first annual fund-raising Spelling Bee! A wonderful time was had! Comox Valley Senior Support extends its thanks to the wonderful sponsors of the Spelling Bee, Quantum Dental Group, First Credit Union, Berwick Comox Valley, Casa Loma & Casa Loma Seniors Village, Wellnessnews, and Sara Kempner Photography. And thanks to our give sponsors, Sunnyvale Golf & Country Club, Extreme Runners, Cons Bread, Wild Play, Laughing Oyster Book Shop, The Mustard Lady, K & V Nails, Bigfoot Donuts, Second Page Used Books, Country Market, Sara Kempner Photography, and Soul Star.
Volunteers Always Needed!
The strength of CVSS is its contingent of amazing volunteers. If you would like to visit with a lonely or isolated senior, or assist someone with accessing services in the community, or if you have another strength to offer, please contact us to learn more about providing support in your community. Beginning in September, volunteer training sessions will be done monthly so there will be only minimal waiting before you can begin! Volunteers are provided with monthly support meetings and regular education sessions.
Be a Santa to a Senior
Ready to Care® is a movement powered by Home Instead® to make the world a better place for seniors through programs like Be a Santa to a Senior. Help seniors in need this holiday season, by becoming a Santa to a Senior. FOUR easy ways to get involved. 1. Find a participating Be a Santa to Senior Business. 2. Remove the ornament with the senior’s gift request from the tree. 3. Purchase the requested gift(s) listed on the ornament. 4. Place the bulb and gift(s) in the designated box next to the tree. Visit BeaSantaToaSenior.com to find out how you can participate.
